The Tefila--prayer curriculum is one which demonstrates the challenges and opportunities which exist in a community day school. Beginning in Nursery, and continuing in JK and SK, students are introduced to blessings as a way of showing appreciation for different categories of food, drink and experiences. Children learn the blessings which are said for Shabbat and holiday rituals. They also learn to say the "Shema" -- "Hear O' Israel” which is the traditional first prayer that children learn.

Each week in Nursery, JK and SK there is a Shabbat celebration which contributes a unique Jewish rhythm to the week. If it's Friday, the children know they will soon be celebrating Shabbat!

Lower School students in grades one through four have a weekly prayer experience in Malkov Chapel with their teachers. Students begin to build up a repertoire of basic tefilot--prayers, which are said in all denominations of Judaism. Prayers such as Mah Tovu, Adon Olam, Shema Yisrael, the Amida, and Eyn Keloheynu, are introduced using melodies which children often begin to hum and sing spontaneously through the day. Children explore the meaning of the tefilot in ways that make sense developmentally.

Middle School students at each grade level, conduct their own tefila service each Friday morning. Students volunteer to lead different parts of the service, choosing the melodies that they want everyone to sing that week. Students also serve as the “gabbai,” announcing pages and managing the service. The prayer community shaped by the students is one in which everyone is invited to participate. The Friday service provides a special island of time within the school week. Teachers often begin the tefila service, by singing a niggun--melody without words, as a transitional bridge from the daily class routines, to help set a welcoming, spiritual atmosphere as the students filter into the Chapel.

We initially use a Conservative movement siddur--prayerbook in fifth grade as we learn the Shabbat service. In grades six, seven and eight our tefila program continues. One feature is an exploration of Reform, Conservative and Orthodox siddurim--prayer books. This is intended to enable students to recognize the similarities and the differences among the three major Jewish denominations. As students become Bar and Bat Mitzvah, they are very familiar with the Shabbat service and with the prayer books they will encounter in each synagogue they attend.

Click here to return to the Building Blocks
of Jewish Life and Learning