Join our Youth Programs Info Night in-person on August 3rd at 5pm!
Jewish Education for Spiritually-Engaged Lives
Torat HaLev is a religiously-rich, project-based educational program for 3rd-5th graders. We see Judaism as a set of tools to live an engaged holy life. Our approach is unique in that it aims to address core human spiritual needs–specifically, access to experiences of belonging, purpose, and hope. Our educational approach prioritizes opportunities for building relationship buildings, connecting and wrestling with the Divine, participating in spiritual practices, and contributing meaningfully to the community.
The educational curriculum emphasizes engagement with Hebrew and Jewish content (“Yahadut”) in ways that will directly enhance students’ experiences in services and throughout the Chochmat community. Their learning will also provide spiritual grounding that they can revisit throughout their lives. For Hebrew, students work in a traditional pair structure called “Chevruta”, which enables them to progress at their own pace with guidance and supervision from the instructor. Students learn how to offer and receive support within a partnership even while moving at various speeds. For Yahadut, there is a three year cycle of content. Year One was “Tefillah” or prayer. Year Two is Torah. Year Three will be the holiday cycle.
A Typical Day at Torat HaLev
Opening Circle
Welcome, grounding, and orientation
Students practice basic conversational Hebrew with one another
Hebrew
Students work in chevruta pairs to support each other as they work through learning to read and write the alef-bet.
Snack/Break
Time for relaxation, decompression, and organic connection with classmates.
Yahadut: Torah Learning
Students don’t just gain familiarity with Torah stories—they learn to utilize Torah study for exploring and expressing the personal, ethical, and spiritual questions of their lives. Varied means of engagement are utilized including art, music, theater, debate, creative writing, and research projects.
Closing Circle
Time for reflection, connection to community, and offering one another blessings for the week to come.
Other Torat HaLev Program Elements
Family Potlucks
Family engagement is a core part of the Torat HaLev educational philosophy, and we want all Torat HaLev families to feel like they are part of a cohort. The school year begins with a potluck right before the holidays and families are encouraged to continue holding gatherings for Shabbat and holidays throughout the year.
The Jewish New Year with Torat HaLev
Join us for engaging services, projects, and activities during the day on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We look forward to starting the New Year with you!
Rabbinic Guidance and Support
Rabbi Rishe is available to meet virtually with family members to discuss educational goals, learning needs, and any pastoral or spiritual issues that might be affecting your family. She is happy to meet your family wherever you are to make Torat HaLev work for you.
Torat HaLev Calendar
Torat HaLev meets approximately 3 Sundays a month 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM, and one Saturday a month. The Torat HaLev calendar is between the High Holidays (September) and Shavuot (May/June).
Dates for 2026-2027 are below:
Sunday August 30 – Welcome Back Picnic & Orientation & Info Day
September 2026 (3 services)
Saturday Sept 12 – Rosh Hashanah Children’s Programming
Monday Sept 21 – Yom Kippur Children’s Programming
Sunday September 27 – Sukkot Intergenerational Shakeupdownandaround
All Torat HaLev classes on Sundays will take place from 3.30 – 5.30pm from October onward.
All Torat HaLev gatherings on Saturdays will take place on Saturday mornings during services from October onward.
October 2026
Saturday night, Oct 3 – Simchat Torah!!!
Sunday October 11 – First Day Classes & Opening Ritual – Hachnasah L’Cheder (wrapping little ones in tallit & giving honey-covered Aleph Bet letters)
Sunday October 18
Sunday October 25
November 2026
Sunday November 1
Sunday November 8
Saturday Nov 14 – Shabbat Morning w/ Torah Services
Sunday Nov 21
December 2026
Friday December 4 – Chanukah Party & Kabbalat Shabbat
Sunday December 6 – Chanukah Program
Saturday Dec 12 – Shabbat morning Torah service
December Break
January 2027
Sunday Jan 3
Sunday Jan 10
Saturday Jan 16 – Shabbat morning Torah service
Sunday Jan 24 – family Tu B’shvat Seder
Sunday Jan 31
February 2027
Sunday Feb 7
Saturday Feb 13 – Shabbat morning Torah service
Sunday Feb 21 – Purim Katan Experience
Sunday Feb 28
March 2027
Sunday March 7
Saturday March 13
Sunday March 21
Monday March 22 – Purim Eve
Spring Break
April 2027
Saturday April 10 – Shabbat morning Torah Service
Sunday April 18 – Pre-Passover
Sunday April 25 – Passover Experience
May 2027
Sunday May 2
Sunday May 9 – Spring Retreat – no THL
Saturday May 15 – final official day
SEPTEMBER
Saturday Sept 12 – Rosh Hashanah Children’s Programming
Monday Sept 21 – Yom Kippur Children’s Programming
Sunday September 27 – Sukkot Intergenerational Shakeupdownandaround
OCTOBER
Yom Kippur: THUR Oct 2
SUN OCT 5
SUN Oct 19
SUN Oct 26
NOVEMBER
SUN Nov 2
SAT Nov 8*
SUN Nov 16
DECEMBER
SAT Dec 6*
SUN Dec 14 (Chanukah)
JANUARY
SUN Jan 4
SUN Jan 11
SUN Jan 25
FEBRUARY
SUN Feb 1 (Tu Bishvat)
SAT Feb 7*
SUN Feb 22
MARCH
SUN March 1
SAT March 7*
SUN March 15
SUN March 22
APRIL
SUN April 12
SUN April 19
SUN April 26
MAY
SAT May 2*
End of Year Shabbat Potluck: May 8th
SUN May 10
