Jewish Life
About this program
During our weekly Jewish Life sessions, students learn about and experience Jewish festivals, Shabbat, traditions and Israel, as well as basic Hebrew. The sessions are fun and engaging, and include craft, music, enjoyable group activities and snacks. At many schools we run special assemblies for Jewish festivals.
The Jewish Life program is open to Jewish students in the school at which the program runs. Sessions run either before school for 45 minutes (from 8 – 8.45 am) and after school for either a 60 minute (3:30-4:30) or 90 minutes (from 3.30 – 5 pm). The longer before and after school sessions include more in-depth study of Hebrew and Jewish traditions.
Bev Brand
Jewish Life Manager
Louise Bruer
Jewish Life Curriculum Manager
Aims
Our students develop the knowledge and skills to fully participate in Jewish communal life, as well as a love and appreciation for Jewish practice. Each Jewish Life session is built around our year-long curriculum, which aims to foster a strong sense of Jewish identity within each student. Learning basic Hebrew letters and words forms a foundation for future Hebrew study. The program also helps to build friendships with other Jewish students across year levels, fostering a stronger sense of community within each school.
Our Programs
Program
Age
Time
MUST ATTEND SPECIFIC SCHOOL
Locations
Curriculum
UJEB is the sole approved provider of Jewish education in government primary schools in Victoria through the Jewish Life program. UJEB is unique as it is the only Jewish educational organisation that is approved, accredited and endorsed by the Department of Education and Training to provide programs at government schools.
Our Jewish Life curriculum is innovative and engaging, and our program is inclusive. Our mission is to equip learners with the tools needed to passionately participate in Jewish life, by facilitating positive and inclusive Jewish learning experiences. Our tools include our community, our rituals and practices, our homeland, our values, our texts and our language.
The curriculum is built around the Jewish calendar of festivals, and builds knowledge and skills for participating in Jewish Life. This includes festivals and cultural events, such as Friday night kiddush, the family seder and the high holidays. The curriculum also focuses on connecting our learners to their Jewish identity through our common values, language, homeland and texts, ensuring a meaningful and enduring connection to our community.
During each session our engaging and interactive activities encourage a love for our culture, and ensure that Jewish learning is a positive experience. Our children grow into proud, passionate and active members of the Australian Jewish community, and Australian society as a whole.
UJEB’s Jewish Life curriculum is designed to cater to 2 levels and alternates between 2 different year plans, so children will learn a different program each year. Level 1 is from prep – grade 2, and level 2 is grades 3 – 6.
Curriculum
Term 1
| TOPIC | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
Jewish year: birthdays and festivals |
Jewish days, weeks & months |
|
|
Heroes |
Stand up, don’t stand by |
|
|
Participating in a seder |
Contributing to a seder |
Term 2
| TOPIC | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
Israel’s birthday: achievements to be proud of |
Geography: cities towns and Kibbutzim |
|
|
The story and practices |
The characters |
|
|
Rules are important |
Jewish peoplehood |
Term 3
| TOPIC | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
Chessed – respect |
Tikkun olam – a better world |
|
|
Our synagogue |
A special wall – the Kotel |
|
|
Teshuva – the best me I can be |
Teshuva – caring for my friends and family |
Term 4
| TOPIC | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
The sukkah – appreciation |
The 4 spices – unity |
|
|
We are family – the main families in the Torah |
Becoming a nation – Living in ancient Israel |
|
|
Jewish pride |
Lighting the way, a positive example |
Participating Schools
Brighton Beach Primary School
Carnegie Primary School
Caulfield Junior College
Caulfield South Primary School
Clifton Hill Primary School
Lloyd Street Primary School
Elwood Primary
Gardenvale Primary School
North Eastern Jewish Centre
UJEB HQ
Ripponlea Primary School
Ormond Primary School
Fee Assistance
UJEB’s policy is that no child misses out. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please apply for a payment plan and/or reduced fees.
Participating Schools
