Jewish Life and Learning

The Leffell School offers a robust dual curriculum, balancing a full slate of general studies with an equally comprehensive approach to both formal and informal aspects of Judaic studies. In addition to our Hebrew language program, students take academic Judaic studies courses taught by members of theTanakh Department, which focuses on Bible and commentaries, and the Talmud Department, which focuses on the study of Mishnah, Talmud, and rabbinic literature more generally. These courses are designed for students who are continuing into the High School from the Leffell Middle School and other Jewish day schools and have the background and skills to study Jewish text on a high level. The Akiva program offers similar courses at an appropriate level to students without a day school background. Beyond the purely academic, the tefilah program offers students the opportunity to learn about and participate in daily prayer. These curricular areas are complemented by the school’s extensive array of trips, Shabbatonim, and experiential Jewish learning opportunities. Taken together, they offer a complete picture of Jewish life and learning at The Leffell School.

The following sections offer greater detail about these programs of study in tefilah, Judaic studies including Tanakh and Talmud, as well as the Akiva program.