Hebrew & Judaics

Hebrew

The Hebrew language is one vital aspect of the Jewish people that creates a connectivity with Jews both outside and inside of Israel, and both in the present and past. Learning to read, write, and speak Hebrew with fluency is the goal of our program, as well as helping children to cultivate a fondness for the Hebrew language. Utilizing a wide variety of learning materials and in multiple modalities including multimedia tools, our Hebrew teachers assess each student’s levels of skill continually throughout the year and individualize the curriculum for each of them.

Our students join the school at various grade levels and with a range of Hebrew proficiency, and we are skilled at moving them forward in their learning regardless of starting point.

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Hebrew

Judaics

As a pluralistic community day school, we support and reinforce each family’s Jewish practice and connection to Judaism while offering students a comprehensive foundation in Jewish text, tradition, history, and practice. At MWJDS, students:

  • Relate to Judaism’s unique history, learning how it informs who we are as modern Jews, the significant roles Jewish people have played in world history, and how world history has influenced the Jewish community.
  • Understand pluralistic Judaism and respecting the many ways of being Jewish
  • Utilize the lens of Jewish values to develop themselves into better world citizens
  • Discover Israel and its role as the Jewish homeland
  • Review themes, stories, and practices of the Jewish holidays
  • Explore mitzvot and tzedakah, highlighting bein adam lamakom (obligations to God), bein adam l’chavero (obligations to others), and bein adam l’atzmo (obligations to self).
  • Learn about Torah, tefillah (prayer), and tanakh (bible)
  • Study how to chant Torah, including tunes and symbols of the Torah trope (cantillation signs)

Each morning we come together as a school community for tefillah. Students from all grades lead prayers and demonstrate their developing skills.

“The transdenominational nature of the school is a special aspect of the MWJDS community. The school’s emphasis on lived Judaism extends to include the entire family. This community-oriented approach is non-didactic and not tied to any specific movement within Judaism, making it a welcoming environment for all.” – MWJDS parent

MWJDS builds upon the Massachusetts Frameworks Curriculum for our secular academic foundation. As a pluralistic Jewish community, MWJDS ensures students are connected to Jewish traditions while respecting the diverse beliefs of individual families.