The goal of Temple Kol Shalom Sunday School is to provide a warm atmosphere of learning as we nurture and teach our children the rituals and language of Judaism. Our parent-participation style keeps parents connected with what the students are learning and helps build community through consistent family attendance. Educational talks for adults are held periodically throughout the year.
Our Hebrew and Religious program is based on parent participation. We have no paid teachers on staff. Each parent is expected to help in several ways throughout the year. Some of these ways include: teaching or substitute teaching a class, arranging for a special speaker, planning field trips or special events, providing snack, administrative duties, supervising the playground and cleaning-up.
Classes are held at Golden Hills School. Every school session begins at 9:30 am, with a 20-25 minute Tefillah service. All parents should attend this short service with their student. Please make every effort to be on time. The school day ends at approximately 12:00 pm with everyone enjoying a snack and some outdoor playtime.
On the first day, registration and a Hebrew placement assessment will be given. The curriculum for each grade level contains lesson guides and a Teachers Edition so that each class session can be well planned and successful.
Experienced parent-teachers are available for help and coaching.
Annual tuition is $100 per family for members; non-members tuition is $175 per child. A materials fee of $18 per child is also collected.
Attendance Requirements
Regular attendance builds familiarity and confidence in Hebrew skills.
All students must attend 75% of all religious school classes (this translates to one absence in a two month period) in order to pass on to the next level of competency.
Students will attend a minimum of 50% of all regularly scheduled Shabbat services.
In order for educational goals to be met the Education Committee and Board of Directors believes that students who attend services and Sunday school, as required and train in both Hebrew and Torah curriculum, for four years, will easily meet their educational goals. However, many students will need one-on-one tutoring in addition to religious school training in order to prepare for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The Education Committee can recommend a tutor at that time who is familiar with the Shabbat melodies and prayer used by Temple Kol Shalom. Of course, separate consideration will be given to students with special needs.
It is the policy of the Education Committee that each Bar/Bat Mitzvah student must have attended at least two years of Kol Shalom Sunday School or two years at another URJ Affiliated congregation religious school and be a member in good standing of Temple Kol Shalom at the time of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.
TEMPLE KOL SHALOM SUNDAY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
TEMPLEKOL
SHALOM SUNDAY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Pre-Kindergarten –This
is primarily a play group.Not currently
offered during Sunday School time for children under 4
years, but may be arranged by interested parents.Parents are expected to stay with their
children and participate in developing and facilitating the group.Students experience music, art, singing,
dancing, and stories related to Jewish holidays and traditions.Hebrew vocabulary is introduced.
Kindergarten – This class is the first level available
in the Sunday School curriculum.Four year olds may be included on a
case-by-case basis, and determined by class size.Topics include:
Hebrew
·Hebrew Vocabulary and Aleph-Bet song
Culture
·Israeli Flag making, What
is Israel?
·The Jewish Home – Mezuzah, Shabbat candles, and
Jewish symbols
·Making Challah and
experiencing other traditional Jewish foods
·Basic blessings and observance of Shabbat
·Jewish Holiday Crafts
Torah
·Stories from Torah include Creation, Noah and
the Ark
Resource box available – Currently held by Brenda Sims
First Grade – This class remains together for the two
hours of Sunday School.Topics include:
Hebrew
·Hebrew letter recognition and writing
Culture
Elements
of the Synagogue – The ark, eternal light, rabbi, and cantor
Prayers
include Sh’ma, ModehAni, Kiddush, and Havdalah
Blessings, review basic blessings
Israel
as the homeland of the Jewish people – Promised land in Torah
Responsibility
for care of Israel/
Tree planting
Meaning
of Jewish Holidays including Rosh HaShana, Pesah, and Hanukkah
Jews,
Christians, and Christmas – What does your family do?Reasons for celebrating or not
celebrating Christmas
Torah
What
is Torah – Parts of the physical Torah, 5 books of Torah
Stories:Tower
of Babel, David and Goliath,
Joseph’s Many Colored Coat. Garden of Eden
Values
Concept
of Tzedakah
Resources:Hebrew Pre-Primer – Torah Aura
Children’s
Prayer book
Selected Topics
above from Chai Level 2
(Chai Level 1 will be available September 2007)
Second Grade – This grade (and up) is
split up for the first hour by Hebrew Reading level.Topics in the second hour include:
Torah
Torah
stories from Genesis from Abraham and Sarah through Moses and the Exodus
Culture
Jewish
Calendar
The
meaning behind prayers – V’Ahavtah, Barchu
Early
history of the Jewish People in Israel
Meaning
of Jewish Holidays including Yom Kippur, Sukkot,
Shavuot, Simchat Torah
Draidle game
Values
Discussions
about God and Holiness
Concept
of LashonHarah
Resources:Chai Level 2
Being
Torah
Third Grade
Torah
Ten
commandments
The 12
Tribes
Kings
through destruction of the second Temple/
What was the “Temple?”
Understanding
diaspora
Culture
Introduction
to Judaism vs. Christianity
History
of building the modern state of Israel,
Yom Ha’Atzmaut
Geography
of Israel
Meaning
of Jewish Holidays including TuB’Shvat, Purim
Jewish
rituals through the life cycle, Brit/ Baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah,
Weddings, Rituals related to death and dying (Introduction to Mourner’s Kaddish)
Meaning
of Avot, G’vurot, Flow
of the Jewish service
Jews
around the world – Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions
Who is
a Jew?Basic movements of Jewish
Practice/ Hasidic and Orthodox Jews/ Interfaith Families
Kashrut
Values
Living
a life of K’dusha/ Holiness - / Golden Rule
