Sixth grade students will focus on the history of Jewish immigration to the United States and the experiences of the New Americans. Specifically, there will be a regional focus on Jews in the Southwest. Included in this unit is a study of each student’s personal family history and experience. Mitzvah Fair - the philanthropic curriculum will be presented to the Religious School by the sixth grade students. Jewish values and how they reflect on immigration will be the focus in the second semester. Questions such as who we are, where we came from past and present are going to be raised and discussed.

Mitzvot will be examined through Jewish heroes, both contemporary and historical.

This is also a busy year as we set the path for B’nei Mitzvah preparations. Specific subjects of study for the sixth grade include cantillation, reading fluency, the structure and the meaning of the prayer service, Torah and Haftarah blessings, as well as Hebrew enrichment.
Prayers like Birchot Hashachar, Ashrei, and Yotzer will be mastered by the end of the year.

Responsibilities

• The sixth graders begin to participate in the Youth Philanthropy Program by organizing the Religious School Mitzvah Fair and by helping to run the Purim Carnival.
• In addition to regular attendance at Hebrew and Religious school, our B’nei Mitzvah program requires the participation of parents. There are several family class sessions scheduled throughout year, as well as school and family events.