From the Director of Education

School News - December 2004

In last month's article I began giving you an overview of our Religious School curriculum. Continuing with this theme, this month I will cover the 4th through 6th grades.
Threaded throughout the entire curriculum, classes are discussing the weekly Torah portion as well as utilizing a fairly new resource called "C.ha" or "Bim Bam" published by Tora Aura Publications. Each issue is formatted in a student friendly manner summarizing current events and offers a thought provoking discussion. Also included in each issue is a bit of Torah, some Jewish history, and a fact or two about the Jewish calendar relevant to the current issue's date. If you would be interested in reading copies of these newsletters, please feel free to come to the school office.
4th: Throughout the 4th grade year the curriculum consists of two areas focus: An introduction to Jewish history (Abraham to the Sages) and Israel: Jewish history is interwoven with world history. The main elements of Jewish culture are summarized in three main ideas: God, Torah, and Israel. These influence Jewish life in every generation. Modern Israel is taught through learning about the geography, history and culture. Students have drawn a map of Abraham's journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan and a map of modern Israel and have been comparing the two maps. A highlight of this portion of the curriculum is that each student has been connected with a pen pal and is exchanging letters and projects with students in a school in Israel.
5th: The journey of the Jewish people from the beginning of the Diaspora to the present day is taught throughout the 5th grade year. Complementing the history component of our curriculum is the discussion of current events and the studying of the Jewish Life Cycle.
6th: The 6th grade curriculum is based around the textbook Basic Judaism For Young People, Volume 3, which focuses on God. This book weaves together history, belief, ritual, halachah, and tradition to convey the richly textured fabric of Jewish life. An example of topics covered are: Emunah (faith, belief, trust), Emet (truth), Bal Tashhit (do not destroy), Brit (covenant), Kavanah (intention), Neshamah (soul) and Kedushah (holiness).
I'm looking forward to highlighting our Hebrew program in next month's issue.
B'shalom,
Leah Schaer

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Avoid Passover Panic
(And perform a Mitzvah too!)

Remember last year when you could not find any Passover sweets at your favorite market in Albuquerque? We are happy to announce that Congregation Albert's Religious School & Pre School will be having their Barton's Passover Candy Fundraiser.
Look for an order form in your January 2005 bulletin and help support our schools.
Thanking you in advance.
Evie Zlotkin
Barton's Fundraising Chairperson

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