The curriculum of the Or Ami Religious School is designed to develop in our children a sense of pride and joy in the Jewish faith. It is a dynamic curriculum that concentrates on providing a Jewish education in a framework of caring and tolerance of diversity. The curriculum endeavors to remain within the framework of Tikkun Olam (the concept of one’s contributions to making this a better world of all) and in keeping with the philosophy of Reform Judaism. The following are goals of this curriculum:
To develop a sense of personal Jewish identity by helping each student find relevance in our faith to his or her self concept and daily life. This is done through the processes of learning, thinking, and choosing to arrive at a personal philosophy of Judaism with the Reform movement in general and Or Ami spirit in particular.
To help each student develop this personal philosophy by a thorough exposure to Jewish history, culture, traditions, literature, rituals, etc. To help the student mesh this personal identity with other personal beliefs and attitudes, such as political, economic, or cultural. This should be done with an emphasis on caring, respect, and tolerance of diversity.
To develop an understanding of Judaism’s place in interpersonal relationships, family, community, and world citizenry.
To develop the motivation and skills to commit to a life-long study of Judaism in order to keep it continuously relevant.
To acquire the special knowledge and skills involved in Jewish rituals and life events, with special understanding of the philosophy of Reform Judaism in general and Or Ami philosophy in particular.
To explore the positive aspects of spirituality, religious attitudes, and the place these play both in normal, day-to-day life and exceptional events, whether happy or sad.
To sensitize the children to their special relationship with the land of Israel.
To foster connection to the larger Jewish community by encouraging participation in youth groups and in continuing religious education.
These are taught through the major areas of Jewish thought and information. These major areas include:
Bible
History
Jewish values and traditions
Hebrew
Music
Assemblies and holiday activities supplement the curriculum in order for our children to experience the “Or Ami community”. We also encourage our children to become involved in community activities that support gemilut hasadim (deeds of loving kindness), through tzedakah, tzedakah projects, and volunteerism. More detailed information about the Or Ami curriculum can be obtained from the following pages, as well as from the classroom teachers, the Director of Education, or members of the Education Committee.
Contact the school office for details – call the school at 272-0017 or email :
