Jewish Studies

Pre-K Family Education  (Children must be 3 years old by Dec. 2, 2009)

A program designed for pre-kindergarten aged children and their parents who would like a "whole family" experience. We offer an introduction to Jewish values, holidays, traditions and customs through singing, storytelling, art, movement, games and colling.

Kindergarten (Students must be 5 yrs. old by 12/2/09)  Sundays 10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The core Jewish Studies program begins in the Kindergarten class, where students enrich their understanding of the Jewish holidays and the meaning of T’fillot (prayers). In addition, students are introduced to the world of Torah, mitzvot, ritual practices, tzedakah, and Jewish ethical values.  Kindergarten has a special focus on Shabbat.

Grade 1 through Grade 7 Sundays 10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

As students grow and mature, they will revisit some of the same topics each year, with an increasing depth of understanding. Additionally, each grade will focus on a particular subject appropriate to their age level. For example, the 3rd grade class focuses on the Ten Commandments; the 5th grade class spends a good portion of class learning about the history of the land of Israel; and the 6th grade focuses on Jewish life cycle events and rituals from birth to burial.

B’nai Mitzvah Program Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

To become Bar/Bat (B’nai) Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El, students must be concurrently enrolled in our Jewish Studies program and the B’nai Mitzvah preparatory class during the year of their B’nai Mitzvah.  They must have successfully completed four years of Hebrew and Jewish Studies or its equivalent, as determined by the Rabbi and/or the Religious School Principal. The B'nai Mitzvah class meets for approximately two thirds of the school year. The Rabbi sends a syllabus to students before the first class meets. Four mandatory parent sessions (on Saturdays) take place during the course of this program.  For further information, please contact the Religious School office or the Rabbi.

Teen Jewish Studies/TJS (Includes dinner) Wednesdays 6:15 – 8:15 p.m.

Keeping our youth involved in active Jewish learning after B’nai Mitzvah has always been a challenge.  We now offer an exciting educational program on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 – 8:15 pm for students in 8th grade and above. The class includes core classes and elective-style subjects that rotate throughout the year, along with special one-time activities. Dinner is served each week.  Please noete that there are special programs for students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in addition to TJS.

Confirmation (10th grade) Sundays 9:00 – 10 a.m.

This course, taught by Rabbi Dana Magat, explores the essence of what it means to be a Reform Jew.  Confirmation students explore the depths of Judaism. They write and lead a prayer service that expresses their hopes, fears, and discoveries. A confirmation ceremony takes place on Erev Shavuot after a year of meaningful study with the Rabbi. The fee includes a retreat trip to Sacramento, along with other California synagogue youth. A Confirmation syllabus and course schedule is passed out during the first class. Students are also encouraged to participate in Wednesday’s Teen Jewish Studies (TJS) classes (no additional cost for TJS, however there is a charge for dinner).

Moving On! College-Bound and Confident (11th & 12th grades) (Includes dinner) Wed. 6:15 – 8:15 p.m.

Moving ON! is a program designed to help students transition from high school to college with confidence in their Jewish identity.  It incorporates URJ's acclaimed Packing for College curriculum (including parent sessions) and our multigenerational Beit Midrash classes.  Cults on college campuses and comparative religions will be among the topics of discussion as students prepare for the challenges of campus life.  The cost of tuition includes dinner.

Hebrew Studies

Hebrew Studies is a four-year program, beginning with the Aleph class and continuing through the Dalet class. Classes meet on Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings, and are in addition to, and separate from, the Jewish Studies curriculum. While there are some variations,students typically take the Aleph class beginning in 3rd grade. Please contact the Religious School principal if you have any questions about whether Hebrew Studies is appropriate for your child.

Aleph through Dalet focuses on prayer book Hebrew (reading and meaning). Prayer book Hebrew is taught through increasing exposure to letters, vowel sounds, reading, prayer vocabulary, and prayer chanting. It is augmented with studying Hebrew associated with holidays and associated rituals and blessings. T’fillah is a central part of our Hebrew studies and is incorporated in the Sunday and Wednesday Hebrew classes. Students are given the opportunity to lead a Family Shabbat service and a Saturday morning Minyan service.

Aleph Wednesdays 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

The first year of Hebrew Studies is critical in building a foundation for a lifetime of and learning engagement with the Hebrew language. In recognizing this, we keep our student to teacher ratio very low for the Aleph class. The cost of tuition includes the child’s own siddur (prayer book), which will be presented to him/her in a special ceremony. Parents are also encouraged to enroll, at no additional charge, in the adult Aleph class.

Bet (Year 2), Gimel (Year 3), and Dalet (Year 4)  Wednesdays 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

The completion of the four year (Aleph-Dalet) Hebrew program (0r its equivalent) is required for becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El. The focus of the program is the use of Hebrew in services, holidays and other rituals. Our Hebrew students have T’fillah together weekly; each class leads an Erev Shabbat service and Saturday morning minyan during the year.  Gimel students begin to learn Torah Trope.

Intro to Modern Hebrew Sundays 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Pre-requisite: Completion of the Hebrew program (described above) or its equivalent. Our students will enhance their basic Hebrew vocabulary, conversational skills, as well as introductory grammar and reading comprehension in a fun and interactive classroom setting.