Hebrew School Curriculum

The Hebrew Curriculum is designed to enable students to feel comfortable learning the role of Hebrew in Jewish heritage, and to read prayers and blessings accurately. Students learn to understand key words and concepts in prayers, and become more fluent and confident with Hebrew before becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Classes meet twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday. The students participate in B'nai Mitzvah workshops with their parents. They meet with the Rabbi, the cantor, and the Hebrew tutor. Other aspects of Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation are included in our B'nai Mitzvah Policy handbook.

Hebrew Kindergarten - Third Grade

Students of K - 3rd grade have short Hebrew sessions on a bi-weekly basis. In these sessions, the students learn basic spoken Hebrew. Learning colors, body parts, numbers, and some verbs are typical to these sessions.

Hebrew I - Fourth Grade

The students in this level use the "Zeman LI’Kroe" series ("Time to Read Hebrew"). Each lesson in this book contains some key words that are made up of new letters and vowels. The students sound out some words formed from the new letters and vowels. This method allows the students to read more Hebrew, to write it, and understand its meaning. By the end of the year the students are able to sound out all the letters and vowels. Some of the blessings studied at this level are: candles, short Kiddush, Ha’Motzie, Chanukah, Torah study, Tallit, and She’Hechiyanu.

Hebrew II - Fifth Grade

The students in this level use the "Hebrew Through Prayer" series, which includes material designed to stimulate discussions. These discussions deepen our students' understanding of Jewish rituals and concepts in doing mitzvot. Reading exercises and enrichment activities aid students in developing reading fluency and allowing active participation in the classroom setting. The "Hebrew Through Prayer" approach encourages students to sharpen their reading skills, and develop recognition of important roots and vocabulary words within the assigned Hebrew prayers and blessings. Some of the prayers the students work on are: Barchu, Shema, Mi Chamocha, The Four Questions, Ve’Ahavta, and Full Kiddush.

Hebrew III - Sixth Grade

The students in this level continue using the "Hebrew Through Prayer" series. They use Hebrew reading selections that improve their reading skills and encourage participation in the rituals of home and synagogue. The students read with accuracy, and comprehend concepts in the assigned prayers and blessings. Some of the prayers they work on are: chanting Ve’Ahavta, Reader’s Kaddish, Torah Blessings, Haftarah Blessings, and Amidah.

Hebrew IV - Seventh Grade

About a year before the student’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah, they attend this level that is designed to prepare them for this important event. The students work on all the prayers, blessings, Torah, and Haftarah readings. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah class is taught and supervised by two teachers. At this time the students review all the prayers including Ma'ariv Aravim, Yotzer Or, Torah, and Haftarah portions.

During the year students have the opportunity to spend more time in "One On One" situations with their teachers and tutors. They study their Torah portion and practice their Haftorah reading, and with the encouragement and help of the Rabbi, they prepare their speech.