Yahadut (Jewish Studies) & Ivrit (Hebrew Language)
At JCDSRI, Yahadut is an integral part of our mission to educate the whole child – intellectually, spiritually, socially-emotionally, and ethically. Through prayer, sacred texts, Hebrew language, and holiday observances, students explore Jewish values, experience Jewish joy, deepen their understanding of our diverse and vibrant traditions, and begin to construct their own Jewish identities.
Haggim – Jewish Holidays
Jewish holidays not only strengthen our students’ academic skills, but provide them with joyful opportunities to celebrate and connect. Children experience the diversity of Jewish observance in the U.S. and around the world, developing an appreciation for their own identities and for the global Jewish community.
Through joyful celebration and exploration, students learn about each holiday’s meaning, traditions, and lifecycle connections. They are encouraged to remain curious, flexible, and respectful as they engage with a spectrum of beliefs and practices, discovering the richness and complexity of Jewish life. Our curriculum also emphasizes literary skills, critical thinking, and interpretive strategies that allow students to explore and articulate Jewish values.
Humash – Torah Study
At JCDSRI, Torah study is at the heart of our Judaic curriculum. Our students find personal meaning – as well as connections to the Jewish people – through its stories, laws, poetry, and ethical teachings.
Every time our students engage with Torah, they practice exploring Jewish values, traditions, and identities. The Torah is not only the foundation of Jewish texts, but also a lens through which students learn to think deeply, analyze thoughtfully, and articulate their understanding – skills that enrich both their Jewish and secular learning. Not only does Torah study help our students develop their spiritual, ethical, and communal understandings and commitments, they also gain impressive literacy skills, including the ability to:
- Closely read texts, and recognize the importance of word choice, repetition, and subtle shifts in language
- Synthesize information by drawing connections across different stories and passages to develop coherent interpretations
- Interpret layers of meaning and understand narrative, ethical, legal, and poetic dimensions simultaneously
- Think critically through comparing classical and modern commentaries and developing evidence-based interpretations
- Support arguments with evidence by citing specific verses to explain or defend their ideas
- Recognize patterns and themes through tracing motifs across multiple Torah portions
Ivrit – Hebrew Language
At JCDSRI, Hebrew is a living, vibrant language. Students hear, speak, and enjoy Hebrew through songs, stories, and interactive learning. Early exposure strengthens their connection to Jewish life, culture, and tradition while fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and cognitive flexibility.
Our approach emphasizes playfulness, warmth, and meaningful engagement, ensuring students develop both language skills and a love for Jewish learning.
T’fillot – Prayer
JCDSRI celebrates the diversity of Jewish beliefs and practices, and our students are encouraged to explore their spirituality with curiosity, flexibility, and respect. Every day, our community looks forward to T’fillah – a special time in which we gather to connect as a community to reflect, express our gratitude, and joyfully sing and dance!
Our early learners have opportunities to experience both personal and communal prayer, while first graders deepen their understanding of key prayer themes, including Shevach (praise), Hoda’ah (thanks), and Bakasha (request).
Students continue to gain fluency in Brachot (blessings), the daily morning service (Shacharit), and the Torah service, and by fourth grade they begin learning trope (Torah cantillation). Each of these experiences, along with our weekly Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah gatherings, provide opportunities for our students to experience the rhythm and sanctity of Jewish life in joyful and meaningful ways.
Jewish Journeys
At JCDSRI, we believe there are countless ways to think about and live meaningful Jewish lives. Our Jewish Journeys program inspires our 4th and 5th grade students to explore these possibilities with curiosity and joy. Each week, visitors join our classrooms—either in person or via Zoom—to teach, learn, and share their experiences. Rabbis, artists, musicians, and community leaders from across denominations and from throughout the Jewish world—representing diverse backgrounds, practices, and perspectives—help students discover the beauty of Jewish diversity. Every encounter opens their hearts and minds, empowering them to imagine their own place in the ongoing story of the Jewish people.