5th & 6th Grade
In 5th & 6th grade, students participate in courses for Jewish Studies and Hebrew each day students attend. Most classes are combined 5th & 6th grade and two year curriculum cycles. Because we know the lives of our students and families are busy, there are many options for how they might access these offerings.
Each student participates in Jewish studies class (1 hour each) Sunday and again during the week. Sundays, our Project Based Learning curriculum engages students in projects investigating big questions connecting ethics, Israel, and community to their lives. During the week, the Jewish Studies classes focus on explorations of Jewish traditions and celebrations.
This year, first semester, 6th graders will come to school twice a week, on Sunday and one day during the week, as they have in the past. During the second semester students have the option to shift to one day a week for in person classes, and on the other day students will either have a 30 minute online Hebrew lesson or begin their B'nei Mitzvah preparation. More information about this will be shared prior to the start of the 2nd semester in January. This is a pilot that we will monitor to see how it works.
Required Hebrew Studies:
All students participate in 2 hours of Hebrew each week. One hour is a prayer-focused class, either Prayer Hebrew or Individualized Instruction. The other hour they may choose from a Hebrew Enrichment Option or a 2nd hour of their prayer-focused class.
Prayer Hebrew is divided into 30 minutes of prayer reading and 30 minutes of Prayer Workshop focusing on praying and the meaning of prayers.
Individualized Instruction provides an environment that supports learners who thrive best in a small group/one on one approach.
Hebrew Enrichment Options offered on Sundays and In Person:
Prayer Jamming, Sundays 9:00-10:00am
Students who play a musical instrument or like to sing will enjoy this class taught by Cantor David Goldstein with help from Machoniks and song leaders.
Selah, Sundays 10:00-11:00am (6th grade only)
Selah is a group of 6-12 graders who sing and/or play musical instruments, under the guidance of Cantor David Goldstein and noted songleader and composer, Alan Goodis. Selah creates ensembles to lead worship and become comfortable with songleading. Selah members participate in leading High Holy Day, Shabbat and other holiday services. Selah rehearses and leads services at some Shabbat Services on Friday nights from 5:15–7:15pm and on some holidays. (Dates TBD)
Hebrew Plus Plus, Sunday or Tuesday
This class is for students who want to continue learning modern, spoken Hebrew expanding their vocabulary in a multi-sensory, movement oriented, fanciful way.
Prayer Through the Visual Arts, Sunday 9:00, 10:00, or 11:00am (1 hour sessions)
Students who love the visual arts explore and interpret prayers through different media (pen and ink, watercolors, pastels, chalk) and techniques (paper cutting, pointillism, mosaics). Taught by an artist, students learn new techniques and gain exposure to Jewish artists.
To enroll in school, click in the upper right corner and log into your NSCI account or contact Jennifer McKeag for assistance:
