Kidz Shabbat
Our youngest learners begin their journey with Kidz Shabbat, a joyful Friday evening service each month for toddlers and their families. Led by our clergy, these gatherings are filled with singing, storytelling, and a tasty nosh to welcome Shabbat together.
My Family and Me
In this monthly experience, children and their grown-ups cook and taste holiday treats, explore Jewish traditions through play, and connect with other families. While the kids enjoy guided activities, adults meet with our rabbi to reflect on parenting through a Jewish lens.
Kindergarten
Kindergartners dive into Jewish life with hands-on learning, simple prayers and blessings, and joyful celebrations. Their official start is marked by a beautiful Consecration ceremony during a Friday night service.
1st Grade
1st grade curriculum includes Bible stories and recognizing Hebrew letters. A special highlight is every family getting at least one visit from “Shabbat Spot”, a take-home stuffed animal who brings with him everything a family needs to celebrate a Friday night table service.
2nd Grade
Students begin studying Israel, starting with a simulated airplane trip for which they pack, make passports, and learn about the sites they’ll be “visiting.” They also learn all about their synagogue by conducting interviews with clergy, staff, and lay leaders. And they commence a three-year Bible curriculum, starting with the main stories of the Torah.
3rd Grade
A stronger emphasis on the Jewish calendar and all the festivals, including both the historical and the agricultural connections for each holiday. A highlight is Family Model Shabbat to emphasize the holiday we have every week. Third graders move on to the early prophets in their Bible studies and become proficient in the limited Hebrew commands and vocabulary taught in our Hebrew Through Movement (HTM) program.
4th Grade
As their formal study of Hebrew begins, students start attending Wednesday afternoons in addition to Sundays. They also study the distinctive Jewish customs for celebrating major life-cycle events. Each student will bring home a learning box for the family to explore during each major unit of this curriculum (the “Birth and Naming Box” is a favorite). Classes end the year with a special event around wedding customs – often a Mock Wedding featuring the whole class or a Wedding Museum project using family photos and souvenirs from parents’ weddings.
5th Grade
This year the curriculum refocuses on Israel, and also on the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (healing the world). One highlight comes on Mitzvah Day when the class prepares and serves a meal at Ascencia, the local homeless shelter supported by Temple Sinai for over 30 years. Get out your calendars – at the end of this school year, B’nei Mitzvah dates will be scheduled.
6th Grade
A deeper study of Jewish history, covering the first 3000 years or so (whew!). Students’ understanding of their history is enhanced by a wonderful field trip to the Skirball Museum. A unit about comparative Judaism helps them begin to learn how different schools of Jewish thought view the Torah and many other aspects of Jewish life.
B’nei Mitzvah Prep.
In the winter of 6th grade, students and their parents attend an in-depth orientation with the Rabbi, Cantor, and Religious School Director to launch the B’nei Mitzvah journey. Beginning in 6th grade, students join a weekly B’nei Mitzvah prep class held on Wednesdays after Religious School, where they learn to lead prayers, explore the meaning of their mitzvah, and build confidence in synagogue skills. Each student will complete two semesters of this class by the end of 7th grade. Individualized tutoring begins 6 to 7 months before their scheduled date, offering one-on-one support to prepare their Torah and Haftarah portions. Through this process, students deepen their connection to Jewish tradition and step into leadership in the community.
7th Grade
Get ready for a busy year, one not only full of preparation and parties but also full of meaning. Becoming a Bat or Bar Mitzvah marks the moment your child becomes a Jewish adult, which means, among other things, that she or he will be able to lead and participate in a Jewish service anywhere in the world. During this important year, students are expected to strengthen their Hebrew skills considerably. Meanwhile, their Judaica curriculum focuses on American Jewish history and a mature exploration of important ethical issues.
GTY–Glendale Temple Youth (Ages 13-18)
Many of our teens volunteer their time on Sunday mornings as assistants in the Religious School, but their involvement doesn’t stop there. GTY (Glendale Temple Youth) offers fun, meaningful, and teen-led experiences throughout the year—from movie days and art workshops to social justice projects, community service, and Jewish learning. Teens also attend retreats, help lead holiday celebrations, and explore what it means to build a proud, grounded Jewish identity and navigate the world through a Jewish lens. Those who want to deepen their connection can join the Derech Certificate Program by completing a mix of learning, service, social, and immersive Jewish experiences. It’s a chance to grow, connect, and be celebrated for their commitment to Jewish life and leadership.
