Grades K-2

TBH’s Gan (Kindergarten) and Kitah Aleph (1st Grade) & Kitah Bet (2nd Grade) program is the child’s first experience in formal Jewish Education.

Our purpose is to build upon the child’s Torah Tots experience and by arousing the student’s interest and innate curiosity in his/her Jewish heritage through authentic Jewish experience, music, stories, games, and hands on projects. This year as well we introduce the Hebrew Aleph Bet and useful Hebrew words and phrases.

This is the first year that the child experiences the Synagogue and School as the gathering place of children of all ages to meet on a regular basis to study and participate as a community. The student in K-1/2 develops a sense of Jewish identity and community through the socialization, which occurs among classmates.

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Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

The Temple Beth Hillel Religious School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.


Gan (Kindergarten) Information

Goals:

1)    To introduce the Hebrew letters and their sounds.

2)    To begin studying the weekly parshiyot (Torah portions), focusing on Bible characters, stories, and events.

3)    To explore Jewish symbols and customs related to Shabbat and Jewish holidays.

4)    To introduce the concepts of Mitzvot (commandments; good deeds), Israel, and Jews around the world.

In Kindergarten, students will learn about the basic elements of each Jewish holiday.  Students will explore the concepts of Tzedakah and Mitzvot.

Their Family Education program will focus on holiday themes.

As students begin to identify Hebrew letters and their sounds, they will also learn to recite the Shema and the Shabbat blessings for the home (Motzi, Kiddush, and Candles).

Students will begin studying the weekly parshiyot as an integral part of the TBH curriculum in every grade.  Our youngest students will focus on Bible personalities, stories, and events.

Introducing The Aleph-Bet Through Bible Stories

The students will be introduced to selected Bible stories that teach Jewish knowledge, values, and concepts, as well as the beautiful narrative itself. Integrated into this program is an introduction to the letters of the Aleph-bet, and key words of Jewish cultural and religious values, which begin with that letter. Activities such as dramatic play, singing, and creative movement are introduced to reinforce stories and new letters and words.

Holidays/Chagim:

The students will learn the names and basic symbols for:

Shabbat

Chanukah

Yom Ha-Atzmaut

Rosh Hashana

Tu B’Shevat

Yom Kippur

Purim

Sukkot

Passover

Simchat Torah

Shavuot

Shabbat and Festival names and basic symbols:

Candles, Kiddush, Motzi

Tallit, Kipah

The Torah

Shofar, Teshuvah, Tashlich

Sukkah, Lulav, Etrog,

Simchat Torah: Flags, Torah

Hanukah: Candle blessings, Chanukiah

Tu B’ Shevat: planting, fruit, trees

Purim: Megillah, graggers, hamentaschen

Pesach: Seder, Hagaddah, plagues, matzah, Afikomen

Lag Ba’ Omer – Bonfire

Shavuot: 10 commandments

Biblical Knowledge: People, Places, Stories:

Moses and Pharaoh, Abraham & Sarah, Judah Maccabee, Esther, Haman, Mordechai, Students will also learn about the Temple in Jerusalem.

Genesis stories include: Creation, Adam & Eve, Noah, Exodus, King Solomon, Aaron, Miriam, Jacob & Esau, Mt. Sinai, Jacob’s ladder, Joseph’s dreams, 10 Commandments.

Learning Tools: Complementary materials for parent-child learning reinforcement: Let’s Discover the Holidays – Combined Fall and Spring set.

G-d Awareness:

The students will be given opportunities to think about basic concepts of G-d, the individual, the Jew and the world.

  • G-d is One
  • G-d is the Creator of us and our world
  • G-d has a covenant with the Jewish people
  • We speak with G-d through prayer
  • We strive to act “in G-d’s image”

Mitzvot and Mitzvah Awareness:

Tzedakah

Honoring Parents

Jewish friendship skills

Helping others

Caring & Sharing

Going to Temple

What is a Mitzvah?

Difference between good and bad (parental)

B’rachot and Tefilot (Blessings and Prayers):

The students will have opportunities to use and review the following Hebrew letters and vocabulary.

Prayer & Belief:

Learn the Motzi

Kiddush

Shema & Barchu

Mi Chamocha

Oseh Shalom

Four Questions

Hinei Ma Tov

Hebrew:

Learn the Aleph-Bet song

Familiarity with letters

Learn numbers, colors, simple words, body parts, greetings,

Hebrew songs

Family words

Israel & Community:

Israeli Flag

Israel Independence Day

Israeli Songs: Am Yisrael Chai, David Melech, Zum Gali – Gali

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Kitah Aleph (1st Grade) Information

Our Kitah Aleph/1st graders are ready and set to learn. We take full advantage of their enthusiasm and plunge them straight into the wonderful world of Jewish learning.

Goals:

  1. To review the Hebrew letters and learn the Hebrew vowels.
  2. To identify major Bible figures and places.
  3. To introduce the sanctuary and its components.
  4. To introduce Israel and its importance to the Jewish people

In first grade, students continue their Hebrew studies by reviewing letters, learning the Hebrew vowels, and reading letter/vowel combinations.  Students review the blessings of the home, and are introduced to simple holiday prayers, Hebrew body parts, and weather vocabulary.

Through their weekly study of Torah and Bible, students will be able to identify the major Bible figures and the places in which the stories occurred.

Students will act as “detectives”, searching out all of the symbols and objects found in the sanctuary.  They will identify the ornaments and coverings on the Torah.

Students will begin to explore the land of Israel and its importance to the Jewish people, connecting the Bible stories and locations to the map of Israel.  We will also weave the Seven Species of Israel into the calendar year, further solidifying the idea of the centrality of Israel to the Jewish people and religion.

With parents, we will join the 2nd grade on a trip to a farm for a study of agriculture, Israel, and Bible.

Hebrew Language Reading Readiness:

Letter Recognition and Formation

Children learn to name, print, and associate the sounds of all the letters of the Aleph Bet.  Stories which personify the letters and link them to Jewish ideas and ideals are used to reinforce their learning.

In the spring, letters are sequenced and the vowels are introduced.

Hebrew Language Usage:

Common Hebrew words and phrases are used in the classroom routine as well as in lessons related to holidays and customs.  Students learn patterned responses to situational and Jewish cultural, Israeli, and religious related commands and questions.  Hatikvah and other Israel centered Hebrew songs are learned.

Spoken phrases and vocabulary words:

Shalom – hello/goodbye

Boker Tov – good morning

Bevakasha – please

Todah – thank you

Slicha – excuse me

Ken – yes

Lo – no

Eyfo – where is

Shalom L’hitraot – see you later

Chag Sameach – happy holidays

L’Shana Tova – happy new year

Mitz tapuach – apple juice

Beit ha Knesset – synaoguge

Beit HaSefer – school

Iparon – pencil

Sefer – book

Yesh li – I have

Ayn li – I don’t have

Chaver – Friend

Chesed – Kindness

Etrog – Citron

Chazzan – Cantor

Rav – Rabbi

Morah – teacher

Makhzor – holiday prayer book

Rikud – Dance

Sh’chach – Sukkah roof thatch

Lulav – palm branch & combine plants/Sukkot

Plus: ritual words Bimah, kipah, tzitzit, Torah, Ark, Rabbi Cantor.

Israel:

The Cities of Israel

Utilizing complimentary materials and (suggested) 16 page pamphlet Israel: People and Places, students receive their own passports, simulate a flight to Israel, and “visit” major cities, with an emphasis on Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Safed.

The People of Israel

Utilizing the suggested 16 page pamphlet Israel: People and Places, students are introduced to the flag of Israel, map of Israel, Israeli ethnic groups, and key sites that a young visitor to Israel would enjoy.

Israel & Community

Participate in Israel Independence Day

Kibbutz

Kotel

Learn Hatikvah

Israeli foods: dates, figs, falafel, oranges, hummus

Chagim:

Students deepen their knowledge of the Jewish holidays utilizing Let’s Discover the Holidays.

Chanukiah: Dreidel, the Story

New Year’s Wishes

Avinu Malkenu

Sukkot: Harvest

Simchat Torah: Consecration

B’rachot:

Ha Motzi Lechem Min HaAretz (bread and starting a meal with bread)

Borei Minei M’zonot (cake, cookies, crackers)

Borei Peri Ha Etz (fruit)

Borei Peri Ha Adamah (vegetables)

Borei Peri Ha Gafen (grape juice)

Le Hadlik Ner Shel Shabbat (Shabbat candles)

Le Hadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov (holiday candles)

Le Hadlik Ner Shel Chanukah

She hakol N’hiyeh bidvaro

Tefilot:

Shema

Barechu

Mi Camocha

Avot

Oseh Shalom

4 Questions

Dayenu

Eliyahu Hanavi

Shavuah Tov

Shabbat Shalom

Prayer as talking to G-d

Avot

V’ Ahavtah

Shecheyanu

Mitzvot

Mishloach Manot

Mitzvah Days

10 Commandments

The Synagogue:

Students visit the sanctuary, examine the various religious articles unique to the Synagogue, meet their Rabbi, Cantor and are introduced to the complex of Jewish happenings that the synagogue encompasses.

The booklet Lets Explore the Synagogue and complementary materials are used in class and as a parent education tools.  Hands on activities include: making your own mosaic, synagogue mazes, connect the dots, and drawing.

Text: Let’s Explore the Synagogue, Behrman House

Biblical Knowledge

Using the book, Let’s Discover the Holidays, students will learn about Moses and Pharaoh, Abraham & Sarah, Judah Maccabee, Esther, Haman, Mordechai, Students will also learn about The Temple in Jerusalem, Genesis stories: Creation, Adam & Eve, Noah, Exodus

Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, Rachel, Leah, King David, Joseph, Exodus from Egypt, King Solomon, Aaron, Miriam, Jacob & Esau, Mt. Sinai, Jacob’s ladder, Joseph’s dreams.

Text: Let’s Discover the Holidays, Behrman House

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Kitah Bet (2nd Grade) Information

Our Kitah Bet/ 2nd graders are actively engaged in exploring Judaism at its most fundamental level: songs, experiential activities, and desire to learn and grow.

Goals:

  1. To explore the celebrations and observances of Shabbat.
  2. To learn about the Jewish holidays as a yearly cycle.
  3. To increase Hebrew reading fluency, including Hebrew exceptions and special rules.
  4. To continue the study of main characters and stories in the Bible.
  5. To introduce the Jewish concept of God.

In second grade, students continue their cyclical study of the Jewish holidays with a specific focus on the observance and customs of Shabbat.  Students will also explore the concepts of Tzedakah and Mitzvot.

Students will begin to increase their Hebrew reading fluency, beginning to recognize common Hebrew prayer words and learning the exceptions and special rules of Hebrew reading.

Students continue their study of Bible, focusing on specific stories and characters.

Students will begin their exploration of the Jewish concept of God.  As children yearn to achieve an understanding of God and find a higher meaning for the things that inhabit our world, we will help them explore goodness, morality, Jewish ritual, self-esteem, and holiness through a study of God within Judaism.

With parents, we will join the 1st grade on a trip to a Farm for a study of agriculture, Israel, and Bible.

Hebrew Language: Decoding

At first, children will build on Grade 1 skills to recognize, learn to name, identify and associate the sounds of all the letters of the Aleph-Bet.  Hebrew reading skills include blending of consonants and vowels, right-left directional development, differentiation between masculine and feminine forms, singular and plural, developing correct letter formation, writing from right to left, and taking dictation of simple sentences and words used in class.  Direct application is primarily reading of prayers for fluency.  Each day’s Hebrew date is written on the board and students are being introduced to the Hebrew system of numerical values assigned to letters as well as being in tune with the Hebrew calendar.

Text: Shalom Aleph Bet, Behrman House

Classroom Usage

Common Hebrew words, phrases, commands, and responses are used in the classroom.  Holiday and Mitzvot terminology are introduced and reinforced where appropriate.  Hebrew songs and melodies provide direct application of skills learned.

Siddur and Prayer:

The following prayers are introduced in 2nd Grade for fluent reading and liturgical usage with varying levels of comprehension.

Daily and Shabbat

Gvurot

Mi Camocha

Shirah Hadasha

Tzur Yisrael

Ma Tovu

Modeh Ani

Aleinu

L’ Dor VaDor

Yismechu

HaShamayim

Yom HaAtzmaut

Sukkot

Layshev BaSukkah

Chanukah

LeHadlik Ner Shel Chanukah

Pesach

Kiddush

LeHadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov

Al Achilat Maztza

The core Holiday and Mitzvot curriculum defined below places these prayers in context of the daily, weekly, and holiday cycle of Jewish experience.

Life Cycle

Students learn the various stage of the life cycle as celebrated by all Jewish people and relate this to their own families.

Primarily, handouts, activities, and discussion pave the way for this introduction.

Birchot Nehenin – Blessing Appreciating G-d’s gifts

Students will utilize Hear O Israel: Book IV, published by UAHC, as a framework for discussing their thoughts and feelings about G-d.

Blessings for foods:

  • HaMotzi
  • Kiddush
  • LeHadlik Ner Shel Shabbat

Torah – Torah Tsivah

Shabbat – Shalom Aleichem

Chanukah – Lehadlik Ner Shell Chanukah

High Holidays

Shofar Calls, B’Rosh Hashanah, U’Tshuvah, Utfilah, U’Tzedakah,

Yom Kippur fast

Simchat Torah: Hakafot, Hoshanot, Ushpizim

Hanuakah; Al Hanisim, Mi Yimalel

Tu B’ Shevat – conservation

Pesach – Hagadah, Avadim Hayinu

Israel

  • To discuss the idea that Israel is the home of the Jewish people
  • To learn that for some Jews, Israel is their only home, while for others it is their second home.
  • To learn that all Jews have the option of living in Israel and/or calling Israel their home.
  • To realize that the Jewish people once lived in Israel, were exiled and returned to their land.
  • To discuss the meaning of “independence”.
  • To be able to identify Israel’s flag, map shape, emblem, language and typical foods.
  • To become familiar with a few places in Israel.
  • To compare and contrast the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Tu Bishvat, and Yom HaAtzmaut in Israel and the United States.

Songs

High Holidays

Sukkot

Simchat Torah

Pesach

Chanukah

Yom Ha Atzmaut

Tu B’ Shevat

Siyum

Purim

Additional Primary Music Repertoire

Siddur and Prayer

Biblical Knowledge

  • Sibling stories
  • David & Jonathan
  • Jacob’s sons – tribes
  • Joshua

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