Temple Emeth Schools
Rabbi Zev and Florence Nelson
Religious School
Allan Cohen, Hebrew School Coordinator
Religious School: Philosophy and GoalsTemple Emeth Hebrew School offers an environment which facilitates the
on-going construction of Jewish identities.
We believe that Judaism is a holistic way of life which tells a
unique story with
which we make meaning of our lives. The goal of Jewish
education is to empower the learner to participate in "Jewish
journeying",
engaged by tradition and enhancing it. - Our Religious School strives to create an educational
environment by offering role models who embody this approach, teaching
our heritage, and the means to engage productively in Jewish tradition.
- By fanning the flames of the Jewish spirit we empower the
learner to take ownership of a holistic approach of Jewish living;
enhancing awareness, appreciation of life and its ethical qualities, and
the infusion of Holiness in it.
Curriculum
Prayer
We offer our Kindergarten and 1st
graders a Bikkurim Shabbat age appropriate service once a month to
prepare them for participation in Junior Congregation. Students are
taught not only prayers, but the meaning of each passage. Our students
have the opportunity to participate in Junior Congregation services on
Shabbat mornings and High Holidays. Beginning with Grade 2, Bet Class,
the students with their teachers have class experiences and literally
take over Junior Congregation on selected Shabbat mornings.
During their school experience at
Temple Emeth, our students become familiar with Shabbat, Kabalat
Shabbat Friday evening, High Holiday, Weekday, and Festival services.
The relevancy of prayer in the future Jewish lives of our students is
taken seriously.
Bible
Because the Bible is the
foundation of the Jewish faith, our students are taught narratives from
the Torah, Prophets, and Writings. Issues and problems are discussed
and the values and ethics of the Jewish People are explored. In the
upper grades, students utilize the original text for their studies.
Hebrew
Students are taught to read
Hebrew phonetically, utilize classroom Hebrew, translate simple modern
Hebrew. Our students are taught basic grammar through a series of basic
Hebrew texts. Prayerbook (Siddur) Hebrew is utilized in preparation for
class services.
Modern conversational Hebrew is taught to familiarize our students with spoken Hebrew in Israel
Holidays
Holidays are taught each year
with an emphasis on the experiential.
At Sukkot we decorate and enjoy the Sukkah, at Simchat Torah we parade
around the synagogue, at Hanukkah we have a school celebration, at Tu
B'Shvat we have a school fruit seder, at Purim we parade in costume and
go to Megillah reading, at Pesah we have a school model seder.
Experiences in Jewish living are a great way to learn.
History
History is taught in all grades from Biblical History to Modern Jewish History in America.
Each grade deals with a different facet of Jewish History including the Holocaust, Israel, and Jews in America.
We learn from what has happened.
Contact the Religious School - Telephone and Email
You can contact the Religious School by calling (617) 469-9459 or by sending email to
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