JUDAIC STUDIES

A complete Torah education in elementary and middle school means talmidim graduate with competent textual skills and appropriate breadth of knowledge preparing them for a life-long learning journey.

Judaics/Limudei Kodesh include Tanakh, Moadim (holidays), and Halachah. Each year it builds age-appropriately on the previous year.

For starters, Kindergarten Tanakh curriculum includes learning parshas hashavua highlighting the basic stories, mitzvos, and midos learned from our avot, imahot, and ancestors, and that God loves us. The children also learn kriah and ksiva starting with identifying each letter and learning what sound it makes. In Moadim children begin to understand the calendar with months, weeks, and days and the significance to special dates and holidays. They become familiar with and get excited about each chag, its mitzvos, theme, and lessons. In Halacha they are introduced to daily Jewish living "rules", expectations, importance, and perspectives including treating others with respect, tefillah,and brachos. As they advance they learn more and more about kashrus, shabbos, tefillin,

Reading, comprehension, writing Hebrew script, and building a Hebrew and biblical lexicon are taught in grade 1. In grade 2 students receive their first chumash and begin studying the text inside. By the end of eighth grade, students are comfortable learning chumash from Mikros Gedolos with its full commentaries. Navi is added in fourth grade.

Boys start learning mishnah in fifth grade and Gemara in sixth. By eighth grade, they are able to identify key language and structure of the Gemara and understand how Rashi, Tosfos, and other commentaries clarify and deepen the discussion. By the end of eighth grade, students are comfortable learning chumash from Mikros Gedolos with its full commentaries.

HEBREW LANGUAGE - עברית

The TAL-AM Curriculum, which is implemented in grades kindergarten through fifth, is based on the ideal that the best learning environment for children is one in which knowledge is acquired through a variety of activities, using each of the five senses. In addition to studying from textbooks, students use music, games and visual aids to learn the Hebrew language and to develop a keen understanding of Jewish concepts and values.

For middle school students in grades 6th through 8th, we use the multi-dimensional, comprehensive, and cutting edge NETA curriculum, which was launched by the Avi Chai Foundation. Its focus is on the four major language-acquisition skills – listening, speaking, reading, and writing - by immersing students in everything from classical Hebrew texts, Israeli music, historical documents, poetry, drama, and more. It literally brings Hebrew alive for our students creating a community of Hebrew speakers.

TDSA students are grateful to welcome and benefit from the Schoenbaum Shinshinim, 18-year-old high-school graduates from all over Israel who spend a year in Atlanta before joining the IDF. They help bring Israel to life by infusing Israeli culture in the school, especially through the annual Yom HaAtzmaut celebration. The Shinshinim help students connect to Medinat Yisrael throughout the year and offer enrichment in Ivrit for some students.