Statement of Purpose

Congregation Kol Chadash is committed to lifelong learning that starts with our children. Our primary goal is to provide a quality education that will create a lasting and positive Jewish identity.

Synagogue should be integrated into all aspects of education.  In the school this will be though a worship component (requirement) focusing on the ability to participate in religious rites as a participant and leader.  Beyond the school this will include opportunities for post bnai mitzvah and adult learners.

Our goals are to teach each student:

• Blending of Jewish and secular life
• The study of Torah and how the ancient text relates to our present lives
• Art and culture (food and music)
• Celebration and life cycles
• Building a Jewish and Hebrew vocabulary

Tefilah and Music

Prayer is one of the central tenants of Judaism. We have identified three levels of engagement with prayer that we are using as a basis for our program:

• Basic: Learning basic prayers by rote through music, memorization, body movement (prayer aerobics), etc.
• Intermediate: Introduces the concept of kavanah (feelings)- what we feel when we pray.
• Advanced: Starting with prayer book geography, the students will explore the sequence of the prayers and their timing. Students will be able to construct and conduct Tefilah.

Our philosophy of engagement and hands-on learning provides our students with a feeling of connection not only to Judaism but to the Jewish people.

For pre kindergarten, kindergarten and 1st grade our goal is to connect these children to the Jewish people.  It is about laying a foundational knowledge of holidays, bible heroes, prayer and mitzvot.  It is very important  to engage this class with their Jewish surroundings and connect them Jewishly to home family and community

For 2^nd and 3^rd grade our goal is to connect these students to God and holiness.  

For 4th and 5th grade we want to take the relationship to the outside world.  How do we as Jews connect to our community through Torah, Avodah, and Gmilut Chasidim.

For 6th and 7th grade we not only focus on Bnai Mitzvah preparation but on how our role changes as a part of the Jewish people after the this life event. 

Hebrew will focus on prayer, starting with basic decoding and progress to understanding.  Students will be able to read, speak, and understand Hebrew; and be able to conduct and follow a religious service in a variety of congregational settings.

Hebrew is taught as part of every class session every class level. 

For  students in  Pre K-1  the idea is to get them acquainted with Hebrew.  Have them learn simple word and songs that introduce basic Hebrew and start creating a comfort level with the language.

For the 2^nd grade the study of Hebrew is about giving our students basic tools.   Each Sunday morning the 2^nd grade will be introduced to a different letter.  The curriculum continues to introduce the shape of Hebrew letters, the right to left direction of Hebrew and basic Hebrew ritual vocabulary. This gives them a familiarity and a good foundation to enter a more formal Hebrew program in third grade.

The goal is to teach Hebrew that helps to build a Jewish and prayer vocabulary.  Being able to have both a Sunday and Monday session allows for more time with curriculum and continuity of program. 

The 3^rd through 7^th  grade Hebrew program is skill based.   Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced class will be set up.  Students can be moved from one level to the other throughout the year.

Chuggim are mini courses in areas such as nature, art, games, cooking, holidays, etc. that offer an opportunity for students to use the Hebrew language.   Word lists are created to each session that help build a basic Hebrew vocabulary such as colors for the Art Chug, directions or parts of the body for the Sports Chug, as well as measurements for the Cooking Chug.

The year will be divided into a series of mini courses that will include book discussions, a comparative religion series in which we will join with peers from area churches a tikkun olam project, and the opportunity to explore contemporary issues from a Jewish

perspective.

This class is meant as an opportunity for

students to learn about what Judaism says about current , controversial, or difficult subjects, such as afterlife, or abortion, and to explore their own beliefs.  The topics

covered will vary from year to year depending on student s’ interest

The course will be taught by a series of

instructors including Rabbi Estelle Mills.  Optional learning activities may include a trip to Jewish New York, a Political Action Seminar for Jewish teens in Washington D.C., or a visit to Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati to learn about the beginning s of Reform Judaism.

This group meets twice a month on Sunday evenings from 6:00 until 8:00 pm and dinner will be included.

Sunday Schedule

	9:30 - 10:00	10:00 - 11:00	11:00 - 12:00
Kindergarten and First Grade	Tefilah and Music	Hebrew	Chai
Second and Third Grade	Tefilah and Music	Chai	Hebrew
Fourth and Fifth Grade	Bonding	Chai	Hebrew
Sixth and Seventh Grade	Bonding	Hebrew	Chai

Monday Schedule

4:00 - 5:00	5:00 - 5:30	5:30 - 6:00
Hebrew	Tefilah	Chugim