Jane T. Black Hebrew School
Hebrew School for Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation begins in third grade and meets twice weekly from September through May. Our approach goes far beyond acquiring basic Hebrew skills, as tradition, practice and custom are woven throughout the curriculum.
Junior Congregation Services, field trips, tallit making and outings are all part of the school’s methodology. Beginning Hebrew School classes are available for children in Kindergarten, First and Second grades.
HEBREW SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Beth Israel Synagogue
2017
OUR PURPOSE
The goal of our school is, of course, to teach rote Hebrew reading and focus on mastering prayer skills. However, our aim is not just to teach for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. We want to introduce the students to holiday rituals, mitzvot, meaning of prayers, synagogue terminology and an introduction to classic Judaic texts. We want them to connect with a Jewish lifestyle and hopefully incorporate its values and teachings into their every day lives.
ALEPH
HEBREW
- Students will be able to recognize by sound and name all the letters of the Alefbet.
- Students will concentrate on rote reading skills
- Students will learn basic Hebrew vocabulary words
RITUAL
- Students will study a Jewish value beginning with each letter
- Students will learn terminology of Torah objects
- Students will learn the mitzvah of mezuzah.
- Students will learn the middot (values) of honoring parents and hospitality
PRAYER
- Students will learn blessings for special occasions
- Students will learn to chant Ayn Kelohaynu, Adon Olam and V’Shamru
- Students will learn key vocabulary and meaning of these prayers
HOLIDAYS
- Students will further their understanding of holiday customs and the appropriate prayers for each holiday
RUACH
HEBREW
- Students will continue to practice rote reading skills
PRAYER
- Students will review Ashrei., Adon Olam, Sh’ma and L’Cha Dodi
- Students will learn prayers of the Torah service.
- Students will learn key vocabulary and meaning of these prayers
RITUAL
- Students will learn about Shabbat
- Students will learn terminology dealing with Tanach, the Bible
HOLIDAYS
- Students will further their understanding of holiday customs and the appropriate prayers for each holiday.
KADIMA
HEBREW
- Students will continue to practice rote reading skills
PRAYER
- Students will review Ashrei and prayers for taking out the Torah.
- Students will learn prayers for returning the Torah and prayers for Friday night service.
- Students will learn key vocabulary and meaning of these prayers.
RITUAL
- Students will learn about tallit and tefillin.
- Students will learn the concepts of mitzvah, halachah, minhag, midrash.
HOLIDAYS
- Students will further their understanding of holiday customs and the appropriate prayers for each holiday.
MITZVAH
MODERN HEBREW
- Students will learn modern Hebrew conversation
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
- Students will take the prayer challenge and work on a prayer with which they are not familiar. (Example Anim Z’mirot, Hallel, Birkat Hamazon)
