Kitah Vav Update

After a long February break, it was great to have our kiddos back! We are moving on to our new unit, Shemot and Moses.  We begin with our unit on anti-Semitism.. Anti-Semitism>!  Moses>?  WHAT?!  Actually, the story of Exodus begins with anti-Semitism.  The Pharaoh is scared of the Jews.  He is worried that they are becoming to numerous and will overtake him, so he orders the death of the baby boys.  And so begins the story that we tell on Passover.  His hatred toward the Jews begins with fear. 

 We began the conversation of anti-Semitism by discussing Harry Potter and JK Rowling’s use of the word: Half Blood, Pure Blood, MudBlood and Muggles.  We discussed how this was similar to the discrimination and use of language used to describe African Americans during and after slavery and to describe people of Aryan decent during the Holocaust.  This comparison really speaks to the kids and it helps the “get it.”

 The kids shared a lot about some discriminatory issues that were going on in their schools. I was appalled to hear about how many antiemetic issues they were dealing with.  I know that the recent election and the political climate leading up to it has really amped up the hatred against Jews in the country.  It is so disheartening to hear that the children are being affected by this in such a personal way. 

Tuesday, our 7^th graders came in to discuss the Holocaust, which they had been learning about in depth and to talk about how antisemitism lead to this terrible tragedy.  We talked about how propaganda led to this tragedy and what the stereotypes were that brought about this propaganda. We also talked about how the story of Purim also hinges on a deep seated hatred of the Jews.

 

We live in trying times.  Sadly, it is so apropos to our children what they are learning in Hebrew school.  However, I am glad  that they are learning subjects that are relevant to their lives and their world and hopefully that they are prepared to face whatever unfortunate hatred comes their way.

 Til next time.

Leah

Kitah Gan Katan Update

 Hello Parents and Welcome Back! 

 Sunday was pretty  busy  for  us in Gan Katan.  We learned about giving  Tzedakah ( charity).  How some people in our communities don't have much, ex: food,  clothing,  toys, money and a roof over their heads. 

 We talked about  the mitzvah of giving  Tzedakah, how it's a commandment in the Torah to give tzedakah to those who are less fortunate  then us. 

 We talked about places where one could  donate their money to, example: (Yad Ezra is our local kosher  food pantry, animal shelter places  where you could donate  your gentle used clothes). 

 We made our very  own  Tzadekah  boxes for each families to take home next week.  Once your Tzadekah boxes fills up, you could decide  as a family where the money should go. 

In my family Yad Ezra  is very important.  Once our Tzedakah  box is full, we drive to Yad Ezra  and give them our money. It makes us feel better  knowing  that  people  in our communities  will have food  for their families. 

 Charitably, Yours

 Morot Zoya and Alexis 

7th grade class update

Dear 7th Grade Parents,

 This week, we continued our unit about the Holocaust.  Throughout our unit, we have found that our students have struggled to grasp the enormity of the number "6,000,000," so we read the stories of individuals who perished in the Holocaust.  The stories that we read were about people of varying ages, backgrounds, and experiences, which provided a way for the students to humanize the overwhelming horrors of the Shoah.  

 We continued by watching the movie "Paperclips," a film about Holocaust education, and then had 2 safety drills. We discussed the fact that each paperclip represents an extinguished life. We also talked about prejudice and discrimination. When we returned from the safety drills we talked about why we went to/plan to gather in  the lower level in the event of bomb threat and other questions that arose. 

Lastly, we learned about the ghettoization of Eastern European Jewry as an intermediary step towards the Final Solution.  We discussed how it would feel to be separated from the rest of a city and crammed into crowded living spaces.  The students were particularly struck by the overcrowding in the ghettos, as we learned that the Warsaw Ghetto held over 400,000 Jews in 1.3 square miles, which is the same area of Central Park.

 Please let us know if your child has an particular concerns or questions that you would like us to address.

We hope you can join us for our class visit to the Holocaust Memorial Center on Sunday, March 26 at 9:30 am. This is a parent and child together visit.

 

Best,

Morah Hollenberg and Moreh Fidel

Kitah Bet Update

Dear Parents,

We are continuing our Torah learning in the book of Shemot . Shemot is the book of the Torah that retells the exodus from Egypt. As we are learning of the Exodus I am connecting this to  Passover as a reference point to the holiday. We will have lots more Passover learning in the weeks to come.

In Hebrew, we are moving along learning our letters and vowels and decoding Hebrew words. As always , it is important for your kids to practice with you at home to reinforce what we are doing in class. I appreciate you partnering with me in doing this.  There should be parent-companion worksheets in your child's take-home folder.

Enjoy your mid-winter break. I will see everyone on Sunday, February 26.
Shabbat Shalom

Davida

Kitah Gan Katan Update

Good afternoon Parents:

 Sunday we learned  about  Tu B' Shevat ( the birthday  for the trees). I know it seems weird that here in Michigan it's very cold and the trees  are very bare. But in Israel  it's spring. The trees are blooming, fruits  are growing  and flowers too.

 We learned about what kind of fruits grow on tree, and so we made  our very own button trees. The children  did beautifully.  We also made our very own classroom friendship  tree. They put their hand  prints on the tree and formed their friendship  with their classmates.  You could check it out on our classroom bulletin board.  

 We read one of my favorite  books: The Giving Tree.  From Shel Silverstien.  

 Shabbat Boxes did go home with your child.  They worked really  hard  on them.  We hope  you will enjoy  them and use them every week. 

 Enjoy  your  break!

 Morot Zoya and Alexis 

Dear Parents,

Over the last week I  have introduced your children to the holiday of Tu B'Shevat.  We did lots of activities to learn about the holiday , but eating foods associated with the holiday was probably the most impactful and delicious. We ate several of the 7 species ( olives, dates, figs, & wheat-in the form of a cake!) We played a bingo game learning more about fruits and  trees that grow in Israel. We also compared Tu b'Shevat to Earth Day in America. It was a fun lesson. Tonight is the beginning of Tu b'Shevat. Ask your kids if they can tell you any of the 7 Species, ( barley, wheat, pomegranate , grapes, olives, wheat, figs, dates)  or about the book Honi and the Carob Tree.

We are continuing our Hebrew learning as well as our Torah learning. Please continue to read with your children the parent-companion sheets that your children bring home.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Tu b'Shevat
(enjoy some fruit tonight in honor of the holiday)

Davida

7th grade class update

Dear 7th Grade Parents:

 

This week we continued learning about the Holocaust and how the Jewish spirit persevered despite the atrocities our people endured. We were surprised to learn that Jews managed to keep track of and celebrate holidays despite the fact that they were held captive in Nazi concentration and death camps.

We discovered that the Jews of the Theresienstadt Ghetto managed to smuggle a maple tree sapling into that ghetto in honor of Tu B'shevat the holiday we are celebrating this coming Shabbat. And we explored why this would be so important to the people living in that Ghetto at that time. 

We also had the privilege of hearing the story of survival of Linda Cohen's parents from Linda Cohen directly. She really brought her parents life journey to life for us. Just as we had been learning, her parents survived on faith and with the hep of Righteous Gentiles. They witnessed true miracles. 

 Lastly, we also learned about the history of World War II.  Students were taken aback by the speed and strength of the Nazi's conquest across Europe, and we discussed the role of the Holocaust within the greater context of the war. 

 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