Upper School Recommended Summer Tanach Learning 2020-21 Maimonides School recognizes that student comfort with the full scope of our Tanach is an important part of their growing to become literate Jewish adults. A Maimonides graduate studies the entire Chumash, almost all of Neviim, and much of Ketuvim for that reason, ensuring that when our students mature to become Jewish adults, there is no aspect of their Judaism and its history, laws, and texts that is foreign or unknown to them. Judaic Studies summer reading is a way for your sons and daughters to continue reading the books they studied during the academic year. In most grades, students come close to completing a book or books during the school year. Summer reading ensures that any stories that weren’t covered in class are studied in the context of the rest of the book that they learned that year. Entering 9th Grade Students can use the summer to learn the remaining stories in Sefer Shemot (the golden calf and the building of the Mishkan) with their parents and families. The ninth grade Chumash curriculum begins with the start of Sefer Vayikra. The ninth grade Navi curriculum begins with the stories of Eliyahu in Melachim Alef, chapter 17. Students should have already reached that point in their regular Navi studies in eighth grade. Entering 10th Grade Students who did not finish their study of Sefer Vayikra in school this year can use the summer to make a Siyum on the book of Vayikra as they learn about how the Jews received the laws related to crafting an economic and moral Jewish society. The 10th grade Navi curriculum begins with the stories of Amotz and Amatzia in Melachim Bet, chapter 14. Students should have already reached that point in their regular Navi studies in 9th grade. If they did not, they can spend the summer learning the chapters that remain (about the fall of the house of Achav) with their parents and families. Entering 11th Grade The main stories of the book of Yeshayahu were studied in Navi class this year, although we did not cover all 66 chapters. Students can use the summer to read the remaining chapters and make a Siyum on the entire book. Entering 12th Grade The twelfth grade Navi curriculum begins with the start of the second temple period. Students can prepare by rereading the books that discuss the exile and the end of the first temple period: Yirmiyahu, Yechezkel, Eicha, and Daniel. .