Akiba Academy approaches its Judaic Studies program with the philosophy that Torah knowledge must be relevant to children’s everyday lives. Torah is to be both learned and lived. Therefore, classroom emphasis is placed on both 1) teaching Torah values and ethics and 2) building the skills needed to analyze and comprehend Jewish texts.

Our teaching staff strives to nurture meaningful relationships with the students. In the classroom, differentiated instruction takes place to meet the needs of all children. Instruction is hands-on as children are empowered to explore our rich heritage.

The beauty of our religion and its role in our lives takes root in each child. The holidays are a time of reflection and of joy. The lessons of the weekly parsha (Torah reading) are excitedly brought home each week to be shared over Shabbat tables throughout the Akiba community. Judaism and the world are fused together as Torah views and concepts are brought into the study of ecology, business ethics, medical issues, and technology.

As a result, our students develop a strong identity, able to answer the questions, “What does being Jewish really mean?” and “How can I, as a Jew, make a difference in the world today?”

Character Development
Through the study of Torah and its moral lessons, Akiba strives to teach the following to each student:

	The understanding that we are accountable for our actions
	Identifying with and demonstrating Middot Tovot (positive character traits)
	Incorporating moral and ethical values in our decision making
	Having consideration and respect for all people – Jewish and non-Jewish

Students learn both on a philosophical and practical level the concepts of “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world) and “Being a Light unto the Nations”. Emphasis is placed on both helping fellow Jews as well as reaching out to the broader world.

Working side-by-side with their teachers, the children learn by example as the lessons on chesed (kindness) are translated into outreach projects in both the Jewish and general communities. In cooperation with the teaching staff, monthly tzedakah projects are chosen by the students and then worked upon. Examples include Food Drives for Jewish Family Services, raising money for Od Yosef Chai (an organization reaching out to underprivileged Jews in Israel), and most recently, a community-wide walk-a-thon for Sharsharet, an organization dedicated to helping Jewish women who are battling breast cancer.

Children at Akiba learn that their personal participation makes our world a better place in which to live. Through being involved in these activities children are being trained to become active leaders. By empowering and trusting the children at a young age, they are experiencing what a difference they can make to the Jewish people and to the world at large. They are being molded into the activist leaders of tomorrow.

Hebrew Language
At Akiba, the philosophy of teaching Hebrew is that it is a living, dynamic language. Students are taught to read Hebrew language texts with full comprehension, as well as learn to express their ideas fluently in Hebrew, both orally and in written form.

Akiba uses cutting-edge, progressive Hebrew language curricula with the Tal Am program in grades 1-3, the Tal Sela program in grades 4-5, and the NETA program in grades 6 -8. These immersion programs promote a whole language approach, incorporating interactive hands-on, visual, and auditory methods of instruction. The skills and fluency acquired in Hebrew language then carry over to the Torah-based classes to enhance and heighten the level of the study of religious texts.

For students with a limited background in Hebrew language and/or Jewish studies, a Mechina (beginners) program is available to teach the needed rudimentary skills and requisite knowledge.

Jewish Religious Studies
Akiba students receive a substantive and meaningful education in all areas of Torah study. Daily lessons in Chumash (Bible), Dinim (Jewish Laws), Navi (Prophets), and Oral Law ensure the following:

	An understanding of the general structure and content of Tanakh, Talmud, and classical Jewish writings
	The ability to analyze Jewish text with commentary
	Knowledge of laws and sources that guide Jewish living and Shabbat and Yom Tov (holiday) observance
	An understanding of Jewish practices and customs, and an appreciation of how they enhance our lives and attitudes

Judaic Studies Staff
Our Judaic studies staff comes from the finest educational institutions in both America and Israel. These institutions include but are not limited to:

	Rika Breuer Teachers Seminary
	Ner Israel Rabbinical College
	Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch
	Yeshiva University
	Yeshivot Bnei Akiva

The diversity in our Judaic staff gives the children a broad outlook of Judaism. The children have the opportunity to see how our staff works together, learning from each other and respecting each other’s philosophies.

Tefilla/Prayer
Every morning, Akiba students begin the day with tefilla (prayer). In addition to learning the chanting of the prayers with fluency, the children are taught the purpose and meaning of the tefilla. They learn the layout of the siddur (prayer book) for services and develop the skills to follow synagogue protocol.

In the Middle School, the boys and girls separate to have their own student-led davening (prayer service). A minyan for the boys (full prayer service) takes place each day, with Torah reading each Monday, Thursday, and on holidays. At times, Middle School students help lead the davening for the younger students.

Through meaningful discussions with their teachers, a personal relationship with Hashem (G-d) is engendered, and the children learn about their responsibility of bringing honor to Hashem through their own actions.

Chumash
Our children are introduced to Chumash (Bible) lessons in preschool, and those lessons are reinforced in the kindergarten. After extensively preparing the younger child in reading, writing, and Hebrew language acquisition, our young students delve into their Chumash learning ready to learn pesuk by pesuk (sentence by sentence). Chumash learning includes the following:

	Formal lessons, one building upon the other
	Lessons of character development
	Hands-on knowledge of laws from the Torah and the meaning of those laws
	Hands-on knowledge of laws from the Torah and the meaning of those laws
	Translating skills that eventually lead to children being able to independently learn Chumash
	Extensive focus on Rashi commentary

Chumash study incorporates the use of skills acquired from Hebrew language class, in order to maximize the time focused on Torah learning.

Tanakh
As a modern Orthodox school, Akiba places a strong emphasis on the study of Tanakh (Torah, Nivi’im/Prophets, and Ketuvim/Writings). In-depth study of Navi (Prophets) coupled with analysis of substantial commentary is a key component in Tanakh learning. Our students learning of Prophets ties into learning about Israel – what Israel was in Biblical times and what Israel is today. Our Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in the Chidon Ha Tanakh, the International Bible Contest. Akiba has sent many students to the national level of this contest held yearly in New York.

Oral Law
Mishna study begins in the 4th grade at Akiba with the innovative Mishna program, Bonayich. This program teaches not only the depth and breadth of particular mishnaiyot, but it also gives an extensive background as to how the mishnaiyot were formulated and identifies who the authors were, giving context to the learning.

In 5th-8th grades, boys and girls separate for Gemara study. Because the philosophy of Akiba is to teach Gemara when children are ready, Gemara classes are offered starting in 5th grade, preparing those students who will go on to learn at Yeshivot where a majority of their day will involve Gemara study. Akiba’s approach to teaching Gemara ensures that our students are fully immersed and have a greater understanding of how to learn Oral Law.

Dinim
Our children extensively learn the dinim (laws) of the holidays, as well as the reasons, meaning, and practical application of the laws. For examples, because Akiba is open during Chol Hamoed (the intermediary days of) Sukkot, teachers and students celebrate the holiday collectively, and together learn and perform the relevant laws and mitzvot.

In addition to holiday study, dinim units include the following topics:

	Kashrut – Extensive learning in all areas of keeping kosher
	Tefilla (Prayer) – Study of prayer and how prayers were formulated
	Judaism and Ecology
	Torah and Technology
	Jewish Business Ethics (for example, how Torah looks at advertising, copyright, bankruptcy, and paying taxes)

For three weeks during the school year, there is a school-wide focus on the laws of Shabbat, where topics of learning include:

	Various concepts and themes of Shabbat
	Types of Melacha (work), both from the Torah and Rabbinic sources
	Rules regarding Muchtzah (items to be avoided on Shabbat)
	Bishul (cooking)
	Halachot Neirot (Rules of lighting candles)
	Kiddush and Havdalah

Middle school dinim classes also include the following interactive discussions of:

	Shofar – Blowing and requirements for hearing
	International Dateline Issues
	Sciatic Nerve and hindquarter of animals
	Reheating pre-cooked foods on Shabbat
	Yom Tov Sheini (2nd day of Yom Tovim/holidays) – Application of these rules outside of Israel or as visitors to Israel during the holidays
	Baal Tashchit (Not Wasting) – How Torah laws apply not wasting food, enhancing our awareness towards responsible use of resources

Many of these classes are based on lectures by Rabbi Yissocher Frand (Ner Israel Rabbinical College).

Jewish History
Jewish history is taught throughout the grades, with a formalization of the topic in the Middle School.

The 6th grade studies the 2nd Temple period, from the destruction of the 1st Temple through the Babylonian and Persian periods, the rise of Hellenism, the Maccabean Revolt, and the Hasmonean kingdom until the rise of Christianity.

The 7th grade focuses on the Jewish Revolts of 70 and 135 A.C.E., the development of the Mishna and Talmud, through the rise of Islam, the Golden Age of Spain, and the beginning of the Middle Ages.

The 8th grade studies European medieval society and the role of the Jews, the relationship between the Church and Jewry, the rise of individual liberties and the rights of man, the rise of nationalism and Zionism, the Holocaust, and the rebirth of Israel.

Israel/Zionism
Akiba supports the people, the land, and the State of Israel. Love for Israel is interwoven throughout the curriculum and special programming takes place throughout the year to enhance these learning experiences. Our students participate in lively, interactive activities celebrating and honoring Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), Yom Hazikaron (Honoring Israel’s fallen soldiers), and Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day).