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Hebrew School Curriculum
Guiding Principles
At West End Synagogue, we take Jewish learning beyond the classroom. Our students actively participate in Jewish life at home,
in the synagogue and in the Jewish community, as a whole. Small class sizes enable us to provide personalized instruction to suit
individual students’ learning needs.
Themes
Each year, our learning is guided by an over-arching theme that serves as a focal point for discussion and exploration in all
areas of the curriculum. Topics such as Jewish values, Heroes of Jewish History, and the American Jewish Experience serve as
jumping off points for students to explore their Jewish identities.
Click
here to see examples of student feedback.
Specific Content Areas
Hebrew Language
Mastery of Hebrew reading skills enables students to engage in regular Jewish practice with our community and establish links to
Jews everywhere. Learning to read and write in Hebrew script, students acquire comfort with key Hebrew phrases for daily use in
blessings, conversation and study.
Jewish Skills and Prayer
A key component of our program is to engage children actively in the life of the congregation. As children progress in the school,
they work directly with the
Rabbi and the
Hazzan
to bring their learning alive by leading
prayer in regular congregational services and family programs.
Shabbat and Holy Day Celebrations
Students become attuned to the rhythms of Jewish life, through participation in communal events, Havurah@Home, worship
services, and family celebrations, they explore the Jewish calendar and learn the centrality of
Shabbat and
Holy Days.
Through an examination of Jewish text, historical accounts, and Jewish philosophy, we take part in creative expression through art,
music and drama.
Jewish Text Study
By using the best in age-appropriate educational curriculum, even our youngest students can study issues of human relationships,
ethics and the drama found in our ancient texts. Our students learn how ancient Jewish texts can inform their lives in the modern world.
Values and Ethics
Our goal is for students to bring the values they learn in the synagogue into their daily lives. Students study Jewish approaches to
ethical problems appropriate to their ages and developmental stages. Issues might include honesty, obligations to friends and family,
and personal integrity. Additionally, familie s participate in monthly service projects throughout New York city, bringing to action
the Jewish values and traditions that we study together
For more information, please contact
Sarah Chandler, Director of Jewish Family Life and Learning
(212) 579-0777 x222 or email her a
schandler@westendsynagogue.org
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