Jewish Studies & Hebrew
The Jewish studies curriculum is guided by the same set of “Big Questions” that guide the social studies curriculum. Because Schechter offers a dual curriculum (general studies & Jewish studies) efforts are made to integrate subject matter whenever possible, including social studies and Jewish studies following the same thematic content.
Overall student goals for the Jewish studies program:
- Studying Torah and interpreting meaning
- Exploring Prophets’ roles in Biblical history
- Understanding how Jewish history shapes Jewish lives in the Diaspora and Eretz Israel
- Learning the practices and Minhagim surrounding the Jewish calendar and the Holidays
- Participating in daily prayers, Shabbat liturgy, and blessings for special occasions
- Understanding connections between current events and history
- Exploring Israel as a living culture
- Demonstrating Jewish values and ethics
- Appreciating and contributing to Jewish fine arts
- Demonstrating Hebrew fluency in reading and writing
- Writing Hebrew in script
- Acquiring Hebrew site word vocabulary and using common phrases
- Acquiring oral Hebrew language skills at all levels
- Understanding oral Hebrew language spoken during instruction at all levels