5th Grade

The fifth grade program focuses on fostering a personal relationship with Israel, while exposing students to a deep and nuanced education. This includes the study of the Brit the covenant), history, geography, Am Yisrael (Jewish Peoplehood), Israeli culture, and current events. Our foundational principles for teaching Israel include:

- Every aspect of Jewish life and experience reflects a relationship to Am Yisrael (the Jewish people), Eretz Yisrael (land of Israel) and to Medinat Yisrael (State of Israel)
- A relationship with Eretz Yisrael requires knowing what it looks like, familiarity with its geography, people, language and history
- The Jewish people’s connection to Israel is historical, physical, emotional and spiritual
- Israel connects the Jewish people to their past, present and future
- Israel is a small but dynamic country filled with exciting cities, neighborhoods and landmarks
- Am Yisrael (the Jewish people) are responsible for one another
- To understand Israeli society is to understand its diversity
- More than one people consider Israel their homeland and this makes peace difficult to achieve

Students will not only read about Israel, but they will experience Israel, its culture, and its people through a personal relationship with our congregation’s Shinshin (Emissary from Israel) and grade-wide, project-based units. One unit focuses on diversity within Israeli culture and another unit explores the Israeli government,  its political parties and processes, and culminates in the creation of political campaign ads and a coalition building simulation game. 

In Hebrew, we use a curriculum that we created to review the Hebrew letters and vowels and teach the students how to chant the following prayers: Bar’chu, Sh’ma, V’ahavta, Chanukah Blessings, Avot V’Imahot, Gevurot and the Four Questions. Most students will be able to speak about the meaning and history of these prayers, and some of the most advanced students will be able to translate the prayers based upon an understanding of the Hebrew roots system, used also in Modern Hebrew. Students will leave fifth grade as confident, successful readers. 

5th grade families have the opportunity to participate in two parent education sessions taught by a member of our clergy team.  Additionally, 5th grade students will share a shabbat dinner and lead a First Friday Shabbat Service. 

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