Kindergarten to 7th Grade

We have worked to develop comprehensive Jewish education that creates community, provides a positive Jewish foundation, connects students to Israel and helps to prepare them toward the multiple milestones in Jewish life. 

Temple Emunah’s Religious School Curriculum is organized around five strands: (1) Torah (including The Books of Genesis and Exodus, the Early Prophets and Jewish Text), (2) T’fillah (prayer) and Ivrit (Hebrew), (3) Israel (The Land of, The State of, The People of), (4) Jewish Holidays and Life and (5) Klal Yisrael (Jewish Peoplehood/Jewish History). In every grade, these strands emerge in varying degrees of emphasis throughout the year. They reflect the learning goals, values and behaviors that are prized by our community and serve as the basis for each student’s journey toward Jewish literacy.

Additionally, each grade has a specific focus that students build on over their time in the Religious School:

• Gan (kindergarten): major symbols for the Jewish holidays and Israel; Alef Bet; Israeli games
• Kitah Alef (1st grade): Alef Bet; writing the letters; and a deeper understanding of the Jewish holidays and Israel
• Kitah Bet (2nd grade): a deeper understanding of the Alef Bet, vowels and reading; Jerusalem; Jewish holidays
• Kitah Gimmel (3rd grade): reading two, three and four syllable words; Beresheet (Genesis); Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night); receive their own siddur (prayerbook)
• Kitah Dalet (4th grade): Shemot (Exodus); Passover Seder; Jewish calendar and Rosh Hodesh; worldwide Jewry
• Kitah Hey (5th grade): Torah and Haftarah services; Prophets, Judges and Kings; tefillin; Israeli independence
• Kitah Vav (6th grade): CJP’s Boston-Haifa Partnership’s School-to-School project; Jewish history from Ancient Israel to the  mid-1800s; Shaharit and Musaf Services
• Kitah Zayin (7th grade): 
  • First half: Together, 7th graders and their parents take part in a special program facilitated by Rabbi Lerner. The program includes a participatory weekly learner’s service, breakfast and one-hour class, The Rhythms of Jewish Living: Texts and Traditions of our People. In the second half, 7th graders continue gathering for Shaharit services with Rabbi Lerner. Following services, students examine important exploratory questions around Judaism’s meaning for them individually. 7th graders also begin joining the Yad Program for dinner and study modern Jewish history.

Religious School Schedule

Governance

Temple Emunah’s Religious School is guided by an active School Committee. Current co-Chairs are Norma Gaffin and Allison Page. The school is governed by the synagogue Board of Trustees.

*Temple Emunah’s Religious School is supported by generous program funding from the synagogue’s Sisterhood and Brotherhood.