Our Program
AT WILMETTE COMMUNITY HEBREW SCHOOL, WE FOSTER A POSITIVE SENSE OF JEWISH IDENTITY AND PRIDE, BY IMPARTING IN EACH CHILD AN APPRECIATION OF JEWISH HISTORY, CULTURE AND VALUES.
Our children gain excitement in the lead up to holidays, appreciate Jewish history, and understand the importance of Jewish values and ethics through our cutting-edge Judaica curriculum. Through the years at Wilmette Community Hebrew School, students gain an appreciation and understanding of Jewish history, Mitzvot, the land of Israel, Jewish moral values, and general Jewish trivia.
Festivals are celebrated with carnivals, Shabbat learning comes to life with an exuberant Shabbat dinner and spirited Havdalah service, Purim brings hamantashen baking, and Passover learning culminates with a multisensory Model Seder. Jewish heritage has never been so relevant, meaningful and alive.
Throughout our curriculums, we imbue within our children the importance of being a ‘mentsch’; a moral, compassionate, responsible and giving individual. We encourage our children to take responsibility and leadership roles in their home and school environments.
HEBREW LANGUAGE
Hebrew is the language of our people. Mastering Hebrew will enable our children to meaningfully participate in Jewish experiences. At Wilmette Community Hebrew School we prepare our children to fully experience Hebrew through our syllabus on listening, reading, writing and even some conversational Hebrew.
Our Hebrew reading program begins for our youngest children with letter recognition through song, sounds and shapes. Starting in second grade, our Aleph Champ reading program enables students to master Hebrew reading skillfully and quickly. Modeled after the Karate motivational system, it works by dividing different reading skills into levels defined by color. Moving up a level is a proof of hard work and determination and is a source of pride and makes them self motivated to succeed. Students understand that their teacher is a black Aleph Champion and their goal is to reach that level. There are fun games and activities to help the students meet their goals. Click here for more details.
BAR/BAT MITZVAH
We take a unique approach to Bar or Bat Mitzvah training. Our emphasis in preparing B’nai Mitzvah is to foster an awareness that this milestone is only the beginning of Jewish life and help attain a greater appreciation of a Jewish adults responsibilities.
We believe that the most important event in the life of a young person, should be more than just rote memorization leading up to an anxiety-ridden recital of the Torah.
We offer multiple personalized options for a very meaningful Bar or Bat Mitzvah for your child, with special rates for students of Wilmette Community Hebrew School. Private tutoring, arranged to accommodate today’s demanding lifestyle, is available upon request. Please contact our office to discuss the options for your child.
FESTIVALS & CELEBRATION
Together with our parent organization Chabad of Wilmette, we host incredible Jewish holiday events and family celebrations bringing our learning and heritage to life. From engaging and meaningful High Holiday kids services, Sushi in the Sukkah for Sukkot, the Chanukah Bowl, a grand Purim party & acrobatic show, an interactive family Seder on Passover and a hearty Shavuot ice cream party – our events are not-to-be missed heartwarming community celebrations.
Music & Movement
Children naturally love music, be it a lively tune or a soft melody. Our new Music & Movement for students age 3-6 plays an important role in strengthening this important aspect of their development. Using varying genres of Jewish music, students build teamwork skills, and identify rhythms, patterns and tempos. Holidays and celebrations come alive as students dance, stomp and sway to Jewish music.
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