What You Learn

Year K-2

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With the young age of the children in mind, we have a specially-trained teacher, suitable learning environment set up, and creative program designed specifically for this age group.

This includes -

• A monitor and music set up for video and audio interactive activities
• 'Mat time' with a carpet and couch to sit on
• A huge amount of hand eye co-ordination games in the curriculum
• Hebrew is taught mainly in song and followed with playdough and puzzles
• Tables and chairs that are safe and appropriate for their growing bodies

The children are included in all the festivals and activities that are run at Meah. We will always consider our younger students and ensure there is something that caters for them. 

This class is a great introduction to Jewish life and the children's formal Jewish education, as well as an enjoyable way to build lasting friendships.

Years 3-4

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The Year 2 students begin formal Hebrew study with the Hebrew reading programme called Zman Likroh (A Time to read) from Behrman House in USA. This has two readers and one workbook, as well as a teacher’s manual with ready-made lesson plans and assessment suggestions. This continues into Year 3, and the children are taught at their own pace. With teacher input, students can move along in the program and progress as far as they can on a week-to-week basis.

This is an interactive program and has a brilliant outcome.

Using the BPJE curriculum guidelines, Year 2 and 3 children begin to work formally on their Jewish Studies. We have built upon the BPJE curriculum to expose the children to a study of God, spirituality, the synagogue, Jewish festivals, and how the values of Torah and Tzedakah (charity) affect us in our community.

In our “Time to Read Hebrew” program, the children are encouraged to practise reading Hebrew out loud at school and at home. They have Meah branded satchels to keep their books in while they travel to home and back to the classroom each week.

Year 4

Students continue with the program, “A Time to Read”, as it enables students to acquire skills necessary to decode Hebrew accurately and with some fluency. There are 20 lessons,  and after completion students should have the skills to decode almost any vocalized text in modern, biblical or Siddur Hebrew. More advanced reading skills are introduced later in the “Time to Pray” series. There is a variety of materials available to teach evaluate and reinforce. This program is effective with all learners – the highly skilled as well as the slow learners, and the difficult concepts are taught directly. Hebrew decoding is presented as a bridge to Siddur reading. We will then move on to Hebrew writing.

Years 5-6

Years 5-6 – What we will learn

• Beginnings of preparation for B’Nei Mitzvah
• Looking at Shabbat service in more depth – focusing on the meaning, structure and the importance of music in our core prayers of our liturgy.
• Students look at these prayers in their own lives and help to interpret them in a contemporary way to make them meaningful.

Hebrew

• Students will begin to gain a deeper understanding of Hebrew in prayers, learning how to recite the prayers in our liturgy.
• Look at modern Hebrew
• It is at this stage parents may consider their child begin private Hebrew tutoring with one of our tutors in preparation for their B’nei Mitzvah
• Cantor Toby will have a focus on torah chanting with these children – looking at the book of Genesis to learn cantillation.

Jewish Studies

• Looking at the Jewish festivals – exploring different practices and rituals through a Progressive lens.
• Looking at the history and culture of modern Israel – fostering a love and appreciation for the Jewish state an all its complexities
• Looking at life cycle events – B’Nei Mitzvah, marriage, death and burial – and understanding them in a Jewish context

Year 7

In Year 7, students no longer attend Sunday or Wednesday Hebrew classes, but join a weekly course led by the Rabbi called “Al Shlosha Devarim—On 3 Things.”  (In addition, b’mitzvah students also begin weekly learning sessions with their tutors.)

While all Year 7 students are encouraged to attend the Rabbi’s course, enrolment is required for all students celebrating b'mitzvah at NSTE, including those students enrolled in Masada or other Jewish schools. (Those who live out of town should contact the office to make alternative arrangements.) Each child is expected to attend throughout the entire year, i.e., even after their own b'mitzvah.  We consider it of utmost importance to form a cohesive cohort that demonstrates the students’ commitment to one another through weekly attendance, even after one’s own “big day.”  

“Al Shlosha Devarim - On 3 Things'' is a year of expanding Jewish horizons, with unparalleled potential for building lifelong friendships, cultivating fresh perspectives, shaping Jewish identity and values, and developing meaningful Jewish connections with our tradition, the shul, and the Rabbis.  It is based on the idea expressed by our sages that “the world stands on three things: on Torah, on prayer, and on acts of selfless generosity .” The class focuses on how each of these relates to the b’mitzvah experience and becoming a Jewish adult.  Students learn the overall narrative of the Torah and how each student’s parasha (portion) fits into that narrative, while exploring their parasha’s key themes. They explore the meaning of their b’mitzvah prayers and blessings, and they learn about leadership and taking responsibility. They participate in the acclaimed seven week “Stand Up” social justice program, Courage to Care, and other Tikkun Olam opportunities.

As we journey through the year together, we also stop along the way for relaxation, fun, and ice cream!