Our kindergarten curriculum examines Jewish values and Jewish holidays. Additionally, students will be learning about five Tzedek (Justice) Heroes over the course of the year.

Students will delve into values of tzedakah, b’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God), hachnasat orchim (welcoming the stranger), hakarat hatov (being appreciative), and more. Through arts and crafts, drama, games, and other activities, our students explore the ways that we live Jewish lives and act as God’s partners in the world. As they engage with various Jewish values, our Kindergarteners will contemplate how we can make the world a better place and the ways that we should treat ourselves and others.

During the Jewish Values Unit, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will uncover specific Jewish values and be able to articulate what they mean and why they are important.
• Students will explore different ways to act out Jewish values.
• Students will think differently about how to treat one another and themselves.

Throughout the year, our kindergarten class will learn about the Jewish holidays as they occur throughout the year. The class will uncover the stories of each holiday and students will explore the ritual objects we use during these holidays through hands-on examination and creating some of these objects. Students will learn about the ways that we celebrate each holiday and participate in celebrations during class.

During the Jewish Holidays Unit, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will learn the core concepts/story of each Jewish holiday.
• Students will create objects that will help them to remember and observe various Jewish holidays.
• Students will share the ways that their family celebrates the holiday and learn new traditions from one another.

During the Tzedek Heroes Classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will understand the different forms tzedek comes in.
• Students will learn about a variety of different people who fought/fight for important causes as well as organizations that support those causes.
• Students will explore these causes as well as corresponding Jewish values and texts.
• Students will donate their tzedakah to whichever organization they are drawn to each week.

Over the course of the year, kindergarteners will learn about five different Tzedek Heroes, past and present, and the justice-related causes they represent. Through activities, crafts, multimedia, and more, the students will explore these causes and their corresponding Jewish values. Each cause will also be represented by a different non-profit organization that does justice work related to that cause. Each week, the students will have the opportunity to donate their tzedakah money to whichever organization they choose that week.

While we do not begin formal Hebrew study until third grade, we recognize that for language acquisition and reading skills to be successful, a child must first engage with a language on an auditory and oral level. Our students will begin to interact with Hebrew words that are core to our Jewish lexicon and show Hebrew as a living language. Additionally, throughout the year, students will participate in Hebrew-immersion games and activities that will begin to acclimate them to the Hebrew language.

During our kindergarten to second grade program, students will focus on the following goals in Hebrew:

• To introduce students in our pre-K through second grade programs to the Hebrew language – both orally and some written.
• To have students become comfortable using Hebrew words and phrases that are common in our school/community (brit, tefilah, Shabbat, tzedakah, tikkun olam, etc.).
• To have students see Hebrew as a living language and begin to connect with it.

The synagogue is a beit tefilah (house of prayer), beit knesset (house of meeting), and a beit midrash (house of study) and during first grade our students think about how we can take advantage of each of the synagogue’s functions. While our students explore the physical synagogue and meet various people who work here, they will engage with the Jewish values of community, prayer, and study. Our first grade classes think about what it means to be Jewish from the perspective of each of these three functions of a synagogue. They also get to learn more about our sanctuary space and the larger Stephen Wise Free Synagogue building.

During the Synagogue Unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• To help students become comfortable in the synagogue building and with the people who make up our synagogue community.
• To show students the various aspects of our synagogue community.
• To familiarize students with the parts of the sanctuary.
• To come up with ways that we can continue to take advantage of the synagogue as a place of study/prayer/meeting.

Just as the synagogue is the center of the local Jewish community, Torah is the central text of our people.

Throughout the year, the first grade will study the stories of our ancestors and learn from them. Students will hear the stories of all our matriarchs and patriarchs, as well as the stories of Joseph, Moses, and others. Students will explore Torah using multiple creative approaches such as drama, art, and music.

Throughout the Torah Unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Studying important Torah stories and having students engage with the text
• Teaching of Jewish values through Torah stories
• Creating character profiles of biblical figures

Our first grade class will learn about the Jewish holidays as they occur throughout the year. The class will uncover the stories of each holiday and students will explore the ritual objects we use during these holidays through hands-on examination and creating some of these objects. Students will learn about the ways that we celebrate each holiday and participate in celebrations during class.

During the Jewish Holidays classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will learn the core concepts/story of each Jewish holiday.
• Students will create objects that will help them to remember and observe various Jewish holidays.
• Students will share the ways that their family celebrates the holiday and learn new traditions from one another.

Over the course of the year, our students will learn about five different Tzedek (Justice) Heroes, past and present, and the justice-related causes they represent. Through activities, crafts, multimedia, and more, the students will explore these causes and their corresponding Jewish values. Each cause will also be represented by a different non-profit organization that does justice work related to that cause. Each week, the students will have the opportunity to donate their tzedakah money to whichever organization they choose that week.

During the Tzedek Heroes Classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will understand the different forms tzedek comes in.
• Students will learn about a variety of different people who fought/fight for important causes as well as organizations that support those causes.
• Students will explore these causes as well as corresponding Jewish values and texts.
• Students will donate their tzedakah to whichever organization they are drawn to each week.

While we do not begin formal Hebrew study until third grade, we recognize that for language acquisition and reading skills to be successful, a child must first engage with a language on an auditory and oral level. Our students will begin to interact with Hebrew words that are core to our Jewish lexicon and show Hebrew as a living language. Additionally, throughout the year, students will participate in Hebrew-immersion games and activities that will begin to acclimate them to the Hebrew language.

During our kindergarten through second grade programs, students will focus on the following goals in Hebrew:

• To introduce students in our kindergarten to second grade to the Hebrew language – both orally and some written.
• To have students become comfortable using Hebrew words and phrases that are common in our school/community (brit, tefilah, Shabbat, tzedakah, tikkun olam, etc.).
• To have students see Hebrew as a living language and begin to connect with it.

Our second grade curriculum focuses on Israel. These students will learn about Israel’s geography, its famous sites, and the people in Israel while trying to answer the question of what makes Israel special for the Jewish people. They will discover the richness of Israeli culture, the unique geography of Israel, and the amazing contributions that Israel has made to our world. Second grade classes will “meet” important figures from Israel’s past and present, will recreate Israeli foods and experiences, and even explore the country itself through various activities. The second grade students are challenged to use their new knowledge of Israel to create an itinerary for our synagogue’s next mission.

During the Israel Unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Help students to experience Israel through all their senses.
• Introduce students to Israel’s long history and help them begin to see how important Israel has been to the Jewish people throughout time.
• Develop a personal relationship with Israel through the study of history, culture, people, and geography.
• Determine the essence of Israel that one must experience on a synagogue mission.

In addition to learning about Israel, each week our second grade will spend a little time revisiting the stories of our ancestors in the Tanakh. Students will discuss the lessons we learn about relationships, responsibility, and being our best selves. We will create character profiles of Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and more. 

Throughout the year of Torah, we will focus on the following goals:

• To study important Torah stories and have students engage with the text
• To explore Torah using multiple creative approaches
• To teach Jewish values through Torah stories

Our second grade class will learn about the Jewish holidays as they occur throughout the year. The class will uncoverthe stories of each holiday and students will explore the ritual objects we use during these holidays through hands-on examination and creating some of these objects. Students will learn about the ways that we celebrate each holiday and participate in celebrations during class.

During the Jewish Holidays classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will learn the core concepts/story of each Jewish holiday.
• Students will create objects that will help them to remember and observe various Jewish holidays.
• Students will share the ways that their family celebrates the holiday and learn new traditions from one another.

Over the course of the year, our students will learn about five different Tzedek (Justice) Heroes, past and present, and the justice-related causes they represent. Through activities, crafts, multimedia, and more, the students will explore these causes and their corresponding Jewish values. Each cause will also be represented by a different non-profit organization that does justice work related to that cause. Each week, the students will have the opportunity to donate their tzedakah money to whichever organization they choose that week.

During the Tzedek Heroes Classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will understand the different forms tzedek comes in.
• Students will learn about a variety of different people who fought/fight for important causes as well as organizations that support those causes.
• Students will explore these causes as well as corresponding Jewish values and texts.
• Students will donate their tzedakah to whichever organization they are drawn to each week.

While we do not begin formal Hebrew study until third grade, we recognize that for language acquisition and reading skills to be successful, a child must first engage with a language on an auditory and oral level. Our students will begin to interact with Hebrew words that are core to our Jewish lexicon and show Hebrew as a living language. Additionally, throughout the year, students will participate in Hebrew-immersion games and activities that will begin to acclimate them to the Hebrew language.

During our kindergarten through second grade programs, students will focus on the following goals in Hebrew:

• To introduce students in our kindergarten to second grade to the Hebrew language – both orally and some written.
• To have students become comfortable using Hebrew words and phrases that are common in our school/community (brit, tefilah, Shabbat, tzedakah, tikkun olam, etc.).
• To have students see Hebrew as a living language and begin to connect with it.

JUDAICA

Our third grade students will spend the year thinking about the concept of kadosh (holiness). Through their examination of Jewish ritual objects, our students will confront questions such as: How do we decide what is sacred and holy? How do we treat holy objects differently than everyday objects? How do these ritual objects help us to engage in Jewish life? Third grade students will have the opportunity to touch, feel, find, and create various Jewish ritual objects throughout the year. They will learn about and create various Jewish ritual objects such as a yad, mezuzah, kippah, tallit, siddur, and Torah.

During the Ritual Objects unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Defining the concept of holiness.
• Challenging students to think more broadly about what can be holy.
• Recognizing the ways that we treat holy objects different from ordinary objects.
• Learning about Judaism through our ritual objects.

Later in the year, we will move from thinking about holy objects to thinking about holy living. Together, they will learn the Jewish people’s traditions and customs for how to make each day special and holy. We will study Shabbat, Havdalah, kashrut, and more in order to determine if these rules enhance our lives, making each moment special, or if they detract from it.

During the Holy Living unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Learning ways that we engage in holy behavior through regular Jewish practice.
• Broadening our concept of holiness.
• Challenging the students to think about ways they can live a holy life.

We will end the year by thinking about what it means for human beings to be holy. Our students will debate what it means to be created in God’s image. Students will construct their own ideas about what it means to live a holy life – one where we are aware of our actions, of what we put into our bodies, and how we act in community. They will think about how we should treat one another and ourselves if we are truly created in the image of God.

During the We Are Holy unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Broadening our concept of holiness.
• Showing the students that just as objects and time can be holy, people are holy too.
• Challenging students to think about the ways that we should treat others and ourselves since we are holy.

By the end of the year, we expect that every third grader will be able to define the concept of holiness and discuss what it means for them to engage in holy acts, describe how we treat holy objects, and share what it feels like to be holy themselves.

Our third grade class will learn about the Jewish holidays as they occur throughout the year. The class will uncover the stories of each holiday and students will explore the ritual objects we use during these holidays through hands-on examination and creating some of these objects. Students will learn about the ways that we celebrate each holiday and participate in celebrations during class.

During the Jewish Holidays classes, we will focus on the following outcomes: 

• Students will learn the core concepts/story of each Jewish holiday.
• Students will create objects that will help them to remember and observe various Jewish holidays.
• Students will share the ways that their family celebrates the holiday and learn new traditions from one another.

Over the course of the year, our students will learn about five different Tzedek (Justice) Heroes, past and present, and the justice-related causes they represent. Through activities, crafts, multimedia, and more, the students will explore these causes and their corresponding Jewish values. Each cause will also be represented by a different non-profit organization that does justice work related to that cause. Each week, the students will have the opportunity to donate their tzedakah money to whichever organization they choose that week.

During the Tzedek Heroes Classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will understand the different forms tzedek comes in.
• Students will learn about a variety of different people who fought/fight for important causes as well as organizations that support those causes.
• Students will explore these causes as well as corresponding Jewish values and texts.
• Students will donate their tzedakah to whichever organization they are drawn to each week.

HEBREW

At Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Religious School, we work to ensure that every child is capable of decoding (reading without full comprehension) Hebrew prayers and blessings, and that they know and can define common Hebrew words and phrases. We want our students to see Hebrew as a living language of the Jewish people and to be able to use it to help them in prayer and in Jewish life. Our teachers strive to make Hebrew accessible and to ensure that every child’s ability to decode improves each week.

Third grade is the beginning of our formal Hebrew program. During this year, students will focus on learning the Hebrew letters and vowels. Once students have mastery of the entire Aleph-Bet, we will work on their ability to combine letters and vowels to read basic Hebrew words and phrases. This stage in our Hebrew program is defined as Level 1. Students will meet weekly in small groups with their Hebrew teacher virtually. Groups will be based on Hebrew reading level (1-5), with the expectation that they will progress at least to the next level by the end of the year. These levels apply to 3^rd through 7^th grade. Students have the opportunity to reinforce their Hebrew skills and learn more about our prayers during tefilah (prayer services) each week.

JUDAICA

The overarching theme of our fourth grade curriculum is Jewish community and peoplehood. Throughout fourth grade, students engage in what it means to be linked to something larger than themselves and how we engage with other Jewish people, places, and spaces.

For the first half of the year, our fourth grade classes will learn about Jewish lifecycle events. They will discuss what makes each one an important moment in the course of someone’s life, as well as why and how Judaism chooses to spotlight that particular moment. They will get to think about all these Jewish lifecycle moments as one continuum in order to see how they all work together to build and mark someone’s life within a spiritual community.

During the Jewish Lifecycle unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Introduce students to various Jewish lifecycle rituals and events.
• Give students an opportunity to participate in/experience Jewish lifecycle events.
• Place B’nai Mitzvah within the larger framework of Jewish life.
• Help students think about how Judaism supports us in key moments of our lives.

For the second half of the year, our fourth grade will focus on Israel. Students will learn about the history of the Jewish state, the people who live there, and the amazing things that Israel has to offer us! Throughout the year, the students will create their own relationships with the land of Israel and begin to gain a deeper understanding of why we have a Jewish state and how we can support it.

During our Israel Unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Help students form a connection to the state of Israel.
• Familiarize students with important moments and figures in Israeli history.
• Get students excited about the idea of visiting Israel in the future.

Our fourth grade class will learn about the Jewish holidays as they occur throughout the year. The class will uncover the stories and themes of each holiday and students will explore the ritual objects we use during these holidays through hands-on examination and creating some of these objects. Students will learn about the ways that we celebrate each holiday and participate in celebrations during class.

During the Jewish Holidays classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will learn the core concepts/story of each Jewish holiday.
• Students will create objects that will help them to remember and observe various Jewish holidays.
• Students will share the ways that their family celebrates the holiday and learn new traditions from one another.

Over the course of the year, our students will learn about five different Tzedek (Justice) Heroes, past and present, and the justice-related causes they represent. Through activities, crafts, multimedia, discussions, and more, the students will explore these causes and their corresponding Jewish values. Each cause will also be represented by a different non-profit organization that does justice work related to that cause. Each week, the students will have the opportunity to donate their tzedakah money to whichever organization they choose that week.

During the Tzedek Heroes Classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will understand the different forms tzedek comes in.
• Students will learn about a variety of different people who fought/fight for important causes as well as organizations that support those causes.
• Students will explore these causes as well as corresponding Jewish values and texts.
• Students will donate their tzedakah to whichever organization they are drawn to each week.

HEBREW

At Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Religious School we work to ensure that every child is capable of decoding (reading without full comprehension) Hebrew prayers and blessings, and that they know and can define common Hebrew words and phrases. We want our students to see Hebrew as a living language of the Jewish people and to be able to use it to help them in prayer and in Jewish life. Our teachers strive to make Hebrew accessible and to ensure that every child’s ability to decode improves each week.

Students will meet weekly in small groups with their Hebrew teacher virtually. Groups will be based on Hebrew reading level (1-5), with the expectation that they will progress at least to the next level by the end of the year. These levels apply to 3^rd through 7^th grade. Students have the opportunity to reinforce their Hebrew skills and learn more about our prayers during tefilah (prayer services) each week.

Our fifth grade curriculum provides a unique pathway for relating to and understanding the b’nai mitzvah experience. As our students start to think about this important event coming up in their lives, we spend the year engaging with the texts they will read when they become b’nai mitzvah and understanding how our Jewish bible has evolved into the great Jewish textual tradition. 

JUDAICA

Our fifth grade classes will do some in-depth study of the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible). They will explore the different books that make up the Bible, how they fit together, and how to navigate the text. They will also explore Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash, and other Jewish texts in order to understand how we can interpret the bible and continue our textual tradition. This will prepare our students to begin their Jewish Text Study Projects (which will kick off as part of our fifth grade family program).

During the Tanakh unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Teach students the structure of the Tanakh.
• Place the Torah in a larger context of Jewish text/thought/understanding.
• Expose students to the variety of genres found in the Tanakh.
• Introduce students to Jewish texts such as the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash.

Our students will spend the final third of the year working on creating their Jewish Text Study Projects. The Jewish Text Study Project is an innovative and unique approach to text study in which each student has the chance to deeply engage in the text and become the teacher for their peers. During our family program, students and parents/guardians will uncover the ways that Jews engage in text study. They will practice this skill together using the text that they choose. Students will spend the next few weeks of class time carefully reading and analyzing their text in order to determine what values the text can teach us. Parents/guardians will be given information on how to check in on their student’s progress at home and help them continue their work outside of class time. Each student will come up with a way to teach their fifth grade community about the text. Students are encouraged to be innovative and creative! Parents/guardians will be invited to their student’s presentation.

During the Jewish Text Study Project unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Give students (and their parents/guardians) an opportunity to engage with the words and meaning of their text.
• Encourage students to take part in the textual tradition of interpreting and teaching text.
• Give students a space to present their ideas about Jewish texts to their peers and families.
• Inspire to be creative and show off their talents!

Over the course of the year, our students will learn about five different Tzedek (Justice) Heroes, past and present, and the justice-related causes they represent. Through activities, crafts, multimedia, discussions, and more, the students will explore these causes and their corresponding Jewish values. Each cause will also be represented by a different non-profit organization that does justice work related to that cause. Each week, the students will have the opportunity to donate their tzedakah money to whichever organization they choose that week.

During the Tzedek Heroes Classes, we will focus on the following outcomes:

• Students will understand the different forms tzedek comes in.
• Students will learn about a variety of different people who fought/fight for important causes as well as organizations that support those causes.
• Students will explore these causes as well as corresponding Jewish values and texts.
• Students will donate their tzedakah to whichever organization they are drawn to each week.

HEBREW

At Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Religious School we work to ensure that every child is capable of decoding (reading without full comprehension) Hebrew prayers and blessings, and that they know and can define common Hebrew words and phrases. We want our students to see Hebrew as a living language of the Jewish people and to be able to use it to help them in prayer and in Jewish life. Our teachers strive to make Hebrew accessible and to ensure that every child’s ability to decode improves each week.

Students will meet weekly in small groups with their Hebrew teacher virtually. Groups will be based on Hebrew reading level (1-5), with the expectation that they will progress at least to the next level by the end of the year. These levels apply to 3^rd through 7^th grade. Students have the opportunity to reinforce their Hebrew skills and learn more about our prayers during tefilah (prayer services) each week.

JUDAICA

Our sixth grade curriculum focuses on God, our theology and personal belief systems. Students will be exposed to different ideas about God that are represented in traditional Jewish text and modern day “Jewish” media. Students will become conversant in the diversity of names for God, and will encounter the theologians and philosophers who have shaped Jewish spiritual thought. They will also reflect on the ways their belief in God has changed throughout their lives, and articulate a theology that will grow with them in years to come.

During the God unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Encouraging students to articulate cohesive and contradicting ideas about God;
• Introducing students to multiple names for God in Jewish traditions;
• Empowering students to navigate talking about God with people who have different beliefs; and
• Showing students that asking questions is part of Jewish spirituality.

Our sixth graders will continue their learning with a brief study of the Holocaust. During this unit, they will explore the history of antisemitism, how the Nazis and Hitler were able to gain power in Berlin, and what actually happened to the Jews between 1933 and 1945. We recognize that this is a heavy topic; however, it is important for our students to understand our history, particularly one that is so significant to the current American-Jewish experience.

During the Holocaust unit, we will focus on the following goals:

• Enabling students to study the Holocaust in a safe, Jewish environment;
• Guiding students to a deeper understanding of antisemitism, its roots and its uses throughout Jewish history; and
• Exploring the personal stories of the Holocaust to find real people to whom each student can connect.

NOSH & D’RASH

We know that 6^th and 7^th grade students are in a critical moment of identity development and that the sense of belonging to a group is essential for these students. We want to encourage our students to build community with one another and to see themselves as Jews who each add something significant to our community. Each week, our 6^th and 7^th grade community will come together with Rabbi Rifkin and Rabbi Gluck for 30 minutes of Nosh & D’rash. During this time, we will study the rabbinic text Pirkei Avot which will push our students to think about relationships, ethical decisions, and how Judaism impacts our everyday lives. In addition, we will celebrate those students in our community who have recently become b’nai mitzvah. Lastly, we will, when appropriate, use this time to discuss current events that are impacting our students’ lives. 

HEBREW

At Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Religious School, we want students to see Hebrew as a living language of the Jewish people and to be able to use it confidently in prayer and in Jewish life. We work to ensure that every child is capable of decoding (reading without full comprehension) Hebrew prayers and blessings in preparation for leading the b’nai mitzvah Shabbat morning service. Students will meet weekly in pairs (chavruta) with their Hebrew teacher virtually. Pairs will be based on Hebrew reading level (1-5), with the expectation that they will progress at least to the next level by the end of the year. These levels apply to 3^rd through 7^th grade. B’nai mitzvah tutors and Hebrew teachers will be in communication as well.

JUDAICA

As our students prepare to become b’nai mitzvah, our seventh grade curriculum pushes our students to define the concepts of mitzvot and tzedakah. During this unit, our students will consider seeing mitzvot as obligations as opposed to good deeds, and how tzedakah is not charity, but rather an act of justice. Students will debate where, when, and with which organizations they should engage in order to do acts of social justice. Additionally, our students will have the opportunity to plan and create their own mitzvah projects, which they will showcase to one another.

During the Tzedek, Tzedakah, and Mitzvot unit, we will focus on the following big ideas:

• As students become b’nai mitzvah, it is essential that they understand the concept of mitzvot as obligations.
• Tzedakah is the act of creating equality and equity in our world (not charity) and it is an obligation (mitzvah) for each of us to carry out.
• In order for students to become lifelong social-justice-doers, they need to think about how we make decisions around tzedek and tzedakah
• Students should be exposed to various Jewish and non-Jewish non-profit organizations in order to discover ones that they personally connect with.
• Doing acts of tzedek every day is empowering and can be done no matter our age and stage in life.

For the second half of the year, we will focus our studies on Israel. We want our students to understand the history of the state of Israel and its importance to the Jewish people. We know that, in the world we live in today, being able to articulately and accurately speak about Israel means being knowledgeable about Israel. We hope that this unit will help our students to ask deep questions about Israel, Israelis, and the current conflicts between Israel and other peoples, and that through this our students will begin to develop a deep love for our homeland.

During the Israel unit, we will focus on the following big ideas:

• A connection to and relationship with Israel is an essential part of one’s Jewish identity.
• In order to truly understand and have a relationship with Israel, one must be knowledgeable about the history of the state.
• Jews must be able to unpack and demystify Zionism (with its multiple ideas and long history) in order to take on this label for themselves.
• Jews must struggle with all of Israel’s complexities in order to find a way to deeply love Israel.
• Liberal American Jews need more underlying knowledge in order to respond appropriately to anti-Zionist (and anti-semitic) rhetoric.

NOSH & D’RASH

We know that 6th and 7th grade students are in a critical moment of identity development and that the sense of belonging to a group is essential for these students. We want to encourage our students to build community with one another and to see themselves as Jews who each add something significant to our community. Each week, our 6th and 7th grade community will come together with Rabbi Rifkin and Rabbi Gluck for 30 minutes of Nosh & D’rash. During this time, we will study the rabbinic text Pirkei Avot which will push our students to think about relationships, ethical decisions, and how Judaism impacts our everyday lives. In addition, we will celebrate those students in our community who have recently become b’nai mitzvah. Lastly, we will, when appropriate, use this time to discuss current events that are impacting our students’ lives.

HEBREW

At Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Religious School, we want students to see Hebrew as a living language of the Jewish people and to be able to use it confidently in prayer and in Jewish life. We work to ensure that every child is capable of decoding (reading without full comprehension) Hebrew prayers and blessings in preparation for leading the b’nai mitzvah Shabbat morning service. Students will meet weekly in pairs (chavruta) with their Hebrew teacher virtually. Pairs will be based on Hebrew reading level (1-5), with the expectation that they will progress at least to the next level by the end of the year. These levels apply to 3^rd through 7^th grade. B’nai mitzvah tutors and Hebrew teachers will be in communication as well.

Plural for bar or bat mitzvah, we view this as not only a lifecycle event for the student, but the whole family. It’s not the culmination of our students’ Jewish education, but rather the beginning of their adult Jewish lives. A year before their b’nai mitzvah, students begin working with a private tutor. Through the b’nai mitzvah training process, students meet and get to know the clergy, while studying their Torah and Haftarah portions.

Madrichim

In Hebrew, madrichim means “guide,” which some Jewish summer camps call their counselors. In our Religious School, teens in grades 8 through 12 can volunteer as madrichim, helping teachers in the classroom. This opportunity allows them to continue to engage with the Jewish community after their b’nai mitzvah, while also developing important skills. To ensure growth, teachers and other staff give our madrichim feedback and guidance. Many of our younger students look up to their madrichim, who model continued Jewish involvement and positive Jewish identity.

Teen Programming

We encourage our teens to volunteer both within the Stephen Wise community and beyond through programs like our on-site Next Step Men’s Shelter and Emergency Food Program, at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion soup kitchen, and on other service projects around the city and on trips to other states. Our Religious School creates opportunities for teens to participate in text study and to celebrate Jewish holidays with fun and educational programs that engage with Judaism and build Jewish identity.

We offer a number of opportunities for our students’ families to engage with Jewish learning. Family programs for each grade help highlight elements of the curriculum, giving families a taste of the material. When role models like parents engage in learning, it motivates students to learn and each session creates opportunities for community building among families. We challenge our families to think deeply about how they incorporate Jewish life into modern day lives.

We also encourage students and their families to attend our synagogue’s many Family Experiences programs, which build on skills and knowledge learned in the classroom and provide meaningful opportunities for families to learn and celebrate together. Our youngest students participate in joyful, age-appropriate services, while our older students welcome Shabbat in the sanctuary before participating in programming just for them.

Judaica classes meet once a week (in-person only) on Sundays and weekdays.

Our 3rd–7th graders also have small virtual group Hebrew sessions once a week.

We know that the normal religious school model doesn’t fit every student’s need. Therefore, we offer Portals, which brings an experienced teacher from Stephen Wise’s Religious School to your home for weekly one-on-one sessions with your child. We tailor these weekly lessons to the student’s needs and interests. Families are still able to take part in the warm and inclusive community, including children’s services and other Family Experiences. This program is available only to students in third through seventh grades.

To attend Religious School, families must hold membership in the synagogue and children must be registered.

Returning and current members will receive information and forms in April and should be returned as soon as possible to reserve the child’s spot. Prospective new members will receive information starting in May. Registration for the 2023–24 school year will open soon!

Visiting

If you’re interested in visiting our school, we have open houses and information sessions in the spring. For more information or to make other arrangements to see the school, please contact the Religious School.

Rabbi Rena Rifkin, director of youth education, is always available to meet individually with families to discuss needs, programs, and other concerns. Sandra Divack Moss, the synagogue’s executive director, is available to discuss any financial concerns.