Judaica Curriculum
Teacher Classroom Responsibilities
The Charlotte Jewish Preschool teaching staff provides weekly thematic lesson plans to the Charlotte Jewish Preschool
Director. The weekly lesson plan will state the theme and objective(s) and must include:
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Center time activities – fine motor, sensory, dramatic play, writing, science, math and literacy
Circle Time Activities
Art Projects
Judaica incorporation
Social/Emotional Activities
Gross Motor Activities
Specials
For the purposes of planning, the CJP Teachers will include when appropriate Jewish Holidays as the weekly theme.
Within the Jewish thematic unit, the teachers will include the above activities in their lesson plans. When a Jewish
Holiday is not the weekly theme, the teacher will include within the weekly curriculum Jewish ethics, vocabulary or
stories that relate to the theme.
Please find below teacher responsibilities for curriculum implementation.
CHAGIM
The following chagim (holidays) will be used as the weekly classroom theme as it is related to the calendar.
Rosh Hashanah
Simchat Torah
Purim
Shavuot
Yom Kippur
Chanukah
Pesach
Sukkot
Tu B’shevat
Yom Ha’atzmaut
CJP Shabbat Program
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The Shabbat program is an integral part of the overall Judaica program at CJP. Stories, songs, and presentations by
the Shabbat teacher and visiting clergy will be coordinated with the monthly Judaica theme. Shabbat at CJP will
incorporate Shabbat prayers and songs that will allow students to have a familiarity level with the practices of
Temple Beth El and Temple Israel. Students will have the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat at Temple Israel and
Temple Beth El. Students will have the opportunity to celebrate Shabbat with community clergy. This will allow
students to recognize and know the community rabbis and cantors.
Shabbat/Havadalah
Core Concepts:
 Shabbat comes every week
and has special blessings,
Torah study, and fun, rest,
and fun!
 Shabbat is a different time.
We do things differently
on Shabbat.
 Shabbat is one of the most
important mitzvot in
Jewish life.

Teachers will to set-up
their classroom on
Fridays to include
Shabbat Centers.
Torah Teachings
The Torah instructs and provides guidance on how to be a mensch. The following torah teachings should be
incorporated into the classroom to develop student’s social and emotional growth.
Torah
Theme
Core
Concepts
Learning Goal
Hachnasat
Orchim
(Hospitality)
Judaism
teaches us to
welcome and
treat visitors
nicely
Students will discuss ways to treat
guests in their classrooms and homes,
and demonstrate their “mitzvah
behavior.”
1. When guests come to classroom, students will have the
opportunity to learn Hachnast Orchim.
2. Students have special visitors to the classroom on an
annual basis. (Bagels & Blocks, Tea for Two, Grandparents Day…)
Shomrei
Adamah
(Caring for
the Earth)
We are
partners with
G-d in
fulfilling
Shomrei
Adamah.
We are
commanded
to perform
acts of loving
kindness
through the
act of doing
Tzedekah.
Students will learn how to be partners with
G-d by learning about recycling and other
ways to care for the earth.
1.
Students will learn to do tzedekah through
dramatic play, songs and stories in class and
weekly Shabbat.
1.
Everyone is
created in
God’s image.
We are all
special
because God
is a part of
us.
In daily interactions:
o students will imitate G-d’s good
and upright ways.
o Students will take care of their
health and well-being
Tzedekah
B’tzelem
Elohim
(God’s
Image)
Opportunities
2.
3.
4.
2.
Each classroom has recycling bins. Students will learn to
recycle classroom and lunch /snack materials
Students will work with earth materials in sensory directed activities.
Student will appreciate the natural environment on nature walks.
Students will demonstrate conservation in their classroom.
(i.e., turning off lights, faucets, picking up trash…)
CJP students will have the opportunity to perform tzedekkah
every Shabbat.
CJP Students can:
o Visit JFS Food Pantry
o Visit the Oasis program to bring nachas
Students can:
o Wash hands
o Eat healthy food first
o Run and play on the playground
o Rest our bodies
o Drink water
o Show empathy for friends
o Show caring for friends needs
o Show respect to teachers and adults
Bikkur
Cholim
(Visiting
the Sick)
Tzar
Ba’alei
Chayim
(Caring
for
Animals)
Judaism
teaches us to
take care of
people who
are sick.
CJP students have a classroom
community. Students will identify who is
absent and why they are absent.
Judaism
teaches us
to be kind
to all of Gd’s animals.
In thematic units where students
discuss animals, students will learn
that G-d created animals on the sixth
day. As G-d’s partner, we learn to
take care of and respect animals.
Students can:
o Call an ill classmate to say hello
o Create Get Well Soon Cards
Teachers can:
o Model get well wishes
Students will:
o Learn Hebrew names of animals
o Care for all of G-d’s creatures and not squish them
Students can:
o Talk about caring for their pets
o Act out caring for the animals when they study
thematic unites such as the Farm, The Jungle, Winter
Animals , Circus etc…
Judaica Curriculum
Judaic Theme
Mishpachah (Family)
Core Concepts
Core Concept:
Judaism teaches us
to love and respect
our parents,
siblings, and
relatives.
Learning Goal
Opportunities
1. Students will be
exposed to the Hebrew
words for family
members (see
vocabulary list).
2. Students will share
something about their
own families with the
class.
This concept is always a theme in the individual classrooms. In addition,
students will have opportunities to talk about themselves and their families
through events such as:
 Tea For Two
 Bagels and Blocks
 Grandparents Day
 Kids of the Week
 Birthdays
Teachers will use the Hebrew words for family as appropriate.
Teachers will utlize and teach students with Jewish symbols for Shabbat and
Jewish Holidays.
Kitah Sheli (My
Jewish Classroom)
Judaism happens
in school. Jewish
classrooms have
unique objects and
values.
1. Students will
recognize Jewish
classroom symbols:
Shabbat candlesticks,
tzedakah box, menorah,
mezuzah, Jewish books.
.
2.. Students will be able
to explain above Jewish
classroom symbols.
Talking about God
God is holy
(special).
1.Students will
associate prayer with
thanking God for
things and asking
God for things.
2.Students will talk
about God.
Ahavat Shalom
(Loving and Making
Peace)
Judaism teaches us
to get a long with
others.
1.Students will
grasp that being
nice to others is a
“Jewish thing to
do.”
2. Students will
discuss parts of
1. Through t’fillot, students will learn to thank G-d.
2. Students will learn the we are created B’tzelem Elohim and
therefore, will discuss (when appropriate) to behave in
upright ways.
Ahavat Shalom is addressed in various parts of Judaica,
Classroom activities, and teachable moments.
their school day
and how they can
get along with
friends.
CJP T’filah Map
The purpose of preschool t’fillot is for students to show their love of G-d and to verbalize their appreciation for the world
G-d created.
The following t’fillot will be used in the appropriate settings/time. For example, the Hamtozi will be used each day in the
classroom prior to eating lunch and during Shabbat. These prayers will be used for all age groups and if appropriate will
master the verbalization of these prayers by the time students “graduate” from The Charlotte Jewish Preschool.
Sh’ma
Second Line of Sh’ma
Modeh Ani
Hamotzi
Hazan Et Ha’kol
Borei Minay M’zonot
Borei Pri Hagaffen
Havadallah Blessings
Shabbat Candle Blessing
(Before Lunch)
(After Lunch)
(Before Snack)
Classroom Vocabulary Teacher Responsibility
Family
Abba – dad
Ach – brother
Achot – sister
Bayit – house
Ema – mom
Mezuzah
Mishpacha – family
Sabah – grandpa
Savta – grandma
Tinok – baby
Parah – cow
Soos – horse
Tzippur – bird
Passover
Beitzah - egg
Charoset
Haggadah – Seder booklet
Karpas – green vegetable
Maror – bitter herb
Pesach – Passover
Seder
Z’roah – bone on seder plate
In The Synagogue
Cantor
Kippah
Rabbi
Torah
Israel
Olam - World
Yerushalayim – Jerusalem
Yisrael – Israel
Body Parts
Af – Nose
Beten – tummy
Einayim – eyes
Etzba’ot – fingers
Gav – back
Guf – body
Oznayim – ears
Panim – face
Peh – mouth
Regel – leg
Rosh – head
Tusik – tushy
Yad – hand
Animals
Chatool – cat
Dahg – fish
Kelev – dog
Prayer
Adonai – God
Adonai Echad – God is one
Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur
L’shanah Tovah – Happy New Year
Nature
Adamah – Earth
Etz – tree
Chanukah
Chanukiyah – Chanukah menorah
Mitzvot
Bikkur Cholim – visiting the sick
G’milut Chasadim – Acts of Kindness
Kesef – money
Mitzvah
R’fuah Shleimah – Complete recovery
Mitzvot
Shalom – peace
Tzedakah – righteous giving
Friendship
Boker tov – good morning
Chaver(im) – friend(s)
Shalom – hello, goodbye
Seasons
Aviv – Spring
Kayeets – Summer
S’tav – Autumn
Choref - Winter
Classroom Words/Directions
B’tay Avohn – bon apetit!
B’vakasha – please and you’re
welcome
Count to 10 – 1s and 2s
Count to 15 – 3s
Count to 20 – 4s
Lo po – not here
Mensch – good person
Ode – more
Po – here
S’licha – excuse me
Shateeyach – carpet
Sheket b’vakasha – please be quiet
Shev – sit
Shulchan – table
Todah rabah – thank you
Tov m’od – very good
Yeladim – kids
Colors
Adome – red
Kachole – blue
Katome – orange
Lavan – white
Sagole – purple
Shachore – black
Tzahove – yellow
Varode – pink
Yaroke – green
Days of the Week
Yom Rishon – Sunday
Yom Shaynee – Monday
Yom Shlishi – Tuesday
Yom Rev’i’i – Wednesday
Yom Chamishi – Thursday
Yom Shishi – Friday
Yom Shabbat – Saturday
Books Based on Chagim:
Rosh HaShanah
2-3 year olds
 Apples and Honey – A Rosh Hashanah Story by Jonny Zucker
 A Rosh Hashanah Walk by Carol Levin
 A Touch of the High Holidays by Devorah Glazer (board book)
 Happy Birthday, World – A Rosh HaShanah Celebration by Latifa Berry Kropf
(board book)
J 242.1 ZUC
J 242.1 LEV
BB 242 GLA
BB 242.1
4-5 year olds
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On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Cathy Goldberg Fishman
J 242 FIS
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Gershon’s Monster retold by Eric Kimmel
Engineer Ari and the Rosh Hashanah Ride by Deborah Bodin Cohen
The World’s Birthday by Barbara Diamond Goldin
New Year at the Pier by April Halprin Wayland (2009)
Talia and the Rude Vegetables by Linda Elovitz Marshall (2011)
J 242.1 KIM
J 242 COH
J 242.1 GOL
J 242.1 WAY
J 242.1 MAR
Yom Kippur
2-3 year olds
 I’m Sorry by Sam McBratney
 Jonah and the Whale: Pop Up Book (board book)
E MCB
BB 220.95 JON
4-5 year olds
 The Hardest Word – A Yom Kippur Story by Jacqueline Jules
 Jonah and the Two Great Fish by Mordecai Gerstein
 K’tonton’s Yom Kippur Kitten by Sadie Rose Weilerstein
242.2 JUL
E GER
J 242.2 WEI
Sukkot
2-3 year olds
 Tamar’s Sukkah by Ellie Gellman (also in simpler Board Book edition)
 Let’s Build a Sukkah Pictures by Katherine Kahn (board book)
 Sadie’s Sukkah Breakfast by Jamie Korngold (2011)
J 243.11 GEL
BB 243.1 WIK
J 243.11 KOR
4-5 year olds
 The House on the Roof by David Adler
J 243.11 ADL
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On Sukkot and Simchat Torah by Cathy Goldberg Fishman
Night Lights by Barbara Diamond Goldin
Sadie’s Sukkah Breakfast by Jamie Korngold (2011)
Engineer Ari and the Sukkah Express by Deborah Bodin Cohen (2010)
J 243.11 FIS
J 243.11 GOL
J 243.11 KOR
J 243.22 COH
Simchat Torah
2-3 year olds
 In the Beginning by Steve Turner
 The Seven Days of Creation by Leonard Everett Fisher
J 220.95 TUR
J 220.95 FIS
4-5 year olds
 The Beautiful World that God Made by Rhonda Gowler Greene
 When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street by Elso Okon Rael
 Sammy Spider’s First Simchat Torah by Sylvia Rouss (2010)
 On Sukkot and Simchat Torah by Cathy Goldberg Fishman (2005)
J 220.95 GRE
J 243.13 RAE
J 243.13 ROU
J 243.11 FIS
Chanukah
2-3 year olds
 Hanukkah Haiku by Harriet Ziefert
 Happy Hanukkah, Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
 One Night, One Hanukkah Night by Aidel Backman
 A Turn for Noah by Susan Remick Topek
 Hoppy Hanukkah! by Linda Glaser (2009)
J 244.1 ZIE
J 244.1 CAP
J 244.1 BAC
J 244.1 TOP
J 244.1 GLA
4-5 year olds
 The Chanukkah Guest by Eric Kimmel
 The Story of Hanukkah by Amy Ehrlich
 Runaway Dreidel by Leslea Newman
 The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes by Linda Glaser
 Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah by Tilda Balsley (2010)
 Engineer Ari and the Hanukkah Mishap by Deborah Bodin Cohen (2011)
 The Golem’s Latkes adapted by Eric Kimmel (2011)
J 244.1 KIM
J 244.1 HER
J 244.1 NEW
J 244.1 GLA
J 244.1 BAL
J 244.1 COH
J 244.1 KIM
Tu B’Shevat
2-3 year olds
 It’s Tu B’Shevat by Edie Stoltz Zolkower
(board book)
BB 244.2 ZOL
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The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Inch by Inch – The Garden Song by David Mallett
Dear Tree by Doba Rivka Weber (2009)
E HAL
J 244.2 MAL
J 244.2 WEB
4-5 year olds
 Grandpa and Me on Tu B’Shevat by Marji E. Gold-Vuskon
 The Littlest Tree by Sylvia Rouss
 When God Made the Tree by Virginia Kroll
 Honi’s Circle of Trees by Phillis Gershator
 The Never-Ending Greenness – We Made Israel Bloom
by Neil Waldman (several pages cover WWII – could skip over)
J 244.2 GOL
E ROU
E KRO
J 244.2 GER
E WAL
Purim
2-3 year olds
 It Happened in Shushan- A Purim Story by Harriet K. Feder
J 244.3 FED
4-5 year olds
 On Purim by Cathy Goldberg Fishman
 Queen Esther by Tomie dePaola
 Queen Esther, the Morning Star by Mordecai Gerstein
 The Purim Surprise by Lesley Simpson
 The Queen Who Saved Her People by Tilda Balsey (2011)
 Cakes and Miracles – A Purim Tale by Barbara Diamond Goldin (2010)
J 244.3 FIS
J 244.3 DEP
J 244.3 GER
J 244.3 SIM
J 244.3 BAL
J 244.3 GOL
Pesach
2-3 year olds
 A Taste for Noah by Susan Remick Topek
 Hooray! It’s Passover! by Leslie Kimmelman
 Let My People Go by Tilda Balsley
J 243.2 TOP
J 243.2 KIM
J 243.2 BAL
4-5 year olds
 Moses in the Bulrushes by Warwick Hutton
 The Matzah That Papa Brought Home by Fran Manushkin
 Exodus by Brian Wildsmith
 The Moses Basket by Jenny Koralek
 P is for Passover – A Holiday Alphabet Book by Tanya Lee Stone
J 220.95 HUT
J 243.2 MAN
J 220.95 WIL
J 220.95 KOR
J 243.2 STO
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Nachshon, Who Was Afraid to Swim – A Passover Story
by Deborah Bodin Cohen (2009)
J 243.2 COH
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The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah
J 243.2 KIM
by Leslie Kimmelman (2010)
Yom HaAtzmaut
2-3 year olds
 My Cousin Tamar Lives in Israel by Michelle Shapiro Abraham
 Let’s Visit Israel by Judye Groner
 And Shira Imagined by Giora Carmi
 Israel Is… by Susan Remick Topek and Katherine Janus Kahn
4-5 year olds
 A Ticket to Israel by Marcia Gresko
 Colors of Israel by Laurie Grossman
 Chicken Man by Michelle Edwards
 Snow in Jerusalem by Deborah da Costa
 Alef-bet – A Hebrew Alphabet Book by Michelle Edwards
E ISR ABR
BB 950 GRO
E ISR CAR
BB 956 TOP
J 958 GRE
J 950 GRO
E ISR EDW
J ISR FIC DAC
J 471 EDW
Shavuot
2-3 year olds
 Ten Good Rules by Susan Remick Topek
4-5 year olds
 The Ten Commandments for Jewish Children by Miriam Nerlove
 Ruth and Naomi by Jean Marzollo
 The 11th Commandment – Wisdom from our Children
edited by Sandra Korinchak
 A Mountain of Blintzes by Barbara Diamond Goldin (2001)
 A Dozen Daisies for Raizy – A Shavuos Story by Rebecca Klempner
J 222.2 TOP
J 222.2 NER
J 220.95 MAR
J 170 KOR
J 243.3 GOL
J 243.3 KLE
Books Based on Judaic Concepts:
Bikkur Cholim
2-3 year olds
 You Can Do a Mitzvah by Katherine Janus Kahn
BB 256 KAH
4-5 year olds
 Chicken Soup by Heart by Esther Hershenhorn
 Just Like Max by Karen Ackerman
 Promises by Elizabeth Winthrop (mother has cancer)
 A Visit to Oma by Marisabina Russo
E HER
E ACK
E WIN
E RUS
Tzar Ba’alei Chayim
2-3 year olds
 Noah’s Ark Illustrated by Peter Spier
 On Noah’s Ark by Jan Brett
J 220.95 SPI
J 220.95 BRE
4-5 year olds
 Noah’s Ark by Jerry Pinkney
 Noah’s Ark adapted by Alison Greengard
 The Market Square Dog by James Herriot
J 220.95 PIN
J 220.95 GRE
E HER (CJDS)
Ahavat Shalom Loving and Making Peace
2-3 year olds
 I Like Your Buttons by Sarah Marwil Lamstein
E LAM
 I’m Sorry by Sam McBratney
E MCB
 The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
E PFI
4-5 year olds
 Moses Sees a Play by Isaac Millman
 The Brothers’ Promise by Frances Harber
 Jacob by David Hately
 Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi
E MIL
E HAR
J 220.95 HAT
E AGA
In the Synagogue
2-3 year olds
 Our Synagogue
 Let’s Discover the Synagogue (vol. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8)
2260 OUR SER A (TRC)
260 GOL (TRC)
4-5 year olds
 The Old Synagogue by Richard Rosenblum
 The Littlest Tree by Sylvia Rouss
E ROS
E ROU
Study of Torah
2-3 year olds
 I am a Torah by Beily Paluch
 Our Synagogue
 Let’s Discover the Synagogue (vol. 4, 5)
BB 222 PAL
260 OUR SER A (TRC)
260 GOL (TRC)
4-5 year olds
 The Sefer Torah Parade by Tzivia Adler
 Series of actual excerpts from the Torah of 7 stories by EKS
J 260 ADL
J 220.95 GRE
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Hachnasat Orchim
Lech Lecha, The Journey of Abraham and Sarah
adapted by Alison Greengard
Rebecca adapted by Alison Greengard
J 220.95 GRE
J 220.95 GRE
Shomrei Adamah
2-3 year olds
 Let’s Take Care of the Earth by Rozanne Lanczak Williams
 Jack’s Garden by Henry Cole
4-5 year olds
 The Berenstain Bears Don’t Pollute by Stan & Jan Berenstain
E WIL (CJDS)
E COL (CJDS)
E BER (CJDS)
Tzedakah
2-3 year olds
 Good Night – Lilah Tov by Michelle Abraham
 You Can Do a Mitzvah by Katherine Janus Kahn
 I Can Do a Mitzvah by Freddie Levin
E ABR
BB 256 KAH
260 LEV (TRC)
4-5 year olds
 Quarters & Dimes & Nickels & Pennies by Baila Olidort
 In God’s Hands by Lawrence Kushner and Gary Schmidt
 Hanna’s Sabbath Dress by Itzhak Schweiger-Dmi’el
E OLI
E KUS
J 241 SCH
Shabbat
Due to the large collection of Shabbat books, teachers should refer to CJP’s resource room or the Levine Sklut Judaic library.
Additional Judaic Materials
2-3 year olds
 My Synagogue Scrapbook by Hara E. Person
260 PER (TRC)
 The First Gift by A. S. Gadot
 Becky and Benny Thank God by Howard Bogot
BB 251 BOG
 Good Morning, Boker Tov by Micelle Abraham
E ABR
 Gates of Wonder by Central Conf. of American Rabbis
J 255 ORK
 My Jewish Home by Rabbi Andrew Goldstein
BB 250 GOL
 One Mezuzah – A Jewish Counting Book by Carol Kitman
J 531 KIT
 Feelin’ Jewish by Ilona M. Klein
4-5 year olds
 The Jews: One People by Barbara Bar-Nissim
 All in My Jewish Family by Kenneth Roseman
 Day of Delight – A Jewish Sabbath in Ethiopia by Maxine Schur
 Grandma Esther Remembers by Ann Morris
 Blessed Are You by Michelle Edwards
 The Perfect Prayer by Donald Rossoff
 God Said Amen by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
 In God’s Name by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
 My Very Own Jewish Home by Rabbi Andrew Goldstein
 Just Right – The Story of a Jewish Home by Ellen Emerman
J 303 BAR
J 304 ROS
J 241 SCH
J 304 MOR
J 262 EDW
E ROS
J 255 SAS
J 251 SAS
J 250 GOL
E EME