Our Curriculum

Judaic Studies 

Throughout the course of the year, our students engage in meaningful conversations, participate in hands-on justice projects, and deepen their connections to the past, present, and future of Jewish life. All-school programs, field trips, and special events mark significant moments in the Jewish calendar, and experiential portions of the school day emphasize the value of tikkun olam. Each class also focuses on a particular theme, becoming experts on that aspect of Jewish life!

Kitah Gan (kindergarten)
The primary goal of the Kitah Gan curriculum is to warmly welcome learners into our religious school community. Through art, stories, conversation, and movement, learners are introduced to Jewish life in a joyful and supportive environment that encourages curiosity and connection. Throughout the year, learners will explore core Jewish subjects with a focus on mitzvot and Torah. Kitah Gan helps set a strong foundation for our learners, empowering them to build confidence and enthusiasm for Jewish education, and to understand from the very beginning that being Jewish is meaningful, creative, and fun!

Kitah Aleph (1^st grade)
In Kitah Aleph, learners continue shaping their Jewish identities by exploring the foundational elements of Jewish life, community, and language. They will learn how Jewish lives are shaped by unique rituals, values, and mitzvot, and begin to understand the responsibilities and joys of belonging to a community rooted in compassion, connection, and shared purpose. Through stories, creative projects, and hands-on practice, learners will explore their place in the local and global Jewish World while discovering how they personally contribute to Jewish communal life.

Kitah Bet (2^nd Grade) & Kitah Gimmel (3^rd Grade)
In Kitah Gimmel, students study the Hebrew calendar over the course of the year, experiencing and examining significant moments in the Jewish year. Students explore each Jewish holiday and its mitzvot, traditions, and customs through art, song, and other creative projects. Students also gain a familiarity with core brachot, key Hebrew vocabulary, and Jewish texts associated with each holiday, beginning their introduction to rabbinic literature. 

Kitah Dalet (4^th Grade)
The Kitah Dalet curriculum provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the significant milestones and rituals that mark Jewish life along with their mitzvot and liturgy. Students will investigate how Jewish life cycle rituals and their liturgy have evolved over time. Learners will explore key rituals that mark Jewish life and explore their spiritual, communal, and historical significance. Students will also examine how ritual serves as a reflection of communal values and identity, and how egalitarian communities can adapt traditional practices in meaningful and inclusive ways. Throughout the year, learners will be encouraged to think critically about the evolution of ritual, the balance between tradition and innovation, and their own role in shaping Jewish life today.

Kitah Hey (5^th Grade) & Vav (6^th Grade)
Learners will explore the TaNaKh, diving deeper into the text than in previous years with the goal of highlighting the complexity and continued relevance of the narratives and themes found within. Learners will approach the TaNaKh with a critical eye, analyzing and dissecting the text, and will feel empowered to ask questions of the TaNaKh, its themes, and its lessons through full class debates and creative group projects that will expose them to essential rabbinic questions, challenges, and commentaries. Through deep understanding, debate, and regular chavruta (partner) study of the text and its commentaries, learners will be able to construct a more thorough understanding of the TaNaKh and their relationship to it in preparation for their B'nei Mitzvah. 

Kitah Zayin (7^th grade)
Learners will embark on a journey through Jewish history, beginning with the Biblical period and culminating in an exploration of Temple Beth-El’s own story. Learners will engage in a variety of projects ranging from research-based investigations to creative presentations to bring historical moments and movements to life. They will study key eras in global Jewish history and explore the development of different streams of American Judaism, all while considering how Jewish life has remained rooted in tradition while also adapting to new circumstances. The curriculum is designed to help students situate themselves within the larger timeline of Jewish history, appreciate its vast scope and diversity, and build a meaningful sense of connection to both the global Jewish people and the generations that came before them at TBE.

Hebrew Language

Our approach to Hebrew learning is designed to meet students where they are and support their growth toward confident, fluent reading of liturgical Hebrew and a deeper understanding of prayer. At the beginning of each school year, students will be assessed and placed into small groups based on their current skill level—whether they are learning the Hebrew letters for the first time, building decoding skills, or ready to focus on fluency, comprehension, and synagogue participation. These skill-based groups allow for individualized instruction, meaningful progress, and a supportive, engaging learning environment.

Students who are just beginning their Hebrew learning start with Let’s Discover Alef Bet, which introduces the Hebrew letters through hands-on projects, engaging activities, and key vocabulary words. This program includes an at-home component to reinforce learning and create family connections to the Hebrew language. 

Once students have a basic familiarity with the alef-bet, they move into Kadimah, which reinforces letter recognition, introduces Hebrew vowels, and builds early decoding skills. Kadimah strengthens foundational skills by reinforcing sound-symbol correspondence and guiding learners through decoding simple syllables and words. As decoding skills develop, students transition into the Shalom U’vrachah curriculum, which supports decoding fluency and print lettering. Students practice reading longer Hebrew words and begin to connect with key prayer vocabulary and Hebrew in ritual and cultural contexts.

Students who are comfortable decoding Hebrew and reading with fluency focus on liturgical Hebrew using Hineni: The New Hebrew Through Prayer. This curriculum supports students in reading directly from the siddur, translating key words and shorashim (grammatical roots), and understanding the structure, themes, and meaning of core prayers from Shabbat morning and evening services. In addition, these students begin their study of Torah trope (cantillation).

Throughout every stage of Hebrew learning, Hebrew Through Movement, Hebrew songs, and games are used to reinforce vocabulary, promote listening and comprehension skills, and create an active, meaningful connection to the Hebrew language. With regular practice and thoughtful, level-appropriate instruction, each student is supported in becoming a confident, fluent Hebrew reader who can engage meaningfully with Jewish prayer and tradition.

All-school tefillah (prayer service) serves as a complement to the Hebrew curriculum. Our learning services are led by Rav Caleb every Sunday and Wednesday and are designed to help our students learn the rhythms and choreography of a synagogue service while also practicing the weekday prayers and learning their core themes. Throughout the year as students gain familiarity with the foundational prayers of the service, they will be given opportunities to lead either as individuals or in small groups. 

Throughout the academic year, each class will take a central role in hosting a special Shabbat service for the Temple Beth-El community. Over the course of many weeks, students will prepare to lead parts of the Saturday morning service, taking on more ritual responsibilities each year. Students and their families also plan the menu for the Saturday luncheon in the social hall, and each class prepares decorations, activities, and other fun surprises during the service! Class services are also an opportunity to honor our students’ families and their commitment to lifelong Jewish engagement.