Gezah
Gezah (Trunk)
Grades 2 & 3
What do we hope our children and their families will gain from the Religious School experience? How will it influence our community, both now and in the future? Our Eitz Chaim Sunday Program will offer our Gezah (Tree Trunk) students in grades 2 and 3 the information and skills to realize Reform Jewish ideals and values in their daily lives. Our curriculum will enable our students’ entree into the continuing study of Jewish texts, history, holidays, life cycle, culture, and values. Engaging our children and families through virtual experiential learning is a fundamental tenet of our Eitz Chaim philosophy. Our learners will be involved in a curriculum emphasizing GOD, TORAH, G’MILUT HASADIM, ISRAEL, and HEBREW and empowering them to embrace Judaism lovingly.
The school year will be divided into trimesters of eight weeks, and each trimester will be framed by a big topic of God & Spirituality, Torah, or Am Yisrael. Children will be grouped in classes with a team of Jewish Learning Guides (teachers) and Madrichim (teen aides). Students and Parents will also participate in family education programs, Shabbat Rishon Services, and other special occasions during the year.
We are committed to Jewish learning that is relevant, inspirational, and transformative. Our school aims to provide our students and their families with the tools to meaningfully participate in the Jewish community, with pride in their Jewish heritage, and with the awareness that their actions will shape the future of the Jewish people.
Successful Jewish learning environments are built upon a culture of excellence where teachers share their expertise and wisdom and students take responsibility for their learning and success. We expect our staff to provide the sense of caring and concern that enables our students to support one another and challenge themselves to grow as individuals. We model the thoughtfulness and mutual respect we seek to promote in our students.
Gezah Sunday Class Sessions
Grades 2 & 3 - 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Hebrew Through Movement
Shalom and welcome to עִבְרִית בִּתְנוּעָה, or “Hebrew through Movement,” a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands. Hebrew through Movement is an adaptation of James J. Asher’s Total Physical Response (TPR). Hebrew Through Movement is being used in Jewish congregations, day schools, camps, early childhood programs and other settings. HTM does not teach communicative Hebrew, but students can easily move on to other Hebrew forms (as early childhood and day school colleagues will attest). And camps just have a lot of fun!
Hebrew Through Movement introduces Hebrew in a playful and meaningful way, creating a positive first link between children and Hebrew. Hebrew Through Movement (HTM) is supported by the latest brain research on learning, providing an aural foundation for Hebrew that opens the door to more facile Hebrew decoding and reading.
We hope you will enjoy using this program and will be pleased with how happily and productively your children learn.