Portrait of a Pressman Graduate

These are the skills and values expected of a Pressman student upon graduation:

A Commitment to Jewish Life

• Read, write and speak Hebrew as a second language.
• Read, explain, interpret, and personally connect to selected Jewish Texts (TaNaKH-Bible, Siddur, Mishnah, and Talmud).
• Participate in daily, Shabbat, and holiday prayers with knowledge, understanding, and kavanah (spiritual intention).
• Develop a connection to and love of Israel.
• Practice and demonstrate knowledge of holidays and customs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Jewish history and its impact on Jewish life today.
• Participate in the Temple Beth Am community and the Jewish and non-Jewish community at large.

A Positive Social Awareness & Responsible Citizenship

• Show respect and knowledge of different people and cultures.
• Develop a sense of Tikkun Olam (social responsibility) through Tzedakah (community service projects).
• Participate in cooperative learning groups.
• Use conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and care for the environment.
• Develop positive attitudes toward intellectual activity, including curiosity and a desire for life-long learning.
• Demonstrate Jewish values.
• Show respect for American ideals and demonstrate responsible American citizenship.

Effective Communication

• Participate in conversations and group discussions.
• Learn to listen and speak from the heart.
• Read for comprehension.
• Write for purpose (including research, description, persuasion, explanation, imagination, and narration).
• Write using proper grammar, correct spelling and punctuation.
• Experience a variety of creative arts.
• Use technology for communication and research.

Critical Thinking Skills

• Use creative and effective problem solving skills.
• Use research skills to locate and synthesize available sources of information.
• Develop personal time-management and organizational skills.
• Develop life-long learning and study skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in basic computational skills.
• Apply mathematical concepts in everyday life.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the methods of science.

The Elements of A Healthy Lifestyle

• Develop a positive self-image and emotional well-being.
• Develop physical fitness awareness and skills.
• Be able to identify the elements of proper nutrition and a healthy life style.
• Show knowledge of human physical and emotional development.
• Participate in a sport or game to a socially acceptable manner.