Grade 5

Kitah Hey (5th Grade) Information

Kitah Hey (5th Graders) are just coming into their own with a sense of a future as young leaders and yet still needing the nurturing and consistency of a solid foundation. This curriculum aims to provide that precarious balance.

Goals:

  1. To study the Amidah section of the prayer service
  2. To understand the history of the Jewish people from biblical times through the growth of Jewish immigration in the mid-1800’s.
  3. To explore the culture and varied groups of people living in Israel
  4. To study the Jewish holidays, focusing on less familiar background information and details of observance

In 5th grade, students will continue their Hebrew studies by mastering the Amidah section of the prayer service.  Students will be required to read the Hebrew prayers, translate key words, and understand the general meaning of each prayer.  During the year, students will participate in a Friday night service, demonstrating their ability to lead the congregation in prayer and performing a play based on the weekly parsha (Torah portion).

Students will begin a 2 year study of Jewish history, beginning with the eras of ancient Israel and moving forward through the ages of the Talmud, Rabbinic scholars, and Diaspora. A specific focus on the challenges of assimilation and identity will be incorporated into the curriculum.  Students will complete a history project at the end of the year, either an essay or an in-class presentation.

Students will engage in a study of Israel from the perspective of culture and people.  Students will taste the foods of Israel, sing the songs of Israel, and learn about all the different group of people that share the land of Israel with the Jewish people.

Students will study the Jewish holidays, delving further in to the background of each holiday and learning about the lesser known rituals associated with various holidays.  Students will be encouraged to try incorporating these new rituals in to their own practice and developing new rituals of their own.

Prayer and Hebrew:

Text: Hineni 2, Behrman House

Students expand their vocabulary and continue to acquire new building blocks.   Within each prayer students search for unique building block words.

The following prayers are learned with an emphasis on building Hebrew vocabulary.

Avot/Imahot

Oseh Shalom

Ki Metzion

Lecha Adonai

Bircat Hatorah

VeZot HaTorah

Eitz Hayim Hee

Al Shlosha Devarim

Aleinu

Kaddish

Ayn Keloheinu

The Birkat HaMazon (blessing after the meals) is also studied both for vocabulary and understanding.

Why Be Different?

Being Jewish, and being Jewish in Tucson, raises eyebrows and questions. Students begin to explore and decide for him or herself his/her personal values and meaning behind this religion. It teaches students to ask questions about that which he/she does not understand and access answers and resources to validate his/her experiences.

Torah:

Text:  Basic Judaism for Young People: Volume 2, Torah, Behrman House

Our sages tell us, “Turn it around and around, for everything is in it.”

This text explores the many faces of the Torah and brings the students into the inner meaning of the Torah and its stories. We are no longer dealing with the surface questions of: How many animals could fit in to the ark? We are delving into the inquiry of motive, character, and lessons to be learned. This book engages the student to unveil the mysteries and multi-layers this sacred text has to offer.

Holiday Concepts and Vocabulary:

Rosh Hashanah

Shehecheyanu with apples and honey

Aseert Yemei Teshuvah

Avina Malkeynu

L’Shanah Tova Tikateivu v’tichateimu

Machzor

Shabbat Shuvah

Selichot

Yamim Noraim

Yom Ha Din

Yom Hazikaron

Yom Teruah

Yom Kippur

Al Chayt

Ashamnu

G’mar Chatimah Tovah

Kol Nidrei

Yizkor

Sukkot and Hoshana Rabba

Hoshana Rabbah

Lulav

Shalosh Regalim

Shemini Atzeret

Mashiv ha Ruach u’morid Ha Geshem

Shemini Atzeret

Chanukah

Al HaNissim

HaNerot Halalu

Judah Macabee

Kislev

Latkes/levivot

Modin

Mesgadol Haya Po/Sham

Sufganiot

Purim

Adar

Al Hanisim

Esther/Hadassah

Matanot La-Evyonim

Mishloach Manot

Ta’anit Esther

Pesach

Arba’ah banim

Arba Kushiot

Hag Ha-Aviv

Kos Shel Eliyahu

Hallel

Mechirat Chametz

Nisan

Shabbat HaGadol

Yom Hashoah

Shoah

Yad Vashem

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.