Dear
4th - 6th grade families,
Although
it is freezing cold and snowy here in Michigan, in Israel springtime is just
around the corner. Next month we will be celebrating the holiday of Tu B'shevat
-- ט"ו בשבט (the new year of the trees). We celebrate this holiday on the
15th of Shevat (Tuesday, February 3rd 2015) in anticipation of the coming of
Spring. We have begun learning about the meaning of this holiday in our
classroom, as well as the many Hebrew words and terms associated with it. It is
traditional on this day to eat a new fruit, or the Seven Species that the bible
describes as being abundant in the land of Israel :
Wheat
(חיטה), Barley (שעורה), Grapes/Vines (גפן), Figs (תאנה), Pomegranate
(רימון), Olive (זית), Date (תמר).
The
kids have been practicing reading and identifying them.
Reading
games, reading games, reading games! We continue to play them often, and the
kids have a great time. There really isn't a better way to learn than through
fun! Everyone loves to participate and they play very well together. As I
mentioned to you in my previous update, since we are basically halfway through
the school year, we are in the process of re-evaluating the kids in order to
ensure that they continue to learn in the most appropriate reading groups. Our
goal is to maximize each child's progress and to have wonderful results by May.
:)
Please
remember that this Sunday, January 18th is a special day -- CSZ in Action-- a
Shul-wide Community Service Day, in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. as
well as our commitment to the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam - תיקון עולם
(repairing the world). This will take place in lieu of regular Hebrew school,
from 9:30-12:15, both on and off site. I look forward to seeing those of you
who will participate on-site. Please know that if you are unable to accompany
your child(ren), they will be assigned to a project with teachers and other
families.
Stay
safe in these frigid temperatures and have a lovely Shabbat with your families.
As always, thank you for sharing your incredible kids with us!
B'Shalom,
Dona
Levinson
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