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The Kehilat Gesher Talmud Torah is a unique educational experience where Judaic studies are pursued among Jewish children from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Our goal is to instill within our students a sense of their Jewish identity. We believe that Jewish education involves more than simply transmitting culturally relevant information to our children.   It is our desire to help them discover what it means to be a Jew, and to enjoy being Jewish.

Please read about our New Curriculum below and click here for the 2007-2008 schedule of classes in Paris 17th and St-Germain-en-Laye
Contact Tama Carroll at:

SUNDAY FUNDAY/GAN (ages 3-6): once a month

Holidays: Basic knowledge of major holidays through crafts and activities appropriate for preschoolers.
Introduction to basic Jewish symbols (kippah, challah, Kiddush cup, menorah, etc..).
Songs: Evenu Shalom Alechem.
Basic songs for Holidays,
Liturgy: Shema, Bim bam/ Shabbat Shalom

ALEPH: Kindergarten/First grade

Hebrew: Visual introduction to Hebrew letters.
Introduction to oral Hebrew (basic expressions, e.g., boker tov, ken, lo, todah, etc.), through games, fun drills and artistic expression
Holidays: Developing (or introducing) knowledge of holidays and symbols through more sophisticated crafts, activities, projects.
Beginnings of Jewish identity: Crafts relating to symbols of Judaism, i.e., Star of David
Songs: Evenu Shalom Alechem, David Melech…
Liturgy: Shema, Bim Bam/Shabbat Shalom, Blessing over bread, wine, candles

BET 1/BET 2: (two year cycle)

Hebrew: Learn Hebrew letters--recognition and sounds-- with the goal of knowing all the letters and vowels (sounds) by the end of the level, and of being able to read.
Holidays: Deepen understanding of holidays with more explanation of the ideas behind the holidays (e.g., Rosh Hashana not just the New Year but a time of reflection on what one has done during the year, etc…).
Projects that reflect the basic meaning of each holiday.
Shabbat: Introducing knowledge of, and becoming very familiar with, Shabbat--what is Shabbat and why do we observe it.
All prayers relating to Friday night at home are reviewed, as well as Friday night rituals (how to light candles, do the kiddoush, etc…) with Shabbat box and other projects (different projects each year to avoid repeating) to reinforce learning.
Torah (1st year): Creation story and the Ten Commandments—leading to learning of Mitzvah and Tikkoun Olam
Biblical stories (2nd year):Studying all the major stories (and their connection to Holidays whenever appropriate) Kings and Prophets
Songs: Evenu Shalom Alechem, David Melech Israel, (review), Mayim, Hinei Ma Tov.
Liturgy: Shema, Bim Bam/Shabbat Shalom (review), Ein K’Eloheinu, Yismehou,
Textbook for Hebrew: Shalom Uvracha (English), Yael Azoulay (French)

GIMMEL 1/GIMMEL 2: (two year cycle)

Hebrew: Review of Hebrew letters for first month, then emphasis on basic reading skills.
Work focusing on distinguishing similar letters, plurals, prefixes (prepositions).
Learn basic conversational words.
Introduce script writing with the goal of acquiring basic reading skills, and of writing letters.
Holidays: Deeper understanding of historical context, how they are celebrated throughout the world; why we still celebrate; their importance to us in our lives as Jews.
Writings and projects underlying more philosophical meaning of each holiday.
Israel (1st year): History of Israel and Israel today (role and meaning of Israel in our modern life as Jews in the Diaspora)
Jewish History (2nd year): Develop a timeline for important Jewish historical movements and events (for France and the U.S., for the last millenium) with a focus on particular moments, and on the development of movements.
Songs: Ritual Holiday songs (important passages in the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippour services, Hannukah, Passover seder…)
Liturgy: Oseh Shalom, Adon Olam, Shalom Rav, Shalom Aleichem
Textbook for Hebrew: Hineni – Hebrew through prayer, Yael Azouly (next level, soon to be released)
Other materials: books already available on Israel, Judaism, Torah (both in English and French)

DALED:

Hebrew: Practice and strengthening reading Hebrew in order to acquire fluency and speed. Practice writing.
Learn basic dialogues for modern Hebrew.
Work on Hebrew through prayer.
Goals:

• Be comfortable in reading and writing (in cursive) Hebrew.
• Have a strong vocabulary of words used in prayer and services.
• Be able to carry on a basic conversation

Torah: Learning the prayers for Shabbat services, and strengthening the Hebrew vocabulary for prayer.
The Torah’s structure, basic content (the Biblical stories).
Vocabulary necessary to BM (parashat, haftarah, etc…).
Order of services and customs (when to bow etc…)
Jewish Identity: Personal timeline with research into family’s history/legacy/acquistion of their Judaism. Brief overview of major life cycle events (Brit, marriage, etc…)
Holocaust unit: History/historical context.
Reference in literature.
Remembrance (how to continue the education).
Songs: Traditional songs – Yiddish, Ladino, Judeo-Arabic (introduction to Music from other traditions)
Liturgy: Vishamru, Aleinu, Nikadesh, Lecha Dodi, Amidah, Ma Tovu
Textbook: Hineni – Hebrew through prayer (next level)

GOALS FOR GROWTH:

• Add levels as congregation grows, with ultimate goal of having one level per school level (Kindergarten to 6th grade)
• Develop a post Bnei Mitzvah program which would continue the teaching and allow students to learn more sophisticated concepts, develop learning in Torah (strengthen torah reading skills), Jewish studies, for middle and upper school
• As “locale” space grows, develop programs (e.g. theater) and events at the synagogue