Hebrew study is an integral part of the Rodef Shalom Religious School experience. The Hebrew language is the language of the Jewish people and provides a common bond, a link with Jews from all over the world. Hebrew is our holy language and the knowledge of Hebrew gives us access to the sacred texts of our ancestors and the ability to study them in their original language. Jewish life cycle events involve Hebrew and all Jewish holidays involve some prayer. With some knowledge of Hebrew, students can participate in these events and feel connected to their Jewish heritage.
Students in Kindergarten and First Grade are introduced to Hebrew words and concepts as they are introduced to holidays, rituals and life cycle events. They will also be exposed to Hebrew in school through music and weekly attendance at T’efilla (Services). The Second Grade is formally introduced to the Hebrew alphabet and learns the sounds of each letter through games, activities and an interactive workbook.
The Third Grade students will learn to read all of the Hebrew letters and vowels, first in simple syllables, then in more complicated variations. Basic siddur vocabulary will be taught as well as Modern Hebrew.
The Fourth through Sixth Grade Hebrew curriculum, Hineni, utilizes a series of books, workbooks, CDs and interactive materials and is a Siddur based program of Hebrew learning. Two goals of a prayer based curriculum are: 1) to make students feel comfortable in the prayer service and 2) give them skills and understanding to participate in life cycle events. Teaching students to participate in prayer enables them to also participate with the community of Rodef Shalom Congregation. The students will also be taught some Modern Hebrew. They will learn to appreciate Hebrew as a living language.
The goals of the Hineni program include:
- Fluent siddur reading
- Understand and translate key root words
- The themes of each prayer studied
- The connection of the prayers to Jewish values
- The connections between related payers
- The order of a Service – Friday evening Service, Shabbat morning service
- To have students feel a sense of connection and familiarity in this Temple and in any synagogue where they worship.
The students will have opportunities to “practice what they have learned” during Te’fila Services every Sunday morning at 11:20 a.m. and Tuesdays at 6:10 p.m. We welcome parents to share this experience.
There are Family Companion worksheets that will enhance our students learning. These worksheets can help parents work with their children to study Hebrew (transliteration is provided). The worksheets also provide thought-provoking questions for families to discuss together related to prayer and worship.
For more information, please contact:
Susan Loether, Interim Religious School Director, at (412) 621-6566 or loether@rodefshalom.org.
