JUDAIC STUDIES AND HEBREW
MIDDLE SCHOOL
The goal of The King David School’s Judaic Studies & Hebrew program is to teach students how to live a Jewish life with joy and understanding. Students are taught the Hebrew language so they are able to read, understand, and participate in synagogue, learn independently from the Torah and Rabbinic texts, form a bond with Israel, and communicate with other Jews. Students learn important critical thinking skills, by making inferences,interpreting symbolism, asking questions, and challenging simple understandingsTheir studies will give them the tools to begin the process of becoming wise, compassionate, involved, and committed community members.
Whereas the Judaic Studies curriculum spirals around in order to continuously grow from year to year as the students move from grade to grade, the Hebrew Studies program, however, differs in format. As part of the Ivrit (Hebrew) program students are assessed upon entry into the middle school and assigned to an ability level group. All Hebrew classes are held at identical times so as to allow for cross-grade instruction based on the students’ varying levels of ability.
At each level, the Ivrit program builds on the previously learned language skills and vocabulary so as to ultimately prepare the students for a high level of reading fluency and comprehension. This along with an increased knowledge of spoken Hebrew, are key goals in enabling the students to finally use their Hebrew skills during their 2-week trip to Israel in April/May of their 8th grade year.
6th Grade
Text Study – Written and Oral Torah
Parashat Ha’shavua (Weekly Torah Portion)
Through the study of Parashat Ha’Shavua the students will gain a deeper understanding of specific values and meaningful experiences as the study the weekly Torah portion.
Talmud and Rabbinics
One of the central texts in Jewish law (halakha) and lore is the Talmud. The function of this curriculum subject area is to give our students a taste of the Talmudic teachings, its historic content, its fascinating personalities and its vast treasure of world facts ranging from biology and science to obviously the bible. As the students decipher and analyze Talmudic debates and draw important lessons from the exemplary lives of the Talmudic personalities, they develop important critical thinking and analysis skills and learn important lessons applicable to their everyday lives.
G-d/T’fillah (Prayer)
Middle School students have their own minyan (prayer service) experience three days a week and participate in the all-school T’fillah on Mondays when Torah is read and on Fridays for a special school-wide Kabbalat Shabbat service.
In addition to T’fillah, the 6th grade students explore curricular units which focus on their relationship with G-d and will have the opportunity to question and critically consider the idea and purpose behind religious prayer.
Jewish Holidays
The sixth grade students study specific holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Tu B’Shvat, Pesach and Lag B’Omer in great depth. This approach enables the students to move beyond the “survey course approach” to Jewish holidays and thereby provides them with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of each holiday’s ritual practices, religious objects and Torah and Haftorah readings.
My Jewish Community – A Global Perspective
Through the wonders of technology and parallel learning, 6th grade students participate in an ongoing project (through their 8th grade year) with Israeli students. Through the Jewish Federation of Phoenix’s Partnership 2000 program The King David School has teamed up with a Chativat B’nayim (Middle School) in Kiryat Malachi, Israel. In 8th grade, the students finally meet each other during the spring semester trip to Israel.
Students not only foster a deepening relationship with Israel through this partnership, but they also have the opportunity to better appreciate their similarities to other pre-adolescent Jewish teens across the globe.
Middot (Jewish Values)
To complement their study of Jewish Holidays, the 6th grade students study Jewish values related to the above holidays through a program called “Content of their Character”. Specific Values and their practical applications include:
- T’Shuvah/Repentence
- Tza’ar Ba’alei Chaim/Taking Care of Animals
- To’che’cha/ Rebuke
-
Hevruta/Friendship
7th Grade
Text Study – Written and Oral Torah
Parashat Ha’shavua (Weekly Torah Portion)
Through the study of Parashat Ha’Shavua the students will gain a deeper understanding of specific values and meaningful experiences as the study the weekly Torah portion.
Talmud and Rabbinics
One of the central texts in Jewish law (halakha) and lore is the Talmud. The function of this curriculum subject area is to give our students a taste of the Talmudic teachings, its historic content, its fascinating personalities and its vast treasure of world facts ranging from biology and science to obviously the bible. As the students decipher and analyze Talmudic debates and draw important lessons from the exemplary lives of the Talmudic personalities, they develop important critical thinking and analysis skills and learn important lessons applicable to their everyday lives.
Jewish History
Students continue their study of the history of the Jewish people through a focus on Jews in America from the 1880’s until the end of the 20th Century.
G-d/T’fillah (Prayer)
Middle School students have their own minyan (prayer service) experience three days a week and participate in the all-school T’fillah on Mondays when Torah is read, and on Fridays, for a special school-wide Kabbalat Shabbat service.
Jewish Holidays
The seventh grade students study specific holidays, including Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Yom Ha’atz’ma’ut, Yom Ha’Zikaron and Tisha B’Av in great depth. This approach enables the students to move beyond the “survey course approach” to Jewish holidays and thereby provides them with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of each holiday’s ritual practices, religious objects and Torah and Haftorah readings.
My Jewish Community – Topical Bible Mini Course
As part of this content area, students study real-life social and ethical problems guided through Biblical texts. Each unit presents a contemporary issue and examines it through the lens of Jewish source texts and rabbinic responsa. The students discuss and critically consider relevant topics and how the Jewish tradition teaches them to respond.
Middot (Jewish Values)
To complement their study of Jewish Holidays, the 7th grade students study Jewish values related to the above holidays through a program called “Content of their Character”. Specific Values and their practical applications include:
- Tikkun Olam/Repairing the World
- Anavah/Humility
- Derech Eretz/Good Manners
- Shmirat Ha’Lashon/Guarding Your Tongue
8th Grade
Text Study – Written and Oral Torah
Parashat Ha’shavua (Weekly Torah Portion)
Through the study of Parashat Ha’Shavua the students will gain a deeper understanding of specific values and meaningful experiences as the study the weekly Torah portion.
Pirke Avot
Pirke Avot is one of the most well-known and most often cited of all Jewish texts. The students’ study of Pirkei Avot and rabbinic Midrash will teach them to examine their own lives and seek personal meaning through primary and secondary source texts and to critically consider and discuss making ethical choices by using Jewish values as a lens for living a righteous lifestyle
Jewish History
Students cover the history of the Holocaust as well as the history of Israel from 1948 until the present.
G-d/T’fillah (Prayer)
Middle School students have their own minyan (prayer service) experience three days a week and participate in the all-school T’fillah on Mondays when Torah is read, and on Fridays, for a special school-wide Kabbalat Shabbat service.
Jewish Holidays
IThe eighth grade students study specific holidays, including Chanukah, Shabbat, Yom Hashoah, and Shavuot,
in great depth. This approach enables the students to move beyond the “survey course approach” to Jewish holidays and thereby provides them with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of each holiday’s ritual practices, religious objects and Torah and Haftorah readings.
My Jewish Community – Topical Bible Mini Course
Students study real-life social and ethical problems guided through Biblical texts. Each unit presents a contemporary issue and examines it through the lens of Jewish source texts and rabbinic responsa. The students discuss and critically consider relevant topics and how the Jewish tradition teaches them to respond.
Middot (Jewish Values)
To complement their study of Jewish Holidays, the 8th grade students study Jewish values related to the above holidays through a program called “Content of their Character”. Specific Values and their practical applications include:
- Tzedakah/Charity & Philanthropy
- Rodef Shalom/Pursue Peace
- V’ahavta L’rei’a’cha K’mo’cha/Love your Neighbor
- Kibud Av V’Aym/Honor Your Parents
Judaic Studies and Hebrew Lower School Curriculum
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