Tefillah/ Prayer Curriculum 2018-19 School Year Our overarching goal of tefillah participation and literacy is an important one in our Congregational School. Below are the different prayers taught in each grade. Depending on the age of the child, they are either learning to: (1) sing (2) read or (3) understand the prayer. In Gan, Alef & Bet (Gr K-2), the primary focus of the tefillah learning is through singing. Starting in Gimel (Gr 3), when the children begin to learn to read & decode Hebrew, they learn more prayers and start to gain the ability to read them. As the students continue to learn, they also gain an understanding of the meanings of the prayers. Tefillah learning happens with our Principal Music Educator, Josh Rosenberg, during class time, as well as in the chapel during the weekday and on Saturdays. Gan, Alef and Bet (Grades K-2) Gan/K Modeh Ani Mah Tovu Sh'ma (singing the first line) Bar'khu Amidah (singing the first line, avot/imahot) and Oseh Shalom Hinei Mah Tov Hallelu Mikamokha Shabbat B'rakhot Blessing over candles Hamotzi Kiddush (first paragraph) As appropriate for Ḥagim : Sh heḥyanu; Hanukkah blessings; The four questions Alef/Gr 1 In addition to the prayers learned in Gan, Alef learners will be able to sing: Ma ariv Aravim V Ahavta Yotzer Or Shirah Ḥadasha 1
Va-y'hi Binsoa Bet/Gr 2 In addition to the prayers learned in Gan and Alef, Bet learners will be able to sing: Etz Ḥayim V Shamru Mi Sheberakh L Dor Vador Aleinu Gimel, Dalet, Hey & Vav (Grs 3-6) The following tefillot will be emphasized during our weekly Ma ariv tefillah in the chapel or during our Shabbat Experience programs. Tefillah learning also take places during classroom time, in connection with our prayer curriculum, Hebrew in Harmony. Gimel/Gr 3 Blessings (5-part unit) Blessings for foods (Shehakol, Haetz, Hamotzi, Hagefen) Identifying the formula for blessings B'rakhot in our tradition Types of things we bless Shabbat Kiddush (first paragraph) Bar'khu call to prayer, helps us to be present (3-part unit) Learners will be able to identify words with bet-reish-khaf root and associated vocabulary Mi Khamokha sing the Israelites song celebrating our freedom (3 part-unit) Learners will discuss the concept of Shirah Ḥadashah sing a new song. Learners will learn associated vocabulary. Birkot HaTorah (2-part unit) Hanukkah (3-part unit) Mah Nishtanah (3-part unit) Hatikvah (1-part unit) 2
Dalet/Gr 4 Sh'ma Unit of study from our Hebrew in Harmony curriculum Learners will discuss why the Sh'ma is so important to the Jewish people and identify themes of love in its surrounding prayers. They will also discuss the idea of monotheism. Learners will build upon their knowledge of how to chant the Sh'ma and will learn its associated vocabulary. V Ahavta Unit of study from our Hebrew in Harmony curriculum Learners will learn about mezuzah, tefillin, tzitzit. Learners will learn how to chant the V Ahavta and will learn its associated vocabulary. Adon Olam Learners will be familiar with the text of the prayer and understand that it can be sung to almost any tune! Kiddush (3-part unit) Friday evening Shabbat morning Hanukkah blessings (2-part unit, review) Mah Nishtanah (Review) Ma ariv Aravim and Yotzer Or 3-part unit of study from our Hebrew in Harmony curriculum Amidah Hey/Gr 5 Amidah the core of our worship service Learners will learn vocabulary/roots associated with sections of the Amidah that are taught. Learners will learn choreography. Adonai Sifatai Tiftaḥ entry way to Amidah Learners will explore how the choreography helps us pray. Avot v Imahot (3-part unit) Learners will learn the names of our ancestors and the idea that we each have an individual relationship with God. G vurot God s powers (3-part unit) 3
Learners will discuss how they can be partners with God in healing the sick and what it means to be a superhero. Kedushah How can we be holy? Learners will explore what it means to be holy and move like God s angels. Birkot Shalom Peace is a core value. Learners will learn about the different Shalom prayers. Prayer for the State of Israel Learners will learn about this prayer in the context of learning about the establishment of the State of Israel and Yom Ha azmaut. Sheheḥiyanu We mark special times. The learners will spend time thinking of times in their own life where it would be appropriate to say this blessing and learn to recite it. Aleinu My Parshah Shabbat Learn Torah Trope Vav/Gr 6 Birkot Hashaḥar Show gratitude for the things we take for granted Learners will be introduced to the concepts in the morning blessings and associated vocabulary. Kiddush sanctifying Shabbat Learners will consider what it means to separate time as holy and how Shabbat is connected to creation. They will consider the meaning of zakhor v shamor and how it relates to Shabbat. Learners will learn how to chant L kha Dodi greeting Shabbat Learners will see the connection to the Kiddush, considering the phrase (again) of zakhor v shamor. They will understand that this is a piyut, poem, and not a prayer. Learners will learn how to chant the chorus and will study associated vocabulary. Aliyah L Torah We reenact receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Learners will learn how to chant the Aliyah L Torah with associated vocabulary. Kaddish Learners will learn about the different types of Kaddish and when they are recited. Ashrei (1st line) 4
Kabbalat Shabbat (4-part unit) Shiru Ladonai L'kha Dodi V Shamru Shalom Rav Y did Nefesh (2 lines) Shalom Aleikhem (Hebrew in Harmony unit) Shabbat Shaḥarit Birkot Hasha ḥ ar Psalm 150 Bar'khu Torah Service Havdalah 5