K-7th Grade

Kindergarten 

DSC 0567 smaller

 Sunday 9:00-10:30 am
OR
Monday 4:00-5:30 pm

Register now.

Our Kindergarten students are treated to “a taste of Judaism,” learning about the joy of our holidays and the importance of Jewish values in our everyday lives. In Kindergarten we use games, stories, art and movement to introduce the concept of mitzvot (commandments) such as generosity, kindness, taking care of one’s self, and caring for animals. Weekly music with our cantor, assistant rabbi and songleader is part of the experience.


1st & 2nd Grade Combined Class

 IMG 4262 516x640

Sunday 9:00-10:30 am
OR
Monday 4:00-5:30 pm

Register now.

Students will discover Jewish holidays, symbols and traditions through music, creative play, crafts and hands-on activities. Shabbat is the centerpiece of our exploration, both during class and a special family program. Students will also be introduced to Hebrew letters through useful synagogue-based vocabulary.

Another central theme will be the synagogue: the anchor of Jewish life. What do we do, see and hear at a synagogue? How does being at a synagogue make us feel? Students will learn about synagogues from around the world. The experience includes weekly music with our musical team: cantor, assistant rabbi and song leader.


3rd Grade

DSC 0363 cropped

Sunday 9:00-11:00 am
OR
Monday 4:00-6:00 pm

Register now.

Our 3rd graders will learn that Jewish life is like a treasure chest filled with precious jewels. The crown jewel is of course the Torah, which is the centerpiece of Jewish life. From Creation to Exodus, the Torah will come alive as students explore its lessons through art, music and storytelling. Students will also learn to read Hebrew. The experience includes weekly music with our musical team: cantor, assistant rabbi and song leader.


4th & 5th Grade Combined Class

245

Sunday 9:00-11:00 am & Tuesday 4:00-6:00 pm
OR

Monday 4:00-6:00 pm & Tuesday 4:00-6:00 pm
OR

Sunday 9:00-12:00 pm & Jewish Journey (supplemental youth activities, family learning and holiday celebrations)
OR

Small group learning at a time of your choosing

Register now.

 We have combined 4th and 5th grades in order to enrich our sense of community and to offer a wider array of schedule options for these grades.  Students participate in weekly tefilah (services) with our clergy and songleader, where prayers are joyful, festive, and meaningful.  Tefilah continues in the classroom where students learn to read and chant the prayers as well as explore their meaning.  Hebrew is taught using a variety of resources and technology. 

Judaics and electives give students the opportunity to participate in an engaging and relevant learning environment across a variety of topics.  They rotate class groupings throughout the day and throughout the year, allowing for increased movement and social interaction.  All students will study Tikkun Olam (social justice) and Jewish values, Torah, Israel, and history, while electives will include an evolving list of options such as Jewish cooking, ethics, and art.


6th Grade

154

Sunday 9:00-11:00 am & Tuesday 3:30-5:30 pm
OR
Monday 3:30-5:30 pm & Tuesday 3:30-5:30 pm
OR
Sunday 9:00-12:00 pm & Jewish Journey (supplemental youth activities, family learning and holiday celebrations)
OR
Small group learning at a time of your choosing

 Register now.

Our 6th grade curriculum is divided into studies are comprised of three key areas:  Hebrew, core, and electives, which enables our students to participate in an engaging and relevant learning environment. Students change classes allowing for movement and interaction with friends new and old.  The core curriculum focuses Torah, Israel, Jewish values and history and is supplemented by a variety of electives.  They continue to participate in weekly Tefilah with our song leader or clergy where prayers are joyful, festive, and meaningful and filled with sense of community.  Hebrew is taught in small groups using a variety of sources and technology which enhances their skills and readies them for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.  Judaic studies enable students to explore Jewish life and include an age appropriate focus on Tikkun Olam and Jewish values, Torah, Israel, and history, while electives will include an evolving list of interests such as Jewish cooking, Holocaust, ethics, art, book club, and theater.


7th Grade

039 cropped

Tuesday 6:00-8:00 pm

 Register now.

Our 7th-grade students are offered three core courses as well as a host of electives which are designed to stimulate and challenge their intellect while furthering their Jewish understanding and identity. The evening sessions begin with our core studies, which are followed by a shared dinner and social time.  Core classes are:

  • Tefilot and Me: practicing Hebrew and in-depth learning about the liturgy
  • Holocaust: As seen through the eyes of children, survivors and the righteous
  • Jewish Values: Using a variety of media including books, movies and music, students will explore Jewish principles such as lo levayesh (do not shame others), din v’rachamim (justice and mercy) and nedivut (generosity).

After dinner concludes, our teens reconvene to tackle such electives as Food in Biblical Times, and Israel and Me.


Small Group Option

 235 edited cropped

2 hours per week on Wednesday OR Thursday afternoons
&
Jewish Journey (supplemental youth activities, family learning and holiday celebrations)

Register now.

Even with the broader array of schedule options we are offering, we know that we may not be able to offer an option that fits your family’s schedule.  Therefore we are launching an on-demand small-group option so that Jewish learning can take place at a time of your choosing.  Here’s how it works … You can create your own group of five learners within the same grade level and choose your preferred time on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.  Or, call our office to see if other families you may not know are also seeking to form a small group.  Please be aware that capacity is limited so registration will be on a first come, first-served basis.  In addition, the fee for small-group learning will be higher due to the personalized nature of this option.

Our optionality and curriculum promise to provide a meaningful experience for all of our students.  For more information about our Religious School contact 203-227-1656 or Director of Education, Orly Mendelson at 203-227-1656 x311 or omendelson@tiwestport.org.  We look forward to speaking with you.


“The entire world rests on the breath of children in the schoolhouse.”
— Talmud, Shabbat 119b