Special Programs

We always have exciting special programs throughout the year at HCRJ Religious School, including:

• Challah Bake
• Sukkot Pot Luck
• Mitzvah Day
• Chanukah Program
• Purim Program

and more!

Special Programs by Grade 2025-2026 school year

Throughout the year, each grade is engaged in meaningful learning centered around Jewish identity and a deepening connection to Israel. Each grade will share a special presentation reflecting their journey of the year in exploring Jewish identity and deepening their connection to Israel. Through music, storytelling, reflection, and ritual, our students are encouraged to ask questions, embrace their heritage and take pride in being a part of the Jewish people.

Kindergarten – Consecration is one of the most cherished ceremonies as it marks the beginning of your child’s formal Jewish education.

During this meaningful milestone, our kindergarten students will receive a miniature Torah scroll and a special written blessing from their parents, lovingly inscribed on a provided card. We celebrate the beauty of Jewish learning and tradition.

First Grade – L’dor V’dor Program: Passing Our Legacy Forward

In Judaism, we are taught that the responsibility of educating the next generation rests with all of us—as a community, as families, and as individuals. Through the sacred tradition of L’dor V’dor—from generation to generation—we pass down our values, rituals, culture, spiritual wisdom, and collective memory. It is through this transmission that our heritage lives on.

L’dor V’dor Program  ____________creates opportunities for parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents to actively engage in the Jewish educational journey.

Second Grade – Birthdays – Bridges to Holidays:
Just as we celebrate a person on their birthday, there are special holidays that mark the beginnings of events meaningful to the Jewish people—such as the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), the New Year for Trees (Tu BiShvat), and the anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel (Yom HaAtzmaut).

3rd Grade – A New Rite of Passage – Mesibbat Siddur 

A special event that celebrates our students’ dedication and effort in completing their study of letters and sounds. While Jewish education begins at consecration, receiving a Siddur (prayer book) marks a significant milestone in their journey. It represents their transition into reading and understanding prayers, a core aspect of Jewish spiritual life.

This ceremony is a celebration of the joy and love of learning—a foundation that we hope will stay with our students throughout their lives.

4th Grade – Magen David, Part 1

Students focus on the Magen David as a symbol of Jewish identity and pride. In Part 1 of this presentation, students will share their exploration of three (out of six) points as they relate to Jewish values and connections to the Land of Israel.

5th Grade – Magen David, Part 2
Fifth graders continues the journey, delving into the other three points of the Magen David and how each point reflects personal and collective identity, exploring themes like peoplehood, Torah, and the centrality of Israel.

6th Grade – Holocaust and the Establishment of the State of Israel
Sixth grade took on a powerful and meaningful study of the Holocaust and the birth of the modern State of Israel, reflecting on resilience, memory, and hope. Their presentation and poems honor the strength of our people and our continued commitment to justice and peace.

7th Grade – B’nai Mitzvah Projects
As they prepare to take on new responsibilities in Jewish life, our seventh graders work on B’nai Mitzvah projects that reflect their passions, values, and commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world). They will share highlights of these projects and how they see themselves stepping into Jewish adulthood.