Religious School Handbook

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP The Temple Shalom Religious School is dedicated to providing quality Jewish education for the children of our community. The goals of the school include raising the level of Jewish consciousness and enabling them to take their places as knowledgeable and caring members of the Jewish community. As a parent your interest, enthusiasm and participation in religious activities will help shape your child’s view of Judaism. You can promote a positive attitude towards religious education by showing an interest in your child’s school projects, assignments and grades. Monitoring homework assignments and encouraging good attendance is also part of a complete and positive religious school experience for your child.

Educational Goals The goals of the Temple Shalom Religious School are: (A) To provide positive and meaningful experiences in the practices and the celebrations of Judaism. (B) To enable students to become proficient in reading Hebrew and understanding the liturgy. (C) To foster an understanding and appreciation of Jewish history. Curriculum Scope and Sequence

Our School has a graded curriculum which has been designed to provide students with knowledge, experience and positive feelings about Judaism and being Jewish. Jewish holidays are celebrated in school, through worship services, parties, and special programs.

Aleph

Goals: Mastery and recognition of: ~ Copying their name in Hebrew. ~ Reciting Aleph~Bet. ~ Recognition of Aleph~Bet in block and the sounds that each letter makes. ~ Count to five in Hebrew.

Objectives: Students will strive to: ~ Copy all letters and vowels in block. ~ Read, chant and begin understanding of Shabbat and Shabbat ritual objects. ~ Begin to recognize and identify the Hebrew words for numbers (up to five), shapes and colors, basic animals (cat, dog, etc.), basic parts of the body (head, face, eyes), ritual objects, synagogue objects. ~ Begin to identify Bible characters such as Noah, Jonah, Moses, etc. ~ Begin to chant/sing the Shema.

Aleph, con’t.

~ Begin to recite the brachot (blessings) over candles, bread and wine.

Students will also: Recognize symbols of the different holidays: ~ Rosh Hashanah: Honey and Apple, Shofar ~ Succot: Lulav and Etrog, Sukkah ~ Simchat Torah: Torah ~ Chanukah: Dreidel, Candles, Chanukiah ~ Tu Be’Shevat: Blessing over the fruit and vegetables ~ Purim: Megillah ~ Pesach: Seder Plate ~ Shavuot: Story of the Ten Commandments, Ten Commandments

Bet

Hebrew: Reading Readiness. Letter Recognition and writing. Blending of Hebrew words and vowels to form small words. Continued study of Hebrew.

Holidays: Principles of Jewish Faith and Holidays

Synagogue: Introduction to ethics, G-d and beliefs of Judaism.

Gimel

Hebrew: PRIMER – Beginning Hebrew Reading

Holidays: Major themes and background with appropriate Hebrew and English vocabulary.

Torah: Stories of our Jewish ancestors from Abraham to Moses.

Dalet

Hebrew: Hebrew Prayers, Hebrew phonics, key words & concepts.

Holidays: Rituals, appropriate vocabulary, related prayers, and their meanings.

History: Prophets. Hay

Hebrew: Continuation of prayers. Holidays: Increase knowledge of thematic concepts, i.e. freedom, slavery, Judaism, Jewish values & principles. History: Major events of the Jewish Life Cycle.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah*

Hebrew: Shabbat service. Torah reading and vocabulary. Holidays: Rituals of the Sabbath and holidays. Ethics: Highlights Judiasm, Jewish values and principles. Comparative Religions: Judaism and the World Religions. *PLEASE SEE THE BAR/BAT MITZVAH CHECKLIST IN THIS SECTION

Tzedakah Program

Keren Ami Fund (Fund of Our People) is incorporated into the curriculum. The students learn about Jewish organizations and agencies in need of funds and then determine a recipient. The goal of the Tzedakah Program is to have students develop a sense of responsibility for the Jewish community.

Policies and Procedures

Attendance: It is not sufficient to assume that making up homework is equal to classroom participation, Therefore: Students are required to attend religious School on a regular basis, complete in-class and homework assignments satisfactorily and exhibit appropriate behavior. Absences and tardiness are strongly discouraged as learning takes place most effectively within the classroom. Interaction in a classroom is vital to the learning process. Excessive absences may necessitate, tutorial services mandated at the discretion of the Rabbi/Principal. Written parental explanation is required when a student returns to class following an absence. Students are required to keep up with their lessons. Missed assignments and classwork must be completed. It must be understood that tests are given based on homework and classwork. Failure to make up assignments and excessive absences will adversely affect grades and promotion.

School Hours School is in session on Sundays from 9:00 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. Bar/Bat Mitzvah class will also meet on Wednesday evening. Bar/Bat Mitzvah students may also be required to meet for additional class session at the discretion of the Rabbi. Students are expected to be in class on time. Arriving late disrupts the classroom. Every effort must be made to be on time. Sunday Morning Service: Sunday morning services are a part of the Hebrew School curriculum. Parents are encouraged to share this abbreviated service at 9 AM with their children.

Snow Closings: In case of inclement weather, our phone chain will be put into action.

Proficiency Testing: Proficiency testing will be required prior to entry to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class. Lack of proficiency may require private tutoring in order to avoid a possible postponement of a student’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Any new student entering our school without prior Hebrew lessons will be required to have private tutoring until they are up to grade level. Any new student that has had prior Hebrew lessons must be evaluated before being placed in the proper class.

Religious Service Attendance: Dalet, Hay, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes are required to attend a minimum of ten (10) Shabbat services at Temple Shalom during the school year; all other classes should attend five (5). Attendance at these services supplements and complement regular religious school classes. If your child does not fulfill this requirement, he/she will not be promoted to the next grade.

Oneg Responsibility: As part of the Jewish cultural experience, each member family is required to sponsor an Oneg Shabbat during the school year. An adult from the sponsoring family must attend in order to prepare, serve, and clean up. The family will be acknowledged during the evening service.

Snack: A snack will be provided during school hours.

Dress Code: We respectfully encourage all congregants to dress appropriately when attending services at our temple. Jewish Law teaches the place a temple is built is considered holy ground. Wearing clothing such as shorts, tee-shirts, cleats, baseball caps, etc. to religious services distracts from and diminishes the religious experience. We hope all of you will be comfortable.

Discipline Policy: Order and good behavior is expected in the classroom and during recess. Should there be a breach in discipline, the following steps will be taken.

1. Warning 2. Sent to disciplinarian for adjudication. 3. Disciplinarian will talk to parent to determine conclusion 4. Suspension