SULAM

Our philosophy is that every student is created B’tzelem Elohim – in the image of God and is unique and special. We understand that families are balancing competing priorities and we want to help you get to an easy “yes!” While, of course we hope that students will be at every session, we understand that, sometimes, life (and sports and dance and theater and even birthdays intervene).Yes, you can enjoy your activities and still be Jewish. Yes, we will help you make it work in your family’s life. This is part of why SULAM meets one day a week, usually on Sundays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Our teachers are experienced and our classes are small, creating a cozy, warm, and nurturing community for students to learn and grow. 

The program includes Hebrew learning, Judaic learning through Project-Based Learning, experiential education, and other modes of student-centered education, as well as a music or T’filah (prayer) component. On several occasions during the year, SULAM is replaced with a whole-school program focused on a specific theme, such as a Jewish holiday, Shabbat or Mitzvah Day, a day of service helping those in the community. Recent projects include making soup packets to feed the hungry in Ukraine.

Gesher, which means bridge in Hebrew, is our 6th and 7th grade educational program, and it meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Click below under the “Our School” section for detailed information about our curriculum.

VISION

The TCS SULAM program strives to provide dynamic, creative, and engaging offerings which inspire and empower learners of various ages, abilities and learning styles, to expand their minds and develop close relationships to our traditions, Jewish wisdom, the community, and Israel.

We take pride in our innovative approach to Jewish education, which features Project-Based Learning, experiential education, and school-wide programs, as well as opportunities for families to learn together.  

Judaic Studies Curriculum

Our Judaic Studies Curriculum covers major content areas of holidays, Torah, history, Tikkun Olam (social justice), and Israel. Students engage with materials and concepts at a developmentally appropriate level, with a focus on hands-on and relevant experiences. 

Grades K/1 – Discovery

Using engaging story-telling methods, children explore the rhythm of the Jewish year and have the unique opportunity to delve into our tradition, placing themselves in the action and making a personal connection to the characters and events that are at the foundation of Judaism. Shabbat and holidays, mitzvot (commandments), and customs are also explored through stories, art, and music.

Grade 2 – Introduction to Israel, the place and its people and the Jewish holidays.

Our 2nd graders “visit” Israel through stories and projects, including art, music, and cooking, getting to know the place and its people. This year, our students are going to explore the holidays and Jewish life through the eyes of the “Sammy the Spider” book series, creating their own Sammy the Spider book in the process.

Grades 3 – Introduction to Hebrew Reading and Torah

Using a mnemonic system designed to help students connect Hebrew letters and vowels to sounds through stories, students learn to decode Hebrew words. In addition to their focus on Hebrew reading mastery, students also interact with Torah stories, explore the traditions of Jewish holidays, celebrating them as a class community.

Grades 4/5 Sundays – Project-Based Learning

Through Project-Based Learning (PBL), our students engage with a variety of materials and resources as they investigate big questions. A PBL project is called “An Expedition.” Expeditions strive to connect our students to our rich tradition, grounding them in sacred texts and helping them to consider modern-day implications. Each expedition is designed around a guiding question and has clear learning targets. It builds on the passion of our students and teachers, as well as providing an opportunity to bring in experts from the field and/or allowing for outside field work.

As we strive toward excellence, our students learn how to give and receive feedback and incorporate this feedback into their final product. Students share their work publicly, becoming “experts” as they teach others.

Finally, the Project Based Learning model allows for reflection. The American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer John Dewey contends that “we do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience.” We take this to heart and incorporate reflection into everything we do.

The following topics are studied through PBL on a rotating schedule: Torah, Israel, Jewish Ethics, Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), Jewish History and Jewish Time.

Tefillah (Prayer) / Shirah (Music)

Students gather for a dynamic morning (shacharit) prayer experience or a festive Shirah (music) session with David Rothberg, our Cantorial Soloist. Each of these offers opportunities to practice Hebrew prayers, as well as delve deeper into personal and meaningful prayer and familiarity with Jewish music.

Tzedakah

Generosity is one of the hallmarks of Jewish life. Tzedakah, G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness), and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) are core Jewish values. Though often described as charity, tzedakah literally means “righteousness” or “justice.” Periodically, we invite students to choose organizations that will benefit from the collections. We hope that you will help us to benefit a variety of worthy causes by sending Tzedakah in with your child. Even a few coins add up and go a long way! Thank you in advance.