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K - 8th Grade

Yachad Curriculum

Kindergarten through high school students are expected to regularly attend Shabbat morning services. Shabbat is a time that allows us to build community, learn prayers, and become more comfortable in services. Gan Shabbat for families in K–2nd grade occurs just prior to Yachad class, on Saturday and is part of the Yachad learning and community experience. Sanctuary attendance for families in grades 3rd–6th occurs just prior to classes and is also part of the Yachad learning and community building experience. Attendance at Shabbat services is extremely important in the years leading up to a child’s B’nei Mitzvah. Students in 2nd–8th grade who do not attend Yachad classes on Saturday are required to attend a minimum of seven Shabbat services throughout the year.

Lower School: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

Kindergarten — The Stories of Our Families

In kindergarten, we embark on a captivating exploration of Jewish families, nurturing a strong foundation of understanding and respect for the diverse tapestry of familial structures within our community. Through age-appropriate storytelling, engaging activities, and interactive discussions, our young learners celebrate the essence of Jewish families across time and cultures. Our learners will be introduced to the joys and difficulties of the families of the Torah, from Adam and Eve to Jacob and Esau and beyond, to help them understand the timeless and universal nature of family love and conflict. By embracing a lens of inclusivity and open-mindedness, our curriculum radiates the fundamental CBE values of acceptance, empathy, and equality.

1st Grade — The Story of Our Community
In first grade, we guide our learners through a transformative exploration of the concept of community, embodying the core values that underpin our faith. Through immersive experiences, meaningful discussions, and collaborative projects, our first graders learn about the intricate tapestry of interconnectedness that defines the essence of Jewish community. Our curriculum empowers children to recognize their role as active participants in cultivating a just and compassionate society through the many concentric circles of responsibility, from family, to community, to the wider world. By delving into stories of communal action and engaging with the world around them, our first graders develop a profound sense of belonging and obligation. 

2nd Grade — The Story of Our Diversity
In second grade, we journey through time to explore the remarkable diversity that has shaped Jews and Judaism across history. Our curriculum illuminates the myriad cultures, traditions, and narratives that have converged to form the rich story of our people. Through engaging tales, interactive discussions, and creative projects, our young learners gain an appreciation for the vibrant amalgam of Jewish identities that have flourished over centuries. By celebrating the stories of Jews from around the world and across eras, we instill a deep sense of inclusivity and respect for the mosaic of experiences within our global Jewish family. This curriculum nurtures an understanding that our collective strength lies in our shared history, while embracing the unique contributions of each individual. As our second graders delve into the diverse chapters of Jewish history, they embark on a voyage of discovery that prepares them to be compassionate, open-minded leaders in an increasingly interconnected world.

Upper Elementary: 3rd – 5th Grade

3rd Grade — The Story of Our Lives (Lifecycle Intensive)

Our fourth graders journey through the captivating rhythm of the Jewish holiday cycle. Our curriculum invites students to delve into the essence of each holiday, exploring their historical significance, spiritual resonance, and contemporary relevance. Through dynamic discussions, creative projects, and experiential learning, our young learners embrace the diverse stories of celebrations and remembrance that mark our calendar. From the introspection of Yom Kippur to the jubilation of Purim, each holiday becomes a gateway to deeper understanding, fostering a connection to our ancestral legacy while nurturing personal meaning. Rooted in values of reflection, gratitude, and renewal, our curriculum empowers fourth graders to infuse these traditions with their own interpretations, ensuring that the lessons of the Jewish holiday cycle resonate profoundly in their lives and guide their journey toward personal and communal growth.

4th & 5th Grade — The Stories of Our Years (Holiday Intensives)*

Our fourth graders journey through the captivating rhythm of the Jewish holiday cycle. Our curriculum invites students to delve into the essence of each holiday, exploring their historical significance, spiritual resonance, and contemporary relevance. Through dynamic discussions, creative projects, and experiential learning, our young learners embrace the diverse stories of celebrations and remembrance that mark our calendar. From the introspection of Yom Kippur to the jubilation of Purim, each holiday becomes a gateway to deeper understanding, fostering a connection to our ancestral legacy while nurturing personal meaning. Rooted in values of reflection, gratitude, and renewal, our curriculum empowers fourth graders to infuse these traditions with their own interpretations, ensuring that the lessons of the Jewish holiday cycle resonate profoundly in their lives and guide their journey toward personal and communal growth.

*Our 2023/2024 5th graders’ previous year was focused on Torah and the stories of the Bible. Beginning in 2024/2025, 5th grade will shift to Torah and the stories of the Bible.

Middle School: 6th – 8th Grade

6th Grade — The Stories of Our People (Jewish History Around the World)

Our sixth graders journey through the annals of Jewish world history. With a focus on both individual experiences and collective narratives, our curriculum unravels the tapestry of challenges, triumphs, and resilience that have defined the Jewish people across time. Through captivating stories, interactive discussions, and engaging projects, our young learners explore the dynamic interplay between history, culture, and identity. From ancient roots to modern-day complexities, our curriculum illuminates pivotal moments and the luminaries who shaped them. By encouraging critical thinking and empathy, we empower sixth graders to grasp the historical context that informs contemporary Jewish life, from Biblical times to the Holocaust to today, fostering a sense of responsibility to honor the past while forging a meaningful path forward.

7th Grade — The Story of Our Texts

In our seventh-grade curriculum, we embark on a transformative exploration of Jewish middot, the ethical and moral virtues that shape our character, as well as mitzvot, the sacred opportunities in our Torah to connect with the Jewish people and the divine. Our curriculum delves into the profound connection between personal growth, Jewish practice, and the Jewish textual tradition recorded over the millennia and throughout the world – from the siddur, to the Mishna, to contemporary Reform thought, and everything in between. Through deep study, reflective discussions, and introspective practices, our young learners uncover the treasure trove of wisdom embedded within the textline of our people. By forging a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary life, this curriculum equips seventh graders with the tools to cultivate ethical virtues and spiritual practices in their daily interactions and encourages a profound connection to Jewish text as a source for life guidance.

8th Grade — Our Stories of Israel (History and Now of Israel, religion/state, occupation of Palestinians, how to relate)

Our eighth-graders will explore, wrestle with, and come to form their own understanding of the modern state of Israel and its meaning, significance, and place in our Jewish diasporic lives today. Students will explore the beginnings of Zionism, the history of the land, the birth of the modern state, and its complexities in our contemporary moment. Mid-year, our learners travel as a community to Israel to see and experience the actual state. They will walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, engage with the current geo-political situation, examine Israeli civil society, explore what it means to be Jewish in a Jewish state, take an up close look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, learn more of the Palestinian narrative, and immerse in the rich food and culture of the land.