Education

Sunday School Program 10am - 12:30pm

Gan Katan program for 2 to 4 yr olds with parent (1 hour - see below)

Pre-K and Kindergarten (specially designed curriculum - see below)

Grades 1 through 7 will be using the CHAI Learning for Jewish Life curriculum resources, which were developed by the Union for Reform Judaism, but have been adapated by Rabbi Krishef to include the Conservative traditions. Each core level contains lessons, developed by master educators, in the areas of Torah (Bible), Avodah (prayer), and G’milut chasadim (acts of loving kindness) that are connected by a thematic strand. The CHAI lessons follow a curriculum model known as Understanding by Design (UbD). This approach ensures that student learning will go beyond the specific classroom activities and will reach a deeper Enduring understanding – the concepts that provide the foundation for a lifetime of Jewish learning and living.

Hebrew Program (Sundays for Pre-K thru 6th and also Wednesdays for 2nd thru 7th) Mitkadem is a self-paced Hebrew program that not only teaches decoding skills (reading), but vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. Each student advances at their own pace and must successfully pass a test before progressing to the next level.

GAN KATAN (PRE-PRE KINDERGARTEN) Cantor Marisa Krishef

Goals: To introduce students to the concept of “What is Jewish”.

Objectives: The students will:

1. know the basic Jewish signs and symbols – where they are seen in our congregations and in our community and how they connect us as Jews.

2. celebrate the Jewish holidays as they occur, their sounds, sights, smells, tastes and textures. This class will be held as a parent-child class with parents learning along with their child to help integrate learning into home participation.

Structure: One hour class with parent/guardian every Sunday

PRE-KINDERGARTEN Sylvia Herman

Goals: The students will understand the concept of “being Jewish” and having a Jewish identity. They will develop a connection to the Temple/Synagogue and Religious School.

Objectives: The students will:

be introduced to customs, ceremonies, symbols and food of Shabbat and the Jewish holidays.
discuss Biblical characters and how they teach us how to behave from their actions, including trust from Abraham, kindness from Rebecca, bravery from Esther, and forgiveness from Joseph.
be involved in playful activities which will introduce them to the Mitzvot that every Jewish child is expected to fulfill, including honoring your parents, telling the truth, and returning lost property.

Structure:Service, 1½ hour core class, music at least once a month, and Hebrew weekly.

KINDERGARTEN Rhonda Pappas

Goals: The students will continue building the foundations of Jewish life and practice by exploring the integral role Judaism plays in their lives.

Objectives: The students will:

1. identify the basic symbols of Jewish life and identify when and where they are used.

2. recognize the ritual items at home and in the synagogue and identify their purpose.

3. recite in Hebrew the Shema, Motzi, Kiddush, Shabbat candle blessing, and Modeh Ani,

4. begin identifying Hebrew letters and basic Hebrew vocabulary

5. participate in holiday rituals as holidays occur in the cycle of the year with a focus on Shabbat

6. identify Biblical and post-Biblical characters as they occur in the cycle of the year,

7. demonstrate a basic understanding of Tzedakah and Mitzvah and become active participants.

Structure: Service, 1½ hour core class, ½ hour Hebrew, ½ hour music at least once a month

1^ST GRADE Linda Zizos

Enduring Understandings: My Jewish acts help me discover the beauty and order of sacred time and my place in the Jewish story

Objectives: The students will:

1. discover through B’reishit (Genesis), that they are part of the ongoing story of Torah and the Jewish people.

2. develop a sense of beauty and order of sacred time through Avodah

3. become Mitzvah Heroes when they perform acts of g’milut chasadim

4. learn basic Hebrew vocabulary and be able to recall the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet

Structure: Service, 1½ hour Chai class, ½ hour Hebrew, ½ hour music at least once a month

2^ND GRADE Melissa Popour

Enduring Understandings: Studying Torah can teach us important lessons about how God wants us to live.

Objectives: The students will:

1. discover through Shemot (Exodus) that Torah teaches us how to be part of the Jewish people.

2. understand that Jewish celebrations and rituals help us express our relationship with God.

3. learn that we can make the world a better place by performing g’milut chasadim – acts of loving kindness in our everyday lives.

4. develop basic reading skills by starting Mitkadem, the Hebrew reading program

Structure: Service, 1½ hour Chai class, ½ hour Hebrew, ½ hour music at least once a month.

Additional 1 1/2 hour of Hebrew on Wednesday at Midweek Hebrew is an option.

3^RD GRADE Aaron and Maryanne Katz

Enduring Understandings: The laws and rules found in the Torah can help us to live a life filled with holy moments.

Objectives: The students will:

1. understand how the laws and rules in Vayikra (Leviticus)can help us to live a life filled with holy moments

2. discover that through Avodah we can make our lives and the world more kadosh-holy

3. appreciate that each individual act of g’milut chasadim can make the world kadosh

4. continue to develop Hebrew reading skills through Mitkadem

Structure: 1 hour Hebrew every week, 1 hour Chai each week, ½ hour music at least once a month. Additional 1 1/2 hour of Hebrew on Wednesday at Midweek Hebrew

4^TH GRADE Lindsay Baker and John Wofford

Enduring Understandings: We made a “brit” (covenant) with God to be a Holy People. We learn from our ancestors so that we can continue the tradition of holiness.

Objectives: The students will:

1. Understand that the promise of a Holy Land-Eretz Israel, as learned in B’midbar (Numbers), and D’varim (Deuteronomy) comes with the responsibility to work toward becoming holy.

2. appreciate the importance of praying with Kavanah (intention), and understand the reason for Keva (fixed prayer), which together help us make sacred connections.

3. relate how our acts of g’milut chasadim affect people we encounter in our daily lives.

4. continue to develop Hebrew reading skills and understanding through the Mitkadem curriculum

Structure:1 hour Hebrew every week, 1 hour Chai each week, ½ hour music at least once a month. Additional 1 1/2 hour of Hebrew on Wednesday at Midweek Hebrew

5th GRADE Lindsay Baker and John Wofford

Enduring Understanding: We can all make a difference in the lives of others. We need to develop a sense of who we are and what we can achieve.

Objectives: The students will:

1. understand that the words and messages of the Prophets in Nevi’im remind us how God wants us to live

2. discover that prayer will lead to personal reflection and can strengthen our relationships to community and God

3. develop a responsibility to support and sustain the Jewish community- K’lal Yisrael

4. continue to develop Hebrew reading skills and understanding through the Mitkadem curriculum

Structure: 1 hour Hebrew every week, 1 hour Chai each week, ½ hour music every other week. Additional 1 1/2 hour of Hebrew on Wednesday at Midweek Hebrew.

6th GRADE Jan Fonger

Enduring Understanding: Exploring our personal and communal role in Revelation, we find sacred

connections to God, community and self.

Objectives: The students will:

apply wisdom from theK’tuvim-Writings, to issues in their lives and in the world.
understand what it means to stand at Mount Sinai, and the responsibility that accompanies it.
learn from Jewish sources about their responsibility to protect nature and the environment, help those in need, and care for animals.
Continue to develop Hebrew reading skills and understanding through the Mitkadem curriculum.

Structure: 1 hour Hebrew every week, 1 hour Chai each week, ½ hour of enrichment weekly.

Additional 1 1/2 hour of Hebrew on Wednesday at Midweek Hebrew.

7^th GRADE Rachel Katz and Rabbi David Krishef

Enduring Understanding:

Our development as emerging Jewish adults is closely linked to our ethical behavior (middot) and the performance of acts of g’milut chasadim.

Objectives: The students will:

· develop a personal Jewish identity through the book of B’reishit,

reflect about what is needed in order to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah including the responsibility of performing acts of g’milut chasadim.
investigate the significance and customs of Jewish lifecycle events
explore Jewish values to confront the issues facing teenagers.

Structure: 1-2 hours of Chai curriculum incorporating discussion and participation in mitzvah projects,

Interspersed with 1 hour of additional curriculum, ½ hour of enrichment.

Optional for Temple students: Additional 1 1/2 hour of study on Wednesday at Midweek Hebrew.

8^th GRADE Andrew Harter

Objectives: The students will:

· discover the journey of the Jewish people through history, including introduction to Yiddish, traditional foods, dance and music

· evaluate the concepts of bigotry and prejudice and investigate how that led to the Holocaust

· gain an understanding of the events that led to the Holocaust, with a visit to the Holocaust museum to reinforce their learning experience

· develop social action projects to help them understand their personal responsibility of Gimilut Chasadim.

Structure: 2 hours of instruction and discussion with ½ hour of enrichment.

9^th GRADE

Sheryl Siegel Core 1: Israel – The students will develop an understanding of the significance of the

Jewish state of Israel. It will enable our children to have an educated discussion, to defend the Jewsh

position, and to develop a connection with Israel. We will use a new curriculum called the "David Project".

Mitch Kahn Core 2: Students will examine the patterns of immigration beginning primarily in the 19th

century, and analyze the Jewish movements and institutions that American Jews have created for us. Each

year, students in ninth grade travel to New York City and are introduced to Jewish immigration and culture.

10^th GRADE Rabbi Michael Schadick

The first semester will be divided into two separate courses. During the first hour, the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade students will learn about the history of Israel, its significance to us as Jews, and its impact on the world. The course will be taught using the “Israel and Jewish Identity” program developed by the David Project. During the last hour, the 10^th grade students will meet with Rabbi Schadick to discuss “Important Jewish Conversations” using written works from modern day scholars as the basis for discussion.

The second semester will delve into a discussion about the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the current situation. This course will utilize multiple sources and guest speakers.

March thru end of Year

The 10^th grade students will prepare for confirmation with the Rabbi and students from their own congregation.

11th/12th GRADE CLASS and MADRICHIM PROGRAM Evan Rossio

During the first semester the 11^th and 12^th grade students will learn about the history of Israel, its significance to us as

Jews, and its impact on the world. The course will be taught using the “Israel and Jewish Identity” program developed by the David Project.

During the second semester the students will delve into a discussion about the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the current situation. This course will utilize multiple sources and guest speakers.

Students will also have the opportunity to visit Hillel at MSU.

Structure: The class will meet for 1 to 1½ hours every week, studying and socializing. During the second half of the day they will have the opportunity to work as an aide in the classrooms of younger students.