8th Grade: Jewish History and Ethics
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: | By examining Jewish history and law, the students grapple with the questions of Who am I? What do I believe? How does my Jewish heritage influence decision making in my life? |
| Holidays and Celebrations: | Students review and discuss all major holidays and their significance to Jewish ethics and history. They participate in school-wide celebrations of the High Holidays, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover. |
| Bible Stories: | Students explore Jewish ethics using Biblical stories and other Jewish texts for insight. |
| Jewish Values and Ethics: | Various texts, including the Talmud, are used to enhance student understanding of issues regarding the Jewish life cycle and the modern Jewish family. |
| History and Israel: | Students engage in the study of Jewish history integrated with their knowledge of world history. |
| Prayers, Blessings: | Students learn prayers to help conduct the school wide Passover Seder. They evaluate the historical significance of some prayers. The students plan and conduct a classroom Tu B'Shevat Seder. |
| Music/Dance/Arts & Crafts: | Music is taught weekly and dance monthly. |
| Textbook: | The Story of the Jews by Stan Mack(an award winning graphic history). Mah La Asot (case studies in Jewish Law). |