Kids Club (Pre-K, K)
In Kids Club, the students begin an adventure into the world of Judaism through story, song and art. Through music, art, food, storytelling and games, the students start to form their Jewish identity and community.
Kids Club (1st, 2nd)
The older Kids Club students are thrilled to come to Religious School because of all the fun they have and the success they feel. They begin to learn their Hebrew letters in an enjoyable manner. They join the older students to promote a sense of community and gain exposure to more advanced Jewish learning. By the end of the year, they are able to lead some of the prayers on their own.
Gimel (3rd grade)
In Gimel, our students come once a week with an option of a second day. During their time in Gimel, the students focus on letter and sound recognition at a much more in-depth manner, learning more prayer vocabulary and really beginning to string sounds together. They review Shabbat brachot and add holiday related brachot to their repertoire. The culmination of the Gimel year is the Consecration service where the students each receive their own Siddur and lead an abridged version of the Kabbalat Friday Shabbat service. Additionally, the Gimel students focus on the stories early in the Torah and begin to forge a connection to Israel through song, dance, crafts and cooking.
Dalet (4th grade)
Dalet students attend twice a week. The Hebrew instruction builds on the foundations that they learned in Gimel. They add more brachot to their repertoire, start building a greater connection to Israel, and their Torah curriculum takes them to the next level.
Hei (5th grade)
In Hei, the students are starting to move beyond basic Hebrew and are now spending more time focusing on prayer and intention, including perfecting the Ma’ariv (evening) service and beginning to focus on the prayers for the Shacharit (morning) service. The students study the holidays through the lens of middot (Jewish values) and in their Torah study. In regards to Israel studies, the students will focus on famous Israelis and take a look at Israel in the modern age, including its founding.
Vav (6th grade)
One highlight of the Vav class is the Hesed (kindness) program where the students focus on Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) with year-long mitzvah projects that are relevant, engaging and hands-on. These mitzvah projects can include volunteering at a food pantry, raising money with a charity walk, making sandwiches for a soup kitchen, collecting items for families residing in Homeless shelters or creating a “birthday in a box” for needy children. Additionally, students will learn about the lives of famous Jews and how they exuded Jewish values.
Zayin (7th grade)
The Zayin class has mastered their knowledge of Shabbat Services. These skills will be on display when they lead Evening services during their Graduation Ceremony as well as during their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Much of this year will focus on life cycle events, preparation for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, as well as Holocaust studies. We integrate hands on learning including a faux wedding ceremony, as well as a trip to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County where the students can hear a first-hand account from a survivor.