Religious School
"Teach your children in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it." --Proverbs 22:6
At Temple Shaaray Tefila, we believe that Jewish education is a lifelong journey that should be meaningful, dynamic, challenging, and inspiring.Our Religious School offers programming for Kindergarten through 12th grade students and we incorporate multiple opportunities for families to both learn about and experience Judaism together.
Our rich curriculum prepares students to be active participants in their Jewish community. Through hands-on activities and meaningful discussions, teachers help students on their individual journeys of Jewish identity development. We hope to inspire a love of Jewish learning, a lifelong commitment to tikkun olam, and a deep connection to Israel in all of our students.
Come experience the joy of Jewish learning with us at Temple Shaaray Tefila!
Judaica Curriculum
Each grade has a specific curricular focus to help students build their Jewish knowledge and develop their connection to our heritage. Many elements of the curriculum also spiral through the grades so that as students mature, they can deepen their understanding. Our students explore Torah and other Jewish texts, holidays, life cycle events, Jewish values, Israel, and Jewish history – to name just a few.
Hebrew Curriculum
"Prayers and 'Pray'ers"
Our youngest students begin learning Hebrew letters as they relate to various components of their curriculum, building to the time when they are in 3rd grade and work to master the aleph-bet. In 4th grade, students firm up their Hebrew skills and then begin Hebrew through prayer. Our 5th and 6th graders use our unique Hebrew curriculum called "Prayers and 'Prayers."
In order to create relevant links between students’ lives and their Jewish learning, our program teaches Hebrew through prayer. The major goal of our Hebrew program is for students to develop a comfort with different prayers in our services. This comfort comes both from attaining decoding fluency and from understanding the themes and concepts of prayers. Students are asked to consider their own ideas about prayer and God, and what role both can play in their modern lives. Through a variety of activities and experiences, each student, as a 'pray'er, will discover how he or she relates to the 'prayers' of our tradition.
Life After B'nai Mitzvah
Kesher means connection, and we are proud to offer a teen program that helps students connect to one another and to Jewish tradition. Our clergy and professional staff lead Kesher programs so that teens have a special chance to connect with them as well. In addition to a core program on Monday evenings, Kesher also provides additional social action and leadership opportunities through youth group events, the Madrichim program, and "Rosh Hodesh - It’s a Girl Thing!"
Tenth grade is a special year as students prepare for Confirmation, studying with Rabbi Greenberg and exploring Jewish topics from a more mature perspective. The end of the Confirmation year is marked by a meaningful service during the holiday of Shavuot.
After Confirmation, students can continue their involvement in the synagogue in our Post-Confirmation program for 11th and 12th graders, which meets twice a month. It is a true joy to see students who extend their Jewish learning throughout high school.
MADRICHIM (TEACHERS’ ASSISTANTS): Students in 8th through 12th grades can apply to be a Madrich/Madricha in one of our classrooms. This program provides a wonderful opportunity for our teenagers to be role models for our younger students. Madrichim are paid a modest amount for their work, although some students choose to volunteer and count the hours as community service credit.
ROSH HODESH – IT’S A GRL THING: Girls in 8th-11th grade are invited to join us as we celebrate Rosh Hodesh, the ancient Jewish holiday marking the new moon and traditional gathering time for Jewish women and girls. Rosh Hodesh—It’s a Girl Thing is a values-based, experiential and authentically Jewish program designed to strengthens the self-esteem and Jewish identity of adolescent girls.
Each grade has its own group that meets monthly and includes dinner.
