7th Grade Class Update

Dear 7th Grade Parents:

 

This week, we continued learning about the history of WWII and context which lead to the Holocaust. We learned about the atrocities committed against Jews as well as the persecution of other non-Arians including various groups the Nazis discriminated against.   

Morah Hollenberg shared some of her grandmother's story of survival as she was a Hungarian victim of the Holocaust who was forced to spend time in both labor and concentration camps.

We also began a discussion about the current administration and it's executive orders which restrict immigration into the US.

Please continue to keep us informed if your child has an particular concerns or questions that you would like for us to address.

 

Best,

Morah Hollenberg and Moreh Fidel

Hebrew Update

Shalom 4th-6th Grade Families,

As we enter the second semester we continue to reinforce Hebrew reading accuracy and spped. The 6th graders are progressing in the aptitude of the Torah service and are taking different roles in leading the service each week. The different roles that the students can take on in Rabbi Dahlen's Tuesday Torah lab are:

Gabbi
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Torah Reader
Hagbah/Gelilah (lifting and dressing the Torah)
Haftorah Chanter/Blesser

The 4th and 5th graders are continuing to learn the Shacharit service. In particular, they are working on proficiency in reading and reciting the Shema, V'Ahavta, and Amidah.

We are also practicing the blessing over fruits and vegetables in preparation of our February Tu B'Shvat Seder.

Shabbat Shalom!

Hebrew Team

7th Grade Class Update

This week, we continued our unit focused on the Holocaust.  

We began by discussing the concept of Aryan-ness and how Jews were excluded from the Nazi's vision for the German future.  Afterwards, we walked through a timeline of Nazi laws that targeted Jews, emphasizing the gradual progression on anti-Semitic actions taken by the Nazis against the Jews.  Finally, we examined how the Nazis also targeted other groups, such as the Roma, the disabled, and members of the LGBT community. 

The subject material that we have been learning is incredibly difficult, but the students have done an excellent job engaging in a respectful and serious manner.

 Best,

 Morah Hollenberg and Moreh Fidel

 

6th grade update

Hello all! The 6^th grade had a fantastic week!  We had our D’vrei Torah wrap up on Sunday, and I know 18 kids who were beyond THRILLED to close the book on that unit!  Success! I am so proud of the kiddos for their accomplishments.  For those students who did not have a chance to write a D’var Torah, I am happy to assist in the process.  There is no deadline; we want every child to feel successful and go through this process. Please have your child see me if he/her wants to work independently through the unit.

 One of the primary purposes of the D’vrei Torah unit was to get the kids comfortable with the process, so that writing one for their b’nai mitzvah is not as taxing or anxiety provoking.  Another great way to ease the tensions surrounding the day, is to get your child used to reading Hebrew in front of the congregation.  And do we have a great opportunity for you! All students in religious school – ages 4^th – 12^th grades – have the opportunity to read Megillah for Purim.  The kids can read ONE line … or many lines.  But ONE LINE is absolutely 100 % doable for EVERY child in my 6^th grade class.  Any of the kids can do it.  This will give them a sense of accomplishment and it will help get their feet wet for the “Big Day.” Megillah is a great way to begin reading Hebrew publically, as everyone is in a jovial mood – tensions are low, people are happy, the “groove” of the service is “chill.”  It’s a good one.  I highly recommend it.  But PLEASE RSVP today to Allison, so we can get your child’s line(s) prepared and get him/her started learning!

We have moved on to the next section of our Abraham narrative. The kids are working on our lying unit, which  is a lot of fun.  Watch out: they  might become experts.   Or better yet, ask them to teach you what the indicators are for lying, AND ask them when it is ok in Judaism to lie.  Why are we talking about lying?  Because in our text Sarah lies and God lies!  Why?  Ask your child.  It’s a good story!

We will soon be moving up to the narrative of Abraham negotiating with God over the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. I am looking forward to this lesson.  With a classroom filled with tweens, I have a ready filled group of negotiating professionals! 

 Have a wonderful Shabbat and thank you for all you do,

Morah Leah

 

 

Kitah hey Update

Dear Parents,

Our class continues with the detailed Torah story of Rebecca and Isaacs upcoming marriage. Rebecca being an exceptional individual showing concern for Eliezra's camels, taught our students the value of  צער בעלי חיים - Proper Treatment of Animals . The students made up their own "Ten commandments for Animals" including being patient,  teaching them how to trust, equality, besides grooming and feeding them.

The students also researched "Why Israel is important to the U.S. And why the U.S. Is important to Israel". The students presented their research to the class. They spoke of religious freedom and it being a democracy. Israelis contributions to the world in science, technology, medicine and etc.

 We will continue our Torah studies next week.

Shabbat Shalom

Cillia Kleiman

Kitah Gan Katan Blog

Hello Parents,  

 
Happy New Year!!! Welcome back, it was a pleasure seeing our little friends back! We are continuing  with our unit on Shabbat.  We read the " Shabbat Box" book. We are making our very own Shabbat boxes to take home. I know our friends are really excited  about  them. 

 This Sunday we will hopefully  will be finishing  them up.  And maybe  next week  they will be able to bring them home to you.  When you celebrate  Shabbat  at home, you could use them and take pride and joy in them.

 Shabbat Shalom!! 

 Morot Zoya and Alexis 

Kitah Zayin Update

Dear 7th Grade Parents,

This week we reviewed and learned new aspects of Chanukah. We discussed the details of the story and played games using our old and new insights into the Festival of Lights. We learned the difference between a Menorah and a Chanukiah as well. Ask you kid what the difference between the two ritual objects is! We're really excited to celebrate this year!

On Tuesday, Rabbi Dahlen led our class in Torah Lab and then we studied Talmud surrounding Chanukah rituals.

Happy Chanukah Everyone! See you on Sunday for our Chanukah Happening.

Best,
Morah Hollenberg