GESHER: CORE CURRICULUM
All Students in each of our classes at the Gesher Religious School will be taught according to the:
CORE CURRICULUM INCLUDES:
Jewish Studies Year Aleph
JEWISH STUDIES YEAR BET: BUILDING ON YEAR ALEF, WE CONTINUE TO LEARN ABOUT AND EXPERIENCE JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING TOPICS; WE ADD UNITS IN MIDDOT (JEWISH CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT); LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL; AS WELL AS, WORK ON A YEAR-LONG PROJECT, "BUILDING A MINI-ISRAEL" (ALL GRADES PARTICIPATE); CREATIVE MINCHA SERVICES; THE AMERICAN-JEWISH EXPERIENCE; ETHICAL DEBATES AND DECISION-MAKING; MITZVOT AND SOCIAL ACTION/JUSTICE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY
- Core Curriculum in Hebrew and Jewish Studies content-areas throughout the entire year.
- In addition, depending on the particular class, specific and appropriate age related topics will be explored in Hebrew and Jewish Studies.
- And finally, building on the strength and creativity of the Gesher program each year, we will offer a particular topic that will spiral throughout the entire school program and be taught in every class and age-group. In 2015-16 Gesher Year 1, highlighted the importance of connecting the Jewish Holidays to Jewish Ethics and Values; in 2016-17 (Year 2), we will explore our internal, spiritual lives as Jews and examine such themes as: mystery, awe, creativity, and curiosity. Through stories, conversations, discussions, prayer, poetry, music, art projects, dance, and journaling (in the older grades), we will focus on our sacred relationships, questions, and struggles with God; begin to examine the Heart of Jewish Prayer (Keva/Kavanah) and Study; and begin to develop one’s own prayer life and spiritual practices. (4) Technology will be incorporated into Hebrew and Jewish Studies.
CORE CURRICULUM INCLUDES:
- Hebrew Language: letters, vowels, decoding, reading, and vocabulary
- Hebrew Prayer: blessings, prayers, themes, and leadership/leading opportunities
- Use of The New Siddur Series (Behrman House Hebrew/Prayer curriculum)
- Minyan: exposure to three main Services: Shacharit, Mincha, and Ma’ariv (grades 4-7)
- Practice the variety of skills particular to becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Torah/Haftarah (blessings and chanting); Divrei Torah (discussions and ideas); Mitzvah Project; Familiarity with Torah Service and Musof; Talit/Tzizit and Tefillin workshops; etc.
- Exposure to Contemporary Hebrew: through Israeli songs, dance, and poetry
- Experiencing the Calendar and Cycle of the Jewish Holidays throughout the year
- Torah Study: Parashat Ha’Shavuah (weekly Torah portion/insights for living); Genesis/Exodus; and The Passover Hagaddah; Models of Jewish Text Study/Hevruta
- Exploring the connections between Jewish study and Jewish Living: Mitzvot and Holiday Observances (Shabbat and Hagim); Klal Yisrael: Unity, Diversity, Multi-culturalism
- Special Trips during the year (TBD)
Jewish Studies Year Aleph
- Pre-K thru Grade 1: Calendar, Holidays, Introduction to Jewish Life and Learning
- Grades 2 and 3: Reinforcement of the above; Jewish Life, Living, and Study units on Being a Jew; Synagogue; Jewish Community; Stories and Conversation: Jewish Values
- Grades 4 and 5: Jewish Historical Personalities: Telling Stories and Discovering the Contributions each has made to the Jewish People; Israel: The Land, The People
- Grades 6 and 7: Mitzvot and their Meaning for our Lives as Jews; Tzedakah, Gemilut Hasadim, Tikkun Olam: Study and Action (Social Justice units); Tzedakah Mall (Spring)
JEWISH STUDIES YEAR BET: BUILDING ON YEAR ALEF, WE CONTINUE TO LEARN ABOUT AND EXPERIENCE JEWISH LIFE AND LEARNING TOPICS; WE ADD UNITS IN MIDDOT (JEWISH CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT); LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL; AS WELL AS, WORK ON A YEAR-LONG PROJECT, "BUILDING A MINI-ISRAEL" (ALL GRADES PARTICIPATE); CREATIVE MINCHA SERVICES; THE AMERICAN-JEWISH EXPERIENCE; ETHICAL DEBATES AND DECISION-MAKING; MITZVOT AND SOCIAL ACTION/JUSTICE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY