Hebrew

Hebrew in the Upper School continues to develop by using the language for meaningful interactions as well as introducing students to a variety of authentic literature, modern songs, and written expressions.

Fifth Grade

Students read and discuss modified stories from Hebrew literature. Students explore concepts of forgiveness, friendship, fighting for something you believe in, taking action, leadership and dedication. The Holocaust is introduced in a formally developed unit emphasizing heroism. Students begin to study about famous leaders in Jewish and Israeli history. Students are introduced to the future tense, different forms of verb patterns, i.e. Lamed Hey and the use of the infinitive. They learn additional connecting words like Mipneishe and c’dei. Students study irregular noun patterns including many body parts.

Units of study include:

  • Holiday units
  • Hanukkah unit: Story of Maccabbee family’s fight for freedom
  • Friendship unit

“With our son starting in the later grades at HMJDS, we thought Hebrew and Judaic studies would be a challenge, but they turned out to be his favorite classes. Those teachers and the curriculum seemed to be the grounding force for him, making him feel connected to and appreciative of his new school.” – HMJDS Parent

Sixth Grade

The curriculum is based upon classic Hebrew literature including stories by luminaries such as Y.L. Peretz, Shalom Aleichem, and Shai Agnon. Modern Hebrew songwriters are featured. Two large units teach about the Holocaust and Eli Cohen. Hebrew grammar is studied in greater depth with an emphasis on expanding patterns and understanding how the same root is affected by different constructions.

Units of study include:

  • Classical stories about the Tishrei holidays.
  • Israeli music
  • How do students see themselves in the future?
  • Holocaust studies
  • Heroes and role models
  • Israel

Seventh Grade

Hebrew is a language that allows us to express our feelings about new situations, share our interests, express opinions and react to what others express. Hebrew as an informational language: reading newspapers, short stories and longer novels in Hebrew. The course is taught using original modern Hebrew literature.

Units of study include:

  • The Unit: “Connections Large and Small”: Students will read the following: the story “My New School”, the story “Yom Kippur” and the article “What is Happiness”
  • Literature Unit: By reading the chapter book Hasamba, students will learn about the underground organizations that brought immigrants to Israel just before statehood.
  • Unit on Israeli Music: The Idan Raichel Project – students will read a short biography of Idan Raichel and learning some of the group’s popular songs.

Eighth Grade

Students focus on Israeli society and the groups that have had a major impact on Israeli culture. They study major events in modern Israel through the music and stories written about them.

Units of study include:

  • Israeli Music Unit: works of Naomi Shemer and the rap groups HaDag Nachash and Fools of Prophecy. Students will learn about the background of these musicians, study their songs, and the meaning behind the songs.
  • Compare and contrast the music of Naomi Shemer and the rap groups. How do these musical genres reflect the times in which they were written?
  • Literature Unit: Students will deepen their understanding of the Shoah (Holocaust) by reading at least one of these original works of literature: “The Siren,” “The Children from Mapu Street,” “To Keep a Promise”
  • Advertising/Language Unit: Students will explore the importance of language as a means to persuade and attract people. Students read an article about the struggle to keep the Hebrew language free of foreign influences.