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The Intermediate Department
In the Intermediate Department (DALET through VAV) students attend Religious School twice weekly. Students are grouped by grade levels for the study of Judaic subjects. Hebrew is studied in ability groups. This program is designed to meet the needs of all students in attaining a grasp of the Hebrew language. Emphasis is placed on reading, functional prayer skills and, in the upper levels, some language and grammar mastery. Our highly qualified teachers help students achieve these goals. Hebrew levels range from Level 1 (beginning Hebrew) through Level 4. When extra individual help seems to be needed, we provide as much as possible in school. If this is not sufficient to keep a child on level outside tutoring is recommended.
The DALET class (Fourth Grade) continues the introductory study of the Bible with the "Prophets and Writings." The text covers the important figures in the Bible from our people's experiences in the desert through Ezra and Nehemiah. Each story is accompanied by selections of ancient and modern scholarship and examined in the traditional Rabbinic forms, including P'SHAT (plain meaning), D'RASH (what does it teach?) and REMEZ (a relevent lesson).
DALET students are also taught important Jewish concepts including the meaning of terms such as ERETZ YISRAEIL(the Land of Israel), BEIT K'NESSET (House of Assembly), DERECH ERETZ (Respect), PIKU'ACH NEFESH (Preservation of Life) and many others using a text entitled Basic Judaism For Young People. The book teaches these basic concepts of Judaism through stories that integrate the major elements of Jewish history, belief, ritual and tradition.
The HEI (Fifth Grade) Judaic studies curriculum includes two major areas of concentration. In the first unit focuses on the yearly cycle and the observance of Jewish holidays. In addition, the major events of a Jewish lifetime, what they have meant and continue to mean to Jews is studied. In this unit we are providing our students with crucial information and developing their attitudes about the practice of Judaism. We are guiding them to know better the God whose daily presence is sensed more deeply during the important ceremonies and experiences of our lives. The major ceremonies of a Jewish life will be studied, from birth through B'RIT MILAH and Naming, schooling, BAR and BAT MITZVAH, Confirmation, Marriage and Death. In addition, while the differences and similarities between Reform rituals and those of Orthodox and Conservative Jews are pointed out, Reform rituals and celebrations are stressed.
The second element in the HEI Judaic Studies curriculum is an overview of Jewish history from the days of Israel's formation until modern times. This course will portray the broad panorama of Jewish life throughout the ages. The course of Jewish migration will be examined and the variety of Jewish experiences throughout the world will be discovered by the students. The separate development of an Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jewish tradition and history will be seen. Students will see the triumphs of Jewish history as well as the tragedies. Students will be encouraged to prepare reports on important topics or personalities in Jewish history for presentation to the rest of the class.
The VAV (Sixth Grade) class studies two important units. The first, using the text, Understanding Israel, engages students, through words and beautiful pictures, in learning about the history of our Jewish homeland and the important heroes and people who were instrumental in its life. The unit is divided into sections dealing with the Land of Israel, People, Government, Religion, Culture, Economy, Archaeology, History and the Politics of Peace. Current Events relating to Israel will be part of this course as well.
The second course in the VAV curriculum is a more mature study of the most central document of Jewish life, the TORAH. The text provides the student with Rabbinic commentary on the text, offering explanation or MIDRASHIC interpretations leading to ethical values. Elements of later Rabbinic literature and even writings from other cultures where appropriate are incorporated into the course to shed light on the Biblical text.
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