Judaic Studies Curriculum

First Grade Theme:

Developing an understanding of what it means to be a Jewish child.

Hebrew Studies

Practice speaking Hebrew

Learn words by using clay and other materials

Learn basic Hebrew vocabulary with common words

Recognize Hebrew words in a right to left progression

Become familiar and recognize Aleph-bet letters

Write cursive Hebrew letters/words

Key Topics:

Daily conversational Hebrew

Songs that relate to holidays and celebrations

Weather words

Seasonal words

Numbers 1-5

Foods

Dances

Parts of the body

Mitzvah for the Year - Hiddur Prai Zaken - respect for the elders

Second Grade Theme

Symbols of the Synagogue and Temple

The student will develop an understanding of how the Synagogue and Temple is a place where the Jewish Community gathers as one people to worship, celebrate, study, and socialize.

Hebrew

Concept, Understanding and Skill:

Read and write Hebrew in cursive

Improve reading fluency and accuracy

Find specific information in Hebrew text to answer comprehension questions

Write short sentences using correct grammar (past/present tenses, masculine/feminine, singular, plural about what they have learned in class)

Know the days of the week, months of the year

Learn vocabulary connected to their daily lives at home and outside

Engage in daily Hebrew conversation

Key topics:

Songs related to holidays and other celebrations

Prayer skills used in Te'fillot service

Prayers used in Kabbalat Shabbat

Prayers used in Havdalah service

Passover Seder

Hatkivah

Jewish Life

 Become familiar with holidays and cycles of the Jewish year, months and days of the week.

Recite blessings over food and after meals (Birkat HaMazon)

Have a basic understanding of the Parasha Hashavu (weekly Torah portion)

Learn basic mitzvoth and customs

Learn the meaning and practice of Tzedakah

Become familiar with Jewish symbols (Mezzuzah, Star of David, Lulav and Etrog, Torah scroll, Chanukaih, Seder plate and Passover Foods, Kiddush Cup, and Tzedakah box.

Learn about Shavot: The Ten Commandments

Learn about the Days of Creation

Prayer

Recite basic prayers and blessings (experience a sense of belonging in a group prayer)

Learn the blessing formula ie. Barucata Adonai Elohaynu Malech O'Alam

Participate in weekly Te'fillah services, Kabbalat Shabbat, and Havdalah

Become familiar with each Jewish holiday and special prayers (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim, Passover, Tu B'shevat,Lag B'Omer, and Shavuot

Am Yisrael

Recognize the Israeli flag

Become familiar with the centrality of Israel to the Jewish people

Sing Hatikvah, the Jewish National Anthem

Know the Israeli emblem (Semel Yisrael)

Participate in mitzvoth such as clothing and community food drives, distribute Misloach Manot Purim baskets, plant trees in Israel and contribute to the Annual Tulsa Federation Israel campaign.

Text Study

Connect concepts in the Torah to personal experiences and global events

Participate in discussions which relate to concepts and ideas in the Torah and how they relate to our lives today

Write their own interpretations and explanations of the Torah

Learn a more intensive study of prayer

Experience and learn the meaning of customs, rituals and blessings for Shabbat

Prayer

Translate specific Hebrew verses/phrases into English

Be able to explain the meaning of specific prayers

Identify selected Hebrew root words

Chant, recite and read the Brachot and Te'fillah correctly

Memorize selected prayers

• Shemah
• Ve'ahavtah
• Barechu
• Ma tovu
• Modeh
• Ani
• Mi Kamochah
• Avot ve'imahot
• Gevurot

Act as Sha-liach Tzibbur to completely lead Te'fillah

Relate ideas and values found in Te'fillot to personal and group behavior

Jewish Life

Extend an understanding of Jewish practices from home to synagogue and community

Study and participate in pracitices relating to:

• Holidays
• The Torah
• Shabbat
• Havdalah
• Mitzvoth
• Respect for the elderly
• Prayer
• Mezuzah
• Calendar Months

Learn about the customs and symbols of the Synagogue/Temple (Yad, Breast Plate, Holy Ark) Ten Commandments

Focus on the Torah's moral teachings, interpretations and explanations with Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, Passover, Tu B'shevat, Yom/Ha/Atzmut, Shavuot

Am Yisrael

Build a sense of connection to Israel

Learn about the modern state of Israel with an emphasis on the gates and neighborhoods of Jerusalem

Become familiar with major cities and water sources

Learn the symbols of modern Israel