Students in grades K-7 meet in person Sunday mornings.  Starting in 4th grade, students are individually tutored in Hebrew for approximately 30 minutes during the week via Zoom. 

We are on this journey together (B’yachad), nurturing sparks of eternal light. We encourage our students to continue the journey with us by becoming teaching assistants, fanning these sparks into clear and lasting flames.

Each grade explores an age-appropriate topic of Jewish Life in-depth, ranging from prayers, rituals and blessings to Torah stories; Jewish holidays and life-cycle events; and the land, people and culture of Israel. Learning takes place through art, music, video and film, special programs, trips, hands-on-projects and heart-to-heart conversations between students and teachers.

Before formal Hebrew reading begins in 4th grade, our youngest students learn Hebrew words throughout the year, with new words added every year through 6th grade. The students’ association with these words feels organic and, as a result, B’nei Mitzvah students move through their preparations smoothly and easily.  

During Sunday school, all grades enjoy an outdoor activity in our spacious school yard (weather permitting) monitored by our staff, and Motzi and Kiddush (eating and blessing fresh-baked challah and grape juice). Students sing the prayers of the Shabbat service (Tefillah) with Cantor Amy in our Sanctuary. The day ends with students summarizing the day’s learning with their teachers and madrichim (teaching assistants), and cleaning up.

Grades K-2  Our youngest students explore Jewish symbols and ritual, holidays and Torah stories. Students learn holiday songs and prayers and actively participate in School services that engage them in our core prayers and songs, including Bim Bam, Hinei Ma Tov, Candle Lighting Blessing, Short Version Kiddush, Bar’chu, Shema, and Oseh Shalom, to name just a few. Hebrew is introduced through our “Jewish Life Vocabulary” program that exposes students to about 20-30 new Hebrew words per year. 

Grades 3 & 4  The curriculum focuses on Torah study; Jewish rituals; the land, people and culture of Israel; Jewish life cycle events and Jewish law. Study of prayers expands and builds upon songs and prayers learned in the younger grades. Prayers include V’ahavta, Avot V’Imahot, Chatzi Kaddish and the full Kiddush. Students begin their individual Hebrew lessons. 

Grades 5 – 7  Students focus on Social Justice/Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), The Holocaust and God. In addition, they continue individual Hebrew lessons and preparation for becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

More about our Hebrew Program

Over the past few years, the Reform Movement has adopted sound-to-print and “Jewish Life Vocabulary” as the best ways to teach Hebrew language. Sound-to-print recognizes that students can read words with which they are familiar more easily. Jewish Life Vocabulary supports sound-to-print by exposing students to Hebrew words that will ultimately be used in Jewish worship services, including your children’s B’nei Mitzvah ceremony along with Jewish holidays and home rituals.

Before formal Hebrew decoding begins in 4th grade, our youngest students learn 20-30 Hebrew words throughout the year, with new Hebrew words added every year through 6th grade. By 7th grade, all of our students will have been exposed to at least 100 words that include cognates, roots, and variations of Hebrew words used in the synagogue setting. The students’ association with these words will feel organic and, as a result, B’nei Mitzvah students move through their preparations smoothly and easily.

Along with the integration of Hebrew in every Sunday School class, students in grades 4-7 have individual Hebrew lessons tailored to their needs.  They meet with a dedicated teacher via Zoom for 25-30 minutes each week, on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.  Study of prayers expands and builds upon songs and prayers learned in the younger grades. These include V’ahavta, Avot V’Imahot, Chatzi Kaddish and the full Kiddush.