Rabbinics
Through our outstanding rabbinics program, students in grades five through eight explore the fundamental text underlying dynamic Jewish living: the Talmud. As they delve into the text in its original languages, they build critical thinking skills and develop an understanding of the process by which Jewish practices, laws, and ideas evolve. Students learn to their highest potential through the study of passages carefully chosen for their focus on fundamental human issues.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed for our school in partnership with Bonayich Educational Services, Ltd., the world leaders in the systematic study and teaching of Talmud. Students begin Mishnah study in fifth grade, progress to the study of parallel sources from the Mishnaic period in sixth grade, and begin learning Gemara in seventh and eighth grades (Mishnah + Gemara = Talmud). Many units are designed to coordinate with themes addressed in social studies, language arts, and Tanach.
In all grades, students have opportunities to work collaboratively through chavruta (partner) learning. They also have an opportunity to share their views through class discussions and activities and their written work using both printed and digital media. Beyond developing textual competency, through the process of weaving together questions, reasoning, and different perspectives, Schechter students become empowered Jewish thinkers capable of approaching a range of life experiences with sophisticated methods of problem-solving.
The novel ways of thinking students acquire inspire them to become players in a dynamic tradition that seeks their knowledge, creativity, and skills.