The 2024-25 religious school curriculum focuses on global Jewish traditions and rituals. We will include Jewish perspectives and communities from across the globe as we learn about Jewish holidays and rituals. Our social action project for the year will support Jews in need globally. Confirmation Class will focus on Jewish literature in the fall and Jewish ethics in the spring.
| Grade* | Focus Area | Details | Big Projects |
| Kindergarten to 2nd grade | Kehilah (community): Building Jewish community | Students will learn about Jewish holidays through the lens of community-building. As we explore different Jewish communities, we will identify elements that bring all communities together (including music, food, clothing, language, ritual, and more)! |
|
| 3rd grade to 5th grade | L’dor v’dor (from generation to generation): Family heritage | What makes a family? Third through fifth graders will explore global Jewry through the lens of family. Students will connect to Jews globally through a pen pal program and lead a Jewish community ritual. |
|
| 6th grade to 7th grade | Zachor (memory): Remembering Jewish history | Our oldest Saturday students will embark on a Jewish historical journey, learning about vibrant historic Jewish communities from Spain to Ethiopia to Kaifeng. We study the Holocaust and create a video about our legacy at B’ShERT. |
|
*Grade divisions are subject to change based on enrollment.
See below for examples of a lesson for each grade.
Kindergarten-2nd grade
Lesson Title: Mimouna and a Celebration of Dough!
- Students read A Sweet Meeting on Mimouna Night, a story about a Jewish family and a Muslim family celebrating Mimouna together in Morocco.
- Students learn facts about Mimouna through interactive stations, including video and text about traditional foods eaten and rituals performed on Mimouna.
- Students invite older students and parents into the classroom to teach about Mimouna and feast on leavened bread (and other treats) together!
3rd-5th grade
Lesson Title: Bukharian Sukkot in Queens: One Family’s Story
- Students learn about Manashe Khaimov, a Bukharian immigrant to Queens who leads tours called The Jewish Silk Road that celebrate Bukharian Jewish food in Queens.
- Students compare and contrast sukkah decorations and traditions between Moroccan, Bukharian, and Eastern European Ashkenazi Jewish sukkahs through photographs.
- Students recite the blessings for the lulav and etrog and perform the ritual with Rabbi Hoover in the sukkah.
6th-7th grade
Lesson Title: Understanding Cuban Jewry in Historical Context
- Students discuss the importance of young people carrying on Jewish traditions – how important is it to you to maintain Jewish traditions?
- Students take a gallery walk of photos of young Cuban Jews who keep a small synagogue alive in Havana today.
Students watch a short video about the history of Jews in Cuba focusing on waves of migration during the Nazis rise to power and restrictive U.S. immigration policy. - Students add Cuban Jewish migration to class timeline (a large physical timeline showing Jewish history from ancient times to present).
