Religious School Information Print

Education Director: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 408-264-1229

Shalom

Shalom!


Welcome to the 2008-2009 (5769) school year for Congregation Sinai’s Religious School. With this handbook, we provide you with information about the when and the how regarding our classroom instruction and related programs.


Congregation Sinai offers a unique approach to the education of all Jews: children, adults, and families. All of our congregation’s programs are developed for and oriented toward building a Jewish community.


Our program has two guiding principles:


1. Jewish education never ends. Learning is a lifetime endeavor. We hope to instill in our students a desire to continue their Jewish studies beyond their time spent in our school. We also provide opportunities for parents and children to learn together through regular family education programs.


2. Jewish education should engender in its students a sense of pride in their heritage and, most importantly, a sense of belonging to a unique and caring community.


The religious school is governed by the Board of Trustees through the Education Committee of Congregation Sinai. The Education Committee continually develops ideas and new programs to enrich the educational value for our students.



May this coming year be one of health and happiness for you and your family. May it also be one of great learning and growth for you and our entire community.


B’shalom,


Jackie F. Cohen

Education Director

Contact Information

Education Director: Jackie Cohen 264-1229, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Calendar for 5769 (2008-2009) School Year

The calendar for the current school year can be found here.

Forms for 5769 (2008-2009) School Year

Information and registration forms for the upcoming school year may be downloaded and printed from here. Completed forms may be faxed to 408-294-1324.

Google Group for Religious School Parents

Please sign up for the SinaiRS Google Group. Go to http://groups.google.com/group/sinaischool and click on " Apply for group membership".

 

Hebrew High

Hebrew High information can be found here

Religious School Mission Statement

Congregation Sinai Religious School partners with the Sinai community to create an environment that is conducive to learning and understanding Judaism within the framework of the Conservative Movement. We strive to give children and families the tools and experiences that will help them to live a Jewish life. We endeavor to impart a love for Judaism and for Eretz Yisrael, engagement with God, and a commitment to mitzvot and tikkun olam.

Religious School Goals

  • Yehadut: Love of Being Jewish

To develop an appreciation of Judaism and a sense of pride in being Jewish by providing a positive, experiential atmosphere for learning prayers, history, and holidays using art forms, music, cooking, and other projects.


  • Mitzvot: Living a Jewish Life

To engage with God, Torah, and mitzvot within the framework of the Conservative Movement and to incorporate them into our lives in a meaningful way.


  • Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World

To develop of sense of Jewish responsibility towards all people throughout the world through tzedakah (charity) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness).


  • Klal Yisrael: Israel - Land, People, State

To develop an appreciation and identification with Klal Yisrael and to foster a sense of community with Jews in Israel and around the world.


  • T’fillah: Prayer

To develop synagogue competence, including understanding the structure and meaning of Jewish prayer and the ability to participate in congregational services.


  • Ivrit: Hebrew

To develop basic Hebrew reading and writing skills.


Shalom

HEBREW CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Level 1:

Learn the Hebrew Letters: Bet, tav, shin, mem, lamed, caf, hey, reish, chaf, vet, dalet

Vowels:

Patach, kamatz, schva, chataf-patach


Level 2:

Learn the Hebrew Letters: Alef, vav, kuf, tzadi, ayin, nun, nun sofit, chet, yud, mem sofit, tet

Vowels:

Chirik and chirik with yud, Cholam and cholam with vav


Level 3:

Learn Hebrew Letters: Pay, samech, fey, tzaki sofit, sin, gimmel, zayin, chaf sofit, fey/pey sofit

Vowels:

Segol, chataf-segol, tzereh and tzereh with yud, shuruk, qubuz


Level 4:

Fluent reading of Shabbat blessings, Havdallah prayers, Food blessings


Level 5:

Fluent Reading of Barchu, Sh’ma/V’ahavata, Mi Chamocha, Kaddish


Level 6:

Fluent Reading of: Torah Service Prayers: Ein Chamocha, Ark Opening, Torah Blessing, Ashrei


Level 7

Fluent Reading of: Haftarah blessings, Birkat shalom, ein keloheinu, adon olam, aleinu


Level 8:

Fluent Reading of: Opening Amidah Prayers: Avot v’Imahot, G’vurot, K’dusha, Birkat Hamazon


Upon completion of all 8 levels, students will begin to study with the rabbi. Sundays they will study how to lead the shacharit service and Tuesdays they will study Torah trope.

 

Shalom

Judaica Curriculum Overview

 

Shalom

Grade

Torah

Textbook

Judaica

Textbook

Projects

Prayer Focus (English Translations)

1st-2nd

Genesis: Flood to Tower of Babel (year one), Abraham and Sarah (year 2)

I Can Learn Torah 1 (year 1), I Can Learn Torah Vol. 2 (year 2): Torah Aura

Chagim/

Judaism at home

BJL Beginnings: Torah Aura

Challah, Sh’ma Pillowcases, Tzedakah Boxes, Havdallah candles, b’samim bags,Kiddush cups

Bracha formula, Modeh Ani, Bedtime Sh’ma, Havdallah prayers

3rd

Exodus: Moses to Joshua

Bible People Book 2: Behrman House

Israel: Geography, culture, food

Jewish Values:

Passport to Israel: Torah Aura

Jewish Values from Alef to Tav: Torah Aura

Create Map of Israel, Cook Israeli food, Mosaic of old city, create Red Sea for Pesach, omer calendar

Blessings for food, wine, N’tilat yedaim, Shabbat brachot, ein keloheinu/adon olam

4th

Prophets and

Writings

 

Explorer’s

Bible

Volume 2:

Behrman

House

 

Life Cycle:

Brit Milah to

Death,

God

The Circle of Jewish Life: Torah Aura

I Have Some Questions About God: Torah Aura

 

Mock Wedding, Visit Mikvah at JCC, visit cemetery, make wimpel

Barchu, Sh’ma, V’ahavta,

Mi Khamokha

Ashrei

5th/6th grade

Torah Commentary/Parashat HaShavua,

 

Chumash, Parashat Cards, Instant Lessons:, What is Mishnah, What is a Rashi,

Torah Toons I: Torah Aura

Midrash

Instant Lessons-What is Midrash, Stories We Live By,

Make a Midrash Out of Me:

Torah Aura

Elijah’s cup, Torah Factory (chabad), write their own midrash

5th grade:

Beginning of Torah Service, Ark Opening, Taking Torah Out, Torah Blessings, Returning Ark,

6th Grade: Haftarah Blessings, Ashrei, Birkat Shalom, Birkat Ha’mazon, Aleinu

7th grade

Gemilut Chesed Environmentalism

 

Kids Guide to Service Projects: Torah Aura

Let the Earth Teach you Torah

Hot Topics

The Holocaust: A History of Courage and Resistance: Behrman House

 

Service Learning Projects off-campus set by students

Visit Contemporary Jewish Museum, Amidah Cards

Amidah, Avot v’imahot, g’vurot, k’dushah, Kaddish,