The College seeks to instruct its students in all facets of Jewish behaviour and seeks to educate its students to be tolerant of all expressions of Judaism. It celebrates all the Jewish festivals, underlining the intrinsic ethical and moral lessons of those festivals. Our children are taught Jewish History from biblical to modern times and are given a sense of the continuity of that history and of how the Jews have survived as a people for thousands of years.
We teach them how to appreciate the beauty of the Jewish experience and its traditions so that they feel comfortable with their Jewishness and proud of their heritage.
The Jewish Studies curriculum of our school reflects the secular approach of Sholem Aleichem College towards Jewish life.
Yiddish is taught as a living language, so that by the time the children leave the school, they can read and converse in Yiddish.
The study of the Yiddish language, Yiddish culture, Jewish history and traditions, Jewish ethics and customs (under the all encompassing concept of "Yiddishkeit") is the heart and soul of Sholem Aleichem College. Therein lies our uniqueness and that I which distinguishes us from any other Jewish Day School in Australia.
The study of modern Hebrew language ensures that our students are exposed to this vital component of their Jewish heritage and identity.
Sholem Aleichem College puts great emphasis on its multifaceted Jewish Studies program. The programme fosters awareness of all aspects of Jewish life with a particular emphasis on the proportion of Jewish culture, Yiddish language and literature, Hebrew language as well as Jewish history, traditions and customs, ethics and values. Our purpose is to cultivate in our students a passionate sense of Jewish identity and a sense of belonging to the world-wide Jewish people, with special ties to the Australian Jewish community and the State of Israel.
As Jewish languages are an essential part of any Jewish identity, our aim is to make our children truly multilingual. Yiddish and Hebrew are both taught as living languages.
As we run an integrated program all the Jewish festivals and national events are studied and commemorated in both the General and Jewish Studies program. Rosh Hashone, Yom Kiper, Sukes, Simkhes Toyre, Khanuke, Tishe Bov, Purim, Peysakh, Yom Ha'Atzmaut and Shevues are studied and experienced at all levels - from Pre-school to Grade Six. Sholem Aleichem's birthday, Yom Yerushalayim and Lag Boymer are also part of the Jewish Studies curriculum as is Yom Hashoah which is dealt with at an age appropriate level.
Jewish history, traditions and ethics are taught from a secular perspective from Pre-school to Grade Six. Jewish history and Bible stories. (TANAKH) are taught as a formal subject from Grade One onwards. The curriculum begins with Adam and Eve and Abraham and Sarah and follows the ebbs and flows of Jewish History leading to 1,000 years of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, the establishment of the modern State of Israel, and to our own vibrant Australian Jewish community.
Sholem Aleichem College offers its own Bar / Bas Mitzvah program. This begins during the course of their Grade Six studies and continues out of school hours for part of their Year Seven, culminating in a B'nai Mitzvah Ceremony.
The aims of the Sholem Aleichem College Bar / Bas Mitzvah program are to increase the student's ability to make Jewish choices for themselves and to take up responsible citizenship in the Jewish community as they leave Sholem Aleichem College and enter adolescence.
The Bar / Bas Mitzvah can serve to compliment a traditional synagogue oriented ceremony, or stand on its own as an entry to adult Jewish "citizenship" if the individual family so chooses.
Sholem Aleichem College aims to develop in our students a fluency in, and love of, Yiddish language and culture. Through language immersion our students will gain a deeper understanding of their rich cultural heritage. This program will provide them with another tool to further their Jewish expression and identity. It is envisaged that through the program the children will be personally enriched. They will be able to perform in Yiddish, and will be able to go out into the community confident in their understanding of Yiddish and their own language skills.
Yiddish is taught daily at Sholem Aleichem College at all grade levels, including Pre-school. Prep study Yiddish / Jewish Studies five lessons per week, Grade One studies Yiddish I Jewish Studies 6 lessons per week and Grades Two to Six study Yiddish I Jewish Studies seven lessons per week.
In the lower grades a thematic approach is used in teaching Yiddish - integrating themes from the General Studies curriculum.
Our children use internationally prescribed textbooks as well as supplementary worksheets and activities. Yiddish learning programs and word processing programs are used where appropriate.
As Yiddish is taught as a living language at Sholem Aleichem College, oral work is an integral part of our language learning program. Creative writing in Yiddish is experienced by children in the upper grades. The children work both individually and in groups and experience both formal and informal creative learning experiences. The children also interact with native Yiddish speakers, both within the school itself, and in the larger Melbourne Jewish community.
The program aims to instil in the students a love of the Hebrew language and to bring enjoyment to their Hebrew learning experience. Students should become curious about the use of Hebrew in modern Israeli society and, through the language, develop an interest in,the cultural and Jewish life in Israel.
It is envisaged that the children will display competence in their understanding of language taught in class, and that they will experience personal development through the programme. We hope to develop each student's confidence in her/his own abilities. The programme will prepare students who graduate from Sholem Aleichem College to feel capable to integrate into a Hebrew learning programme in another Jewish Day School.
All students from Pre-school to Grade Six receive Hebrew tuition. Pre-school. Prep, Grades one and two, have short weekly sessions that immerse children in Hebrew song, dance and basic language.
In Grades 3 - 4 students receive three lessons a week of Hebrew instruction,Grades 5-6 receive 4 lessons per week. They work through prescribed texts and workbooks as well as supplementary worksheets and activities.
The programme involves both group and individual work, including both formal and informal creative learning experiences.
A thematic approach to the language acquisition programme is used. This runs concurrently with text book study.
The programme provides a balance of formal and creative areas and includes reading, translation, grammar, stories, songs, dances, drama, finger plays and poems, games, flash cards, art, (computer) group and individual work.
We encourage children's involvement in the learning process and welcome any tapes, videos or books relevant to our learning programme.