Religious School

For more information about our
Tuition Free Religious School,
please contact our
Director of Congregational Learning,
Shari Rothstein at educator@sholom.net or 973-239-1321.

Religious School Parent Handbook
Religious School Calendar
Listen to downloaded prayers

Elementary School - K-5th Grade

Hebrew Programs

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade: Hebrew Through Movement (HTM)
HTM is a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands. HTM introduces Hebrew in a playful and meaningful way, creating a positive first link between children and Hebrew. This program is supported by the latest brain research on learning, providing a foundation for Hebrew that opens the door to more facile Hebrew decoding and reading
3rd - 5th Grade
Our 3rd-5th Grade Hebrew teachers use a variety of digital materials to help engage our students in learning the alef-bet and prayer curriculum. Some classes use music and videos to enhance the learning and to help students make meaning.

Jewish Studies Program

We partner with ShalomLearning to offer a fresh approach to Jewish education by using technology, short videos, music, texts, stories and activities to make the learning engaging for our students. ShalomLearning provides an interactive, multimedia approach and the blended learning model giving us the ability to seamlessly switch from online to in-person, as needed.

With this values-based curriculum our students will:

Be empowered to live meaningful Jewish lives by connecting lessons to real world scenarios, helping them apply the Jewish learning to their daily lives.
Develop a positive Jewish identity, allowing them to explore their own personal connection to our heritage.
Acquire important tools and develop social emotional skills that they can apply in all of their interactions.

Throughout the year your child will learn about the holidays, Torah, history and Israel all through the lens of the following Jewish values:

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Jewish Values

Middle School Programs - 6th, 7th & 8th Grade

6th Grade
The 6th graders spend the majority of their Jewish Studies class learning about the Holocaust. In addition, we focus on the issues that pre-teens face as they prepare for becoming B’nai Mitzvah. This curriculum is specifically designed for the developmental milestones that occur during 6th grade e.g. peer pressure.

Students participate in a weekly Hebrew class which focuses on understanding the meaning of prayer and how it relates to their lives. In addition, all 6th graders have a 20-minute personalized ONLINE Hebrew lesson weekly to work on reading and chanting prayers. These lessons help the students to build confidence, and work to polish the skills needed to be prepared to work with Cantor Feibush for B'nai Mitzvah lessons. These personalized lessons (either 1:1 or 2:1) will enable the teacher to teach each child in the way that is most appropriate for him/her. Tefillah with Cantor Feibush is also part of the 6th grade program.
7th Grade
The 7th grade program covers many thematic units such as: Shabbat, life cycles, Jewish foods, mitzvot, holidays and tzedakah. In addition, 7th graders focus on the social, spiritual, and emotional elements of becoming a teenager: including, peer pressure, gender norms, self-esteem, and social responsibility. This curriculum integrates Jewish wisdom into lessons specifically designed for the developmental milestones that occur during 7th grade.

Students continue their Hebrew studies with individual appointments with the Cantor Feibush. Tefillah with Cantor Feibush is part of the 7th grade program.
8th Grade
8th graders take their Judaism on the road (mostly outside the synagogue) twice a month. They meet in classmates' homes, a local restaurant, and sometimes online. Students will participate in conversations around events and issues happening in our world today while learning what Judaism has to say about it. They will create meaningful connections to their own lives and think critically to form their own opinions, through a Jewish lens. Through the course of the year, teens will continue building bonds with their fellow 8th graders as a cohort and engage with the larger Jewish community. 8th Graders also have the option of participating in the Madrichim Teen Leadership Program (see below).

High School Program - 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th Grade

**J*Connect, is TSWE's teen Jewish Experience for 9th-12th graders and it is focused around the values of Leadership, Social Action, Education and Community.**

Teen who enroll in the J*Connect have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs/ events/classes offered throughout the year including a Holocaust class, challah baking, holiday celebrations, Tikkun Olam Teens and social justice programs. Programs, classes and events will take place both inside and outside of the temple and online. Some are monthly, 6 week sessions or once a year.

J*Connect was developed by TSWE's Post B'nei Mitzvah Task Force in 2020 in order to meet the needs of today's teens and create opportunities for teens to stay engaged and connected at Temple Sholom after their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. We know that continuing Jewish experiences through high school and having a Jewish community is critically important in creating a lasting Jewish identity. Teens pick and choose based on their interest and availability.

Madrichim Teen Leadership Program for 8th-12th Grade

Teens have the opportunity to work as Madrichim in the Religious School guiding our younger students toward a positive Religious School experience. The Madrichim provide assistance in the classroom or online and act as mentors to our younger students. In addition to working in a classroom, Madrichim can assist with Tefilah, work in the office or shadow a student with a disability or learning challenge. Leadership training, supervision and resources are provided. Students can be paid or volunteer for community service hours.