PRE-SCHOOL SUNDAYS
Our “Pre-School Sundays”, with Rosie Hymerling, introduces three and four year old children to the Jewish holidays, Shabbat and the joys of being Jewish.  These children meet twice a month for programming that includes art projects, introduction to basic prayers, music and holiday foods.  The class meets from 9:00 –11:00 AM.

KINDERGARTEN
Our Kindergarten year is full of fun projects and important learning.  Through story time and projects, our students are introduced to stories of the Torah, including Creation, the Garden of Eden, the Tower of Babel and Noah’s Ark.  The holidays are taught through hands-on-activities and art projects.  The students are introduced to basic Hebrew words and prayers. The meaning and importance of tzedakah (righteous giving) and other Jewish values are introduced.  Students complete a mitzvah project that coorelates with their studies. The highlight of the year is our Consecration Service – a meaningful life cycle event when the children are blessed by our Rabbis on the Bimah and presented with their very own Torah. Students begin learning oral Hebrew as a way to enrich their lives.  

FIRST GRADE
The first grade curriculum focuses on the Book of Genesis, Beresheet. The lives of our matriarchs and patriarchs are introduced. The holidays are taught with a special emphasis on the rituals and blessings for Shabbat. The performance of tzedakah (righteous giving) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness) are emphasized. Students complete a mitzvah project that coorelates with their studies. The students also are introduced to the people and culture of Israel.  The students explore our synagogue building, learning about Jewish symbols and ritual objects. Our rabbis welcome our students into our sanctuary and show them the Torah and other important objects. Students continue learning oral Hebrew as a way to enrich their lives.  

SECOND GRADE
The second grade curriculum begins with a review of the book of Genesis and, then, focuses on the Book of Exodus or Shemot. The Exodus from Egypt, the experience at Mt. Sinai and the Ten Commandments are taught in depth.  The curriculum emphasizes the Jewish values of community responsibility through special projects.  The students learn about the traditions and customs of the holidays through hands-on projects. Students complete a mitzvah project that coorelates with their studies. Students also begin their Hebrew journey by learning the Alef-Bet. Students complete a mitzvah project that coorelates with their studies.

THIRD GRADE
The third grade curriculum is based on learning about Biblical stories and the values that they teach. The third graders also discuss ethics and morals for daily living. The students learn about the holidays through studying the Biblical text. Students also spend time reviewing their Hebrew as a way to connect their Hebrew learning and their Judiac studies. Students complete a mitzvah project that coorelates with their studies.

FOURTH GRADE
Our fourth grade students study the Jewish life-cycle – from birth to death. In an age appropriate manner, the students learn about the different traditions that they will encounter as they journey through life.  They also focus on learning about the customs and rituals of each holiday. Students complete a mitzvah project that coorelates with their studies.

FIFTH GRADE
The fifth grade students are introduced to Jewish history on Sunday morning. They review the stories of the Torah from a historical perspective and, then, focus on the events leading up to the destruction of the Second Temple. The students study the books of Prophets and learn about the ethical messages in these books. Students complete a mitzvah project that coorelates with their studies. Students will also learn about their Jewish heritage through music, drama, creative writing, and visual arts.

HEBREW STUDIES FOR GRADES 3 TO 6
Formal Hebrew study begins in the third grade. Students are taught to decode the letters and vowels, read with accuracy and fluency, as well as studying the meaning of prayers in the Shabbat service.  Students take part in the Ben Yehuda Challenge each year to solidify their knowledge of the letters and vowels. Students continue with learning concepts of Hebrew grammar and prayer book vocabulary. 

The curriculum also includes familiarization of specific prayers from the siddur, or prayer book, enabling students to participate and eventually lead a prayer service.  The Hebrew program includes a reinforcement of classroom lessons through a weekly prayer service.

CONFIRMATION ACADEMY - SEVENTH THROUGH TENTH GRADES
Students in seventh through ninth grades will each take a core class and three electives. Seventh Grade Core is Hebrew, seperated into two different tracks. These are "Hebrew for Prayer Competency" and "Prayers and Conversational Hebrew." Eighth Grade Core is "The Holocaust" and Ninth Grade Core is "Israel."

TENTH GRADE – CONFIRMATION YEAR
The Tenth grade class is taught by our rabbis. A syllabus is given out to the students each year.  The students study Judaism & sexuality during the first part of the year for an hour each week. In the Spring, students go on field trips exploring aspects of the Jewish community and will prepare for the Confirmation service on Shavuot. 

Our Confirmation Academy students have the option of completing a project known as the A.H.L. in the 10th grade. The A.H.L. is a home research project that focuses on in-depth Jewish knowledge and thought. It requires students to think and study on a college-oriented level. Students who complete the A.H.L. are recognized at Confirmation.

ELEVENTH AND TWELTH GRADES
The ELITE (Extended Learning Institute at Temple Emanuel) Program continues to offer our students the necessary information and experiences to enable them to become responsible Jews in the 21st century. Through lively class discussion and reading of texts and articles, students explore contemporary issues through a Jewish lens.  The students also discuss Jewish life on college campuses. All twelth grade students that complete the program are honored at a special service in the Spring.