What is Shorashim?
The goal of Shorashim, which means “roots”, is to have our students develop a strong, positive Jewish identity by teaching and guiding them to understand their heritage, faith, language and culture. In an inclusive and vibrant environment, we teach our students to become ethical members of both their Jewish and American communities. Starting in Kindergarten, our students will build the foundation to help them grow to be literate and confident Jewish adults. The earlier they start to learn, the stronger their knowledge and connection to Judaism will be.
The goals for our school are in agreement with the URJ Goals for Reform Jewish Education. In particular, we seek to help students:
- Affirm their Jewish identity through the celebration of holidays and Shabbat, the study of Torah and history, and the practice of mitzvot (commandments) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness);
- Celebrate Shabbat and the festivals and observe the Jewish ceremonies marking significant occasions in their lives. Develop appreciation of Hebrew as the common language of the Jewish people throughout the world. Gain the ability to decode Hebrew so that they will be able to participate fully in Jewish t’fillah (prayer services);
- Further the causes of justice, freedom, and peace by pursuing tzedek (righteousness), mishpat (justice) and chesed (loving deeds) through social action;
- Appreciate and respect the differences between each individual, family, and community;
- Express kinship with K’lal Yisrael (the community of Israel)
- Support and participate in temple activities and community Jewish life; appreciate Jewish culture, art, and literature.
Each grade level has its own goals with a spiral curriculum that builds from year to year. This means that the students may study the same subjects each year, but the depth of the study will increase as they grow older. For example, in Kindergarten the students will learn to associate the apples and honey of Rosh HaShanah with the sweetness of a new year. By the time they reach grade 7, they will study the Torah portion that explains the holiday.
For more information, please email office@templebethtorah.net
