What Makes Our Hebrew School Different?

Our curriculum, leaders and teachers create an atmosphere of fun and engagement while also providing substantive learning in which children are challenged and feel respected. We build a space that feels safe for all kinds of learners, personalities and family backrounds, and we encourage open expression so every child knows that s/he matters and belongs.

Children learn Hebrew as a living language. We emphasize conversational Hebrew in our weekday program. Students learn to speak, read, write and understand modern Hebrew. They learn vocabulary and the basics of Hebrew grammar so that by the time they complete 6th grade, they can translate short stories and speak in full sentences. While they may not be fluent by attending our school two afternoons a week, they certainly have the building blocks to become fluent; they will have the skills they need to speak and understand while visiting Israel.

In contrast to most Hebrew Schools in which children spend most of their time learning to recite prayers during class, we teach prayers organically which is exciting and active.

Family Programs

Family education programs are an important part of our Hebrew School curriculum. These optional programs offer families the opportunity to engage in Jewish learning and celebration with the greater Kane Street Synagogue community. All family education programming is open to both our Hebrew School and Jewish Day School families. Most programs take place on Shabbat or Jewish holidays.

Teachers

Our teachers are recruited for their passion about Jewish living, rapport with children and creativity. Teachers at Kane Street love teaching here, like the students and the students like them.

Some of our teachers have many years of teaching experience while some are newer to teaching, but each has enthusiastically embraced this calling. Every teacher is actively working to make the learning experience of the children of Kane Street Synagogue Hebrew School rewarding, fun and meaningful.

Our teachers come from a variety of backgrounds: some are Israeli born, some American or Canadian born, some are Ashkenazic while others are Sephardic or Mizrachi (from Middle Eastern countries). Our teachers represent a spectrum of religious belief and practice: many are life-long Conservative Jews, others are Reform Jews and still others are Modern Orthodox. Some resist obvious categorization. It is with deliberate intention that a diverse group of teachers is chosen. As a faculty team they represent a variety of paths to living a good Jewish life. They stand as role models for the children, and with each new teacher, children get to see a different model of authentic Jewish practice and belief.

Curriculum By Grade Level

Roshanim

Gan

Kindergartners learn stories from the Bible and the Jewish values that are at their heart - like hospitality, kindness, courage and determination. They learn the Alef Bet, do hands-on activities to engage with each letter; and they practice writing and pronouncing the letters. Kindergarteners learn holiday stories and customs. They learn about the special people and places of Israel. Children sing and dance, play games and make art.

Alef

First graders strengthen their Hebrew letter and vowel recognition, learn a 25-word Hebrew vocabulary, and begin to write in Hebrew (script). Students explore the calendar of holidays, associating each holiday with its major symbols and stories. Students learn core Jewish values and apply them to their own lives and traditional Jewish stories. Children consider what and who God might be. They create art and play games. Students learn Shabbat and holiday music.

Bet

Second graders master Hebrew letters and vowels, and become more fluent readers and practice writing in script. They recognize 50 Hebrew words and are able to understand simple sentences. They explore Israeli people, places and culture, and they continue to build their understanding and application of Jewish ethics. Students learn Shabbat and holiday music.

Gimmel and Dalet

Third and Fourth graders master Hebrew script writing, expand their Hebrew vocabulary. They learn basic grammatical rules, distinguishing singular and plural, masculine and feminine and becoming more confident in speaking Hebrew. Students learn about each of the stories from the book of Genesis and Exodus in third grade and continue learning about the Judges and Prophets from Tanakh. They delve into these stories from many perspectives through discussion, debate, artwork and drama. They learn about tthe rites and rituals of a Jewish life cycle. They learn how to bring holiness into their everyday life and build a vocabulary to talk about G-d. They learn the prayers of the amidah and the closing prayers of every service. Students learn Shabbat and holiday music.

Hey

Fifth graders continue to build their Hebrew speaking, reading and comprehension skills using more sophisticated stories. They improve their grammar and build their vocabulary of Hebrew words. . Fifth graders master the prayers of the Torah service. Students actively participate in Shabbat prayer and begin to take leadership roles. Students learn about contemporary heroes along with historical figures who worked to make the world better through mitzvot. 5th graders learn all about the history of American Jews and try to understand their own American Jewish identity and that of their family.

Vav

Sixth graders polish their Hebrew speaking, reading and comprehension. They learn how to decline verbs of several binyanim (categories), and begin to master past and future tenses. They learn how to chant the Haftarah trope as they move closer to leading their B'nai Mitzvah. Students learn why Jews at the end of the 19th century needed a homeland, study the early years of Jewish nation-building in Palestine and the creation of the Israeli state. They learn about the difficulties and conflicts of Israel's 73 years as well as its extraordinary achievements. Most of all, they learn that there are no simple answers about Israel and that the nation is incredibly complex. Students will learn to do a close reading of Torah texts with commentary to pull out relevant meanings.

Miftan

Seventh graders polish their Hebrew speaking and comprehension. They learn useful vocabulary they will need when they visit Israel. Students will learn the sweep of Jewish history over the past 2,000 years including dispersion from Israel, the early rabbis and their innovations in Judaism, the great Medieval cultures of Jews in Spain, the Rhineland, Provence, Cairo and Baghdad. They will learn about the crusades and anti-Jewish violence and pogroms, the Inquisition and Marrano Jews as well as the new flourishing of Jews in Turkey, the Netherlands and the New World. They will learn about the Enlightenment and the new opportunities available to Jews in Europe and the rise of Reform and Conservative Judaism. They will learn about the methods of the Nazis to turn people against Jews and about the terrible events of the holocaust. Students will learn about post-holocaust mourning and memorialization and the commitment of Jews to protect ourselves and other vulnerable minorities.