Young Families: First Year of Membership FREE! Learn More
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Young Families: First Year of Membership FREE! Learn More
K-2 — The Jewish Self and Jewish Life at Home
Our youngest students begin their exploration of their Jewish selves and their Jewish life at home and with their families. They immerse in the rhythm of the Jewish year, learning the basics of celebrating Shabbat and the Jewish holidays, and they take a deep dive into Shabbat, Passover, and Chanukkah as home-based holidays. In addition, they are introduced to core stories, characters, and families in the Torah and Hebrew Bible (TaNaKh), and they begin to explore the Jewish values found in these stories. Students focus on how to treat all of God’s creations, and are introduced to the concept of Gemilut Chasadim (acts of lovingkindness), focusing on the values of taking care of the earth, welcoming guests, respect for parents and elders, and compassion for animals. They live out these values through kindness projects throughout the year. They are also introduced to Israel. They also begin to become familiar with the Hebrew alphabet and simple vowels, and to learn the prayers of the Friday night Shabbat service in preparation for receiving their first prayerbook (Siddur) in the 3rd grade.
3-5 — The Jewish Self and Jewish Life in Community
This age group continues to explore their Jewish self and begin to explore Jewish life in community. They deepen their understanding of the Jewish calendar and the Jewish holidays, and do an in-depth study of Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shabbat, Chanukkah, and Purim as community-based holidays. They explore core stories and characters in the Books of Genesis and Exodus in the Torah, and they take a deep dive into the values these stories teach. As part of this exploration of Jewish values, they take on a year-long charitable giving (Tzedakah) project. They learn about aspects of the synagogue, and delve into the history of the Jewish people from the age of the patriarchs and matriarchs through the early modern Era. They continue their learning about Israel, exploring its geography, diverse communities, and cultures. Students focus on learning to decode Hebrew, and begin to learn core prayers of the Saturday morning and weekday service.
6-7 — The Jewish Self and Jewish Life in the Wider World: The Jewish People and the Wider Community
Our oldest students continue to explore their Jewish selves, and begin to explore what it means to be part of the Jewish people and to be Jewish in the wider world. They engage with Jewish holidays, and take a deep dive into Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, Passover,and Shavuot as holidays that celebrate Jewish learning, Torah and our Jewish ethical mandate. They learn about the Jewish Prophets, and the Jewish social justice texts of Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and the Rabbinic Tradition. In addition, Vav/K’sharim students study modern Jewish history with a focus on American Jewish history, Zionisms and Modern Israel, diasporisms, 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. Each year, students take on a project related to their Jewish identity and to living Jewish values in the wider world. As part of their B’nai Mitzvah preparation and prayer learning, students meet on Saturday mornings instead of Sundays several times a year to participate in an experiential Shabbat learning service. Students continue their study of Hebrew and the core prayers of teh Saturday morning and weekday service.
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.