Hours taught: 1
Goals for the year:
We learn about Jewish traditions, stories, and holidays through Jewish values. The classes are designed for experiential learning, involving the children on their own level, finding points of commonality between the material and their own life experiences.
The year’s key word and focus:
The Jewish home.
Key questions for the year:
Where can we find the ancient Jewish values reflected in our lives today. How do these values affect our decisions?
How do the Jewish holidays affect the circle of Jewish life?
Material:
Introducing Jewish folklore and Talmud Torah stories through base Jewish values. (pride, generosity, friendship, hope, learning, fraternity.)
Outcomes:
Reflective thinking about Jewish stories, understanding and use of Jewish symbols, critical thinking, empathy, posing of questions, reflection and association to our own lives.
Topics of the Jewish Home:
Shabbat: Symbols on the Shabbat table and candle lighting ritual.
Mezuza
Siddur – Jewish prayer book
Shalom bajt (peace in the home)
Holidays
Rosh HaShanah
Sukkot
Simchat Torah
Hannukah
Tu b'Shevat
Purim
Pesach
Celebrations of a modern Israel (Yom Ha’atzmaut, Yom Yerushalayim)
Shavuot
Shabbat
Requirements for satisfactory passing of the class:
Active participation in lessons, cooperation with classmates, listening to others, respecting all members if the class. Verbal self expression, critical thinking, questioning, reasoning, sharing of opinions. Active part and cooperation in individual, paired or group activities.
Textbooks, sources:
The curriculum was designed by the Lauder School Judaic studies work group with the guidance of EFI professionals.
