/ Academics/ Grades 1-8 / Judaic Studies
We strive to teach students the foundational Jewish and Hebrew language knowledge and skills they need to be shomrei mitzvot, as well as nurture a life-long love for Judaism as a way of life.
We are dedicated to the goal that each student who graduates Hillel Torah is fluent in Hebrew and Jewish knowledge, proficient in original Jewish source texts and reaches a level of comprehension that allows them to become independent Bnei and Bnot Torah passionate about their Jewish heritage and values.
We incorporate a spiral curriculum which builds upon a solid foundation of Hebrew language skills. We use an Ivrit B’Ivrit Immersion approach teaching Hebrew as the language of our heritage in both text and conversation. We appeal to all the senses and learning styles using music, gaming, art, visual and audio tools, technology, collaborative group projects, and problem solving models to cultivate and acquire Ivrit. We are always at the forefront of new innovative curricula and have successfully piloted and implemented several progressive Ivrit language arts programs—The Tal Am program for our primary grades (1-5), and B’shshvil Ha’Ivrit program for our middle school grades (6-8).
The Tal Am program is an innovative Ivrit language arts program in the primary grades, which allows for individualized, tailored, and paced learning experiences. Our students and educators benefit greatly from the, real-time student progress data the program collects to tailor our instruction.
In the Middle School we have worked with the creators of the Bishvil Ha’Ivrit (formerly Neta) to incorporate the emerging digital platform of the program which provides ample opportunities for differentiation, remediating, reviewing, enriching, and expanding Ivrit learning opportunities for our students.
We present a rich curriculum in Limudei Kodesh that encompasses all areas of Judaic knowledge, text, and values building a solid foundation of Hebrew language skills. Our curriculum is text based: in all our Judaic studies subject classes – Tefila, Torah, Parshanut, Nevi’im, Ketuvim, Halacha, Mishna, Talmud, Jewish Thought and Jewish History students use original texts and commentary to embrace Torah Sh’B’Chtav (Written Torah) and Torah Sh’B’al Peh (Oral Torah).
In our Mishna and Talmud studies we have piloted and implemented the emerging Bonayich curriculum. It is based on the deep understanding and mastery of the Revadim system- manipulating the Talmudic text through discovery of historic layers of various periods in the development of the Talmud, and learning how those layers are woven together to create a tapestry of Torah Sh’B’al Peh.
We emphasize character education and middot development to all our students, encouraging children to think about the moral value and greater impact of their actions. Through our Emunah Shir Chesed Initiative we create a hands-on experiential environment where children learn about Jewish values and customs through demonstration, study, discussion and practice. We provide opportunities for community service, social activism and involvement. We run various tzedaka campaigns, and projects to support and connect with our Jewish community here and in Israel. Throughout all our classrooms, we foster an atmosphere of respect, compassion, sharing and caring for one another in the true spirit of V’Ahavta L’Re’acha Kamocha (You Shall Love Your Neighbor As Yourself).
Hillel Torah is piloting the new iBonayich Talmud initiative in our Middle school. The Society for the Advancement of Torah Sheb’al Peh, in cooperation with Bonayich Educational Services, iTALAM and Compedia, is collaborating with HT and other pilot schools on the creation of a Jewish Learning Web – a digital learning platform for Talmud and Halacha. Each topic area will present both knowledge and an accurate scope and sequence of skills in a manner which will fascinate and captivate young minds, encouraging questioning, independent thought and research. Yet more, students entering this awe-inspiring world of digital Jewish learning should feel connected to Jewish students around the world, and to the Land and State of Israel at the heart of the modern Jewish experience. In this way, study and identity-development will become inextricably interdependent: learning, knowing and belonging will become synonymous.