One of the core values at The Shlenker School is tikkun olam—the idea that we are God’s partners in repairing the world. Teachers in PreK-4 and each Elementary School grade level have developed hands-on, age-appropriate activities that help students learn about the many ways they can engage in the practice of tikkun olam.  Examples of grade level projects include:

PreK-4 students, together with their fourth-grade buddies, "adopt" an Early Childhood Center in a low-income neighborhood. The children collect gently used clothing, shoes, school supplies, and toiletries for students at the Early Childhood Center. At the end of the collection drive, the PreK-4 students and their 4th-grade buddies gather to decorate cards and package the items to be donated.

Kindergarten students participate in a recycling project with Crayon Collection. The students collect used crayons from their classrooms and homes and then send those crayons to Crayola, where they are recycled into new crayons. Students learn about the Jewish value of not wasting resources (ba’al tashchit) and learn to take care of our Earth.  

First grade students make and donate blankets during Chesed or Kindness Week for Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides new handmade blankets to children in need.  This collaborative effort involves the students using their math skills to measure and calculate the appropriate dimensions of the blankets, ensuring they are just right for the recipients.

Second grade students raise money by participating in a Read-a-thon. The money raised is used to make teddy bears at Build-A-Bear. These bears are then donated to the Houston Fire Department, where they are distributed to injured, sick, and frightened children who must ride in ambulances. The students place a heart inside each bear and say a blessing (bracha) for the bear’s recipient, wishing them a complete and speedy recovery (refuah shleimah).  

Third grade students participate in a project with Service Dogs, Inc. The students kick off their project with a visit from a service dog and its owner. In order to understand how these canine companions help their owners, the students participate in a Mini Special Olympics, where they experience what it is like to live with disabilities. Third graders then host a Read-a-thon to raise funds, and the money is used to cover the cost of training a service dog.  

Fourth grade students partner with their PreK-4 Buddies to make Thanksgiving food baskets for the students at the Early Childhood Center they have adopted. They then deliver the bags of supplies and toys and spend time reading to the students at the Early Childhood Center. They learn to take care of others who are less fortunate, and they serve as role models for their younger peers.  

Fifth grade Fifth-grade students visit Seven Acres Jewish Geriatric Center during the Jewish holidays. Before meeting residents, Shlenker students learn how people change as they age and learn how to effectively communicate with the elderly residents, respecting their dignity and wisdom. Students engage with the residents through various activities, such as singing songs and participating in arts and crafts activities, fostering meaningful interactions.

School-wide Giving
Each week, students in kindergarten through fifth grade bring coins to school to put in their classroom tzedakah boxes. The tzedakah boxes are emptied regularly and the Director of Integrated Jewish Learning works with the Student Senate to distribute the funds. In the past, funds have been distributed to Jewish Family Service, Plant A Tree with Jewish National Fund, and other local and national organizations. 

School-wide giving also occurs during the Jewish holidays of Tu B'Shvat and Purim. On Tu B'Shvat, elementary school students are encouraged to collect tzedakah to purchase trees for planting in Israel. This tradition of planting trees on Tu B'Shvat holds a special significance, as it symbolizes our connection to the land, our responsibility for environmental stewardship, and the renewal of nature. 

During Purim, kindergarten through fifth grade students prepare mishlochei manot (Purim baskets) and cards to donate to various local Jewish charities and organizations. This act of sending mishlochei manot is a mitzvah during this holiday, helping us instill love, kindness, and unity among the Jewish community. By giving tzedakah and performing various mitzvot throughout the year, students at Shlenker learn that repairing the world begins with a single act of kindness. 

At The Shlenker School, we recognize that Hebrew is a vibrant, living language. Hebrew is the language of the Torah, Jewish prayer, the ancient Jewish people, the people of the modern State of Israel, and K’lal Yisrael. Hebrew instruction is therefore a crucial component of our mission and curriculum. 

Instruction at The Shlenker School is unique in that the teachers focus on the meaning of prayers, the history of the Jewish holidays, and the connection to modern conversational Hebrew. Hebrew language instruction begins once per week in PreK-3 and PreK-4 and continues daily through fifth grade.

In the Early Childhood program, Torah stories are introduced so children will become familiar with the names of the patriarchs and matriarchs, their stories, and the values they represent.

In the Elementary program, kindergarten and first grade students take a closer look at the stories of the Torah. Second grade is introduced to the weekly parashah and third–fourth graders learn to use the TaNaKh to study different portions from the Torah in greater depth. Fifth grade students work with Rabbi Lyon, the Senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel, and their classroom teacher, to learn broader topics from the TaNaKh focusing on Jewish values and life lessons.

Holiday concepts, symbols, rituals, and blessings are taught in the general studies classrooms and then reinforced in Hebrew classes. Holiday vocabulary is integrated throughout readings, conversations, and writing activities. Jewish holidays are joyfully celebrated throughout the school year and students learn to read and recite holiday prayers during festival celebrations.

Religious life at The Shlenker School is influenced by our connection to and our affiliation with Congregation Beth Israel. Worship services are organized by the Director of Integrated Jewish Learning, but the content of each service, along with the expectations for congregational participation, are directed by the Beth Israel clergy, and in particular, Rabbi David Lyon, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel.

Prayer instruction in the Early Childhood classrooms involves learning blessings for food and special holiday activities such as shaking the lulav, eating in the Sukkah, lighting Chanukah candles, etc. Instruction typically occurs in the context of daily routines and holiday circle times. All Early Childhood students also attend a weekly Kabbalat Shabbat service let by Congregation Beth Israel clergy members or the Director of Integrated Jewish Learning. Children are exposed to prayer as a time to “talk to God” and learn to express their gratitude to God.

Students in kindergarten and first grade are taught certain foundational prayers to participate in weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services as well as our daily morning prayer service/communal assembly known as “Good Morning Shlenker.” In second–fifth grade, the curriculum is expanded to include prayers for holidays and festivals. The ultimate goal of instruction in these grades is to give students the skills needed to lead prayers during Kabbalat Shabbat services and “Good Morning Shlenker” and graduate with a level of familiarity, comfort, and confidence with respect to prayer and worship.

Israel education is integrated into each grade level at Shlenker. In addition to general classroom instruction, students are introduced to Israel through their Hebrew classes. Both Chalav Ud’vash and Chaverim B’Ivrit, the two Hebrew programs used to guide instruction, bring a taste of Israel to the students. Early on, students are introduced to Bentzi, a stuffed animal from Israel, who teaches students about life in Israel. By fifth grade, students learn about Israel in more nuanced ways and even study Israel through guest speakers from the Israeli consulate and the Jewish Federation. In celebration of Yom Haatzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, students participate in a series of activities throughout the day that simulate Israeli life and culture. 

Beginning in third grade, students learn about the Holocaust through developmentally appropriate lessons, designed with input from classroom teachers, administrators, and the Senior Rabbi. Students and their parents also meet with Holocaust survivors and members of their families to hear the survivors’ stories. Students also participate in a teacher-led memorial service on Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).