Lubavitch Junior Boys School

Kodesh

The Kodesh Curriculum is designed to give our pupils the knowledge, skills and commitment to lead a life of תורה אם דרך ארץ, that is to say, ‘study and observance of written teachings (Torah) combined with contributing to society at large (Derech Eretz)’. We also aim to inspire our talmidim and imbibe them with the spirit of Chasidus according to the teachings of Lubavitch.

The Kodesh curriculum is continuously monitored and developed to ensure that progression takes place and that all children’s needs are met, with access for all. This takes place, not only with the class Rebbes (Jewish studies teachers) but with additional support staff, dedicated to supporting pupils in the development of their Jewish knowledge and skills.

Programme of Study

The Limmudei Kodesh curriculum, introduced in Reception and continuing to Year 6, includes:

  • Kriah (Hebrew reading)
  • Kesivah (Hebrew handwriting skills)
  • Sedra (weekly Torah portion) and Festivals
  • Biblical and Classical Hebrew vocabulary and grammar
  • Yediah Klollis (Jewish life and practice)
  • Chumash (Five Books of the Torah – Old Testament).
  • Study of the Chumash with a famous medieval Torah commentator by name of Rashi
  • Mishneh – Oral Law
  • Gemora (Talmud) – Expansion of Mishneh
  • Nach (Books of the Prophets)

  

Chumash

Talmidim at Lubavitch Boys' Primary School start learning Chumash in Year 1, after going through a vocabulary program to help prepare them for this. At the heart of Chumash learning is to connect with the Torah that was given at Har Sinai, to their ancestors, over 3000 years ago, in an unbroken train of tradition, going from father to son and Rebbe to talmid. We want that Chumash should be inspiring and full of moral and ethical instruction for our young students. We also want to prepare the children for future independent learning, by gaining textual and grammatical skills, each class according to its maturity.

 

Mishnayos

In Year 3, talmidim start their study of תורה שבעל פה with the learning of Mishnayos. Here we start handing over the traditions (mesorah) of the foundations of Jewish life. It is through Mishnayos that we expose the talmidim to a new way of thinking and understanding of their religion. The concept of halocho and law is instilled into their hearts and at the same time to understand how debate and critical thinking has its place. Understanding, that whilst the Law was given over to Moses with full clarity, over the centuries and millennia, clarity over the law had become forgotten and were the subject of honest discussion and debate amongst the great Tannaim of the late-Temple and post-Temple era. Our aim, is to train the young minds of our students to the ideas of each opinion and to apply those conclusions to their own Jewish lives.

 

Gemara

Students begin learning Talmud Bavli in Year 5, with the traditional perek of אלו מציאות. We understand how the language and syntax is extremely complicated and therefore our goal in Year 5 is primarily to decode a 'piece of gemara'. We work on the understanding that learning gemoro is not something that will finish when they leave school, but is something they will learn and delve into throughout their entire lives, being that gemoro is the foundation for Jewish religious life, and therefore our job is to provide them the fundamental textual skills to enable that deeper learning to take place as they progress in their education into secondary school and beyond. At the same time, we pique their curiosity by touching upon the idea that the main concepts of gemara are hidden beneath the surface, textual level. 

 

Kriya

Kiryah is the backbone to the study of any Jewish text. Without a sound kriyah education, we know, talmidim will not be able to access the well spring of Torah. In Lubavitch, children come into Reception knowing the basic letters and start using the Kriyah Ne'imah book to start learning the nekudos (vowels). By the end of Reception, children should be able to read small words slowly. In Year 1 they progress to the Amira Ne'imah book 1, practicing kriyah every day. By the end of Year 4, children are expected to be fluent, but we carry on with kiryah practice all the way to Year 6, using various programs to incentivise kiryah. Each term, children are assessed on their fluency, which informs our future planning.

Yediyah Klalis

Currently, Yediyah Klalis is formally taught via the Chidon program for Years 5-6. The Chidon is a very exciting program, linked with Tzivos Hashem where children learn from a beautiful sefer and take a number of quizes. Students who perform well, can win exciting prizes and end of year trips. Yediyah Klalis is also informally taught throughout the year for all age groups at opportune times and we are looking at developing this curriculum.

Halocho

Halocho is fundamental to leading an orthodox, Jewish life, As such, halocho is taught at every opportunity. There is also a formalised halocho being developed, from Year 3, where students will be taught about various relevant and practical halochos associated with tefillah and brochos. IYH we will be developing this to include hilchos Shabbos.

 

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