Youth Education at Shaarie Torah
Mensch Learning Center for K-5
Mensch Academy: B'Mitzvah Program
for 6-7th Graders
Youth Education Programs at Shaarie Torah
We are excited to share our 2022-23 CST Religious School Schedule.
Learning at Shaarie Torah is designed with the end in mind: To inspire positive, thoughtful, and meaningful life-long Jewish engagement and the development of an inner moral compass. Our learning is experiential, egalitarian, and inquiry driven. The curriculum is guided by our Jewish values (mitzvot and middot), our Jewish calendar with its cycles of Torah, celebration, and sacred time; holy ritual that invites us to connect with our spiritual selves; Hebrew reading for synagogue literacy; and our communal bonds of Klal Yisrael. Students will forge friendships as they engage in meaningful and rich Jewish connection and growth both in and beyond the classroom.
Program Details
We understand the vagaries of our ever-changing world and are committed that our program be accessible and meet your needs.
K-5
- Sunday mornings, 9:45am – 11:45, the 1st, 3rd, 4th of each month
- Shabbat mornings, 10:30 – 11:45, the 2nd Saturday of each month for Junior Congregation
Rising 6th & 7th Graders
- Participate in our Mensch Academy which meets every other Wednesday from 5:45 – 7:45pm.
Curriculum Overview: Essential Questions and Content
Kochavim – Rising Kindergarten and 1st Graders
Theme: The Rhythms of Jewish Time
Our youngest students are introduced to the richness of Jewish life with a focus on the cycle of the Jewish year and the Jewish values of Gemilut Chasadim (acts of kindness) and Tikkun Olam (making the world a better place). Through hands-on projects, music, cooking, stories, texts, and an introduction to the Alef-Bet.
- How do we celebrate Erev Shabbat?
- How is the Jewish calendar special? What are special Jewish holiday items? What mitzvot can I do during the Jewish holidays
- What can I learn from Torah stories, specifically Sefer Bereisheet?
- What mitzvot can I do?
- How is Israel special to us?
Giborim – Rising 2nd and 3rd Graders
Theme: God All Around Us
Second and Third graders are developing an understanding that the world around them is comprised of much more than they can see with their eyes; they are able to name feelings and other intangibles as they begin a life-long quest of connection to God, and how such awareness impacts their daily lives. The curriculum content of 2nd and 3rd grades includes an emphasis on Hebrew decoding and reading aimed toward fostering holiday and synagogue participation.
- How do I feel G-d?
- How do I recognize “G-d moments”?
- How have the Rabbis taught us to speak with G-d?
- What is a blessing? How am I a blessing? How do I bless?
- Highlights of Parshat Bereishit, close reading of selected stories of Shemot Jewish children’s literature including folk tales, midrash
Halutzim – Rising 4th & 5th Graders
Themes: Seeing myself and each other as part of the Jewish story; Jewish community
Fourth and fifth graders have developed increasing independence, a deeper understanding of themselves as part of Jewish history and community, and are more able to acquire skills, make connections, and transfer learning to their lives.
- Shabbat morning tefillot – how do I learn and lead?
- Batei Knesset – (Houses of Prayer, Study, and Gathering)
- Close reading of Torah texts
- How do my Jewish values inspire my actions? Intro to Mitzvah projects
Our office is currently closed to visitors. Questions? Give us a call or send us an email. We currently have limited office hours but leave us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
- 503-226-6131
- cst@shaarietorah.org
- 920 NW 25th Ave. Portland, OR
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