Curriculum

Hebrew

Hebrew is a crucial part of the Religion School curriculum and, as such, we try to integrate it into our studies throughout the morning in an age appropriate level as well as having one period focusing purely on Hebrew.

The children in Playshul up to Aleph class learn Hebrew as an oral language through a variety of activities including stories, songs, role play, games and using visual aids.

Over the past two years we have been exploring and evaluating the different systems for learning Hebrew and we have decided to create a programme that uses the strengths of a variety of books.

Playshul – Aleph         Oral Hebrew

 

Bet                               Kadimah

 

Gimmel – Dalet            Z‘Man Likro

 

Hay – Vav                    Z’Man Litfillah

 

Briyah – Emunah          Sefatai Tiftah

 
Our hope is that, with teacher support, each child will be able to learn at his/her own pace feeling equally comfortable and familiar with both spoken Hebrew and the classical Hebrew of the Siddur.

 

Our new computer suite is now ready and will be used to enrich the children’s Hebrew language experience.

Jewish Studies

This year we are introducing a new curriculum. ‘The Jewish sages teach us that ‘the world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah and G’milut Hasadim,’ (Avot 1:2). These pursuits – study, worship, and deeds of loving kindness – provide the framework within which Jews build their relationship with God, with one another, and with the world. Accordingly, Torah, Avodah and G’milut Hasadim serve as the “core” of Chai: Learning for Jewish Life curriculum, providing students with the foundation for a lifetime of Jewish learning and living.’ 

Playshul is Jewish learning for children aged 0-4 accompanied by one or both parents and sometimes by a grandparent or other relative. Please read the page on ‘Playshul’ for a more detailed description.

Emunah also has its own curriculum where the focus is on participation in both the Synagogue service and the community as a whole as the students prepare for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah.

Our senior classes will lead or significantly contribute to either a Shabbat evening or a Shabbat morning service during the year thus developing a closer connection between the Heder and the Synagogue. Below is a timetable of the class services with the preparatory planning meeting

Projects

2 ½ hours a week is very little time to cover all areas of Judaism: Jewish knowledge, culture, history, tradition etc so, in addition to our basic curriculum, the children participate in a series of projects through which we hope to broaden the children’s Jewish experience. Last year these projects were based around the festivals. These projects will include singing, text study, Israeli dancing, cookery, craft, a book group, gardening and film. Parents are invited to see the results of these enrichment sessions.

 

This year our project groups will be two stranded. Some children will be involved in preparing for the production of Joseph and others will be poreparing for Mitzvah day and Gemillut Chasadim (Deeds of loving kindness).

Assembly
The 15-minute assembly is the forum for pupils to learn prayers and relevant songs around the time of the festivals. It is an opportunity to come together as a community to share experiences and celebrate successes.

Each class will lead or significantly contribute to either a Shabbat evening or a Shabbat morning service during the year thus developing a closer connection between the Heder and the Synagogue. This will compliment the monthly family services where children are invited onto the bimah for their birthday blessings.