Jewish Experience at AJA
At Austin Jewish Academy, from the very first day of kindergarten, students are introduced to Jewish holidays, Torah portions, and basic Hebrew vocabulary. As they progress through each grade, the focus expands to include key Jewish prayers, traditions, and values. Students begin learning Hebrew in earnest by first grade and, by second grade, are leading Tefillah and studying topics like Shabbat and the Kibbutz. By the time students reach the older grades, they explore more complex Jewish history and texts, such as the Torah and the Mishna, and engage with global Jewish issues like the Holocaust, all while continuously making connections to their Jewish heritage.
Tefillah
Our students have many opportunities to participate in Tefillah (prayers) throughout their time at AJA. In addition to learning new tefillot in Jewish Studies classes, our students attend Tefillah with their peers twice a week, and we have a special all-school Tefillah every Rosh Chodesh (new month). During Tefillah, we discuss the meanings of prayers and their relevance to students’ lives, practice the choreography and order of a service, and students can shine as prayer leaders. Our Middle School students have the opportunity to interact with community rabbis to study the weekly Torah portion or an upcoming holiday, as well as practice their skills of reading Torah and sharing their words of interpretation about the weekly Parsha.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat is a prayer service to welcome in Shabbat each week; it is typically held on Friday evening during sundown, but at AJA we celebrate Shabbat each week from 8:00-8:30am in our Multipurpose Room (MPR). Led by parent Dave Kaplan, we sing songs, recite Shabbat blessings, recognize birthdays, and celebrate being together as a community. Parents and family members are invited to join us every week – the more, the merrier!
Shabbat Dinners
A few times a year, we gather as a community on a Friday evening to have Shabbat dinner together as a school community. Students enjoy spending time with each other at school, and even more so on a Friday night where they can relax and enjoy Shabbat together. Parents are excited to socialize and eat a catered meal, and these dinners always bring us closer together as a community.
Holiday Celebrations
We look forward to celebrating Jewish holidays throughout the school year, and we try to make each holiday unique and memorable. While we try to switch up the activities from year to year, we strive to provide hands-on, fun, and educational experiences. Some highlights that have become beloved over the years include daily candle lighting and singing during Hanukkah, the PTO Purim Carnival, Passover Obstacle Course, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations.
Jewish Life Grade by Grade
But Judaism is not simply relegated to Jewish Studies class. At AJA, Jewish values, Hebrew, and Israel are seamlessly integrated into the daily curriculum, enriching students’ academic experiences and connecting them to their Jewish heritage. From early childhood through middle school, AJA ensures these subjects are a part of everyday learning, fostering a deep connection to Jewish traditions.
Additionally, in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade, students participate in special milestone ceremonies. Learn more about how we integrate these ceremonies, Jewish values, Hebrew, and Israel into the curriculum at each grade level.
Kindergarten
In kindergarten, Jewish Studies come to life through interactive storytelling, such as The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah, helping students connect with the rhythm of the Jewish year, including holidays and the weekly Torah portion. Hebrew is woven into daily routines, with students beginning to recognize letters and learn basic vocabulary, including counting, colors, and songs. They are also introduced to Tefillah (prayer), gradually building confidence in their role as prayer leaders.
By the end of the year, students receive their first siddur in a special Siddur Ceremony, where they lead their parents in a prayer service and share personal reflections on the prayers they have learned. This milestone marks their growing connection to Jewish traditions and the Hebrew language, laying the foundation for their continued spiritual and linguistic development.
First Grade
First graders explore Jewish values like bravery and integrity through stories such as Queen Esther, while their Hebrew lessons focus on numbers, directions, and songs. They are introduced to Israel through videos and discussions that highlight its cultural and historical significance. As they progress, students work toward mastering Hebrew letters and vowels, beginning their journey of reading and speaking Hebrew.
They also gain confidence in leading Tefillah (prayer), with a special focus on reading and reciting the Shema and V’ahavta, two foundational prayers in Judaism. To celebrate their learning, students will receive a pillowcase printed with the Shema, making it easy to recite this meaningful prayer during the traditional times—morning and evening.
Second Grade
Second graders focus on Jewish values like tikkun olam (repairing the world) and chesed (kindness), connecting these ideas to their reading and writing. They explore Hebrew word roots and numerical values, discovering connections between words like chai (life) and ahavah (love). Their studies also include Israel’s geography and government, as well as the story of Noah’s Ark. Throughout the year, students deepen their understanding of Shabbat, learning about its artifacts, prayers, blessings, and common practices. They also study the Kibbutz as a unique type of community in Israel, linking it to their general studies unit on communities.
As part of their Shabbat learning, students perform a play to showcase their understanding of its traditions. They lead the Kabbalat Shabbat prayers and blessings, culminating in a shared Shabbat meal, celebrating their knowledge and connection to this meaningful Jewish practice.
Third Grade
By third grade, students read books by Jewish authors, such as The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco, exploring Jewish values while studying Israel’s geography and culture. These lessons help them connect their Jewish heritage to everyday life. They begin to think critically about the stories they read, focusing on Abraham’s family and his role as the first person to believe in only one G-d. A central theme of their learning is “What is Torah?”, guiding them toward a deeper understanding of its significance.
A highlight of the year is the Chumash Ceremony, one of the most moving traditions at AJA. In this special event, the Torah is unrolled before the students, allowing them to see it in its entirety while surrounded by their loved ones. Each student receives their first Chumash, a resource they will use for years to come as they embark on their journey of Torah study.
Fourth Grade
In fourth grade, Jewish values are woven into daily learning through the Brit Kehillah, a shared commitment to community. Students read novels like Wonder, discussing themes of empathy and kindness, and explore Israel’s technological contributions. They study Jewish communities around the world, including the stories of Jews in Texas, and are introduced to the Holocaust through literature and history lessons. Their Torah study focuses on Jacob and his complex family, and they engage with Midrash, even writing and performing their own Midrashic stories.
A key moment of the year is their study of Havdallah, the ceremony marking the transition from Shabbat to the rest of the week. Using a braided candle, spices, and wine, students experience how this tradition brings sweetness and meaning to the shift from sacred time to everyday life. As part of their learning, they read the graphic novel White Bird, deepening their understanding of heroes and helpers during the Holocaust.
Fifth Grade
Fifth graders take on a Project-Based Learning (PBL) initiative to revitalize the school garden, applying Jewish values like shmirat ha’adamah (protecting the Earth) and bal tashchit (avoiding waste). They also explore Israeli agricultural innovations such as drip irrigation, connecting these lessons to real-world environmental action. Their Torah study focuses on Joseph and his family, aligning with their developmental focus on fairness and justice. Throughout the year, students hold mock trials, grappling with questions of right vs. wrong and what it means to take responsibility for their actions.
A major milestone is the Yad Ceremony, where students receive a Yad, which they will hand-paint with colors and symbols that are meaningful to them. For the first time, they chant Torah in front of their peers and parents, marking an important step in their Jewish learning and leadership.
Middle School
Students begin their middle school Jewish studies journey with the Jewish Court of All Time, an online program where they embody historical figures and interact with peers from Jewish Day Schools across the country. Sixth graders also delve into the book of Exodus, focusing on the Israelites’ path from slavery to freedom and the challenges they encountered along the way. As they progress, students read novels like The Bronze Bow, exploring themes of faith, resilience, and the enduring significance of Israel. Hebrew is woven throughout subjects such as literature and history, deepening their connection to Jewish heritage.
In seventh grade, students explore leadership through the lens of biblical and rabbinic figures, including Moses, judges, prophets, kings, and even G-d. They begin studying the Mishna and Rabbinic Judaism, learning to “think like a rabbi” and consider how traditions evolve over time. By eighth grade, students engage in a comprehensive and challenging curriculum that includes a Holocaust seminar, studies of the Talmud and Five Megillot, and an in-depth exploration of Israeli history. This final year at AJA ensures students graduate with a strong foundation in Jewish learning, critical thinking, and a sense of purpose as they move forward.
Specialized Subjects
Jewish Studies extend beyond academics. In art and P.E., Hebrew terminology and Israeli sports are incorporated. Music classes focus on learning Jewish holiday songs in both Hebrew and English, while the library offers books centered around Jewish holidays and themes, further enriching students’ understanding of Jewish culture.
At AJA, Jewish Studies, Hebrew, and Israel are an integral part of every student’s experience. By weaving these subjects into the curriculum, AJA fosters a strong connection to Jewish heritage, preparing students to engage meaningfully with the world around them.