The Pre-K program will be held concurrent with Religious School – one Sunday a month from 9:00AM – 12:00PM. Each session will focus on the Jewish holiday or observance that it’s closest to on the calendar. The classroom experience will be planned around songs, stories, activities and crafts, taught by one of our former Preschool teachers, Macey Schwartz. Our clergy will also interact with the Pre-K Religious School class through teaching prayers and leading song circles. THERE IS NO COST TO ATTEND. 

2023-2024 dates:

September 10, 2023: High Holidays

October 1, 2023: Sukkot 

November 12, 2023:  Ancestors/Generations

December 10, 2023: Chanukah/Courage

January 7, 2024: Tu Bishvat/Ecology/Nature

February 4, 2024: Shabbat/Rest/Family

March 10, 2024: Purim/Masks/Identities

April 7, 2024: Passover/Spring/Renewal/Freedom

April 28, 2024: Israel/Return/Land/Connection

Kindergarten through 3rd grade will meet will meet on Sunday mornings, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for the 2023-2024 school year. They will follow the ShalomLearning curriculum, an interactive, values based curriculum that helps children develop a positive Jewish identity. Sunday mornings will also include a community worship service and enrichments including Music, Art, and outdoor activities. Our weekly supplemental Hebrew activity will reinforce our students’ basic knowledge of Hebrew language.

Fourth – Sixth grades will meet on Sunday mornings, 9:00am – 12:00pm.

We will be utilizing the ShalomLearning curriculum for the Fourth grade. Using a dynamic, values based curriculum, ShalomLearning helps students see the connections between their daily life and Jewish tradition and wisdom. Blending classroom instruction and family engagement with technology support, the ShalomLearning approach focuses on seven core Jewish values. Sunday mornings will also include a community worship service, engaging lessons, and periodic visits from guest educators.

HEBREW FOR 4TH GRADE

We begin our more advanced Hebrew program in Fourth grade. Our Hebrew program utilizes Torah Aura to pair Hebrew learning with prayer, and is designed to teach students to decode Hebrew (putting together words and sounds fluidly). The program will have an in-person component during class on Sunday mornings, an option for study immediately following Religious School Sunday, and a weekly virtual session for individualized instruction. Our Hebrew instructors will contact families to schedule additional instruction.

HEBREW FOR 5TH & 6TH GRADES

We continue our Hebrew program in 5TH & 6TH grades. Our Hebrew program utilizes Torah Aura to pair Hebrew learning with prayer, and is designed to teach students to decode Hebrew (putting together words and sounds fluidly). The program will have an in-person component during class on Sunday mornings, an option for study immediately following Religious School Sunday, and a weekly virtual session for individualized instruction. Our Hebrew instructors will contact families to schedule additional instruction.

7th Grade Gesher (Bridge) Program

We have a special program planned to engage our 7th graders as they transition from our Religious School program to our Teen Academy. There are several components to this program.

FALL:

Yachad

Gather as a 7th grade family cohort to reconnect after the summer as we continue the b’nei mitzvah journey together.  This is also an opportunity to meet Rabbi Shields. He will briefly share his philosophy of b’nei mitzvah, and answer any questions you might have. 

This program will continue for 3 Sundays in the Fall. Our first session will be an opportunity to finalize plans, give an update on mitzvah projects, and walk through Divrei Torah. Our last 2 sessions will cover topics relevant to Sinai families in the modern world.

Additionally, we will be holding 2 Shabbat experiences emphasizing the modern relevance of Shabbat observance rooted in ancient wisdom and tradition.

Sunday Learning

In September through December, we will hold our final semester of the Religious School program on Sundays. 7th graders will be exploring Jewish values and Biblical stories in creative ways with a thematic focus of global human issues. They will begin exploring this theme, which translates the cumulative lessons of their Religious School education to-date into core insights. 

Special “Siyum (Culmination)” Celebration with the Rabbis

7th graders will be invited to celebrate the culmination of their Sunday “Torah” learning together.

SPRING:

Intro to Teen Academy

In January, 7th graders will be invited to sample Teen Academy on select Wednesday evenings. 8-9th graders will be involved in a meaningful investigation of modern topics through a Jewish lens culminating in developing their own Podcast.

Sunday Learning

7th graders resume Sunday learning with two core components: (1) 2 Sundays per month are dedicated to those who are still preparing for b’nei mitzvahs, with lessons focused on attaining b’nei mitzvah specific goals; (2) 2 Sundays per month, 7th graders attend Sunday Religious School, with: (a) either leadership opportunities during prayer, or a separate prayer experience emphasizing specific themes and sections; (b) elevated learning experiences addressing modern challenges with insights from Jewish wisdom; (c) engaging guest educators.

YEAR-ROUND

Shabbat Mornings

It is important for families to become familiar with Shabbat morning worship service Temple Sinai. Families will be encouraged to attend 3 of these throughout the year. Programming specific to 7th graders will be offered during specific Saturdays.

WELCOME TO TEEN ACADEMY!

Program Overview: Sinai Teen Academy Podcast

Unleash your teen’s voice with Sinai Teen Academy’s innovative, year-long program: The Teen Academy Podcast! Anchored in Jewish values, our 8th and 9th graders will explore the question “What is Tikkun Olam?” through the exciting lens of podcasting. They’ll dive deeply into critical topics of their choosing—like antisemitism, human impact on the environment, online bullying, and housing insecurity—utilizing their own research, interviews, and personal insights to craft powerful, student-led podcast episodes. This immersive experience offers fun, hands-on learning while fostering a deeper understanding of Jewish wisdom and its practical relevance in today’s world, nurturing creative expression, and fostering essential skills such as listening and critical thinking.

Confirmation: Challenges and Choices – Menschiness and Meaning

Description: Confirmation at Sinai is all about finding Jewish relevancy and deepening your connection to Judaism. There are two components to our Confirmation program:

Mussar, a 1,100-year-old Jewish spiritual tradition, will provide the core texts and framing for our Confirmation sessions. Mussar is about “menschiness,” character, and balance. Each one of us is created in the Image of God (B’tzelem Elohim). Mussar helps us identify, understand, and refine the awesome traits (middot) that we each possess. Through study and reflection within the context of a trusting community we can shape our Jewish souls. Participants will help guide our ongoing conversations and learning.

The second component of our Confirmation experience is with Aaron Mendelsberg, who will return as a facilitator, bringing Judaism to life through interactive art sessions. 

The tuition for 10th Grade Confirmation includes Confirmation fees and the Confirmation Retreat at La Foret Retreat Center the weekend of May 3-5, 2024.

Confirmation Service will be held on Erev Shabbat, Friday, May 10, 2024.