A whole religious school, ready to teach.
Nine years of Judaica and Hebrew, designed together — and written so a volunteer with no Judaic background can walk in and teach it well.
- 7
- Judaica levels, PreK–6
- 85
- thematic units
- 5
- Hebrew levels, Grades 2–6
- 164
- planned sessions
What each year holds
Every grade has a theme, something the child makes, and something the child does in front of the congregation. Assessment here is a public role, not a test.
| GRADE | JUDAICA THEME | SIGNATURE PROJECT | COMMUNITY ROLE | HEBREW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PreK–Kindergarten | My Jewish Year | “My Jewish Year” keepsake book | Weekly tzedakah practice; sing at a family T’filah | By ear, inside the class |
| Grade 1 | My Jewish Values | “Stories That Live in Me” story portfolio | Share a Jewish story with buddies/families | By ear, inside the class |
| Grade 2 | My Jewish Practice | “My Shabbat & Ritual Box” + Yom Acharon Hebrew celebration | Lead the Hanukkah candle blessing at T’filah | Nativ Level 1 — The three Shabbat evening blessings, The blessing formula (Barukh atah Adonai…) |
| Grade 3 | Jewish Time | “Jewish Time” calendar + holidays-around-the-world fair | Help lead Shema / Barchu at a community service | Nativ Level 2 — Shema, Barchu |
| Grade 4 | My Jewish People | Family-interview creative project + community showcase | Present family-story projects at a community showcase | Nativ Level 3 — Avot v'Imahot, G'vurot |
| Grade 5 | A Jewish Life | “The Circle of a Jewish Life” lifecycle portfolio | Lead Torah-service blessings; visit/honor elders | Nativ Level 4 — Long Kiddush, Birkot HaTorah (Torah blessings) |
| Grade 6 | Torah & Becoming a Leader | “Becoming” B’nei Mitzvah readiness portfolio + d’var Torah | Lead full T’filah segments; mentor younger grades | Nativ Level 5 — V'ahavta, Haftarah blessings |
Hebrew becomes a separate class in Grade 2. Before that it lives inside the one class, by ear — Hebrew Through Movement, songs, and the Alef Bet.
What it takes to run
One afternoon a week
3 hours for Grades 2–6 — Judaica, Hebrew, snack, and t'filah in the sanctuary.
Volunteer teachers
Every unit gives plain-language background, a two-minute prep, a session flow with timings, and answers to what children actually ask.
One teacher through Grade 1
The younger grades stay with one teacher, with Hebrew woven in. No second staffing burden until Grade 2.
Families included by design
A Mishpacha Note goes home every session with one table-talk question and one small ritual to try.
The hardest problem in a religious school is not the children.
It is staffing it with volunteers who have Monday jobs and Sunday nerves. So every unit is written to be picked up cold, ten minutes before class, by someone who has never taught before:
- What you need to knowPlain-language background so you can teach with confidence — no outside research required.
- Why this mattersThe big idea, so you can answer “why are we learning this?”
- Two-minute prepThe absolute essentials if you’re short on time.
- Session flowWelcome → explore → create → close, with timing.
- Words to knowHebrew vocabulary with easy pronunciation and meaning.
- Kids often askCommon questions and gentle, honest ways to answer them.
- Inclusion & sensitivity notesHow to keep the unit affirming for every child and family.
- Family connectionThe Mishpacha Note / home extension to send home.