The material that will be taught in the Hebrew Language unit called “B’hatzlecha B’Kita” deals with four main topics:
In the iTaLAM 3 holiday unit, students expand the knowledge that was acquired over the previous years regarding the central content of each holiday and the connection between the preparations for the holidays and its mitzvot and customs. The students develop multi-directional understanding and learn to compare between the past and present–ancient times and current times. The students learn the history behind the holidays, the laws and the customs of each holiday as well as the blessings that are said in greeting to their family and friends that are unique for each holiday.
The iTaLAM 3 Shabbat track focuses on Shabbat Mevarchim, the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh. The program of Shabbat Mevarchim connects each Shabbat with an interesting subject matter or holiday that will take place in the upcoming month.
The program is structured, in-depth, and contains a series of library books that are adapted from midrashim with a relevant message to each Shabbat’s topic, in accordance with the contents of each month. For example, the story “War on a Day of Rest” deals with the dilemma of observing Shabbat during a time of war with the Greeks, which is learned during the month of Kislev, and the story of “What did Mordechai Learn from the Verses?” deals with the Jews in Shoshan who study Torah on Shabbat before Esther goes to the King, which is learned during the month of Adar. These booklets constitute a prelude and preparation for what will be learned in the Chaggim track.
On the digital track there is an animated song for welcoming in each Shabbat. All of the books also have a digital version, accompanied by activities and games.
iTaLAM Torah studies comprise a rich learning experience in which the main goals are as follows:
According to the iTaLAM curriculum, in iTaLAM 2, students learn the first four parashot, and in iTaLAM 3 continue to learn Pirkei Avot v’Imahot starting with the parasha Chayey Sara onwards. The students meet Rashi and through his interpretation and with multi-directional interpretive thinking demonstrate the important value of “Shivim Panim L’Torah”.