Judaic Studies at Wise School is considered core curriculum, focusing on a spiraling content, character building, and community.

Spiraling Content
Judaic Studies class is three times per week, with each year building upon the content taught in previous years. In Kindergarten, our students are introduced to the stories of the Torah, culminating in the Hagigat Ha’Torah/Shavuot ceremony in which students receive their mini Torah. In grades 1 – 5, students learn about the heroes of the Bible and delve deeply into the Tfilah curriculum. In their final year, our graduating students give the sermon for the weekly Torah portion, as part of services. 6th grade content focuses on the history of the Jewish people, from ancient times till today. 

Character Building
Character matters at Wise School. From a very young age, we inspire the muscle memory of giving, by bringing Sova and Tzedakah every Friday. Our grade levels have designated Tikkun Olam / Hessed projects that they support. Every year we decide on a theme that is incorporated into classroom lessons, into everyday language that we use, and into a theme song that is composed and sung frequently. Examples include: “Nivrah B’Tzelem – Our Creativity is Godly” and “Tikvah – Hope”. Judaic Studies heavily infuses Jewish values throughout its curriculum.

Community
Part of our school vision is building a community through the sacred work we do at Wise. For example, Kabbalat Shabbat is honored every Friday in class, where students and faculty have the chance to pause together and reflect on the week that has passed and anticipate the days ahead.  Every Jewish holiday is celebrated on campus as a school community.  Families are included in this community building through events such as Praying with Parents and grade-level Shabbat services.

Israel at Wise
The State of Israel is an integral part of our Jewish education at Wise School. Starting in Kindergarten, Israel education is part of our Judaic studies core curriculum. In 6^th grade, our graduating class has the opportunity to experience a culmination of their seven years of learning by visiting Israel during Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations. We recently created a new model for this transformative trip, where the students, in addition to seeing various locations across the country, get to visit Leo Back School in Haifa, the only reform school in Israel and one whose design was inspired by Stephen Wise Temple and Wise School. While together there, Wise students engage and build a close rapport with their Israeli counterparts. This meaningful learning experience helps our students deepen and explore their individual connections to Israel.