Sunday School
Temple B'nai Israel's Sunday School cultivates knowledge of Jewish texts, mitzvot, history, observances, values, and culture through engaging, experiential learning. Our religious school program fosters a love of Judaism, a sense of belonging, and an appreciation for community.
About our Program
Each Sunday, our students from Pre-K to 10th grades come together to learn and
experience Judaism. Our classrooms create spaces that emphasize growth,
mentorship, and connections. While activities vary from week to week, students can
expect a hands-on project, an opportunity to engage with Jewish text at an age-
appropriate level, and enrichment opportunities for students to connect learned
concepts in the classroom to their own Jewish lives.
In our younger classes, students engage with Jewish texts and practices through play,
stories, games, and crafts. Our older students are empowered to build their own
understandings about text through classroom activities and discussions. By focusing on
specific elements in a text, like a person or a thematic connection to a prayer, students
are encouraged to ask complex questions and discover the relevance of text to their
own lives. Tools such as music and art invite students to think beyond the page.
All students have the opportunity to participate in various community-wide service
projects and other events offered throughout the year.
Our Curriculum
Our Sunday School curriculum is based on a triennial cycle, alternating annually
between a focus on Torah, Nevi'im (the prophets), and Kehtuvim (the writings). Thus,
our students experience the entirety of the TaNaKh (Hebrew Bible) multiple times during
their studies at different levels of depth. These source texts are used to explore the
lessons of Torah, Avodah (worship), and G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving-kindness).
Students will learn about important and relevant Jewish topics including: the big ideas of
various books in TaNakh, biblical role models, mussar, prayers, mitzvot, holidays,
Jewish music, and more.