Mercaz Aliyah classes take place on Sundays and Mondays. To find a schedule that works for your child, please email Joan Perlman.
Please note that the curriculum listed below is for 2026 – 2027.
Students are introduced to Hebrew letters, sounds, symbols, and basic greetings. By Grade 1, students begin learning vowels, simple words, and early decoding skills.
Through song and repetition, students learn core prayers and blessings, including Modeh/Modah Ani, Shema, Shalom Aleichem, Bar’chu, Shabbat candle blessings, and food blessings, with an emphasis on meaning and participation.
Students explore Jewish holidays, foundational Torah stories from Genesis and Exodus, and early concepts about God, such as gratitude, prayer, and caring for others.
Students are introduced to Israel as the Jewish homeland through geography, culture, music, and symbols.
Students review the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, practice writing, decode simple words, and expand prayer vocabulary.
Students learn to recognize and read many central prayers, including Shema, Barchu, Adon Olam, Ein Keloheinu, Shabbat and holiday blessings, and the Four Questions.
Holiday learning focuses on history and meaning through stories and activities. Torah study follows Abraham and Sarah through the Twelve Tribes, while students explore ideas of covenant, creation, and prayer.
Students explore Israeli landmarks, customs, and connections between Torah stories and the land.
Students build fluency by reading longer words and prayers and strengthening comprehension.
Students chant and learn the meaning of key prayers, including the Amidah, Shema, V’Ahavta, Mi Chamocha, V’shamru, and Kiddush.
Students study Jewish holidays, major Torah figures, Exodus, and Passover, while reflecting on leadership, values, and their personal relationship with God.
Students deepen their understanding of Israel’s geography, culture, and society.
Students strengthen Hebrew reading accuracy and fluency, expand vocabulary, and begin translating simple sentences. By Grade 5, students read with correct phrasing, learn modern Hebrew vocabulary and grammar, and practice conversational skills.
Students review and deepen their understanding of core prayers, with an emphasis on the Amidah, Kedushah, Aleinu, L’cha Dodi, and Kiddush. By the end of Grade 5, students are proficient in Torah service prayers and are introduced to Torah trope in preparation for b’nai mitzvah participation.
Holidays are explored through big ideas such as forgiveness, courage, freedom, and responsibility. Torah study follows the Israelites’ journey to Mount Sinai and continues through Leviticus and Numbers, helping students connect Jewish text, values, and modern life. Students also develop critical thinking skills by questioning and engaging deeply with Jewish tradition.
Students study the development of the modern State of Israel, learning about its history, culture, leadership, innovation, and role in Jewish life today.
Decoding of prayers, reading with increased fluency and accuracy, and learning the prefixes and suffixes.
Students master core synagogue prayers, including the Eyn Kamocha, Ki Mitzion, Haftarah blessings, and Torah service participation.
Students read and discuss selections from The Book of Exodus, engage in debates about Jewish history, and explore holidays through projects and activities that deepen their understanding of the Jewish calendar.
Students investigate and experience the rituals, traditions, and symbols of Jewish Life Cycle events through hands-on activities and group projects.
Students explore the establishment of the State of Israel, geography, people, culture, and celebration of holidays in the State of Israel.
Students master core synagogue prayers, including Birchot Haftarah, Torah Service, and Aliyah blessings (review for B’Mitzvah). They also learn and perform key songs and brachot for the Passover Seder, Hanukkah, and Purim, building familiarity with important liturgy and holiday traditions.
Students study the weekly Torah portion (Parashat Hashavua) for Genesis and Exodus, and explore select Tanakh stories such as Jonah and Esther.
They deepen their understanding of Jewish life by actively engaging in the traditions and meanings of major holidays, including Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot.
Students explore individual stories from the Holocaust to understand the vast diversity of experiences. They examine Israel’s history, culture, conflicts, people, and current events through discussion and research. Students also address social justice issues in society, investigating what Judaism teaches about social action and how they can make a positive impact.