Har Sinai Congregation
Hebrew Program
The Hebrew language connects us to our history and heritage, our texts and worship and well as to the larger Jewish community. At Har Sinai Congregation we see Hebrew as a living language. For all Hebrew levels active learning opportunities like alef-bet yoga, games and projects accompany lessons.
While we have a set program for Hebrew instruction, accommodations can be made for students based on their individual needs.
Grade PK – 1
Students experience Hebrew as a spoken language. Key vocabulary words for everyday items are introduced as well as blessings, both spoken and sung, for food items and special occasions like motzi, candles and holiday blessings.
Grade 2
In second grade our students begin letter and vowel recognition in preparation for reading readiness. We use the text Shalom U’vracha Express, a pre-primer to help our students feel a sense of comfort with the alef-bet.
Grade 3 - 7
Level Alef – The Alef Hebrew curriculum focuses on receptive and productive language skills and reading readiness. Students will learn letter and vowel combinations and will also begin to develop a dictionary of vocabulary words. By the end of the year students are expected to be able to read words and phrases. They will also be able to read basic blessings including those for Shabbat, mitzvot and holidays. We use the texts Shalom U’vracha and Hineini – Hebrew Through Prayer Booklets.
Level Bet - Students completing the Bet level should be able to do the following for the opening prayers for the Shabbat service and prayers and blessings for home celebration: read, chant/sing, articulate the central theme, articulate key vocabulary, identify prefixes, suffixes, and roots of words. They should also develop an awareness of placement and role of the following prayers in the service. We use the texts Hineini – Hebrew Through Prayer 1 and Mishkan T’fillah.
Bar’chu Ma’ariv Aravim/Yotseir Or
Sh’ma V’ahav’ta
Mi Chamocha Basic B’rachot
B’rachot Shel Mitz’vah B’rachot Shel Shabbat
B’rachot Shel Yom Tov Kiddush
Level Gimel - Students completing the Gimel level should be able to do the following for the Shabbat morning Amidah and selected prayers for Shabbat evening: read, chant/sing, articulate the central theme, articulate key vocabulary, identify prefixes, suffixes, and roots of words. They should also have an awareness of placement and role of the following prayers in the service. We use the texts Hineini – Hebrew Through Prayer 2 and Mishkan T’fillah.
Avot v’Imahot G’vurot
K’dusha Hoda’ah
Shalom Rav Sim Shalom
Oseh Shalom L’cha Dodi
V’shamru Shalom Aleichem
Level Dalet - Students completing the Dalet level should be able to do the following for the Torah service and concluding prayers plus prayers for sleeping and waking: read, chant/sing, articulate the central theme, articulate key vocabulary, identify prefixes, suffixes, and roots of words They should also have an awareness of placement and role of the following prayers in the service. We use the texts Hineini – Hebrew Through Prayer 3 and Mishkan T’fillah. Torah cantillation (Torah chanting) will also be introduced at this level.
Ein Kamocha Av Harach’amim
Ki Mitziyon L’cha Adonai
Bir’chot HaTorah Bir’chot Haftarah
V’zot haTorah Eitz Chay’yim Hi
Al Sh’losha D’varim Aleinu
Kaddish Ein Keiloheinu
Hash’kiveinu Sh’ma
Modeh Ani
Level Hay – At this level students will have practical reinforcement of all prayers as they prepare to lead our congregation in worship as they become b’nai mitzvah. Students will work with Mishkan T’fillah, Hineini – Hebrew through Prayer booklets and Parashat HaShavuah (the weekly Torah portion) as they continue to develop the skills needed to be a shaliach tzibur (worship leader). Students will also be introduced to Hebrew as a language for communication through the Ulpan series, learning phrases that native speakers use every day.