"In Judaic Studies I like to study Torah. I like it best because the Torah is very interesting."
Hebrew Language Arts
The Tal Sela series provides a framework for increasing the student's Hebrew language skills. Present and past tense verb conjugations are reviewed and the future tense is introduced. In addition, students learn how to use possessive pronouns, infinitives, prepositions, and adjectives in their oral and written expression. Students continue to increase their ability to work independently using a variety of reading materials and written exercises.
Torah Study
The Book of Exodus is studied in fifth grade. Students focus on the development of the Biblical personalities (especially in their handling of conflicts), on the moral and religious issues raised by the text, and on understanding how the relationship between God and the Israelites is affected by the events that occur. Attention is given to the solutions Rashi offers to problems in the text. Midrashim are also introduced and students are encouraged to develop their own Midrashim as well.
Holidays
Students focus on the laws and customs that govern holiday celebrations in Israel and in the Diaspora. Selections from the Book of Jonah, the Book of Esther, and the Passover Haggadah are studied. Students work on more sophisticated art projects connected to the holidays and they increase their repertoire of holiday songs.
Prayer
Fifth grade students join together with students in third and fourth grades for prayers on Monday and Thursday mornings for Shacharit and on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for Mincha. They take turns leading the prayers and those who wish are given the opportunity to learn to read a few sentences from the Torah. The daily morning prayers and the daily afternoon prayers are learned, explained, and discussed.
Israel
The symbols of the State of Israel and their origins and functions are the focus of study. Through songs, stories, poems, and creative activities students examine the link between the past and present and between the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
