Kulanu Learning Lab
Engaging children in joyful Jewish learning
Kulanu Learning Lab is...
— An inclusive community where all are welcome
— For children 3 years old through 7th grade
— Where curiosity and critical thinking are nurtured through the exploration of Hebrew, culture, text, and values
— Focused on family experiences and involvement*
— Experiential learning that allows children to more meaningfully connect with lessons
— Small classes with special attention paid to each student's background and learning differences
*To extend the Kulanu philosophy outside of the classroom, family involvement in programs and attendance at Shabbat and holiday services and meals is essential to foster individual identity development as well as communal connections.
— For children 3 years old through 7th grade
— Where curiosity and critical thinking are nurtured through the exploration of Hebrew, culture, text, and values
— Focused on family experiences and involvement*
— Experiential learning that allows children to more meaningfully connect with lessons
— Small classes with special attention paid to each student's background and learning differences
*To extend the Kulanu philosophy outside of the classroom, family involvement in programs and attendance at Shabbat and holiday services and meals is essential to foster individual identity development as well as communal connections.
Core Components
Hebrew → Basic knowledge of modern Hebrew language in order to comfortably participate in Shabbat, holidays, and their b’nei mitzvah.
Torah → Engagement with Jewish texts, central stories in the Torah, and Parashat HaShavua (the weekly Torah portion), along with the ability to apply lessons from each to their everyday lives.
Shabbat and Holidays → An understanding of Jewish laws and practices, holidays, customs, traditions, and life cycle events so students can envision life events with a Jewish lens.
T'filah (Prayer) → Familiarity in daily, Shabbat, and holiday prayers and their melodies so as to create ownership of each.
Jewish Values → An appreciation of Jewish ethics and values and their applications to daily life.
Eidot (Divisions)
K’tanim (Little Ones) קְטַנִּים
Ages 3-4
♦ Sundays, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sing, dance, create and learn Jewish traditions and culture in a fun way with friends.
Holidays and Shabbat will be highlighted along with observances, customs, and songs. Hebrew, storytelling, movement, dancing, cooking, and arts & crafts are just some of the ways we will get the children going on this great intro to our Kulanu Learning Lab. This is a drop-off program.
Zeraim (Seeds) זְרָעִים
Grades K-1
♦ Sundays, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
We begin at Genesis, where it all started and where we discover who we are. Experience fun and creative activities about holidays, traditions, Hebrew, and prayer, bringing Judaism to life through music, dance, cooking, crafts, and more.
Students will focus on...
► Hebrew through song, story, prayer, and everyday vocabulary. At this age, lessons focus on language acquisition and familiarity rather than reading and writing.
► Torah via central stories from creation to the flood and beyond.
► Shabbat and holidays, learning basic customs and practices for each.
► T'filah (prayers) through an introduction to basic prayers and holiday melodies with Cantor Postman.
► Jewish values including tzedakah (charity), derech eretz (respect), and hakarat hatov (gratitude).
► Hebrew through song, story, prayer, and everyday vocabulary. At this age, lessons focus on language acquisition and familiarity rather than reading and writing.
► Torah via central stories from creation to the flood and beyond.
► Shabbat and holidays, learning basic customs and practices for each.
► T'filah (prayers) through an introduction to basic prayers and holiday melodies with Cantor Postman.
► Jewish values including tzedakah (charity), derech eretz (respect), and hakarat hatov (gratitude).
Sample schedule:
Nitzanim (Sprouts) נִיצָּנִים
Grades 2-4
♦ Sundays, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
♦ 3rd grade & up - Personalized Hebrew tutoring (individually set)
♦ 3rd grade & up - Personalized Hebrew tutoring (individually set)
We were once an enslaved people in Egypt, and now we are free. Discover what happened next, what happened along the way, and how we got to where we are.
Students will focus on…
► Hebrew via decoding and blending sounds in order to read more fluidly and continue to learn through song, prayer, stories, and everyday vocabulary. One-on-one tutoring allows each student to advance at their own pace.
► Torah by diving into the weekly Torah portion (Parashat HaShavua) and revisiting stories studied previously, connecting each to life lessons.
► Shabbat and holidays, exploring holiday stories and finding personal meaning in each.
► T'filah through an expansion of daily and Shabbat prayers, holiday songs, and music with Cantor Postman.
► Jewish values, incorporating values learned through Torah study.
► Hebrew via decoding and blending sounds in order to read more fluidly and continue to learn through song, prayer, stories, and everyday vocabulary. One-on-one tutoring allows each student to advance at their own pace.
► Torah by diving into the weekly Torah portion (Parashat HaShavua) and revisiting stories studied previously, connecting each to life lessons.
► Shabbat and holidays, exploring holiday stories and finding personal meaning in each.
► T'filah through an expansion of daily and Shabbat prayers, holiday songs, and music with Cantor Postman.
► Jewish values, incorporating values learned through Torah study.
Bogrim (Adolescents) בּוֹגרים
Grades 5-7
♦ Sundays, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
♦ Personalized tutoring (individually set)
♦ Personalized tutoring (individually set)
Explore how Jewish history and tradition connects with who you are as an individual, what you do, and your impact on the world.
Students will focus on…
► Hebrew via improving on decoding, blending sounds, and reading fluidly. One-on-one tutoring allows each student to advance at their own pace. Students also continue to learn language through song, story, prayer, and everyday vocabulary.
► Torah by studying Tanakh stories and exploring other Jewish sources, asking questions to understand the lessons learned from these teachings.
► Shabbat and holidays, with special emphasis on brachot (blessings) along with rituals of holidays and life cycle events. B’nei mitzvah preparation is a major focus of discussion.
► T'filah through active participation in Community T'filah on Shabbat mornings and engaging in additional t’filot with and learning melodies from Cantor Postman.
► Jewish values and how to incorporate them into daily life.
► Hebrew via improving on decoding, blending sounds, and reading fluidly. One-on-one tutoring allows each student to advance at their own pace. Students also continue to learn language through song, story, prayer, and everyday vocabulary.
► Torah by studying Tanakh stories and exploring other Jewish sources, asking questions to understand the lessons learned from these teachings.
► Shabbat and holidays, with special emphasis on brachot (blessings) along with rituals of holidays and life cycle events. B’nei mitzvah preparation is a major focus of discussion.
► T'filah through active participation in Community T'filah on Shabbat mornings and engaging in additional t’filot with and learning melodies from Cantor Postman.
► Jewish values and how to incorporate them into daily life.
Thu, October 3 2024 1 Tishrei 5785