Religious School Curriculum

2020-2021 / 5781

Mission

Our mission at Temple Emanuel’s Religious School is to teach our students and families core Jewish values through the experiences of living a Jewish life. As Reform Jews that honor tradition, we introduce children to the Hebrew language and Jewish liturgy to foster a deep connection with God, Torah, and Israel.

Students will have a meaningful understanding of our stories, history, ethics, and traditions so that they can develop and take pride in their unique Jewish identities. We will teach our students to be lifelong learners who will contribute to our society in meaningful ways.

Click here to read our Hebrew Standards.

Pre-K through Grade 2

Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 2 Sundays 9:00-11:00 am

Tradition tells us that the core of Judaism is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Teaching this core value is our utmost priority throughout our school and especially for our youngest students. This message of the “golden rule” is palpable throughout the many experiences our youngsters have in class. These experiences include Jewish song, stories, arts and crafts, and an introduction to the Hebrew language both through visual and spoken methods. Through these formative years we hope to cultivate a sense of belonging in each student. We hope that each student feels that they have a special place in their classroom, a special place in our Temple Emanuel community, and a special place amongst the Jewish people worldwide.

Grade 3 through Grade 6

Sundays 9:00-11:00 am OR Sundays 10:30 am-12:30 pm AND
Tuesdays 5:15 pm-6:45 OR Wednesdays 4:15 pm-6:15 pm

With a deep understanding of respecting others and with a strong sense of belonging, our middle grade students will begin to build upon that solid foundation. Students will begin to learn siddur skills that will prepare them to be full participants in our prayer services. These students will also begin learning Jewish history and Jewish values at age-appropriate levels. The Hebrew language, Jewish history, and Jewish values are inextricably linked from the birthplace of Judaism – Eretz Yisrael – The Land of Israel. In these grades, students will begin learning about, and developing a personal relationship with, Israel both as a religious ideal and as a modern state.

Grade 7 through Grade 9

Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm

Our oldest group of students will be ready to wrestle with their tradition in a mature fashion. They will have the privilege of diving deeper into Jewish text, Jewish values, and Jewish traditions than ever before. They will begin to ask the big questions and challenge any preconceived notions that they once had about Judaism. Our students will sometimes encounter problems with no “right” answers. Through this wrestling process, our students will begin charting a path towards having a clear and confident sense of who they are as emerging Jewish adults.

Grade 10 Confirmation Class

Every other Sunday, 11:00-12:30 am

Rabbi Dean’s curriculum includes meaningful discussions about Judaism and Jewish ethics. Much of the program is determined by the needs and interests of the class. The ultimate goal is for the students to have an enhanced understanding of themselves as individuals and as Jews. The year culminates with the confirmation service in May. .

Grades 11 and 12 Giving Circle

Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm

Our 11th and 12th graders will have the opportunity to learn about group work and make a huge impact in our community through our giving circle. Students will raise money and invite non-profit organizations to apply for grants which our Juniors and Seniors will read, evaluate, and ultimately decide who gets the funds.

Madrichim Program

A madrich (masculine) or madrichah (feminine) is the Hebrew word for “guide” or “instructor.” Our madrichim do exactly that – guide and instruct – each and every Sunday. They consist of High School students who guide and instruct our younger Religious School students in cooperation with our Religious School teachers to give our students the best experience possible. Being a madrich/ah is a wonderful way to develop leadership and teaching skills.

For additional questions about the religious school, to schedule a tour, and/or to have your child attend a class, please contact Sharon Paley, Religious School Director at 480-838-1414 or by email.

B’nei Mitzvah Training

Students who are 10 months away from their Bar/Bat Mitzvah date will begin in prayer class which is held on Sundays from 10:30-11:30 am. Once a student has mastered the prayers, they will proceed to training with Matt (our Torah Tutor) for their Torah portion and will participate in four individual sessions with Rabbi Dean.