- (508) 429-6268
- tbt@bethtorah.org
Torah Tots
Toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents come once a month on Sunday mornings for their first experience of being part of a Jewish community. Tots classes focus on joyful celebration of Jewish holidays and an introduction to the core stories of the Torah and Tanakh. Children learn through stories, crafts, and play, while parents have the opportunity to make connections with one another. Torah Tots families are encouraged to participate in Religious School-wide and Temple-wide celebrations.
Gan/Aleph
Kindergarten and first grade students are immersed in the rhythm of the Jewish year, learning the basics of celebrating Shabbat and the Jewish holidays. In addition, they are introduced to core stories in the Tanakh and begin to explore the Jewish values found in these stories. Students are introduced to the concept of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of lovingkindness), focusing on the values of taking care of the earth, welcoming guests, taking care of the elderly, and compassion for animals. They are also introduced to Israel. Kindergarteners and first graders also begin to become familiar with the Hebrew alphabet and simple vowels.
Bet/Gimel
Second and third grade students continue to learn about and experience the cycle of the Jewish year and to explore Torah stories at an age-appropriate level. Bet/Gimel students focus on learning to decode Hebrew and begin to study Hebrew prayer. They learn the Shema, Judaism’s central prayer, as well as the Shabbat blessings and basic prayers of the Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday evening) service. Students start to become familiar with using a prayerbook in preparation for Gimel students receiving their first siddur in a meaningful ceremony. Bet/Gimel students also focus on how to be a “mensch” (a person of good character) by studying the Ten Commandments and Jewish values, learning about Kashrut (Jewish dietary law), and learning more about modern Israel, including how to sing Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem.
Dalet/Hey
Fourth and fifth grade students learn about the Jewish calendar, undertake an in-depth study of the Jewish holidays, explore aspects of the synagogue, and delve into the history of the Jewish people from the age of the patriarchs and matriarchs through the early twentieth century. Tankah and history study is enhanced through discussion, art and creative writing projects, and lively videos. Students embark on a year-long project of reading a work of Jewish historical fiction and studying the era in which it takes place. Tefillah (prayer) study focuses on learning the structure of the Shabbat service and focuses on the prayers of the Shema and Amidah sections of the service, with an emphasis on making the prayers personally meaningful. The class also works together on a tzedakah project, sometimes in collaboration with the work of the Temple’s Social Justice Committee. In addition to their Hebrew study, students are also introduced to Yiddish language and culture through stories, songs, foods, and entertaining vocabulary activities.
Vav/K’sharim (Connections)
Sixth and seventh grade students embark on an in-depth study of the Saturday morning prayer service, including an introduction to Torah and Haftarah trope, and become familiar with the Chumash (the Torah in bound book form). Several times a year, students meet on Saturday mornings instead of Sundays in order to participate in an experiential Shabbat learning service. In addition, Vav/K’sharim students study modern Jewish history with a focus on American Jewish history, Zionism and Modern Israel, and antisemitism and the Holocaust. Students develop their Jewish ethical thinking both through studying historical and contemporary issues and Jewish thought on how to be a good person. In the lead up to their b’nai mitzvahs, sixth grade students undertake a year-long project focused on their personal Jewish identity entitled, “I Am a Jew,” while seventh grade students embark on a Mitzvah Challenge with the Rabbi designed to build Jewish identity and connection through experimenting with different Jewish practices and activities.
Lifecycle Workshops
Each class explores a Jewish lifecycle ritual in a special workshop with Rabbi Mimi. These hands-on workshops include holding a model baby-naming ceremony, performing and participating in a model Jewish wedding, and, for our oldest students learning about Jewish rituals of death and mourning.
Family Workshops
Once a year, each class participates in a workshop for the whole family, where parents and students have the opportunity to learn together with Rabbi Mimi. Topics include Tikkun Olam, Gemilut Chasadim (acts of loving-kindness), the Siddur (prayerbook), God, Sephardi and Mizrachi Jewish communities, tallit, tefillin, mezuzot, and Jewish head-coverings.
All-School Tefillah
In addition to studying tefillah or Jewish prayer in class, the whole school comes together once a month on Sunday mornings to pray together in a musical, kid-centered short service, led by Rabbi Mimi and accompanied by TBT Religious School graduate Heath Banak on guitar.
Participation Services
Once a year each class participates in leading a Friday evening or Saturday morning Shabbat service, followed by a festive oneg or kiddush lunch.
Service Attendance Requirements
Gan-Aleph: One Tot Shabbat Participation Service and one other Tot Shabbat
Bet-Gimel, Dalet-Hey: One Participation Service and a Kids’ Shabbat service or regular Shabbat service. Monthly musical Shir Shabbat Friday evening services are a great option!
Vav-K’sharim: Follow B’nai Mitzvah requirements listed in the B’nai Mitzvah Handbook.