Every 5 years, or so, NACHaS reevaluates all the curricula that are appropriate for schools of our size, often choosing a different one based on our current Rabbi, our current students, and our current needs. Over the last 20 years, NACHaS and its predecessor, TBS Religious School, have used various curricula including ISJL (as one of the original pilot programs in 2003), Chai and, most recently, Shalom Learning.
Judaic Studies
As of 2023, we have returned to our roots, using an updated and comprehensive Judaics curriculum via the Institute for Southern Jewish Life (ISJL). For the 2024-25 school year, we will offer classes for Pre-K through 6th grade.
ISJL provides a spiraled Judaics curriculum in which students revisit key content areas with increasing sophistication as they progress through their education. These content areas include:
- Community / Relationship building
- Jewish Holidays
- Mitzvot and Jewish Values
- TaNaKh (Torah, Prophets, and Writings)
- G-d
- Hebrew Vocabulary
- Israel
- Culture & Symbols
- Jewish Lifecycle Events
- Jewish History
Hebrew Language
Our Hebrew curriculum begins with common vocabulary and some basic letter recognition in the early grades, which is integrated within Judaics sessions. For 3rd-6th grade, additional Hebrew language classes are offered so that students may learn to read and write biblical and liturgical Hebrew.
The first level of Hebrew classes focuses on alef-bet decoding, Jewish life vocabulary, and reading fluency, using Shalom U’vrachah as its core.
For students who are able to read and write multisyllabic words, NACHaS offers a liturgy-based Hebrew program with leveled sets of prayers, blessings, and songs that are used in Shabbat Services and at home. The main resource for this part of the Hebrew program is Hineni Express, plus Hebrew in Harmony and other supplements.
Students will be evaluated and placed into appropriate classrooms on the first day of school, as these leveled Hebrew classrooms may differ from the ones established for Judaics instruction.