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| Educational Philosphy |
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
The FJCC stands committed to providing the best education possible for its children.
A considerable share of its resources is directed to the Hebrew School and the Rabbi
is personally involved on all grade levels. The adult congregation supports
wholeheartedly the participation of its youngsters in services and all facets of
synagogue life.
Although the FJCC is not officially affiliated with the Conservative Movement, it shares
the movement's educational philosophy. Emphasis is placed on both the ethical and
ritual components of Judaism. The Hebrew School sees as its task not only the making
of better, more generous and compassionate people, but also those who can actively
participate in all areas of Jewish life. Students are expected to learn to read the
Hebrew of the prayer book and Bible fluently, and are encouraged to conduct all or
part of our adult religious services at an early age. They are taught the meanings of
the major holidays and the proper performance of the rituals associated with them.
They gain a good working knowledge of the first five books of Moses and of the key
events in Jewish history. If students continue beyond Bar/Bat Mitzvah, they become
acquainted with the classic Rabbinic texts and the way in which Judaism looks at
different social and political issues. Additionally, they are taught the importance of
tzedakah, or charity, the proper support of both the Jewish community and the
community-at-large, financially and otherwise.
Because students spend only one or two sessions a week in Hebrew School, it is
impossible even to begin to teach them what they need to know about Judaism. But
from age three to eighteen the FJCC tries to provide them with a solid foundation on
which they can build throughout their lives. The following statements best describe the
principles by which the school is guided and the objectives it hopes to achieve:
1) The FJCC Hebrew School tries to instill in its students a strong sense of Jewish
identity, a pride in and love for our tradition;
2) It holds that Hebrew School can, in fact, be an enjoyable experience and the
material to be learned can be presented in an exciting and interesting way;
3) The interaction of the students among themselves, the friends they make, the
social aspects of Hebrew School are considered an integral part of the educational
experience and are encouraged and valued;
4) Both the ritual and ethical components of Judaism are important and should be
taught not only in the classroom, but experienced first hand;
5) Every student, regardless of his/her background, intellectual ability or level of family
observance, should be afforded the opportunity to acquire the requisite knowledge
and skills to participate fully in the synagogue and the life of the Jewish community.
A verse from the Book of Proverbs best sums up our purpose: “Train a child in the
way he/she should go, and even when he/she is old, he/she will not depart from it.”
The FJCC stands committed to providing the best education possible for its children.
A considerable share of its resources is directed to the Hebrew School and the Rabbi
is personally involved on all grade levels. The adult congregation supports
wholeheartedly the participation of its youngsters in services and all facets of
synagogue life.
Although the FJCC is not officially affiliated with the Conservative Movement, it shares
the movement's educational philosophy. Emphasis is placed on both the ethical and
ritual components of Judaism. The Hebrew School sees as its task not only the making
of better, more generous and compassionate people, but also those who can actively
participate in all areas of Jewish life. Students are expected to learn to read the
Hebrew of the prayer book and Bible fluently, and are encouraged to conduct all or
part of our adult religious services at an early age. They are taught the meanings of
the major holidays and the proper performance of the rituals associated with them.
They gain a good working knowledge of the first five books of Moses and of the key
events in Jewish history. If students continue beyond Bar/Bat Mitzvah, they become
acquainted with the classic Rabbinic texts and the way in which Judaism looks at
different social and political issues. Additionally, they are taught the importance of
tzedakah, or charity, the proper support of both the Jewish community and the
community-at-large, financially and otherwise.
Because students spend only one or two sessions a week in Hebrew School, it is
impossible even to begin to teach them what they need to know about Judaism. But
from age three to eighteen the FJCC tries to provide them with a solid foundation on
which they can build throughout their lives. The following statements best describe the
principles by which the school is guided and the objectives it hopes to achieve:
1) The FJCC Hebrew School tries to instill in its students a strong sense of Jewish
identity, a pride in and love for our tradition;
2) It holds that Hebrew School can, in fact, be an enjoyable experience and the
material to be learned can be presented in an exciting and interesting way;
3) The interaction of the students among themselves, the friends they make, the
social aspects of Hebrew School are considered an integral part of the educational
experience and are encouraged and valued;
4) Both the ritual and ethical components of Judaism are important and should be
taught not only in the classroom, but experienced first hand;
5) Every student, regardless of his/her background, intellectual ability or level of family
observance, should be afforded the opportunity to acquire the requisite knowledge
and skills to participate fully in the synagogue and the life of the Jewish community.
A verse from the Book of Proverbs best sums up our purpose: “Train a child in the
way he/she should go, and even when he/she is old, he/she will not depart from it.”