Jewish Life

Judaic values are an integral part of the AJA experience.

The following help reinforce these values and ensure a strong, cohesive community (kehillah):

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.

 

Milestone Ceremonies

  • Kindergarten: Siddur Ceremony

    Students receive their own copy of the siddur we use at school and lead their parents in a prayer service as well as share their own interpretations of each prayer.

  • First Grade: Shema Chagiga

    Our students have been focusing on reading Hebrew and use their new skills to read and sing the Shema and V’ahavta prayers. They will receive a pillowcase printed with the prayer, so they will have it handy in the evenings and mornings, when it is traditional to recite the Shema.

  • Second Grade: Kabbalat Shabbat

    Students perform a play in which they demonstrate their understanding of various Shabbat traditions, the students lead us in the Shabbat blessings, and then the class enjoys a lovely Shabbat meal together.

  • Third Grade: Chumash Ceremony

    This is one of the most moving ceremonies at AJA, as the Torah is unrolled and held up so that the children can see the whole Torah before them, as they are surrounded by their loved ones. They receive their first Chumash which will be a resource to them for years to come as they embark on their journey of studying Torah.

  • Fourth Grade: Havdallah

    The Havdallah ceremony marks the separation between Shabbat and the rest of the week using a braided candle, spices, and wine to sweeten the transition into normal life after Shabbat.

  • Fifth Grade: Tikkun Ceremony

    Students receive a Tikkun to aid them in the preparation of reading Torah, and they read Torah for their peers and parents for the first time this year.