Halacha: Jewish Laws and Customs
Tephilla: Prayer-every child must learn how to pray to the Al-mighty and why. This process starts in the preschool and intensifies when a child learns to read from a Siddur. By fifth grade, a child should go through most of the basic morning prayers, Shacharit.
The Shabbat and Festivals-Basic to Jewish observances are the Shabbat and periodic festivals. Without a thorough knowledge of their meaning and various laws and customs, a Jew cannot function. The process of learning about the Shabbat and Festivals starts early with some of the colorful basic observances, but most progress to a full Halachic understanding.
Brachot: Blessings-Every day school student should be able to recite the correct blessing over food and periodic special occasions, which also require an acknowledgement of G‑d’s benevolence. They should have mastered all basic Brachot including Birkat Hamazon, grace after meals, by heart, by the fifth grade.
Kashrut: Dietary Laws-Though many of the dietary laws are quite complex, the basic “Halachot” are such that even a young student should be able to be fully knowledgeable of the basic laws. It is not just a matter of what is Kosher, but also why and how it becomes Kosher. By the junior high grades, a student should know what it takes to make a kitchen kosher, and what renders it or any utensil “Treiph”. A student should know the biblical references to the laws of Kashrut as well.
S.T.A.M: Sefer Torah, Tephillin, Mezzuzah (and laws of Tzitzit). All students should become familiar with the laws of sacred object such as a Torah (and Bet Knesset), Tephillin and Mezzuzot. They should have a fundamental understanding of how they are made and what makes them Kosher. The same is true of Tzitzit and other sacred objects.
Bein Adam L’Chavero: Between man and neighbor-All children should study the Jewish laws relating to interpersonal relationships and personal morality. This includes the laws pertaining to property (lost and found), Tzedakah as well as “Kibud Av V’eim”- honoring parents (and teachers). Every Jewish child should be taught about the sense of community within the Jewish world, as well as detailed Jewish laws and personal conduct.
Dinei Harechush: The Halachot (Jewish laws) governing property-What are the rights and responsibilities of owing property? What is the nature of our responsibility towards the property of another? Though the body of these laws is immense, children need not to be exposed to the basic of property laws. This includes: being responsible for damage one causes to the property of another, as well as the rights of an accidental damager; the laws of returning a lost article, when and to whom; the laws of a borrower and lender; the obligation to give Tzedakah; and much more.
Eretz Yisrael: The Land of Israel-The special relationship, which ties us to Israel, should be carefully nurtured. Every child is taught that Israel is the Jewish homeland and about it special sacredness. In addition, children should be familiarized with the special “Halachot” pertaining to Israel and its inhabitants.