Our Religious School Philosophy
At Temple Shaaray Tefila, Jewish education is a lifelong journey that should be meaningful, challenging, dynamic, and inspiring. Our school strives to help learners build their Jewish identity so that Judaism can be a special and integral part of their lives. Jewish education is a partnership between school and home, and we delight in working with families in the sacred task of passing Torah to the next generation.
We believe that a Jewish Education should be available to all learners and that everyone should be taught in the way they learn. We strive to meet the needs of all learners who desire a Jewish Education at Shaaray Tefila.
We achieve our goals through the efforts of a strong and dedicated faculty who employ a variety of creative teaching styles in their classrooms and through an engaging curriculum designed to meet the needs of learners.
Religious School Curriculum
Our Religious School is proud to adopt the CHAI Curriculum, designed by and for the Reform Movement. The Jewish sages teach us that "the world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah, and G'milut Chasadim" (Avot 1:2). These pursuits-study, worship, and deeds of loving-kindness provide the framework within which Jews build their relationships with God, with one another, and with the world. Accordingly, Torah, Avodah, and Gmilut Chasadim are the core of the CHAI: Learning for Jewish Life curriculum, providing students with the foundation for a lifetime of Jewish learning. The CHAI Curriculum utilizes Wiggins and McTighe’s Understanding by Design (UbD) pedagogical principles. UbD is a teaching approach that starts by setting clear learning goals and planning activities to help students learn. It aims to ensure that lessons lead to real understanding by first focusing on the end results.
Torah: Students engage in meaningful dialogues with the sacred texts, integrating these teachings into daily life and enhancing their ability to study Torah across all areas of life.
Avodah: This strand emphasizes creating sacred connections, helping students find spiritual resonance with God, form meaningful community bonds, and undertake personal journeys of self-discovery, enriching our collective lives.
G’milut Chasadim: This aspect focuses on personal responsibility for improving and sanctifying the world, enabling students to enact positive, transformative change through acts of loving-kindness.
Each grade will build off the material learned in the previous years.
Kindergarten: Teach blessings for candles, juice, and challah, emphasizing the joy and family aspects of Shabbat to foster a personal connection.
Grades 1 & 2: Hebrew Alphabet and Basic Prayer Connection Hebrew Alphabet Mastery: Concentrate on recognizing letters and vowels. Basic Hebrew Vocabulary: Introduce simple words related to Jewish life and prayer to bridge daily living with religious practice. Hinei Ma Tov, Modeh Ani and Shema (first line): Introduce and understand the significance of gratitude upon waking and the foundational declaration of the Jewish faith. Shabbat Traditions: Teach blessings for candles, juice, and challah, emphasizing the joy and family aspects of Shabbat to foster a personal connection.
Grade 3: Introduction to Prayer Structure and Shabbat Prayers Service Structure: Overview to understand the order of the service. Shema and V'ahavta: Focus on understanding and connecting personal meaning to this central creed. Introduction to Amidah [HaTefilah] -Avot v'Imahot: Learn about the ancestors' blessing and its relevance to Reform Judaism's inclusivity values.
Grade 4: Exploring Prayer Themes and Further Shabbat Prayers Amidah [HaTefilah] Themes: Gevurot (God’s Might) and Kedushah (Holiness): This section discusses these prayers to highlight key Jewish values and ethics. Mi Chamocha: Linking the theme of freedom to historical and current issues. Birchot HaShachar (Selected Blessings): Introduction to morning blessings as a way of finding daily spirituality. Aleinu and Its Role in Expressing Hope for Universal Peace: Discussions and creative projects to explore personal and communal aspirations for peace.
Grade 5: Deepening Connection to Prayer and Jewish Values Sim Shalom (Grant Peace): Explore the theme of peace in Jewish prayer and its universal application. Kiddush: Connecting the sanctification of Shabbat with joyful family gatherings. Prayers for Healing (Misheberach): Understand the role of community and empathy in prayer.
Grade 6: Advanced Prayer Fluency and Leadership Skills Full Amidah [HaTefilah] Study: Deep dive into all blessings with a focus on understanding their history and contemporary meaning. Torah Blessings and Introduction to Torah Service: Familiarity with the Torah service rituals to promote engagement and participation. Haftarah Blessings Preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Emphasizing the importance of connecting personal coming-of-age with communal traditions. Kaddish: Understanding the variations and significance of this prayer within the context of communal worship and remembrance.
Grade 7: Mastery, Leadership, Engagement with Tradition and Innovation Shacharit and Amidah [HaTefilah] Torah Service Haftarah Blessings
Becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah is one of the many Jewish milestones we look forward to celebrating with your family. As learners approach becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, there are additional components of the program:
All learners are required to enroll in and attend our seventh grade program, which meets on Monday nights from 6:30-8:15.
Our expectation is that learners will continue coming on Monday nights throughout their high school years as we have a rich and rewarding program through 12th grade.
Details about the entire Bar/Bat Mitzvah process : CLICK HERE
We are excited to host Shabbat dinners and services for each grade from 1st to 6th! To foster a sense of community, grades will be paired as follows: 1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th, and 5th & 6th.
During our Friday night services, students will have the opportunity to lead the prayers they know and those they are currently learning in school. We view our Friday Night Grade level services as an extension of class and consider them the ultimate learning experience. Children become comfortable with being on the Bima and helping to lead the community in prayer.
Our services are designed to be warm, friendly, lively, and filled with uplifting songs, creating a joyful atmosphere for all.
