Overall Theme: Jewish
Values
Texts Used
A Kid’s
Mensch Handbook (Behrman House Publishers)
Derech Binah: The Hebrew
Primer (Behrman House Publishers)
As youngsters on the cusp of adolescence, 5th graders are well
situated to examine their values. As a class,
we will focus on 15 different Jewish values. We
will begin by examining values that focus on ourselves as individuals, and work through
values whose focus is on our relationships with our friends and family, and finally we
will explore the values regarding our community and the world at large. We will study these values, learn their meanings,
and decide how we can apply these values to our own lives.
We hope to tie these values to the appropriate holiday celebrations that we
will participate in with all of CJEG throughout the year.
Here is a list of the values we will focus on:
Me
§
Shmirat Habriyut: Watching Your Health
§
Talmud Torah: Learning
§
Nedarim: Keeping Commitments
§
Shmirat Halashon: Watching What You Say
My
Family & Friends
§
Shalom Bayit/Kibbud
Av Vem: Peace in the House/Honoring Parents
§
Hacnast Orchim: Welcoming Guests
§
Dibbuk Haverim: Joining of Friends
§
Lo Takem: Don’t Take Revenge
§
To Tachmod: Don’t Covet/Be Jealous
My Community & the World
§
Tzar Baalei Chaim: Treatment of Animals
§
Viahavta Larecha
Kmocha: Love Your Neighbor As Yourself
§
Lev Tov/Tzedakah: Generosity/Giving Charity
§
Bal Tashchit: Not Wasting
§
Bikur Holim: Visiting the Sick
Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World
The 39 avoth melacha (rules)
of Shabbat - Explanation of Shabbat going back tothe building of the temple. What can
we or can’t we do on Shabbat? Discussion about applying the 39 rules to modern life.
Shabbat Shira –
“Shabbat of Song” which falls on Tu B'Shevat.
All of the Jewish holidays are discussed and
traditional customs and symbols are reviewed at an age-appropriate level as they occur
throughout the year.
