Download Holy Blossom Temple Religious School Grade 6/Kitah Dalet

Holy Blossom Temple Religious School
Grade 6/Kitah Dalet
Curriculum Outline
Our Grade 6 students will have a look at Jewish history within the greater context of World history.
In this course the students will review periods of World history. Within each section the students will review the
highlights of the period and the key Jewish experience or moment. The students will create a World history
Timeline and a corresponding Jewish timeline.
BIBLICAL PERIOD
Patriarchs and Matriarchs 2000-1200 BCE
The students will review much of the knowledge that they already have on this Biblical period and compare the
behaviours of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. The word ‘covenant’ will become part of their language in speaking
about the Book of Genesis as it is a major part of the language of the Torah.
EXODUS FROM EGYPT: 1500-1250 BCE
Moses and Leadership
The period of time when the Children of Israel left Egypt was a time of mixed emotions. We will work with the
students in thinking about the feelings of the Children of Israel at this time in their lives amid their departure
from Egypt..
The students will also have a chance to look at Moses, as leader. What made his leadership meaningful? Who
were the main female characters at this time? We will have a chance to define their roles. As well, we will
review the importance of the Land of Israel as a destination and of the promise/covenant that God made with
the Jewish people.
JUDGES, KINGS AND PROPHETS -1050-722 BCE
In this time period the students will learn that the Children of Israel became as a tribal society once they settled
in the Land of Israel. The students will be introduced to the leadership of the Kings; Saul, David and Solomon.
The reign of these kings was significant for a variety of reasons and we will have a look at each of them and learn
about the significant points of each kingdom (including the building of the First Temple in Jerusalem).
The prophets were an important part of this time period. We will review some of the prophets and their
prophecies. Following the era of the prophets, the Jews were subjected to the destruction of the First Temple in
586 BCE. What did the loss of their spiritual centre do to the people as a whole? How did they adapt to their
new environment? How is prayer today different than at the time of the Second Temple?
HELLENISM AND HASMONEANS 301-63 BCE
What prompted the rise of Hellenism? How did the people feel about it as an option? What were the sequence
of events which occurred prior to the Maccabean Revolt? (164 BCE) The holidays of Chanukah and the holiday of
Sukkot have some similarities and some differences. What are they?
INSIDE ISRAEL – NEW LEADERSHIP – THE ROMANS: 63 BCE – 73 CE
The students will learn about the following groups who defined the practice of Judaism for the next number of
years. Who were they? King Herod, Pharisees, Sadducees. What was Massada and what effect did that
experience have on the people.
The Rabbis Hillel and Shammai were instrumental in developing much of our current ritual practice. What were
some of the decisions made by them which are still current today?
RABBINIC PERIOD 68 CE-135 CE
The period of the Rabbis, brought the formation of the Sanhedrin.
In World History, what effect did the birth of Christianity have in its relationship to Judaism?
THE ORAL LAW TALMUD/MISHNAH/GEMARA 200-500 CE
The next period in history showed the Jewish people a number of very interesting opportunities. The Oral Law –
the Talmud – brought a period of brilliance of “The Rabbis” to the forefront. How was life in the Diaspora? What
were some of the challenges?
How did the rise of Islam affect the Jews of the Diaspora?
SEPAHRDIC AND ASHKENAZIC COMMUNITIES in Europe and Northern Africa 700 CE-1286
Where were the communities of Sephardic and Ashkenic Jewry? The students will investigate their own
heritage, vis a vis Sephardic or Ashkenazic descent.
Who were the leaders of this time in history: Moses Maimonides, Rashi, and state some of their major works.
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN MEDIEVAL EUROPE 1095-1350
The students will look at some of the causes of the violence and persecution against Jews in Medieval Europe.
How did the Crusades (Christians) affect the Jews and Muslims in medieval Europe?
What was the role of the Pope and the Christian Church during this time period? What were the circumstances
which lead to the Spanish Inquisition?
REBUILDING JEWISH LIFE 1400’s
What were some of the reasons for the expulsion of the Jews from Spain? Who were the ‘Marranos’?
The Shulchan Aruch, by Joseph Caro, is considered the code of Jewish Law. What are some of the laws written in
that book?
EASTERN EUROPE/GERMAN ENLIGHTENMENT 1500-1770
What was life like for the Jews of Eastern European in the 1500s? What were the ‘ghetto’ – and ‘the Shtetl’?
What was Hasidim and who was the Baal Shem Tov?
“The Enlightenment” was a time period of broader movement of the Jews in the non-Jewish community. We will
have a chance to learn more about the Mitnagdim, Maskilim and the Hasidim.
EMANCIPATION 1650-1870
What were the first Jewish communities like in North America? How did the first Reform Jewish communities
start in Germany in the mid-1800s?
In learning more about Reform Judaism the students will learn more about other movements in Judaism –
Orthodox, Conservative, and Reconstructionist.
THE RISE OF ANTI-SEMITISM 1800’s
What were some of the reasons for the change in Europe; the Jews became an ethnic people rather than a
religious community? “The Dreyfus Affair”, was a turning point for the Jews of France. What happened? What
was it like to be an assimilated Jew vs. a non-assimilated Jew in Western Europe in this period?
What were the pogroms and what were the ramifications for the Jewish community of Eastern Europe?
NORTH AMERICAN JEWRY 1820-1880
Reform Judaism in the United States grew in popularity in the mid-to late 19th century. What were the following
organizations?
a. UAHC
b. HUC
c. Pittsburgh Platform
What were the differences between the European Jewish communities of the 1700s to the new North American
community of the 1880s?
THE RISE OF THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT (Israel before the declaration of the State) 1882
What was the first Aliyah (1882)? (Jews moving to Palestine/Israel.) We will investigate the following leaders and
events:
a. Theodor Herzl
b. First Zionist Congress
c. Second Aliyah
WORLD HISTORY – First World War 1900’s
What was the effect of WW I on the Jews of the Diaspora? What are some of the Jewish organizations which
helped Jews around the world in need during this time period?
MODERN JUDAISM/JEWRY/ISRAEL
HEBREW – KITAH DALET – 60 MIN WEEKLY
Hineni booklets – the perfect tool for the pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah year.
Students will explore Birchot Hatorah learning to read them accurately and fluently, as well as chanting them.
Birchot HaHaftarah is another selection that is chosen for this year. Each Hineni booklet is presented as an
individual 8 or 12 page booklets. They're colorful, student engaging, and pedagogically rich content. There is lots
of room for enrichment – additional Hineni booklets, modern Hebrew dialogues, games, etc.
As well, the website www.behrmanhouse.com is an excellent tool to learn, review and catch-up with the class.
Enter the site, click on the tool bar – learn; choose from the drop menu Hebrew, click on @home practice
prayer; click on Hineni 3 (blue) and choose the prayer you want. Musical notes located by the prayer signifies
that you can listen to the singing of the prayer.