Machar offers its in-class educational programs for children in collaboration with two partner communities. Grades K through 6 use the ShalomLearning curriculum as the basis for the topics and materials taught in each classroom, with our teachers adapting the curriculum for use in a Humanistic Jewish-compatible school setting. Below are brief descriptions of each class level’s learning goals. For our Grade 7/B Mitzvah learning program, visit our B Mitzvah page.
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In this grade, students explore Jewish values and holidays through the senses. By utilizing a myriad of teaching methods such as stories, singing, dancing, arts, play and movement, young children experience the sights, sounds, tastes and feels that connect us to Jewish tradition and learning.
During the course of the year, the children will explore the following values and holidays:
Values: Hakarat Hatov (recognizing the good), Hachnasat Orchim (welcoming guests), Todah (thanks), Tzedakah (giving to help others), Ba’al tashchit (do not be wasteful or destroy), Ometz Lev (courage of the heart) and Shalom Bayit (peace in the home).
Holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, Sukkot, Shabbat, Chanukah, Pesach, Purim, Tu B’Shvat, Yom Ha’atzmaut and Shavuot
We are using the lens of family to frame this grade’s values. We focus on how children define themselves in their families by using speech to listen and to help. The attitude of gratitude grounds them in the support of family and their words and actions help to make a peaceful home. Understanding inner strength and standing up for others and themselves addresses their growing sense of justice and fairness. Their perception of cause and effect helps them recognize that making a mistake is natural and that Judaism provides tools for responding to those mistakes. How these children show their newly attained self-awareness ultimately affects themselves, their families, peers, and communities.
In addition to deepening their understanding of Jewish holidays, the students will explore the values of Teshuvah (correcting our mistakes), Gevurah (strength), Achrayut (roles and responsibilities we have in our lives), Hakarat Hatov (showing gratitude) , Koach Hadibbur (the power of speech) and Shalom (peace).
We are using the peer lens to frame this grade’s values, and we are focusing on the strength of character required to be forgiving and to ask forgiveness of their peers. How these fourth graders learn to relate to each other now can have far-reaching effects on their future group behavior-in class, on teams, and in work groups.
In Grades 5 and 6, we focus on the theme of Community and our responsibilities to one another in our various communities. We examine the values of repentance, self-reflection, inner and outer strength, responsibility for ourselves and our role in the world, recognizing the good in our lives, recognizing and being careful about the power of speech to affect others’ lives, and peace. We put those values into the setting of community to encourage our students to think critically about their responsibilities in caring for the environment and stewardship of the Earth, including disabled persons, appreciating freedom and what nature provides us with, and resolving conflicts at home and in our communities.