CJL Grade 7

Monday evenings from 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm and Wednesday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

We have redesigned our 7th grade model to respond to the needs of our 7th grade learners:

  • Developmental needs Early adolescents need to have positive and meaningful relationships with peers and adults, a sense of competence and achievement, and meaningful participation in the activities that shape their lives;
  • Jewish adolescent needs Our 7th graders also need support and some breathing room in the exciting, demanding, and sometimes stressful Bar/Bat Mitzvah year.​
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​Wednesday afternoons  4:00-6:00 pm September – January 
On Wednesday afternoons the 7th grade has the special opportunity to learn with Rabbi Gropper and Cantor Cooperman.  The heart of these Wednesdays is relationship building, and these weekly sessions help the children build supportive connections to the clergy who help them navigate the process of becoming B’nai Mitzvah.
 
We tell our 13-year-olds that becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah means they are becoming Jewish adults, and we want our 7th graders to know we take that seriously.  Jewish learning at the CJL should – and will – feel qualitatively different in 7th grade than it did in K-6th.  Rather than more traditional learning, our clergy will create authentic Jewish experiences and a taste of what Jewish adulthood is all about: from hands on tzedakah projects to making a Shabbat meal together.  We invite parents in to participate and to help chaperone some special off-site trips.
Monday evenings 6:15-8:00 pm September – May
On Monday evenings, after a pizza dinner, our 7th grade spends the first part of the evening exploring a “Jewish Literacy” core, a brief and engaging introduction to essential Jewish ideas and practices, from Jewish values to how to make a shiva call.  This is followed by Tefillah Boot Camp, a quick and focused prayer literacy session.  The evening ends with 7th grade community building, engaging the learners in fun activities that help develop SECD (Social Emotional Learning and Character Development) skills, building empathy, respect, and positive relationships.
 
During the second half of the year, the 7th graders have the opportunity to explore areas of learning that interest them by choosing from electives offered by all of the members of our Monday night education team.
CJL HOME I GRADES K-2 I GRADES 3-6 I GRADE 7 I B'NEI MITZVAH I JEWISH CAMPING I CSR TEENS I