Hesed Academy Curriculum

Kindergarten/1st Grade: Jewish Lifecycle

The K/1 curriculum focuses on the Jewish lifecycle, where students will explore key events from birth to adulthood through interactive activities. They will act out each lifecycle event with their own teddy bears, creating a timeline of Jewish life. Highlights include a Brit Milah/Brit Bat naming ceremony, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, and more. Students will also be introduced to Hebrew letters and words, creating a personal book of their progress by the end of the year.

2nd/3rd Grade: Key Torah Stories

The 2/3 curriculum centers around important Torah stories from Genesis and Exodus. Students will read, discuss, and create communal artworks representing stories like Creation, Noah’s Ark, the Tower of Babel, and the Exodus. They will retell these stories in their own words, contributing to a class book. The curriculum also includes beginning Hebrew language instruction, focusing on letter recognition and basic vocabulary.

4th/5th Grade: Israel - History, Culture, and Connection

The 4/5 curriculum introduces students to the significance of Israel in Jewish identity. Through a variety of activities, students will explore Israel’s connection to the Torah, Jewish prayer, and holidays, as well as the history of Zionism, immigration, and the diverse cultures within Israel. They will learn about key symbols, institutions, and Israel’s role in the world today. Each class day will include structured Hebrew instruction, with a focus on sounding out words and prayers and exploring their meaning.

6th/7th Grade: Jewish Identity

The 6/7 curriculum is designed to help students develop and express their Jewish identity, particularly as they approach Bar/Bat Mitzvah age. Students will explore what it means to be Jewish through discussions on values, ethics, holidays, the Torah, and the Jewish community. They will work on a year-long project culminating in a presentation of their Jewish identity to the community. Hebrew studies are also included, with a focus on prayer, language skills, and preparation for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service.