Religious School
We welcome parents, grandparents and all family members to join with their children in all of our programming.
Kindergarten/First Grade
The kindergarten/first grade is their entrance to their journey through religious school. The program is one day a week and meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 through 11:30 am.
Focus on the concept of Mitzvot, Shabbat, Bible stories and Holidays
These grades are taught in an informal manner through music, crafts, and story telling. Basic Hebrew words are introduced as they pertain to holidays. An introduction to temple community brings about friendships that last through their religious school life and on.
The K-1 class is involved in all religious school extra-curricular programming and holiday events. <Return to Top>
The 2nd Grade
The 2nd grade is in essence a continuation of their first years of Hebrew School, bringing it up to a more age appropriate level for 2nd graders. The grade meets once a week on Sundays from 9:30 through 11:30am.
At this level, new aspects of the holidays are explored. In addition, more Hebrew words are introduced and the children become familiarized with Hebrew letters and vowels - the first step to Hebrew reading.
Music, dance, art, and holiday baking/cooking are introduced into the curriculum to make their experience more meaningful.
Finally, in second grade we introduce students to worship services familiarizing them with prayers and blessings.<Return to Top>
The 3rd Grade
The third grade meets mid-week, once a week from 4:15-6:15. Parents choose either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. As the last year before “official” Religious School begins, this is the time we try to instill good work habits, positive Hebrew reading experiences and an introduction to Jewish education for the “big kids.” Continuing to build on the material they’ve learned in second grade, third graders gain new insight into commentary and vocabulary related to Jewish holidays, history, ethics and the study of Israel.
Students continue to have art, music, and baking as they did in second grade. The new element that is added for third graders is the concept of social action, where children participate in a project of their choice to help others in different parts of the world. Through fund raising and other activities, they learn to help people less fortunate than themselves. <Return to Top>
The 4th Grade
Fourth grade is the first official year of the four year requirement towards Bar and Bat Mitzvah. Hebrew letters and vowels are reviewed from the previous year and a more structured, intense Hebrew reading program begins. By the middle of the year, the children will have received their prayer books and by the end of the year will be able to read specific prayers fluently.
The children start general Bible study in the fourth grade focusing on the weekly Torah portion. They learn through a combination of textbook-based study and utilization of additional resources to expand their knowledge.
This grade starts focusing on Jewish lifecycle events and begins to explore the study of Israel. Jewish holidays are taught in more depth than the pre-school years. Now they are not just learning about the symbols of the holidays, but are learning deeper meanings underlying the ritual. <Return to Top>
The 5th Grade
The fifth grade continues to complete their list of prayers that are required for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This list is important since knowledge of these prayers adds a comfort level and enables them to participate and pray in any synagogue around the world.
The Bible portion of the fifth grade program focuses on the book of Genesis. Through text and stories the children familiarize themselves with their ancestors and Jewish values.
Values are further explored through a book called How to Be a Mensch. The book delves into the kinds of behaviors and values that make for future leaders of the Jewish community and good citizens of the world.
Israel continues to be a focal point of the curriculum as the children become more familiar with Israeli society, government and culture. <Return to Top>
The 6th Grade
This is the pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah year where we focus on reading fluency and prayer study. By the end of the year, your child will be ready to start Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons with the cantor. It is our goal that all children will be reading fluently, know the prayers that they will be leading during their service, and feel comfortable in the sanctuary.
The children will study the Book of Exodus and focus on the receiving of the Torah, which is so important for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah year.
The children will study traditional stories, source material from texts and using critical thinking activities to teach them about Judaism’s ethical underpinnings. As they study universal values such as peace, persistence and free will within the framework of Judaic thought and tradition, students develop a personal connection and understanding of how to integrate Jewish values into their lives.
Israel is explored on a deeper level using the news and media to develop an understanding of the Middle East and world politics.
Towards the end of the year there will be a required Bar/Bat Mitzvah meeting which will focus in on all the administrative needs of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
**Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation (see bottom)<Return to Top>
The 7th Grade
The curriculum consists of a focus on Jewish values and ethics; including a focus on current events, the history of the Holocaust, ethical dilemmas and choices faced by teenagers today in their daily lives.
Holocaust Study
A large portion of the curriculum is entirely focused on the study of the Holocaust. Temple Judea is the only temple in the world to be directly affiliated with a Holocaust Resource Center. The director, Irving Roth, is world-renowned, and most well known for his adopt- a- survivor program. The eight-week program for 7th graders has been designed in an age appropriate, sensitive manner to address a most challenging topic. Guest speakers who have survived the Holocaust, video presentations, and interactive discussion are incorporated to make this a most successful course of study.
Jewish Values and Ethics
The classes are conducted in a more discussion-oriented format where students are invited to share their opinions and feelings. Guest speakers are invited to the school to talk to our students about real life issues and concerns that they face today. For example, topics to be covered include dating, substance abuse, relationships, and ethical issues such as cheating, euthanasia, medical ethics, and ethics of war.
Current Events
Guest speakers are also invited to discuss current events going on in Israel and with Jews around the world. The students design and conduct special Mitzvah projects to raise funds and awareness of Jewish issues.
Our seventh graders meet Wednesday evenings 7-8:30pm.<Return to Top>
Hebrew High School
8th and 9th Grades
Eighth grade and ninth Grade classes meet once every other Wednesday on alternating weeks; a pizza dinner is served in class. Our Cantor teaches these classes.
Beginning in the eighth grade, students will move away from ritual and holidays, and lean towards Jewish history and ethics. Students will learn about Israel, Bible, and values in a discussion-like atmosphere. In the ninth grade students will learn about current events in our country and in Israel and will continue going forward with learning about Jewish ethical values. <Return to Top>
10th Grade Confirmation
Tenth grade is the Confirmation year. Confirmation refers to a year long, weekly class (Confirmation Class) and a concluding ceremony (Confirmation). Confirmation class is taught by the Rabbi. Confirmation class explores subjects that 10th grade students care about such as relationships and learning how to use Jewish wisdom to help them make the best adult decisions in the upcoming years. **Please note that students need to be enrolled in eighth and ninth grade to enroll in Confirmation. <Return to Top>
11th and 12th Grade Classes
By the time eleventh and twelfth grade comes around, students have made life-long friendships with the other students in the class. Eleventh and twelfth grade each have their own class which meets once every month. Actually, we meet at the home of one of the students and have a discussion about life, the world, college, and then we eat together!
Twelfth Graders have a beautiful graduation service at Friday night Shabbat services in June. <Return to Top>
Special Needs
Children with special needs are always welcome at our Religious School. We will custom tailor a program to suit the needs -- be it physical or developmental -- for a specific child. Since every child is important, please contact our Religious School Director, Ellen Gastwirth, to discuss the specific needs of your child. <Return to Top>
Extracurricular Programs
Tzedekah Projects determined by each class
Baking & cooking food related to holidays
Sukkah crafts and decorating
Family Dinner Services
Simchat Torah Consecration
Chanukah Happening
Tu B’Shevat Seder
Purim Services and Carnival with games, rides, raffles and food
Passover Model Seders
Lag B’Omer Outing
Yom HaShoah Commemoration
Israeli Independence Day Celebration
Junior Services
Grade Level Family Shabbat Services
PACT Program (Parents and Children Together) Family Education program
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Our Teachers
In addition to your child’s religious development, their safety is our utmost concern. As of 2009, all of our teachers and staff are certified to administer epi-pens and CPR by the Red Cross.
All of our Religious School teachers have extensive experience teaching their subject areas. They are selected by us for their caring, child-friendly approach and are committed to Judaism and its continuation.
In addition, our wonderful Rabbi and Cantor not only teach within our Hebrew High Program, they lead religious school services, and visit each class throughout the year. <Return to Top>
Our Facilities
Our Religious School and Temple facilities are housed in a one-level facility with roomy, comfortable classrooms. All the classrooms have large windows to create a comfortable learning environment. The building is completely handicap accessible. We are nut sensitive in our Religious school and work to create a healthy environment for our students. We have kitchen facilities, social hall for events and special activities, and use the other Temple resources as needed including the Holocaust Resource Center. Cameras monitor access points for additional security. <Return to Top>
Bar/ Bat Mitzvah Preparation
Six months prior to the Bar/ Bat Mitzvah, your child will begin classes with the Cantor to learn the Torah and Haftarah portions. The Cantor will notify in advance, the date and time of your child’s lessons with her.
Eight weeks prior to the Bar/ Bat Mitzvah, your child will begin classes with the Rabbi to learn how to write and deliver their speech. Children should bring their Torah Portion. Rabbi’s classes are held on Wednesday’s from 5:45–6:45 (a pizza dinner will be provided). The office will notify you approximately a week and a half before lessons begin. <Return to Top>
