The 2023-24 religious school curriculum focuses on Torah stories. Each grade will read a summary of the parsha of the week and reflect on the Torah figures’ choices. Older grades will explore midrash, rabbinic commentary on Torah, and how Torah connects to modern issues. Confirmation class will learn about Israel and spirituality.
| Grade* | Focus Area | Details | Big Projects |
| Kindergarten to 2nd grade | Torah in Our Live | Students are introduced to Torah stories through the lens of holidays and stories that connect to their lives. We focus on themes of helping others, being kind to animals, and creating a welcoming community. |
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| 3rd grade to 5th grade | Torah and Jewish Life Cycles | Students will learn about Torah stories and Jewish life cycles. Students will engage with some midrash and ask big questions about becoming a Jewish adult and what is means to take on more responsibility in Jewish community. |
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| 6th grade to 7th grade | Torah Stories and Midrashic Commentary | Students will analyze midrash about Torah stories and pose big questions about the texts. Whose voices are missing in our texts? What do we wish we knew more about? Students will connect Torah stories to modern social challenges and create their own midrash. |
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*Grade divisions are subject to change based on enrollment.
See below for examples of a lesson for each grade.
Kindergarten-2nd grade
Lesson Title: Yitro and Disability Justice
- Students listen to a summary of Yitro, a parsha in which Moses learns to ask for help and delegate tasks. Students discuss ways to communicate that we need help.
- Students read 1,2,3 We’re Amazing! And make a chart analyzing the ways the characters communicate differently and have different needs.
- Students review a list of all the ways humans can communicate and come up with an invention to make it easier to communicate with one another.
3rd-5th grade
Lesson Title: Vayishlach: A Debate
- Students read a summary of parsha Vayishlach, in which Jacob wrestles with a mysterious being. Students watch a video of rabbinic commentary about Vayishlach with four theories of who Jacob wrestled.
- Students choose the being they think Jacob wrestled and prepare to debate by utilizing prior knowledge about Torah and evidence from the text and video.
- Students debate and the madricha judges who is the winner.
6th-7th grade
Lesson Title: Joseph and Art Midrash
- Students read summaries of Joseph’s story (summaries of parshot Vayashev and Miketz). Students analyze the decisions Joseph makes to survive in Egypt.
- Students participate in a gallery walk in which there are three different artistic representations of Joseph from Jewish, Muslim, and Christian artists. Students use Post-its to make commentary about the art.
- Students share Post-it responses and discuss how Joseph’s story is represented differently depending on the artist’s background and cultural context. Students share what they learned about Joseph from the pieces.
