"Providing Metro Detroit a cultural Jewish education since 1947"
Our Curriculum
JPI strives to introduce our children to Jewish culture, history & to explore the underlying ethical and moral values inherent in Jewish history. Holidays are celebrated & discussed throughout the school year in all our clubs, appropriate to the age level of the students.
KINDERGARTEN & Club 1
Holidays and Bible Stories
The basic goals for Kindergarten & Club 1 are to have the children begin to become familiar with Jewish holidays and symbols in an enjoyable way. Holidays discussed are Rosh Hashanah, Sukkoth, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Tu B'Shevat, Purim, Passover, Israeli Independence Day, Shavuot, and Shabbat. The symbols discussed all relate to these holidays. Intrinsic in the curriculum is the ethical values implicit in the bible stories and Jewish holidays. Children are introduced to Jewish literature, music, dance, art, etc. helping to develop in these students a sense of identification with the Jewish people, and an idea of the Jews as an ancient people.
Club 2 Early History of the Jews
Later Bible Times: Moses Through the Destruction of the First Temple
The objective of Club 2 is to teach positive Jewish identity through history and ethics of Jews. Stress is placed on Mosaic Law with its concern for young, old, poor, homeless, slave and enemy. Laws dealing with treatment of animals, strangers, the importance of honesty and justice are discussed. The children will learn the ethics and values of Judaism as taught by our judges, prophets, and kings including Joshua, Deborah, Gideon, Samuel, Saul, David, Elijah, Amos, Isaiah and Jeremiah. The tension between political and spiritual survival is discussed.
Club 3
Jews Around the World
Israel, Argentina, South & Central America, Mexico, Ethiopia and the Soviet Union.
The basic goal of Club 3 is to learn how Jews live in Israel, and in several countries around the world. Children will learn about Israel's growth as a modern nation, how Israel's immigrants have helped make her a vital nation; how Israel's minorities have enriched her culture, and how Israel's people have changed her topography and channeled her resources. Other cultures studies include "Beta Israel" (Ethiopian Jews), Argentinean Jews, Russian Jews and Mexican Jews. Emphasis will be placed upon the variety and richness of the cultures.
Club 4 Jews in American History
The major emphasis of Club 4 includes the study of the major values of Jewish immigration to America; how America responded to Jews who came here, including the rise of Jewish-American organizations, growth of anti-Semitism and life styles for Jewish Americans during various stages of our history; and how Jews have helped to shape America's destiny. The curriculum includes a study of the Jewish arrival in New Amsterdam in 1654; the Colonial period; the Revolutionary War, the Opening of the West; the Slavery issue, the Waves of Germanic immigration, the Rise of the United States Labor Movement; the Third Wave of Major Jewish Eastern European depression, the Jewish experience during World War II, and the post World War II Jewish experiences.
Club 5
The Jewish Life Cycle: Birth through Death
The objectives of Club 5 are to become aware of the similarities between the various Jewish sects; to understand that even though Jews may express their sense of Jewishness in different ways -they are still Jews; to appreciate the need for an organized Jewish community; a feeling of identification with, and responsibility to it; and to appreciate the importance of the family unit as the core of Jewish life. The curriculum deals with such life cycle events as Brit Milah, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Death and Marriage.
Club 6
Jewish History 58 BCE-Present in Reference to the Jewish Diaspora
The basic goals of Club 6 are to develop an understanding of the life of the Jews and the attitudes of non-Jews in ancient times, and to get the students to feel they are a part of Jewish history, the Jewish world, and Jewish destiny. The curriculum includes a biblical review; the Babylonian exile (586-444 B.C.E.); the return to Jerusalem (520-444 B.C.E.) the struggle against Hellenism (332 B.C.E.); the Hasmonean Independence 164-63 B.C.E.); the Roman Province (63 B.C.E. -135 B.C.E.); the Rise of Islam and the Jewish Relations; the Golden Age in Spain (8th_11th Centuries); the influence of France and Germany; the Inquisition; and the Dispersion of the Sephardic Culture; beginning of the Haskalah, Reform Judaism & Secularism.
Club 7
Anti-Semitism and The Holocaust
The basic goal of Club 7 is to discuss Anti-Semitism from medieval to contemporary times, in contrast to the vast Jewish culture that was developing the Inquisition, the Black Death, Martin Luther, 19th Century Anti-Semitism, and the Dreyfuss Case. It also includes the historical background leading to Hitler's rise to power and the sequence of events, which comprised "the Holocaust" including Jewish resistance, and world reaction -both Jewish and non-Jewish to the Holocaust. The year ends with the creation of the Modern State of Israel as a response to the Holocaust.
B'nai Mitzvah Program
Our optional B'nai Mitzvah program combines a community-related work project with a philosophical study of the Torah and Talmud, culminating in a rite of passage ceremony shared by the students, their families and guests.
For Older Teens
JPI offers Teen Club and discussion groups. Every spring teens participate in the Congress of Secular Jewish Organization's (CSJO) Annual Convention.
Adult Programming
While our children are in their clubs, we join other JPI parents for coffee and conversation, speakers, and other events.
Jewish Parents Institute, 6600 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Marilyn Wolfe, Educational Director 248-432-5472
