As we step into the new year of 5786, Temple Shalom Religious School is opening many new doors; doors to learning, to community, and to the wonder of discovery. Each threshold we cross leads us further into a year filled with joy, curiosity, friendship, and the shared work of building a kehillah kedoshah, a holy community.
This year’s curriculum opens wide the door of wonder, inviting learners to experience it in two uniquely Jewish ways: through radical amazement at the world around us and through the sacred practice of asking questions that bring personal meaning to our ancient texts. Our new agro-historic exploration of the holidays for 3rd–6th graders encourages learners to see the rhythms of the Jewish calendar through the cycles of planting, harvest, and renewal all guided by the questions they generate themselves. In this month alone, they have harvested and planted. Watch our garden to see the wheat and barley grow. Parents, we can’t wait to harvest this together at Pesach time!
In 2nd grade, our students will dive into Torah, learning to ask questions that bring stories to life and help them find their own voices as interpreters of our sacred tradition. On day one, each created their rabbinic self-portrait, and each week they add their own words of commentary. In 1st grade, learners will experience the wonder of creation and the turning of the seasons through hands-on art, cooking, and exploration of nature as they read the words of Torah.
We are also opening new doors for our families and community. Our new Munchkin Minyan Holiday Happy Hours bring parents together to co-create meaningful Jewish traditions that fit into their family life. Through new partnership programming with PJ Library, we are reaching grandparents and extended families, strengthening the circle of Jewish learning across generations. For our teens, this year brings new opportunities for text study, mitzvot, and travel, creating experiences that are as meaningful as they are memorable.
And perhaps most joyfully, we have opened the door to many new families and learners, expanding our PreK program to welcome non-members and offering more entry points than ever before into the warmth of our community.
Our core values of joy, wonder, friendship, and holy community remind us that every open door is an invitation to learn, question, explore, and belong.
A Joyful Beginning: Temple Shalom’s PreK Opens the Door to Jewish Learning
Now in its third joyful year, Temple Shalom’s PreK class continues to flourish, overflowing each week with laughter, curiosity, and the sounds of friendship. This program, now open to both member and non-member families, was created to lower barriers to entry and invite even more families with young children into the warmth of our Temple Shalom community.
Under the guidance of our experienced teacher Edna Niederman and beloved Ozer Mikhael Nitishin, our youngest learners experience what it means to be part of a kehillah kedoshah/holy community, explore wonder, and discover the joy of Jewish life. Each month they explore wonder in our garden, and each week they celebrate friendship through playful buddy projects with their 7th grade partners. Through Hebrew Through Movement and joyful Jewish music, Hebrew words and songs become part of their play and daily rhythm.
The Big Ideas of the Year capture the heart of their experience:
- Jewish learning begins with joy.
- Temple Shalom is a joyful and safe place where I belong.
- Being part of a Jewish community means sharing, helping, and celebrating together.
- Friendship is a Jewish value.
- We discover joy and wonder when we learn, play, and explore together.
Together, these ideas nurture the roots of a lifelong love for Jewish learning.
