Sunday School (Shule) Curriculum Overview

The Shule curriculum aims to foster a meaningful and proud Jewish identity, rooted in the historical and cultural Jewish experience and in a commitment to building a better world. That identity is expressed through community, learning, creative arts and culture and social action, not through prayer and worship.

As such, the Shule is not a religious school, but a cultural school. We seek to establish an environment where children and their families will feel free to personally explore Jewish identity and practice in ways that feel meaningful. Many of our families identify as secular, while others create their own personal approach to Jewish tradition and spirituality. We welcome you and your children to join us in that exploration.

Project-Based Learning

The curriculum embraces a project-based educational experience that makes learning active and fun. For instance, when the 3^rd graders learn about immigration they participate in a simulation of the journey to Ellis Island. And when the 5^th graders learn about Jewish immigrants working in the sweatshops, they organize a protest against sweatshops that exist today.

Building Community

The Shule educational philosophy also involves building community in the classroom and among families. This is accomplished through family brunches, field trips, holiday parties and more.

Music

Each of the classes meets with a music teacher who tailors a curriculum to reinforce what the children are learning. The repertoire mirrors the larger community holiday and social justice repertoire, including Yiddish and Hebrew folk songs, music from Jewish cultures around the world and the anthems of progressive American social justice movements.

A more detailed, grade-by-grade description of the curriculum is available for viewing or downloading at the bottom of this page.

File: 

Shule curriculum detail summary.pdf