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School at Temple Beth Am strives to meet the challenge of creating
literate youths with positive identities as Reform Jews. Our program
is seeing continuous improvement and our students are involved in
the learning process in such a way that one can feel their "ruach"
(spirit) and joy in the hallways. |
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INTERMEDIATE
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Grade
3-6
In grades 3-6, we use the Chai curriculum to teach our students
about the most important concepts and values of Jewish life. It
is based on Torah, Avodah and G'milut Chasidim and helps the students
grow into committed and thoughtful Jewish adults.
The intermediate
program is a two day per week program of Hebrew and Jewish studies.
The Judaic program comprises: Tanakh (Bible), Torah, Prophets and
Writings, Jewish life cycle, Jewish History, Holidays, Israel, Jewish
Values and Ethics. The Hebrew component is primarily prayer literacy
and prayer content. Students
in Grade 3 are presented with their own Reform Siddur, Mishkan T'fillah,
during the Simchat Siddur service at their 3rd grade Junior Congregation.
Cantor Schechtman
meets twice a month with the students to practice liturgy. The students
learn to chant prayers and blessings.
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Library/Music
Every other Sunday, students in grades 3 & 4, go to the library to
hear a story read by our librarian, Marsha Massey or one of our many
parent volunteers. The children are encouraged to take out Jewish
books, which they can bring home for the week. Once a month, the 5th
& 6th graders go to the library to work on an historic fiction book
project. This new program should prove to be both educational and
enjoyable for them. On the alternate Sundays, they participate in
music class with our wonderful music teacher, Don Levey. They learn
the “latest” Jewish music as well as some prayers. Both specialties
complement what the children are learning in class |
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Students are
required to complete five years in our religious school program
prior to becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Students must also fulfill
the Annual service requirements for their grade level as well as
attend the 6th grade family programs. Students must also complete
the Hamitzvah Hazot program or
the Kesher 13 program. A number of credits
must be achieved before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.
In addition:
- students
are expected to enroll and attend our 8th grade program.
- Each grade
participates in at least one Jr. Congregation (Saturday morning
service)
- and one
Family Service (Friday night).
Beginning in
grade 3 each child is eligible to join the Myra and Robert Kraft
Passport to Israel Program.
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GRADE
3
In grade three students learn the Blessing for studying Torah, Mah
Tovu, the Yotzer and the Avot V'Imahot. Students study Torah, Holidays
and Jewish Life Cycle. |
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GRADE
4
Students continue their Hebrew studies. They review prayers covered
the previous year and begin learning the following new prayers: Ahava
Raba, V'Ahavta, G'ulah, Mi Chamocha, Kiddush and Modeh Ani. Students
continue with Bible focusing on Prophets and Writings. Studying these
texts helps students understand the concept of historical continuity,
and teaches them that the values and ethics exhibited by our ancestors
are still relevant today. Students also explore the concept of God
and develop their own ideas about God |
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GRADE
5
Students return to the study of Torah.
In grade 5 they are better able to grasp concepts that were too difficult
for them in grade 3. Students discuss the parshah hashavua and examine
its lessons. They learn about Israel, past and present. They continue
practicing prayers adding G'vurot, Kedusha, Kedushat Hayom, Avodah
and Hoda'ah to their growing list of mastered prayers. |
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GRADE
6
Students revisit the Prophets on
a more advanced level. They learn Seder Kriyat Torah (the Torah Service)
and complete their prayer chart. They return to the study of the Jewish
year and are exposed to the more complex aspects of the Jewish holidays.
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