Judaics Curriculum
PreK
Jewish Life & Love of Judaism
Kindergarten
Community; Holidays;
Values; Symbols
1st Grade
Mitzvot; Values; Holidays
2nd Grade
Hebrew Bible; Torah
3rd Grade
Hebrew Bible; Prophets
4th Grade
Life Cycle; Modern Israel
5th Grade
Ethics
6th Grade
Hebrew Bible; Torah; Values
7th Grade
Community; Social Justice;
Anti-Semitism
8th Grade
American Jewish History
9th Grade
Ethics
10th Grade
Confirmation
11th Grade
Comparative Religions
12th Grade
Senior Seminar
Hebrew Language Studies
Hebrew language skills are a key component of our program. In Kindergarten to 3rd grade, emphasis is placed on learning Hebrew letters and becoming familiar and comfortable with the Aleph-Bet and basic Hebrew words. Additionally, we have a Hebrew through Movement specialist, who visits Pre-K through 2nd grade classrooms weekly. Hebrew Through Movement is a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands.
Beginning in 4th grade, our Hebrew program transitions from learning the foundations of Hebrew to a focus on liturgy. Students begin to attend classes on both Sunday and Wednesday and are placed in classes according to their Hebrew ability. Classes are designed to allow students to progress at a comfortable pace. Students will be continuously evaluated to make sure that they are placed at the appropriate level.
Our Hebrew curriculum is enhanced by Hebrew in Harmony, an innovative, music-based program in which students learn in depth about prayers and make personal connections to T’fillah (prayer).
Our students’ Hebrew learning is enriched by weekly creative T’fillah experiences led by our clergy. Students in grades Pre-K through 3rd attend T’fillah services on Sunday mornings; grades 4-6 meet on Wednesday afternoons; B’nei Mitzvah students meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents are always welcome at T’fillah services.
Cultural & Fine Arts
We are very proud to offer several cultural and fine arts programs as part of the curriculum. Art, music, dance, cooking, and computers have been developed and integrated in such a way as to allow our students a fully rounded Jewish education.
We are pleased to offer a chugim (electives) program, which offers students in grades 4-6 the opportunity to choose a course of study. For the final 30 minutes on Sundays, teachers and clergy will offer different mini-courses such as choir, Modern Israeli dance, technology/coding, and Hebrew enrichment. Students may also choose a “taste track” of our classic specials: art, music, dance and cooking.
Holiday Happenings & Special Events
Educational and fun school-wide holiday happenings are scheduled throughout the year. Programming is developed based on the theme for the year and often includes cooking, dance, art, and music.
These Happenings include:
- High Holy Day and/or Sukkot Happening
- Chanukah Happening
- Tu B'Shevat Seders
- Passover Happening
- Yom Ha'Atzmaut Happening
- Lag B'Omer Happening
In addition, we will continue with our beloved special grade-level and family education programs including: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Zoomobile; 2nd Grade Make Your Own Torah Project; 3rd Grade Service; 4th Grade Mock Wedding and Houston Food Bank Field Trip, 5th Grade B’nei Mitzvah Date Setting workshop; 6th Grade Houston Bus Tour and Arboretum Field Trips; and 7th Grade Houston Holocaust Museum Field Trip.
Teacher Assistants
Students in 8th - 12th grades are eligible to work as teacher assistants (TAs). All TAs must be enrolled in Helfman Religious School and maintain regular attendance. Please contact Becca Schwartzberg, Youth & Young Adult Engagement Coordinator, at beccas@emanuelhouston.org with any questions.
APPLY TO BE A TA:
Milestones
Consecration
All kindergarten students, including children of Emanu El members who attend Jewish Day Schools, and students who are just beginning their religious school education in 1st-3rd grade, are consecrated on Simchat Torah. They are welcomed during the service as they embark on their educational journey in Judaism. Each child is given a little Torah and the Mishkan T’filah for Children prayer book.
The students sing and dance with the Torah and their families.
B’nei Mitzvah
In 6th grade, students begin their B’nei Mitzvah journey of studying toward leading the congregation during Shabbat services. For more details about this experience, the goals and expectations, please see our B’nei Mitzvah page.
Confirmation
All 10th grade students are confirmed in a ceremony held on Shavuot. The Confirmation students lead the Shavuot service and share their commitment to continuing to live a life grounded in Jewish values and traditions.
Graduation
The graduation ceremony for high school seniors is held on an Erev Shabbat at the end of the academic year. The 12th grade students lead the congregation and give meaningful sermons in which they reflect on their past, present and future as Jews. The evening continues with dinner together, closing remarks and a slideshow of photos over the years.
Shirley Barish Memorial Israel Experience
The Shirley Barish Memorial Israel Experience Fund is given in loving memory of Shirley Barish to promote the education of Congregation Emanu El students to become dedicated advocates on behalf of Israel, to strengthen the bonds between Israel and the Diaspora Jewry, and to enhance the US-Israel relationship. In order to deepen Jewish identity and involvement in Jewish life, the Fund will grant scholarships to current members of the Helfman 10th and 11th grade classes for the Shirley Barish Memorial Israel Experience, an Emanu El sponsored trip to Israel in the summer. To be eligible for this trip students need to become B’nei Mitzvah at Congregation Emanu El and continue their studies through the 12th grade.
