7th Grade: Jewish History and Holocaust
In years when 7th and 8th grades are combined in a single classroom, the curricula alternate the 8th grade curriculum in a 2-year cycle, so all students are exposed to all of the material. 8th graders prepare a speech to present at their graduation.
| Main Focus: | Students are presented with a brief Jewish history from Abraham to Hitler. The emphasis is on the events of European history that made the Holocaust possible. |
| Holidays and Celebrations: | There are discussions of Hebrew holidays within an historical framework (for example, Hanukkah as resistance to Hellenism). Students also participate in school-wide celebrations of Hanukkah, Sukkoth, Tu B'Shevat, Purim and Passover. |
| Bible Stories: | Students are introduced to the idea of the Hebrew Bible as a source of historical evidence. |
| Jewish Values and Ethics: | Students examine the evolution of Jewish ethics and customs through time and space. |
| History and Israel: | Students grapple with the meaning of being Jewish in light of Hebrew history. Cultural Judaism is discussed. |
| Prayers, Blessings: | Students learn blessings necessary to plan and conduct a classroom Tu B’Shevat Seder and a school wide Passover Seder. |
| Music/Dance/Arts & Crafts: | Music is taught weekly and dance monthly. |
| Textbook: | Maus I Maus II Teacher developed historical outlines based on Abba Eban’s History of My People. Torah Aura instant lessons on Talmud; Bet Din; Mishna; Rise of Hitler. |