The K-2 family education programs are designed to be engaging and exciting for both parents and students, hinging on the curriculum themes and topics of each grade. Our goal is to strengthen the connections between school and home.
In GAN (Kindergarten) family learning is built into the fabric of the year with Together: The Mishpacha Way. Click here for details
Our ALEF (first grade) family education program, “A Visit to Mitzvahland”. This program includes a parallel learning session for parents about the concept of Mitzvot (divine directives or commandments) while the students are preparing and learning about mitzvot in the classroom Parents and children come together to take a Journey to “Mitzvahland”, visiting places at Temple Isaiah where we can perform mitzvot. Students create a mitzvah bag of objects to help perform mitzvot at home and resource materials are provided as well.
Our Bet (second grade) family education program “Setting Your Clock to Jewish Time” focuses on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar and the connection between Jewish time and Jewish identity.
For specific dates and times of programs, please click here
Family Education in third to fifth grade focuses on a variety of topics, including enhancing home observance of Shabbat, celebrating Jewish holidays by doing mitzvot, and connecting to Israel. Each program is connected thematically to curriculum students cover in school. In addition to “traditional” Sunday morning learning activities, we hold community Shabbat dinners, a family gathering in the sukkah, and an offsite overnight family “Kallah” retreat for the third grade.
Third Grade Family Education
Third Grade family education is a parent/child learning program which is an integral part of the third grade curriculum. Through the activities, you and your child will embark on a journey of Jewish learning, in which you will explore Jewish texts and traditions and build a sense of community with other third grade families. Sessions take place on Sunday during religious school hours with the exception of the family retreat weekend. Parents (one or both) are asked to set aside the time to participate with third graders on the designated dates/times listed below.
For Third Grade Special Events/Family Ed Calendar click
here
Fourth Grade Family Education
In the Fourth Grade Program, parent(s) and 4th grade children join in three special family activity programs including a Shabbaton. In these activities children and their parents explore and experience Jewish traditions by making ritual items, discussing Jewish texts related to family stories, and participating in a hands-on mitzvah project. This includes the one day Shabbaton held at the Temple, a chance to build community and enjoy a truly enriching Shabbat experience.
For Fourth Grade Special Events/Family Ed Calendar click
here
Fifth Grade Family Education
In the Fifth Grade Program, parent(s) and 5th grade children join in three special family activity programs and a Shabbat dinner. In these activities children and their parents will explore the connection of their Hebrew studies to the Modern State of Israel, learn about organizations in Israel that perform acts of kindness while “seeking peace” and enjoy a fun Passover seder created by the 5th grade families.
For Fifth Grade Special Events/Family Ed Calendar click
here
For questions: Contact:: Rosslyn Shamash
Sixth Grade Family Education
One of our goals for our Vav class (sixth grade) is to engage the students and their families in an ongoing process of Jewish growth and exploration as part of becoming Bnai Mitzvah. To meet this goal we provide a variety of opportunities for our Vav students and their parents
The parent sessions (students will participate in two of the sessions) will cover the following topics:
- Affirming Jewish values in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience
- Learning about the historical as well as sociological and developmental context of Bar/Bat Mitzvah
- Exploring our (and our children’s) expectations of and feelings about this rite of passage – students will join parents for part of this session.
- Covering the nuts and bolts of the service itself and crafting a message to share on the Bimah
- Making Meaning:Parent/Child Exploration of The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Torah Portion
- “The Fringes of our garments” – Family Tzitzit Project with Rabbi Brown
For 6th grade Special Events/Family Ed calendar for Winter/Spring 2012 click
here.
Seventh Grade Family Education
In keeping with the focus of performing Mitzvot as part of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah year, Temple Isaiah provides opportunities for families to participate together in hands-on Mitzvah projects as well as Shabbat worship experiences.