Curriculum | Bolton Street Synagogue

Our religious school meets on Sundays from 9:30 AM to 12:00 noon.

Woven throughout the curriculum is our emphasis on a basic understanding of Torah, especially its role in shaping our history and moral code. We encourage knowledge of Shabbat services by scheduling classes on a rotating basis to participate in them. We also schedule some holiday observances around the school calendar and vice versa. We strive to help others through school-based tzedakah and teach the importance of Israel to our identity and survival as Jews. Teachers at all levels are encouraged to use storytelling as the medium par excellence for transmitting the wisdom of our people.

Friday Night Service Participation
Each class participates in one Friday night service each year. Class participation is in conjunction with our Friday family services.

Music Program
The goal of the BSS Religious School is to have our children be able to participate and sing along on Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and on holidays. Song and prayers will be taught on a weekly basis by our music director, Cantor Alan Rubinstein and class teachers who will work with classes individually and in groups.

Art Program
Our school has one of the most vibrant and gifted art instructors in Joan Dier. She blends Jewish learning with arts and crafts, creating magnificent works that the children enjoy and are displayed.

Grade	Ages	Objectives
Gan Alef	4 and 5 years old (preschool and kindergarten)	To introduce our four and five year old children to the Synagogue Familiarity with Jewish community, culture and heritage Understanding of the Jewish Calendar and Holiday cycle through active participation To have fun while learning as a small group and becoming a part of the Bolton Street Community
Alef	1^st grade	To introduce students to the Hebrew Alefbet To introduce students to the rituals of synagogue life To introduce students to symbols of Judaism To help students establish a Jewish identity
Bet	2^nd grade	Students will be comfortable with the Hebrew alphabet and be able to read words Emphasize Jewish values as expressed in Torah stories Regularly refer to tzedakah and tikkun olam Students will begin to develop a sense of how these values relate to their own daily lives and relationships To bring a sense of being part of a Jewish community
Gimel	3^rd grade	Students will become increasingly comfortable speaking and reading Hebrew. Students will learn each of the Ten Commandments and how they are applicable in our daily lives. Jewish values as we understand them through the commandments. Caring for our class and family, the larger community and the environment.
Dalet	4^th grade	Revisit the Bible stories -- creation and highlights through Moses Inquiry at this level is focused on the moral dimensions of the stories The value and definitions of community are emphasized.
Hey	5^th grade	During this 5^th year of study students will study the prayers that will prepare them for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. They will concentrate on the meaning of the prayers and why they are important to learn. Students will become familiar with the Sabbath service Our Torah study will concentrate on the prophets, judges and kings who ruled Israel after the Exodus. Study will include the geographical path our ancestors took through Canaan and into the land of Israel. Our philosophy is to make these bible stories relevant to our experience as Jewish people today.
Vav	6^th grade	Familiarizing students with the prayers in the Amidah including the meaning of the blessings, melodies, and key words. Effort is made to relate the prayers to the lives of the students and to facilitate participation in Synagogue services. Building on skills in phonetic Hebrew reading Learning about the history of Jews in America Enhancing the sense of Jewish identity and connection to our Jewish community Teaching Jewish moral values including charity, environmental awareness, concern for others and social welfare.
Zayin	B’nai Mitzvah (12+)	Students will learn the entire Torah service, in Hebrew and with appropriate tunes, to prepare for the B’nai Mitzvah experience Students will learn how and why each section of the service is performed Students will understand the connection between the actions taken in the Torah service and various events in the Torah and Jewish history Students will undertake a special Mitzvah Project of their choosing, outside of class, to be completed as part of their Bnai Mitzvah preparation
Post B’nai Mitzvah		Bolton Street Synagogue offers many opportunities for post B’nai Mitzvah teens to get involved in Synagogue life and the Religious School. Tuesday Teen Chavurah Teen Tutoring Program Torah Readers on Special Occasions