The Ames Jewish Congregation offers religious school classes for children between the ages of 4 and 16; synagogue membership is not required. Jewish Studies classes (for ages 4-16) meet Sundays from 10 a.m. until noon. Hebrew classes (grades 3-7) meet Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. and Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. AJC is affiliated with UAHC but welcomes all Jews in the area to enroll their children.
AJC's religious school curriculum objectives are based on the recommendations of the UAHC-CCAR Joint Commission on Jewish Education. The goal of Jewish education within the Reform Movement is the deepening of Jewish experience and knowledge for all liberal Jews, in order to strengthen faith in God, love of Torah, and identification with the Jewish people, through involvement in the synagogue and participation in Jewish life.
The Ames Jewish Congregation provides a program of Jewish education which enables children and youth to become:
1. Jews who affirm their Jewish identity and bind themselves inseparably to their people by word and deed.
2. Jews who bear witness to the Brit (the covenant between God and the Jewish people) by embracing Torah through the study and observance of Mitzvot (commandments) as interpreted in light of historic development and contemporary liberal thought.
3. Jews who affirm their historic bond to Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel.
4. Jews who cherish and study Hebrew, the language of the Jewish people.
5. Jews who value and practice Tefilah (prayer).
6. Jews who further the causes of justice, freedom and peace by pursuing Tsedek (righteousness), Mishpat (justice), and Chesed (loving deeds).
7. Jews who celebrate Shabbat and the festivals and observe the Jewish ceremonies marking the significant occasions in their lives.
8. Jews who esteem their own person and the person of others, their own family and the family of others, their own community and the community of others.
9. Jews who express their kinship with K'lal Yisrael by actively seeking the welfare of Jews throughout the world.
10. Jews who support and participate in the life of the synagogue. Such
Jews will strengthen the fabric of Jewish life, ensure the future of
Judaism and the Jewish people, and approach the realization of their
divine potential.
Due to the relatively small Jewish population in Ames and, consequently, the small student body (50), two grades are combined into each level of Jewish Studies. Students begin to study Hebrew when they enter third grade; Hebrew classes are offered for each grade separately from third through seventh.
The following is a summary of the Jewish Studies curriculum:
Level 1: Preschool-Kindergarten The major objective for this age group is to enable the students to use their five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch) to experience and practice Judaism -- family and home activities; holidays; G-d, blessings, prayer, and synagogue; Jewish values and behavior; Jewish books, music and dance; Israel; and Bible stories. Involving the parents in their child's first formal Jewish education is crucial; therefore, families purchase holiday booklets that contain sections for children and parents. Parents also are asked to participate in one Shabbat service each year, Consecration, one Havdalah service, and a family tree project.
Level 2: Grades 1 & 2 Students continue to experience Judaism but their education becomes more formal as they learn to read and write. They explore concepts of G-d and continue to develop their own views on G-d. The class leads an Erev Shabbat service each year. In Year 1, students read Torah stories, complete worksheets, and discuss the lessons to be learned from the Torah. Major holidays are explored in greater depth (than L. 1). Students make some ritual objects for holidays and home observances. They also learn about people and places in Israel. They explore other aspects of Judaism through a series of mini-magazines on mitzvot, Jewish symbols, life cycle events, Bible, and synagogue. In Year 2, students and parents complete JET-2 (Jewish Experiences Together) cards by performing Jewish activities (holidays and general) together at home. They also learn the cycle of the Jewish year, names of the Jewish months, and major and minor holidays, including Rosh Chodesh. They learn the 10 Commandments and discuss ethical issues that they encounter in stories and in their own lives.
Level 3: Grades 3 & 4 In Year 1, students expand their Jewish vocabulary as they study Basic Judaism for Young People: Israel. Units of study include: theology, ritual, personal conduct and the land, people and state of Israel. Students and parents complete JET 4 cards about the land and state of Israel. Students learn about the early prophets from Joshua through King David. Each year the class leads a Shabbat service with the help of Hebrew teachers. In Year 2, students learn about the kings and later prophets of Israel. They learn the foundation of Judaism in America -- the formal organization of the people, the places, the things, and the actions they see around them. Topics include: rabbi, cantor, educator; synagogue, community center, old-age home, summer camp; Bible, Sefer Torah, mezuzah and menorah; how Jews celebrate, pray and remember; and Jewish food.
Level 4: Grades 5 & 6 In Year 1, students conduct an in-depth study of Jewish holidays and life cycle events. They tackle the ethical issues raised in Choosing to Be Chosen. Each year the class leads a Shabbat service with the help of Hebrew teachers. In Year 2, students deepen their understanding as they study concepts related to the Torah in Basic Judaism for Young People: Torah. Topics include: Aggadah, Halachah, Haftarah, Humash, Ketuvim, Neviim, Leshon HaKodesh, Midrash, Mezuzah, Minhag, Mitzvah, Aliyah, Aseret HaDibrot, Parashat HaShavua, Rashi, Talmud, Talmud Torah, and Tanach. Students will be introduced to the history of Jews in America, including the development of Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist movements in the U.S.
Level 5: Grades 7 & 8 In Year 1, students explore Jewish history from 1776 (Age of Emancipation) up to the present. Special emphasis is placed on Holocaust and development of the State of Israel. The class helps lead a Yom HaShoah service instead of a regular Shabbat service. In Year 2, students explore concepts that make Judaism unique as they grapple with issues raised in the text, Why Be Different? Students will learn the similarities and differences among the four Jewish movements. The class will lead a Shabbat service. For 1997-98, students will study American Jewish history, culture, and issues. In the future, students will learn Jewish history from Abraham through 1776.
Level 6: Confirmation (Grade 9)
The primary text is The Book of Jewish Belief. Students will
explore a
variety of current issues within Judaism and strengthen their
understanding of Jewish beliefs. They will plan and lead their
Confirmation service.
Hebrew: Grades 3-7
Students learn to read and write Hebrew, with emphasis on prayerbook Hebrew, blessings, and prayers found in the liturgy of the Reform prayerbooks. They learn to recognize and understand roots of words. Hebrew and Heritage--The New Siddur Program, published by Behrman House, provides the basis for the Hebrew curriculum.
All-School Activities:
1. Tzedakah: Students contribute money each week and vote on which
organizations to support.
2. Music: Students learn Jewish liturgical, holiday, and camp songs
during weekly assemblies.
3. Mitzvah projects: Each class performs 1 special project to help
others -- cook or raise money for the homeless shelter, feed the birds,
collect food, clean up a park, fill & deliver Yom HaShoah sacks, etc.
Each class project is coordinated by parent volunteers under the
direction of a school committee member.
4. Reading program: The annual reading program encourages students to
increase their exposure to Judaism by reading/listening to books or
watching programs on Jewish themes. The program is planned and
implemented by volunteers from grades 5-8 and 1-3 parents.
5. Holiday & other celebrations: Students and families are encouraged
to participate in holiday services and celebrations at AJC. There are
also special school productions.
6. Shabbat services: Families are encouraged to attend services,
especially when the rabbi or students lead them. Each religious school
class leads one Shabbat service each year.
7. Book Fair: Each year the religious school holds a book fair to
enable families to purchase Jewish books for their children, the youth
library, and themselves.