- Main Line: 305-538-7231
- School: 305-532-4756
Rooted in Tradition. Designed for Today. Inspired for Tomorrow.
At jLAB, our curriculum is crafted to nurture Jewish identity, inspire spiritual growth, and prepare learners to be engaged members of the Jewish community and the world around them. Through age-appropriate content, hands-on experiences, and relationship-based teaching, our learners grow in knowledge, confidence, and connection.
We believe Jewish learning should be joyful, relevant, and lasting.
Our curriculum reflects a commitment to excellence, inclusion, and connection – ensuring learners not only study Judaism, but live it.
Learners explore the rhythms of the Jewish calendar through experiential learning – singing, cooking, creating, and celebrating. We connect each holiday and milestone with meaning that’s relevant to learners’ lives.
From stories of our ancestors to contemporary ethical dilemmas, learners engage in deep conversations about what it means to live a Jewish life. We emphasize middot (Jewish values), such as kindness, justice, and gratitude, and encourage learners to put them into practice.
Our Hebrew program focuses on decoding, vocabulary, and prayer literacy. Learners gain familiarity with key prayers, their meanings, and their place in Jewish tradition. Weekly Tefillah services help learners build spiritual language and confidence participating in Jewish communal prayer.
We explore the land, history, culture, and modern State of Israel in ways that are age-appropriate and nuanced. Learners also study Jewish communities around the world, fostering a sense of global connection and belonging.
Discovering Judaism Through Enrichment and Exploration
jLAB Taglit (Hebrew for “discovery”) is a core component of our program, serving as the foundation of our midweek Judaic Studies program. Rooted in experiential and enrichment-based learning, Taglit engages learners in meaningful, hands-on exploration of Jewish identity, culture, values, and traditions.
Through creative expression, project-based learning, and collaborative inquiry, learners discover personal connections to Judaism in ways that are dynamic, relevant, and joyful. jLAB Taglit fosters curiosity, spiritual growth, and a strong sense of community, while reflecting the core principles of Reform Judaism. It’s where Jewish learning comes alive.
On Wednesday afternoons, K-5 learners participate in jLAB Taglit – a hands-on approach where they explore Judaism through electing classes such as cooking, theater, coding and robotics, music, visual arts, digital media, and more. jLAB Taglit empowers learners to express their Jewish studies and identities in meaningful and creative ways.
Grades K–1: Foundations of Jewish Life
Young learners are introduced to Jewish holidays, stories, songs, and symbols in a joyful, play-based environment. The focus is on building friendships, establishing routine, and developing a warm connection to Jewish life.
Grades 2–3: Growing in Knowledge
Learners begin to explore Torah stories, values, and simple Hebrew vocabulary. Through hands-on learning and creative projects, they deepen their connection to Judaism and learn how Jewish values apply to their daily lives.
Grades 4–5: Strengthening Identity
At this stage, learners begin to take ownership of their Jewish journey. With a focus on Hebrew reading and prayer fluency, they also dive deeper into Jewish values, holiday traditions, and community engagement, while continuing to enjoy jLAB Taglit classes that reflect their interests.
Grades 6–7: Preparing for B’nai Mitzvah
Learners explore theology, mitzvot, Jewish ethics, and modern dilemmas. Hebrew studies focus on prayer fluency and meaning. Our Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation includes mentoring, Torah study, and individualized guidance to ensure each learner feels confident and proud.
Grades 8–10: Living Jewish Values in the Real World
Our teens engage in dynamic, discussion-based learning that empowers them to apply Jewish values to real-world challenges and explore their evolving identities. Rooted in Reform Jewish principles, the program emphasizes ethical leadership, social justice, and deep personal connection to Jewish life.
Learners have opportunities to participate in the Madrichol (teen assistant) program, gaining hands-on leadership experience within the jLAB community. BESHTY Leads, our teen leadership cohort, offers additional opportunities to shape youth programming, plan events, and develop leadership skills in a Jewish context.
Travel brings Jewish learning beyond the classroom: 9th graders explore Jewish history and culture in New York City, while 10th graders attend the L’Taken Social Justice Seminar in Washington, D.C., advocating on Capitol Hill through a Jewish lens.
jLAB culminates in our meaningful Confirmation program for 10th grade – a time of reflection, commitment, and celebration as learners affirm their place in the Jewish community and their journey ahead.
Our Hebrew program meets learners where they are, offering classroom instruction and differentiated pathways to support reading fluency and comfort with Jewish prayer. We focus on:
We have adopted the #OnwardHebrew philosophy of Hebrew learning, and our Hebrew program is thoughtfully structured to reflect how learners best acquire language: through immersion, repetition, and meaningful context. We prioritize Hebrew Through Movement as a key component of our Saturday morning program in the elementary years to help learners develop a strong auditory and kinesthetic foundation of the Hebrew language. We focus on integrating Jewish life vocabulary into daily classroom experiences and enriching Hebrew usage during tefillah (worship) to build both fluency and spiritual connection. Hebrew decoding is introduced in 5th grade after learners have developed confidence with Hebrew sounds and structure, ensuring a smoother, more successful transition into reading prayer and sacred texts.
Our approach to B’nai Mitzvah preparation includes:
Individual preparation typically begins in 6 months ahead of each child’s simcha. Our goal is for every learner to feel confident, knowledgeable, and spiritually connected.
Learners explore the world of coding and robotics while connecting to Jewish ideas about innovation, ethics, and problem-solving. Learners design and program projects that reflect themes from Torah, Jewish holidays, and values like Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
In this deliciously hands-on class, learners engage with Jewish recipes and explore food traditions from around the Jewish world. Through cooking, learners connect with holidays, kashrut (Jewish dietary practices), and the deeper meanings behind ritual foods.
Learners become modern Jewish storytellers through video, podcasting, and digital design. This class explores how Jewish values inform the messages we share, offering a contemporary lens on Jewish identity, communication, and creativity.
In this class, learners design their own board and card games while integrating Jewish content, from mitzvot to midrash. Learners use game theory to think deeply about ethics, decision-making, and collaboration—all through a Jewish lens.
Students build Hebrew decoding skills while learning prayer, Jewish culture, and everyday vocabulary. *This is a required class for 5th graders who do not attend the Innovative School or another Jewish day school!
Using Lego as a tool for expression, learners explore Jewish themes like creation, community, and sacred space. Learners bring stories from Torah and Jewish history to life through imaginative, hands-on construction challenges.
Learners connect their bodies to Jewish ideas through dance, yoga, and physical expression. Whether exploring the journey of the Exodus or embodying middot (Jewish values), learners experience Judaism in motion.
Through singing and rhythm, learners explore Jewish prayers, holiday songs, and contemporary Jewish music. Music builds community and spiritual connection, while teaching Hebrew vocabulary and deepening understanding of liturgy and tradition.
This class connects Jewish learning to the natural world. Learners explore themes like Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and environmental stewardship (bal tashchit) through outdoor activities (weather permitting), gardening, and observation-based learning.
Through the lens of a camera, learners explore Jewish identity, ritual, and values. They learn photography skills while capturing images that tell Jewish stories and reflect personal connections to tradition.
Learners explore the wonders of the natural world through a Jewish lens – connecting scientific discovery with themes like creation, ethical responsibility, and Tikkun Olam. Projects align with Jewish holidays, texts, and environmental values.
Our spirited youth choir invites learners to lift their voices in joyful Jewish song while building vocal skills, learning Hebrew and liturgical melodies, and exploring the role of music in Jewish prayer and celebration. Learners will be expected to perform at most of the special services and community events listed here, making music a meaningful part of their Jewish expression.
Note: A full calendar of additional rehearsal and performance commitments will be shared, but includes 9/13, 9/20, 9/23, 10/2, 12/7, and 12/19 for the fall.
Learners explore fiber arts such as sewing, weaving, and embroidery while connecting to Jewish rituals and symbols. Projects may include making challah covers, tallitot, or items inspired by Jewish art and tradition.
Learners bring Jewish stories and characters to life through improvisation, playwriting, and performance. This class helps learners explore themes from Torah, midrash, and Jewish history while building confidence and creativity.
In this expressive studio class, learners explore Jewish identity, text, and tradition through painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Each project connects to a Jewish theme, holiday, or value, encouraging personal interpretation and artistic growth.
4144 Chase Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140
info@tbsmb.org | 305-538-7231
Innovative School: 305-532-4756