Religious School Curriculum

We look forward to embarking on this life-long Jewish journey with your children. Congregation Beth Israel-Judea’s Religious School introduces children and their families to our rich culture; Jewish history, holidays and symbols,; prayer; Torah; and the values of our Jewish people. 

It is our hope that students will gain the tools necessary to enable them to continue to study, grow, question and participate actively in Jewish life in the coming years. 

Each class focuses on the Jewish values of Torah, avodah (work) and g’milut chasadim (acts of kindness) according to their level of learning. Teachers will also bring Israel, holidays and their passion to make exciting classes. Each year, students will build on their previous knowledge, which will establish the foundation of a lifetime of Jewish learning.

Curriculum Grades K - 3

Grade K/1. Utilizing the five senses, hearing, feeling, seeing, tasting and smelling the K/1 students begin to learn about Judaism. Students will learn familiar prayers, songs and stories of our ancestors. Art projects, drama and games introduce students to the synagogue, life cycles, holidays, festivals and rituals in addition to learning Jewish values. 

Through special Family Education days, students together with their families will learn about their Hebrew names, Havdallah and Shabbat. 

Grade 2/3.  The students learn about three strands and the personal relevance and power of Torah, Avodah and G’milut Chasadim. 

In Torah, the theme is focused on the Book of Sh’mot – The Torah is About Me. In Avodah, the theme is focused on Getting to Know God. And in G’milut Chasadim, the theme’s focus is on actual acts of kindness and making a difference.  

Holidays, festivals and introduction to Hebrew letters and words are also taught.  There are two special Family Education programs per year which includes everyone.

Curriculum Grades 4 and 5

Grade 4.  The fourth grade’s focus is on Jewish holidays and traditions as well as the many facets of Israel. Students will learn about Israel’s geography, culture and history as well as Jewish values.  

Hebrew is more of a central focus as well as students will begin to learn to read basic words and prayers. Family Education also plays a role in this year’s curriculum. Topics may include The Many Faces of My Jewish Family and a Trip to Israel. 

Grade 5. Students see a direct relationship between being a member of a community and our behaviors, through study of the relationship between the People and the Land in the Torah, the significance and structure of communal prayer, and acts of g'milut chasadim affecting relationships. 


Family Education topics may include: Prayer and Community 

Hebrew classes will resume on Wednesdays as well for these students as they continue to learn Shabbat prayers and their meanings.

Curriculum Grades 6 and 7

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class . Using the CHAI curriculum from the Union for Reform Judaism, we have combined various lessons to reflect the stage in the student’s life. 

Some topics covered will be: What is Revelation and how do we experience it? Is there a human role in divine revelation? Students investigate Biblical texts which relate to the individual's relationship with God, study the components of the Torah service and the role of the sh'liach tzibur (prayer leader), and g'milut chasadim on a more universal level.

This year also focuses on personal reflection and improvement, "Who I am and who I'd like to be," helping each student reach his/her potential. Torah study turns to B'reishit and commentaries, focusing on a few stories of individuals who grow and learn.  Avodah concentrates on the relevance of ritual and living a prayerful life, and G'milut Chasadim starts with the individual, tikkun middot and repairing ourselves. 

This class also builds community connections with classmate families as well as the BIJ and greater community through mitzvah projects and Family Education. 

Read more about the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program here. 
The online version of the Beth Israel-Judea Bar/Bat Handbook is here. 

Curriculum Grades 8 and 9

Using the photography of world-renown photographer, Zion Ozeri, students will view photographs of Jewish communities around the world. Through this curriculum, The Jewish Lens, students will discuss Jewish values, study Jewish texts and discover their own Jewish “lens” from which they see the world. 


The class concludes with a photography exhibit of their own. 

Curriculum for Confirmation

This is a pivotal year, focusing on discussions focusing on ethical and religious dilemmas. Students are guided to work through these dilemmas to determine their own opinion and their own potential course of action. Topics are prompted by Jewish life and life in general. 

Some topics covered include: 
• Repentance, Penance and Yom Kippur
• Natural World and Belief in Judaism
• Kashrut 
• Law and Personal Responsibility
• Do you believe in God? Does it matter?
• Missionary activities to convert Jews to Christianity—methods and arguments.
• Jewish young people and their families—who owes what to whom?
• Rites of Passage: discussion of brit/naming ceremonies, bar- and bat-mitzvah, confirmation, marriage, divorce, having children, death and mourning.
• Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionism—similarities and differences.
• Abortion and contraception—respect toward and attitudes toward those of the opposite sex.
• How Jewish Do You Want to Be?
• Women and Judaism
• Domestic Violence—Jewish Attitude
• Suicide and Judaism
• Responsibilities toward others.
• Brief topics concerning American Jewish history.

Copyright Congregation Beth Israel-Judea 2008