At FJC Hebrew School, we strive to balance learning in Tanakh, Tefillah, Hebrew, and Jewish Practice. It is our goal that by the end of our program, our students will have the literacy to participate in prayer services and have an appreciation for moving through the world as a Jewish person. An overview of the goals of our curriculum across grade bands are as follows:

PROGRAM	TANAKH	TEFILLAH	HEBREW
PRE-K	• Know that the Torah is the text of our people • Recall characters, events, and concepts from texts that were taught • Ask questions about Biblical text and begin to have a perspective	• Recite: Modeh/ah Ani and first paragraph of Shema • Understand that Tefillah is a time to talk to G-d • Understand that Tefillah is both individual and communal prayer • Understand that Tefillah is a daily practice	Songs and music
K-1ST	• Understand the concept of a Parsha • Name characters in the Torah and their relationship to each other • Recall key Biblical narratives • Formulate opinions about Biblical text • Recognize concepts of mitzvot in the Torah	• Understand that Tefillah includes different ways of relating to G-d (praise, request, gratitude) • Identify themes in individual Tefillot • Express gratitude, awe, and compassion outside of Tefillah context	Introduction to Alef-Bet Begin to decode consonants and vowels
2ND-3RD	• Begin to navigate the Chumash • Consider multiple perspectives when formulating opinions about the Biblical text • Retell Biblical narratives	• Understand that different Tefillot are said on different days (i.e., Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, holidays) • Recite parts of Hallel and three full paragraphs of Shema • Express personal understanding of Tefillot learned • Describe feelings experienced during Tefillah	Decode 2-3 syllable words Identify sight words
4TH-5TH	• Construct an argument or offer an interpretation based on proof from the Biblical text • Compare and contrast parallel Biblical texts • Describe the broad arc of the narrative found in the Torah and place characters and events on a timeline	• Identify structural components of Shacharit, Mincha, and Ma’ariv services • Begin navigating the siddur • Reflect on feelings about Tefillot and the prayer experience	Increase fluency in decoding multi-syllabic words

Jewish Practice

Over the course of our entire program, our students will…

• Know the architecture of a synagogue (amud, bimah, ark, etc.)
• Know about practices of covering one’s head during times of prayer and learning
• Participate in Tefillah as a member of the community
• Be familiar with popular melodies
• Recite appropriate berakhot on occasions (hearing thunder, seeing a rainbow, etc.)
• Recite appropriate berakhot before and after food
• Recite Shabbat liturgy
• Perform ritual practices of Shabbat (lighting candles, kiddush, havdalah)
• Sing Shabbat songs
• Distinguish between positive and negative mitzvot on Shabbat
• Know that there are 39 melachot forbidden on Shabbat
• Connect observation of Shabbat with creation
• Understand Rosh Chodesh
• Understand Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Tu B’Shvat, Purim, Pesach, Counting the Omer and Lag B’Omer, modern holidays (Yom Ha Shoah, Yom Ha Zikaron, Yom Ha Atzmaut, and Yom Yerushalayim), Shavuot, Tisha B’Av
• Understand laws of kashrut
• Understand lifecycle laws and customs (birth covenant rituals, b’nai mitzvah, wedding, funeral, shiva)
• Understand interpersonal mitzvot and concepts
• Understand tzedakah, bikkur cholim, etc.
• Understand the importance of interacting well with others (including mussar concepts)
• Understand the importance of honesty
• Reflect on their character traits and how they influence their behavior (humility, anger, envy, gratitude, etc.)