K.I. Religious School Curriculum

SUNDAY PRESCHOOL:  This program introduces our youngest students to Jewish stories and symbols.  Using music, arts, crafts and story-telling, the children become familiar with the most basic customs of our people.  The children learn about Jewish holidays, bible heroes and Jewish worship through hands-on activities and creative experiences, including “Aleph-Bet Yoga”. Steffanie Belitsky is our Preschool teacher.

KINDERGARTEN:   An introduction to some of the key aspects of Judaism by learning about   the synagogue, the Jewish Holidays, and the Hebrew Alphabet.  Students will learn about the “House of God”, prayer, the Torah, the Rabbi and the Cantor.  All of the major holidays and, of course, Shabbat, will also be taught.  Jill Levine and Jennie Wolfenson are our K indergarten teachers.

FIRST GRADE:  Bible study is introduced as well as a rudimentary consideration of Hebrew letters and sounds.  Holiday study and its impact on Jewish life style continues.  Genesis is covered from Creation through Adam and Eve, Noah, the Tower of  Babel, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Esau and it ends with Joseph and his brothers.  Ellen Tilman and Melanie D’Orazio are our First Grade teachers.

 SECOND GRADE:   The Reform movement’s “Chai Curriculum” begins in the second grade. This curriculum is divided into three sections: Torah, Avodah (worship) and  Gemilut Hasadim (acts of loving kindness).  In the second grade Torah strand students focus on their relationship with the Torah and the second book of the Bible, Exodus.  In the Avodah strand, they explore ways to get to know God and in the Gemilut Hasadim strand, they learn that they can do acts of loving kindness.  In addition, they learn about the holidays, Israel and are formally introduced to the Hebrew alphabet.  Debbie Rosen and Pam Friedrich are our Second Grade teachers.

If you have never been affiliated with KI you may qualify for our “Introduction to Religious School” offer.  Your family may try our Religious School for one year (grades preschool – 2) without becoming members of our congregation.  You pay double the tuition fee but have no membership expenses.  Contact Rabbi Stacy Rigler for more informaiton. 

THIRD GRADE:  Third grade Judaic studies continue with the “Chai curriculum”.  Third grade Torah studies focus on the third book of the Bible, Leviticus, and how to live a life of holiness.  In the Avodah strand, students focus on ways they experience God in their daily lives.  They learn to take responsibility for doing acts of loving kindness in the Gemilut Hasadim strand.  The students begin studying Hebrew twice a week as they add vowels to their knowledge of letters and begin to read words and master the vocabulary.  Aliza Herman and Andrea Gershman are our  Third Grade teachers.

FOURTH GRADE:  In the fourth grade “Chai curriculum”, students concentrate on Biblical history. They learn basic theological concepts focusing their worship discussions on how we pray and different types of prayer.   In the Gemulit Hasadim strand, students learn Jewish values behind their actions such as honoring parents, the danger of gossip and making peace among friends.  Additionally, a study of the Jewish life cycle will be introduced in this year’s fourth grade. Students learn to read  simple Hebrew words and read longer sentences and paragraphs.  Their vocabulary increases as does the mastery of simpler prayers.  Eric Gershman and Orit Nelinson are our Fourth Grade teachers.

FIFTH GRADE:  The fifth graders explore the American Jewish experience and the prophetic roots of Reform Judaism.  Students learn about their roots in this country and, specifically, how Philadelphia Jewish history began.  A highlight of the study is a trip to Center city  to see Colonial Jewish Philadelphia.  The Chai curriculum continues in the fifth grade with a study of the prophets and a focus on our relationship with others.  Fifth graders  study the Friday night prayer service.  Students learn about the meaning of the prayers, and basic vocabulary. Shelbie Freedman and Marcy Klugman are our Fifth Grade teachers.

SIXTH GRADE:  The focus of study in sixth grade is our relationship to our holy land, Israel.  Its history and geography, its development and how we are connected to the land are all central to the year-long study.  Students revisit the holidays and learn how they are celebrated in Israel.   The Chai curriculum focuses on the “Writings” section of the Bible and indiviudal communication with God as well as the student’s personal responsibility in makng deciisons and being Jewish.  In Hebrew, the sixth graders master the Saturday morning service.  Additionally, the students learn about the responsibilities associated with becoming a Jewish adult, as preparations for Bar and Bat Mitzvah also begin this year.   Janet Luterman and Fern Flicker are our Sixth Grade teachers.