At OZ, our rich and dynamic Jewish education program features engaging curriculum around culture, traditions and history. Our students come from a wide spectrum of Jewish backgrounds and practice, and we strive to meet the needs and wants of each and every one of them, even creating tailor made independent study projects for those that can’t attend classes regularly. Our families choose to enroll their children for many different reasons and each of our students graduates with a kitbag of tools they have accumulated over their years of learning to use as they step out into the wider world.
This is not your parents’ Hebrew School. This is Jewish Journeys.
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View Jewish Journeys Printable Calendar
Each Sunday, 9:15-11:45 AM, our students meet with their age cohort for 75 minutes and then we all come together for Junior Congregation, a learning and singing opportunity focused on Saturday morning prayers, followed by more music with Cantor Silverberg, snack and supervised play for our youngers while our older students attend SUPER Electives
(Grades K-2)
(K) Wanderers • (1) Scouts • (2) Seekers
In our younger grades, children are introduced to the Hebrew language through games, art and music. The meaning of Holidays, Torah stories, ethics and prayer round out our curriculum with an emphasis on creating connection. Our teachers recognize that children learn in many different ways, and they work to bring the Jewish traditions alive through the senses. One week, students might connect with the Aleph Bet through yoga. Another week, students are making art, learning songs or taking a walk in our backwoods.
(Grades 3-7)
(3) Pathfinders • (4) Trekkers • (5) Voyagers • (6) Explorers • (7) Navigators
Our older students explore the purpose of prayer, Torah, ethics, holidays, Tikkun Olam, history and life cycle events. In addition, there is a special Holocaust unit during the 5th grade. All older students participate in SUPER Electives which are experiential, multi-faceted, and project-based learning opportunities examining all things Jewish through a variety of different lenses. Recent SUPER Electives include ‘Spies and Disguise’, ‘Around the Jewish Year World Tour’, ‘OZ Glee, B’Tayavon Cooking’, ‘A Novel Jewish Novel’, ‘Parsha Productions’ and more!
Grades 6/7 • Adventurers
One Sunday 3:30-5:30 PM and One Wednesday, 4:00-6:00 PM Per Month
This is an educational alternative to our regular program for middle-schoolers who want to explore their connection to Judaism in a smaller, more informal setting in a condensed time period.
Through classroom and experiential learning and holiday celebrations, students will uncover the stories, the history, the actions, and the questions that guide the emergence of Jewish identity. Themes of the program’s first year include Jewish identity, the history of Jewish immigration, the Jewish-American Experience, Holocaust and Israel. The second year focuses on mitzvah projects, the meaning of prayer, storytelling and the study of texts – Torah, Talmud, and Midrash (biblical commentary and interpretation) – as building blocks toward creating and participating in a b mitzvah.
Remote Hebrew Sessions
All students, 3rd-7th grade, participate in Hebrew language decoding sessions taught remotely in semi-private, half hour sessions with one, two or three students doing concentrated work with their teacher. Students are matched with others on a similar level of ability and age. These small groupings provide the opportunity for very individualized attention and allow for rapid progress. Meeting days and times are determined at the beginning of the school year.
The entire school community joins together for holiday celebrations, a Fall class led Saturday morning Family Shabbat service and a Spring Friday night Family Shabbat service. We also have all school events including our famous Desert Tent Jamboree, Mitzvah Day and Passover Experience.
There is something for each and every learner at Jewish Journeys!
We look forward to welcoming you on the life-long adventure of Jewish learning.
Jewish Journeys Resources
Learn More / Registration:
- Naomi Barell, OZ’s Director of Youth Education welcomes hearing from families interested in Jewish Journeys and the NADAV Teen Internship programs. She will be happy to share more info and provide a tour of our facilities.
- Our goal is for all our Jewish Journeys families to be integrated into the OZ community so our education program is included within OZ membership, at a cost based on our flexible membership dues model.
- Registration for new and returning families takes place each summer.
- Step for families new to OZ who are ready to register:
- Fill out the OZ New Membeship Form. Immediately after you complete the form, you will receive an email with a link to the Hebrew School enrollment form.
- Fill out the enrollment form. You will receive a confirmation email.
- Get ready for an exciting year!
