All Grades
Dana Shectman, TEE Executive Director and Director of Education, will teach across grade levels, leading sessions on Jewish lifecycle, weekly parsha with modern-day applications, and middot (values)-based learning. The weekly parsha with modern learning will be taught on Mondays from 4-4:15. Middot will be taught on Wednesdays from 4-4:15 with a follow-up activity reinforcing the concept on Wednesdays from 5:30 - 6:00. This will take on a variety of different forms, including community service / Tikkun Olam projects, group discussion, art, and movement activities. All of these activities are purposeful and structured.
Group Tefillah, led by Rabbi Axe with student participation, will take place on Mondays from 5:30 - 6:00, and will include prayer and song found in the format of the services for Shabbat and BMitzvah.
The only deviation from this schedule would be when specific holidays are being celebrated, such as a model seder for Passover, a Tu Bish'vat seder, a Chanukah celebration, etc…
Other highlights of the year include: Two school-led Shabbat programs, Family education events throughout the year, Youth Group events, now offered outside of Religious School hours (these were previously monthly in the RS calendar), and Monthly Shabbat Dinner & Service
Grades K - 2
This hands-on class experience is designed to foster a love of Jewish learning. Students will create art, sing songs, hear stories, and participate in movement activities. They will explore Shabbat, Jewish holidays and lifecycle events, alef-bet recognition, Torah stories, and much more! This program serves as a perfect introduction to religious school, helping students feel comfortable, become familiar with the traditions, and deepen their sense of belonging within the community.
Grade 3
Hands-on learning is a central part of this class, giving students the opportunity to sing songs, create art, and begin their formal Jewish education with plenty of room for self-expression. Children will explore Israel through stories and creative projects. They will deepen their understanding of the alef-bet as they begin to connect letters and sounds. They will learn to read and chant Shabbat and holiday blessings, building the confidence to participate in, and even lead, during services and celebrations. Students will also discover Jewish heroes from our shared history, personal lives, and the modern world, fostering a meaningful connection to their heritage.
Grade 4
Students will strengthen their mastery of the alef-bet and continue developing their ability to read and chant the prayers needed for BMitzvah preparation and daily Jewish life. Basic Hebrew vocabulary will be introduced through engaging games and movement-based activities. Students will also explore what daily life is like for Israeli children their age by learning about school, food, hobbies, music, and more.We’ll dive into the meaning of Hebrew names and birthdays, culminating in a fun and personal project. Lifecycle events will be discussed through the lens of family traditions and personal observance, encouraging students to think about how they mark time and milestones. Students will begin engaging with Jewish text through The Explorer’s Bible, Volume 1, laying the foundation for thoughtful exploration and discussion.
Grade 5
The curriculum will include a unit on Israel’s history leading up to the current conflict. The focus will remain on presenting factual information, avoiding personal opinions or emotionally charged language. Our discussion of the conflict will be limited strictly to the historical context of the land. These discussions will be approached with sensitivity, ensuring they are age-appropriate and mindful of each student’s capacity to engage with complex and challenging topics. Students will have the opportunity to design their own lifecycle events and share what they personally find most engaging and meaningful. Everyone will create their own yad (Torah pointer) to use as they prepare for their BMitzvah. The kids will continue engaging with the text through Volume 2 of The Explorer’s Bible, building on the foundation established in 4th grade when they completed Volume 1.The class will continue to build confidence in reading Hebrew while also learning elements of modern Hebrew through storytelling. Rabbi Axe will play a significant role in 5th grade instruction. She will work closely with students to strengthen their prayer reading and chanting skills, and will begin more focused BMitzvah preparation.
Grade 6
The 6th grade curriculum will include a unit on Holocaust education, utilizing materials from a range of reputable sources, including, but not limited to, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship, and My Jewish Learning. We will also discuss current world events as they relate to Jewish history and their relevance to our lives today. Both topics will be approached with sensitivity and with careful consideration of each student’s ability to process the material appropriately. Our study of Israel will include a focus on its development as the “Start-Up Nation,” highlighting its innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial spirit. Students will create micrography art pieces that illustrate the themes of their BMitzvah Torah portion. Throughout the year, students will help lead discussions about what is most meaningful to them personally as we celebrate each lifecycle event and holiday together. Rabbi Axe will play a significant role in 6th grade instruction. She will work closely with students to strengthen their prayer reading and chanting skills, and will continue focused BMitzvah preparation.
Grades 7 -12
Our oldest students will begin each session by sharing dinner and engaging in meaningful conversations about current events, personal interests, and a variety of other relevant topics. After dinner, a prompt will be introduced to spark discussion and guide independent or group research. Students will then use their findings to collaboratively create a learning aid of their choice. This might take the form of a website, social media campaign, board game, pamphlet, or another creative format they develop together. The central theme of the project will be maintaining mental health, practicing self-care, and supporting others during challenging times. Guided by the values of middot (Jewish ethical traits), students will design learning opportunities aimed at both children and adults, fostering empathy, resilience, and community awareness. We will welcome guest speakers to this class.