Students gather for Tefillah every day, and on Torah-reading days, Tefillah is held in the Beit Midrash (chapel). Each year, through our scope and sequence curriculum, students build upon their repertoire of prayers. Student prayer leaders call out pages and serve as role models for the entire school.They recite a set liturgy (kevah), and they learn the meaning (kavanah) of the prayers. On Torah-reading days (Mondays and Thursdays), students in the older grades have an opportunity to read from the Torah scroll. In this egalitarian service, boys are required to wear kippot, and girls are encouraged to do so if they desire. Tallitot (prayer shawls) are available for students who have become B’nai Mitzvah. Students will learn about the practice of wearing tefillin, and are encouraged to wear them if they choose.

Our students learn about Shabbat as part of their educational program. The joy and sanctity of Shabbat are marked each Friday in school in anticipation of the start of Shabbat. We celebrate the coming of Shabbat with a weekly Shabbat Sing and classroom Kabbalat Shabbat celebrations for students in grades Jr.K-5. Middle School students prepare to welcome Shabbat with a communal Kabbalat Shabbat program each Friday morning. Teachers and community leaders often join us for Middle School Kabbalat Shabbat.