Welcome to Seventh Grade at Or Chadash Religious School!

Teacher – Rabbi Joe Forman

jmf2010One of the essential challenges young teens confront as they learn about Judaism is discerning how their Jewish identity fits into the other identities they are forming. In the 7th Grade classroom we explore a variety of Jewish ideas – from the varieties of ideas about God to sacred Jewish texts including Talmud and Midrash to modern poetry and contemporary concerns of the Jewish people.   We will explore the meaning of holidays – both historically and in our contemporary lives; and the variety of Jewish expressions of religious living. The goal is to lead students to a deeper, enduring understanding of Judaism, establishing for them a basis for lifelong Jewish learning and living. Our lessons prepare each student for the 8th/9th/10th grade curriculum in which they respond to the concept that Judaism speaks with many voices. Our 7th graders are given the tools with which to begin to articulate and express their own Jewish voices.  We will be exploring all of these ideas in English and also use traditional Hebrew sources.

Additionally, each week, a student will select a Jewish organization that they have researched and present a brief lesson on it – using slides, the Internet or any means they desire – and make a donation which I will match (up to $18.00)


Books and Materials

Tanakh: The Jewish Bible
Selections from various sources
Mishkan T’filah: A Reform Siddur for Shabbat

7th grade_photo