Little Pishers

   This parent-tot program is designed for 2 ½ year olds through pre-Kindergarten age children along with an adult. The group meets on average twice monthly for classes, field trips and playtime. The lessons for this class are based on two books: “What’s Jewish about Butterflies?” written by Maxine Segal Handelman, with Co-author Deborah L. Schein. The second book “Jewish Every Day” is written by Maxine Segal Handelman as well. To view a few "LP photos" click here.

Kindergarten/ First Grade

   Developing Jewish identity-through creative play, music, movement and the arts students will explore the Jewish year, Shabbat and Holidays. Hebrew Aleph Bet accompanied by Hebrew Enrichment Program will be introduced throughout the year.

   Blessing taught in Kindergarten: Hamotzi, Kiddush, Shabbat and Holiday candle blessings, and the Four Questions for Passover. The Sh’ma prayer and the Shehecheyanu blessing will also be introduced.

   The students in First Grade will participate in Consecration, the ceremony marking the “formal” beginning of their Jewish education. Exploring the Synagogue, the roles of the Rabbi and Cantor in it, its symbols, what can be found in it and visiting a couple of close by Synagogues, will be an ongoing part of the year. Activities such as cooking, card making, reading books and watching slide shows, will aide in making connections with the students in first grade with the State of Israel.

Second Grade

   Torah stories and Bible Heroes from Genesis and Exodus are the focus of this year. The students will learn about the symbols and the different roles people play in the synagogue. Jewish Holidays throughout the year will continue to be celebrated in the order they occur.

   Basic introduction of the Hebrew Aleph Bet continues with a core oral vocabulary, and the names and sounds of the letters.

   Reinforcement of the following blessings: Hamotzi, Kiddush, Shabbat and Holiday candle blessings, the Four Questions for Passover, and the Sh’ma. Introduction and practice of the Prayers: Mi Chamocha, and the Barechu.

Third Grade

   Begin a deeper study of the Torah and move into the study of Tanach, the Jewish Bible. Reading stories of Kings and Prophets whose lives explain the rise and fall of the Hebrew Monarchy will enhance this year’s program. Students will be further challenged to find a higher meaning for the things and creatures that inhabit our world, while developing an understanding of G-d, holiness and their roles as partners with G-d.

   The Third Grade marks a more comprehensive approach to the Hebrew language. Students will learn all the letters and vowels in Block style as appears in our prayer books.

   The Third Grade students will acquire the necessary skills to phonetically read the Hebrew language accurately and with fluency. The entire Friday Night and the Havdallah services would be taught during the weekly T’filah services, and the Four Questions would be reviewed around Passover.

Fourth Grade

   The Jewish calendar is taught in greater detail: Jewish months, lunar vs. solar year, Leap year, and the difference between the secular and Jewish calendars. Holiday celebration through more mature eyes will take place in the order that the holidays occur. A connection to the land of Israel will continue to shape up as the students learn about the language, history, geography, and culture throughout the year.

   By Fourth Grade our students will begin to read these prayers: Barchu, Sh’ma, V’ahavtah. They will become proficient in reading fluency, blessing recitation and Hebrew Language enrichment. They will be introduced to the Chatzi Kaddish (Readers’ Kaddish), Birkat Hamazon (the blessing at the conclusion of the meal), and will review all holiday blessings.

Fifth Grade

   The Jewish Life Cycle customs and rituals is the focus in 5th Grade. The students will discover that our history is the story of a determined people. They will explore several of the Mitzvot (commandments) such as Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick), Tzedakah (Charity), and Kashrut (dietary laws). The study of the Ten Commandments will enrich the 5th Grader curriculum. The students will continue to focus on fluency and mastery of prayers and will move on to grammar, suffixes, prefixes, vocabulary, and Hebrew language enrichment. The students will study the entire Friday night service including the following Prayers: Amidah- Avot V’Imahot, G’vurot, K’dusha, and the Yotzer-Or Prayer.

Sixth Grade

    There will be an introduction to early American Jewish History (16th-18th century), move on to mid-19th century German Jewish immigration, then on to the late 19th century immigration of Jews from various parts of Europe, leading up to modern times. To culminate the year, the students will create a special book documenting immigrants’ stories. Mitzvot will be examined through Jewish heroes both contemporary and historical.

   This is a busy year as we set the path for the B’nei Mitzvah preparations. Specific subjects of study for the Sixth Grade include cantillation, reading fluency, the structure and the meaning of the prayer service, Torah and Haphtarah blessings as well as Hebrew enrichment.

   Prayers like Brachot Hashachar, Ashrei, and Yotzer will be mastered by the end of the year.

Seventh Grade

   The students in Seventh Grade will continue with Jewish history and be introduced to the roots of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. The role of prejudice and discrimination in the Nazis’ rise to power, along with the resistance movement, life in the ghettoes and the concentration camps will all be explored during the first part of the year. We will look at the human interest affects of the Holocaust and its impact on our lives today. Next, we will move on to the study of Israel as the Jewish State. Topics to cover about Israel will be: the variety of cultures, the military, technology and other achievements in the last 60 years. Current events will be discussed as a regular part of each Sunday lesson.

   The Hebrew Curriculum continues with advanced prayer reading, cantillation and vocabulary. Students will explore the weekly Torah portions. They will study the Torah and Haftarah portions for all of the holidays for the first time. They will analyze these texts for plot, meaning and significance in their lives. Students will use Torah and Mitzvot in learning to accept the responsibility of becoming a Jewish adult and dealing with decision making in today’s world as they prepare to become Bar and Bat Mitzvah.

Eigth Grade

   The focus will be on Reform Judaism and Comparative Judaism. We will begin the semester describing the origins of Reform Judaism and how Reform Judaism informs us and provides meaningful answers to: What is the meaning of life, how do we make the best of it, what happens afterward, and if there is anyone or anything “out there”, what or who is that? We will also learn about the similarities and the differences between the various sects of Judaism, focusing on answering.

   The Second semester will be devoted to exposure for our students to the teachings, spiritual methods, symbolism and other facets from a small selection of religious traditions. The primary aim is to meet the need for accurate information about these religions by providing information and an exchange of views on aspects of religious life, doctrinal, historical, possibly mystical, and most importantly, personal experiences and traditions from representatives of these religions.

Additional programs

Special Needs Program

   Congregation Or Chadash has been a pioneer of a program that provides a Jewish education for children with special needs in the Tucson area.

   We offer a program which includes:
      ·   Individualized educational programs to meet each child’s needs
      ·   Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparations
      ·   Highly trained staff

B’nei Mitzvah

   Comprehensive instruction and support for this important life cycle event. Our students can elect to participate in “Remember Us” and opportunity for them to carry forward the name of a child who died in the Holocaust and was unable to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah during his or her own lifetime.

Youth Philanthropy Program

   Our seventh grade students participate in a youth philanthropy board in which they evaluate and fund community grant proposals.

Post B’nei Mitzvah

   A high percentage of our post B’nei Mitzvah students enroll in our 8th grade program to learn about our Jewish community, other religions and Jewish community organizations.

Madrikhim Program

   Post B’nei Mitzvah students can choose to participate in training to become a classroom aide. At the end of a yearlong program, they can apply for an aide position in our Religious School.

Youth Groups

   The two Youth Groups that we offer to our students are a collaborative effort with other local congregations such as Chaverim and Bet Shalom.

Young Judaea Youth Group - 3rd thru 7th Grade students

   The focus is on developing leadership skills and connection to the people and the land of Israel. Young Judaea reaches out to Jewish Youth across all streams of Judaism: orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist as well as unaffiliated youth. You do not need to be a member of Hadassah or a synagogue to participate. Our 3rd -7th Grade Young Judaea Youth Group is a collaborative effort with other local Congregations such as Bet Shalom and Chaverim.To view a few photos of a recent activity please click here.

   To Register contact Director of Education at 520-512-8500 #14 or email at education@orchadash-tucson.org by clicking here.


   OCTY - Or Chadash Temple Youth

   Students in grades 8th – 12th are encouraged to participate in our newly formed OCTY (which is associated with NFTY).To view photos from a recent 2011 OCTY/NFTY trip to LA, Calif. please click here.

   NFTY – North American Federation of Temple Youth is part of United Reform Judaism movement. It provides a path to forming bonds with other Jewish teens and promote foundation for a strong Jewish identity in young teens giving them true sense of accomplishment and community. NFTY Events are run by the Southwest Region.

   To learn more about OCTY, (Or Chadash Temple Youth), Or Chadash’s own chapter of NFTY and NFTY-SW, (North-American Federation of Temple Youth-Southwest Region) please click here.

Hebrew High- for High School students 9th- 12 Grade

   It is our hope that our students will continue to further their Jewish Education by attending Tucson’s Hebrew High. Hebrew high has two main components: Hebrew for Credit and self interest Jewish courses in a variety of topics. The Hebrew for credit program is recognized and accepted as a foreign language credit in many high schools in Tucson.

Confirmation 10th Grade

   Our own Rabbi teaches this class through Hebrew High in the tenth grade. The students will study how Jewish ethical teachings helps make important choices as a teen and as an adult. Issues such as Drugs, Sex, Tattoos, Piercings, will be discussed and how Jewish values and teachings can give these young adults a safe way to enter a world that can be frightening and stifling at times. Additionally, there will be opportunities for the Confirmation class to provide service through acts of gemilut chasidim, “acts of loving kindness within our community.” The year will culminate with a special Confirmation service held in June, around the holiday of Shavuot. Shavuot is the holiday commemorating the receiving of the Torah, so it is appropriate to celebrate Confirmation on that date.