Our Curriculum

KINDERGARTEN is a joyous year where students receive their introduction to our school and synagogue life. The holidays come alive with celebrations, music, food, arts and crafts and prayer. An oral Hebrew vocabulary is formed which includes holiday, prayer and every day words. The students realize that they can make the world a better place by contributing to our many tzedakah projects and by performing mitzvot. An exploration of the synagogue and its place in Jewish life, in addition to the concept of G-d, rounds out an exceptional learning experience.

FIRST GRADERS continue their studies of the holidays using the text "Let's Celebrate" which provides the students with a deeper understanding of our customs and ceremonies and their place in a Jew's life. They discover basic prayers to communicate with G-d in the synagogue, in home celebrations, in the classroom and in their personal lives. The concepts of mitzvot and tzedakah continue to be a part of their studies.

SECOND GRADE focuses on the early Bible stories of Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, The Tower of Babel, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob, Rachel, and Joseph. Through art, music and role-playing, the personalities come alive and become memorable. The students continue with holiday observances, mitzvot, and tzedakah. Hebrew letter recognition and vocabulary prepare the students for the following year's formal introduction to Hebrew.

THIRD GRADE students become Tzofim (Israeli Scouts) for the year. Their year begins with the creation of their Tzofim uniform and a candlelighting induction ceremony where they begin their quest for badges in the areas of Synagogue, Torah, Prayer, Helping Hands, Israel, Bible, Jewish Books, Holidays, and Shabbat. Students participate in the ALEF level of the Hebrew department where they will learn the names and sounds of letters and vowels, and how to read Hebrew. They will learn to read simple prayers and increase their Hebrew vocabulary. At the end of the year they will receive their own personal siddur for use throughout their lifetime.

FOURTH GRADE concentrates on the Jewish Life Cycle. During the year the students will receive their Hebrew name at a special Naming Ceremony. They explore the educational components of Consecration, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation, marriage and death. BET level Hebrew studies introduce the students to the concept of prayer, reading prayers with fluency and accuracy, and holiday and prayer vocabulary.

FIFTH GRADE provides the opportunity to explore the State of Israel, its past and present. The format for the year will involve the students taking a "tour" of modern Israel where they will visit and experience the major cities and sites, meet the builders of the country and confront the highs and lows of its history. Holidays are observed as though in Israel. Current events are an integral part of the program. GIMEL Level Hebrew continues with the prayer curriculum, blessings and vocabulary.

SIXTH GRADE leads the students into our Tanakh (Bible). They will learn why we are called the "People of the Book" as they become familiar with Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel and Leah, Joseph and Moses. Exciting activities include an Exodus Walk, Faith in Darkness Exercise, a Biblical Treasure Hunt and dramatic visits by Heroes of the Bible. Daled level Hebrew continues with an in-depth prayer curriculum and culminates with a unique Hadragah (moving up to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah level) ceremony.

TEEN STUDIES -TUESDAY EVENINGS

The courses chosen are of high interest and include text study, cooperative learning, media, guest speakers, field trips, retreats and hands-on experiences. Each course is given for ten weeks and then the class moves on to a new course given by a new teacher or Rabbi.

SEVENTH GRADE

HOLOCAUST explores the era before Hitler's rise to power and the events that occurred between 1937-1945. The students become familiar with the fate of the Jewish people through documents, videos, text and interaction with survivors and liberators. Parents are invited to take the course with their students. A field trip to the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg is included.

JEWISH COMMUNITY begins with discerning the difference between Tzedakah and Gemilut Chasidim. This hands-on course brings exciting speakers to class including members of the deaf community, CBI's Kantor Family Center for Justice, L'Dor Vador, Federation, Forster Family Kosher Food Pantry and a former homeless person.

ETHICS & VALUES provides the students with the opportunity to study with Rabbi Agler. They explore Jewish contributions to the world, ethical decision-making and important values that help shape their lives.

EXPLORING TANAKH continues the study of the Bible through the Book of Kings, Judges, and Prophets. Samuel and Kings Saul, David and Solomon come alive through text study and role-playing.

EIGHTH GRADE

MADRIKHIM-IN-TRAINING is a requirement for 8th and 9th graders who wish to work as Teaching Assistants in the School for Living Judaism. In this ten-week class, students will develop teaching and leadership skills including lesson planning, classroom management, storytelling and games, as well as learning various office skills.

ANTI-SEMITISM explores its history as well as what is happening in our world today. The students are exposed to the thinking and philosophy of Skinheads, the Klan and Jihad kids. They become aware of propaganda and how it is used to influence people.

WHY BE GOOD? exposes the students to Rabbinic literature and how it impacts on decisions. Some of the subjects studied include honoring the elderly, stealing, ill-gotten gains, peer pressure and standing idly by when someone is hurt.

A TASTE OF JUDAISM: this course is designed to discover a deeper meaning of the major holidays (Fall Holidays, Chanukah, Purim, Passover and Shabbat) through text media, art and a cooking experience.  The importance of establishing a Jewish home and the main symbols used to create Jewish memories are expored.

NINTH GRADE

CULTS & MISSIONARIES focuses on the tactics used to brainwash unsuspecting youth. The students are introduced to groups including Jews for Jesus, Moonies and the followers of David Korash, among others.

BIO-MEDICAL ETHICS explores the areas of who shall live and who shall die, transplants, abortion, animal experimentation, cloning, stem cell research and other current topics through rabbinic literature and responsa.

PIRKE AVOT, The Sayings of the Fathers, guides
the students through traditional Jewish thought in the areas of Torah, Avodah and Gemilut Chasadim. Interactive discussions include dealing with parents, friends, relationships, society and self-image.