MJCS Religious School

Teach a child in his or her unique way, and they will learn it for a lifetime (Proverbs 22:6)

You’ve probably never seen a Jewish Education Program like the one at the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue.  Led by our Rabbi  Marcelo Gindlin, and our Religious School Director, Michelle Geft, the program both fosters a connection to the community, and participation in all Jewish events and celebrations.

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Program options for students in Kindergarten through 7th grade, include classes at MJCS on Tuesday afternoons from 4pm to 6:35pm. What sets MJCS apart from other Jewish Education programs, is that MJCS is about creating an engaging, friendly, and inspiring place for students to celebrate their heritage. Our students gain an understanding and appreciation of their history, grow spiritually, connect to Israel and the Hebrew language, and build a sense of pride in Judaism and in themselves. The curriculum includes the how and why of Jewish holidays, lifecycle events, and mitzvot and instills values learned from Torah and the evolving tradition.

Your teen is invited to make MJCS their home-away-from-home. Starting in 8th grade, our Madrichim program encourages our teens to embrace future leadership roles through hands-on experiences with younger students, participation in peer-led activities, and exposure to social action projects. We are developing project-based learning activities that will make for a more well-rounded experience.

Religious School Calendar

3rd grade

Morah (Teacher) Miriam creates an exciting introduction to Religious School and presents an overview of all topics covered throughout the years tailored to our younger minds.
This class studies the holidays and life cycle of Judaism. Along with this comes knowledge of traditional Shabbat and holiday blessings, Jewish symbols, customs and traditions.

All Hebrew at MJCS RS is taught on an individual basis to nurture the individual skills and levels of our students. Morah Miriam alternates years and teaches from Let’s Discover the Aleph Bet Series, and workbooks created by MJCS staff and former student, Ilana Kushner. Morah Miriam also teaches with JiTap’s online video series on the Aleph Bet that you can watch at home!

Throughout the year, students learn about each holiday and celebrate with all the traditions. The holiday curriculum is scaffolded, so each year students get a deeper understanding of the holiday while navigating various sources tailored to their grade level.

T’filla (prayers) is done as a community at the end of the day and attendance is crucial to the T’filla service. This is the time when we learn the prayers, become familiar with the Siddur (prayer book), and connection to the synagogue services is cultivated.

Morah (teacher) Tamara combines Midot (good deeds) and stories from the Torah (Bible).  Focus is on Derech Eretz (respect and our treatment of people), Shmirat Ha’ Lashon (how words can be hurtful), Shmirat Ha’ Goof (protecting our bodies), Jewish tradition of learning, Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and more.  Students learn where these topics are found in the Torah and scripture and how to apply them in their daily lives.

All Hebrew in MJCS RS is taught on an individual basis to nurture the individual skills and levels of our students.  Morah Tamara teaches from the Aleph Champ book series.

Throughout the year, students learn about each holiday and celebrate all traditions.  The holiday curriculum is scaffolded, so each year students get a deeper understanding of the holiday by navigating various sources tailored to their grade level.

T’filla (prayers) is done as a community at the end of the day and attendance is crucial to the T’filla service.  This is the time when we learn the prayers, become familiar with the Siddur (prayer book), and connection to the synagogue services is cultivated.

4th5th grade2

Morah (teacher) Anat teaches Life Cycle and Jewish Calendar. The students build their understanding of Jewish life-cycle events as a guide or path of Jewish life. This involves learning all Jewish life-cycle moments. They also learn the Jewish calendar, the names of Hebrew months, holidays and the Hebrew dates of the holidays.

All Hebrew in MJCS RS is taught on an individual basis to nurture the individual skills and levels of our students. Morah Anat teaches from the book, Read Hebrew!

Throughout the year, students learn about each holiday and celebrate all traditions. The holiday curriculum is scaffolded, so each year students get a deeper understanding of the holiday by navigating various sources tailored to their grade level.

T’filla (prayers) is done as a community at the end of the day and attendance is crucial to the T’filla service. This is the time when we learn the prayers, become familiar with the Siddur (prayer book), and connection to the synagogue services is cultivated.

4th5th grade2

Moreh (teacher) Gil presents an exciting curriculum of “Heroes and Highlights in Jewish History!” Taking the students on a journey through Jewish History from Biblical times to the late 1800s through exciting text, videos and games. Each class is a dynamic lesson that brings history alive.
Holidays will be visited throughout the year, introducing new levels of understanding the holidays and explaining traditions in a more mature light.

All Hebrew in MJCS RS is taught on an individual basis to nurture the individual skills and levels of our students. Moreh Gil teaches from the book, Shalom U’vracha.

Modern Hebrew is taught through the innovative Hebrew-Through-Movement program that is sweeping the nation by our Hebrew-Through-Movement certified teachers. Students are actively learning by having fun!

Throughout the year, students learn about each holiday and celebrate all traditions. The holiday curriculum is scaffolded, so each year students get a deeper understanding of the holiday by navigating various sources tailored to their grade level.

T’filla (prayers) is done as a community at the end of the day and attendance is crucial to the T’filla service. This is the time when we learn the prayers, become familiar with the Siddur (prayer book), and connection to the synagogue services is cultivated.

6th grade

Morah (teacher) Michelle teaches about Modern Israel and helps each student establish a relationship with Israel as our Jewish homeland. They will learn the meaning and significance of Israel and our connection to the land from biblical through modern times. Using a project-based-learning model, the students become familiar with the geography of the land and all of the achievements and innovations of modern Israel.

Throughout the year, holidays will be visited on a whole new level. Students learn how to navigate a Chumash (book version of the Torah) and learn where the holidays are found in the Torah or other historical sources with commentary.

All Hebrew in MJCS RS is taught on an individual basis to nurture the individual skills and levels of our students. Morah Michelle teaches from the different books based on the students’ level.

Throughout the year, students learn about each holiday and celebrate all traditions. The holiday curriculum is scaffolded, so each year students get a deeper understanding of the holiday by navigating various sources tailored to their grade level.

T’filla (prayers) is done as a community at the end of the day and attendance is crucial to the T’filla service. This is the time when we learn the prayers, become familiar with 6 – Morah Michelle teaches about Modern Israel and helps each student establish a relationship with Israel as our Jewish homeland. They will learn the meaning and significance of Israel and our connection to the land from biblical through modern times. Using a project-based-learning model, the students become familiar with the geography of the land and all of the achievements and innovations of modern Israel.

Throughout the year, holidays will be visited on a whole new level. Students learn how to navigate a Chumash (book version of the Torah) and learn where the holidays are found in the Torah or other historical sources with commentary.

All Hebrew in MJCS RS is taught on an individual basis to nurture the individual skills and levels of our students. Moreh Michelle teaches from the different books based on the students’ level.

Modern Hebrew is taught through the innovative Hebrew-Through-Movement program that is sweeping the nation by our Hebrew-Through-Movement certified teachers. Students are actively learning by having fun!

Throughout the year, students learn about each holiday and celebrate all traditions. The holiday curriculum is scaffolded, so each year students get a deeper understanding of the holiday by navigating various sources tailored to their grade level.

T’filla (prayers) is done as a community at the end of the day and attendance is crucial to the T’filla service. This is the time when we learn the prayers, become familiar with

7th grade

7 – B’nai Mitzvah –The Seventh Grade curriculum consists of projects and lesson plans meaningful to students about to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The Clergy work together to combine a curriculum of bar/bat mitzvah preparation. Rabbi Marcelo personally teaches Torah study, Jewish prayer, and leads each class in a discussion of Jewish values. All students spend focused time with Rabbi Marcelo, practicing reading from the Torah, learning prayers and blessings, as well as Hebrew instruction that is geared to an individual level.

The students of B’nai Mitzvah help lead the T’filla (prayers) to create a sense of leadership and empowerment.

7th grade

The Madrichim Program gives our teens a space to develop a peer community and experience social opportunities, while gaining skills that go beyond the Synagogue. They are empowered to take on important leadership roles which foster a sense of value.
Using PBL (Project based learning), we are excited to add a space to create! They will produce a radio program on our own KBUU (Local Malibu Radio)! Using Israeli music, Jewish heritage and culture as a framework, the students will be broadcasting to all of Malibu representing Malibu Jewish Center and Jewish/Israeli ideas. They will also put on plays to educate our students on upcoming holidays and on stories from the Torah.
While developing radio programs and plays, Madrichim will be aiding in the classrooms and in the office to help maintain a smooth flow to our Religious School days. Volunteer hours are given to all participants and count towards their high school volunteer hour requirements.

Bar / Bat Mitzvah Students

Contact

Michelle Geft
Religious School Director

Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue
24855 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, California 90265

(310) 456-2178 x12

Must be synagogue member to attend religious school