ATJC
Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center
JEWISH HERITAGE JOURNEY TO SPAIN & PORTUGAL OCT. 27 -NOV. 7, 2024
iLearn Judaics
Sundays 9 AM - 11:30 AM
Our curriculum is based on our mission:
To develop proud, knowledgeable, practicing Jews who strive to live what they are learning, build meaningful relationships with others, and who make informed decisions based on Jewish values. We offer a spiraling curriculum, allowing several topics to “spiral” through the grades, growing in complexity as students mature.
Bama- Performing Arts
Through dance, movement and text study, students make connections with the stories of the Jewish people. Younger students discover their heritage with the use of props and imagination. They are exposed to the Hebrew language and alphabet through Alef Bet yoga and meditation.. Our older students explore Jewish traditions through character study and partnered scene work. Through various theatrical techniques all students learn to express themselves with confidence in front of their audience of peers. Students perform as an ensemble which helps build a community of creative and supportive peers that are engaged in exciting Jewish learning.
Bishulim- Culinary Art
Students learn about Judaism through their senses and exposure to Jewish cuisine. Food not only nourishes the body, but also feeds the Jewish soul. Through the art of Jewish cooking students learn specific blessings of food surrounding the holidays and Jewish heritage. They connect personally to their own Jewish culture in a way that is exciting, interactive and tasty!.
Ahavat Yisrael- Love of Israel
Students are introduced to the richness and diversity that make up the modern State of Israel. They explore the different groups of people (Jewish and non-Jewish) that live in Israel and learn about the geography, culture, history and innovation of the young state. This course aims to instill each student with an appreciation for Israel and understand its significance to not only the Jewish people, but to many nations around the world.
MEETzvah Project
Students learn the Jewish obligation to sanctify our everyday lives, to treat others with kindness and respect, and to help repair the world whenever and wherever possible. Students study mitzvot related to ritual observance and caring for the environment and others. This course aims to instill in each child an awareness of individual responsibility and to appreciate what is good and strive for what is right. Students are given opportunities to commit acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world) through various hands-on activities. Students are taught the ability to make informed decisions about their own Jewish practice and relate those choices to the commandments set forth by Jewish traditions and Torah.
Tefillah- Prayer Studies
Students discover their relationship with God, the purpose of prayer, and how tefillah connects a person to their spiritual identity. Younger students are introduced to Shabbat blessings as well as blessings related to various holidays throughout the year. As our students grow, they begin to learn about specific prayers that are part of weekly morning services as well as Shabbat services. Throughout their years in religious school, students become familiar chanting and reading prayers as they are encouraged to participate in services at the synagogue. Students who approach 5th grade begin to deepen their knowledge about the meaning and origins of different parts of our liturgy and also learn key components of leading prayers. They begin to learn how to chant the blessings before and after the Torah reading, and how to lead the Shabbat morning Kiddush. They begin to observe the basic structure of Friday night and Shabbat morning services and familiarize themselves with what they will be expected to lead at their bar/bat mitzvah.
Talmud Torah- Bible Studies
Students are introduces to the Torah as the source of history, tradition and guidance for Jewish life. Younger students become familiar with the stories and significant figures by readind and discussing the weekly torah portions. Each year, students study different texts in depth and are able to retell the stories as well as relate to morals of each story. Students study in peer groups, called chavruta groups, where they participate in conversation and commentaries. Students express their own opinions as they relate to the stories and explore ethical dilemmas. Students are invited to develop critical thinking skills in text analysis and to empathize with the characters’ struggles. As students engage in discussion and debate about some of the key human themes that emerge in Torah (family, responsibility, justice, leadership and more) they are connected to generations of Jews who have wrestled with these same texts throughout history.
