Gan (3.5-5 year olds)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 9 in Room 1 on main level of SJS building
The children enjoyed listening to the story “Apples and Honey.” It was a story about Rosh Hashanah. We continued to work on mastering the Hebrew words that are associated with the upcoming Holiday of Rosh Hashanah (rosh, honey and apple). We made a Rosh Hashanah collage. Thank you to Mr. Daniel (Sydney’s Dad) for coming in to do Shira (Music) with us. Tefillah was special as always.
I wish everyone a L’Shanah Tova……
Ask your child why the challah they made has ten raisins on it ??? There are ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
–Morah Lynn
Aleph (1st Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 9 in Room 2 on main level of SJS building
This week the Aleph students focused on the value of Chesed — To show kindness. Students heard two stories this week that had to do with showing Chesed by performing Mitzvot. The first was the story of the three brothers and the magic pomegranate and the second was “Even Higher” — A story that talks about human compassion during the days of Rosh Hashanah. We also focused on the pomegranate and why is it a symbol of Rosh Hashanah (the Pomegranate is said to contain 613 seeds which is the same amount of mitzvot in the Torah). We even counted the seeds today and found approximately 650 seeds! Finally in Art students began creating their classroom project of making a quilt that represents a variety of Torah stories by creating a list of stories and symbols that could represent those stories.
–Mrs. Berlow
Bet (2nd Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 9 in Room 3 on main level of SJS building
This week Kitah Bet continued to explore the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. We learned about Tashlich, Shofar sounds and made holiday cards for Lone Soldiers in Israel. We talked about the importance of Tzadakah and ways that we can help people and the world around us. During our first lesson about Israel students were asked to describe Israel in one word and after locating it on the map, we watched a short video “68 facts about Israel you didn’t know about.” The students continued working on Hebrew Step-By-Step packets with the help from our amazing madrichim and madrichim-in-training. Homework for the next class: please read pages 11,13, 15 and 17 in the first packet of Hebrew Step-By-Step.
Shanah Tovah u’Metukah,
Morah Anna
Gimel (3rd Grade)
Upcoming: Wed, Oct 5 starting in Sanctuary in synagogue building and Sun, Oct 9 starting in Room 5 on upper level of SJS building
Shalom Parents,
This week we continued with our third week of Teshuvah, “returning.”
Recap: We explored what it means to say “I’m sorry.” We learned different meanings of the word “shalom,” and that one of its definitions is “completeness.” Students explored the link between making peace with one another through apologizing and creating completeness with others through that act. We also spent time examining different familial situations in which apologies are necessary. Students used text studies and their understanding of Teshuvah to make personal connections to these scenarios.
Table Talk: We all make mistakes. Ask your family about a time one of them made a mistake. Did anyone learn anything afterward?
What is most important about apologizing—even if we aren’t exactly sure what we did wrong?
MyShalomLearning: 3.1.3
Next week we will go further into the concept of teshuvah and how we ask for forgiveness. This week, see if you have to ask anyone for forgiveness, and what that feels like. Write about who you said sorry to, and how if felt on
http://www.my.shalomlearning.orgNext Week: Students will continue to learn about forgiveness, this week through the lens of Yom Kippur.
In Ivrit, Hebrew, the students reviewed the following letters: shin, bet, tav. The students are working at a self-paced rate reviewing their aleph-bet and vowels. A few students have completed their first Hebrew packet, and have subsequently continued onto the next Hebrew packet. Students have been divided into Hebrew groups, and each groups works closely with a Madrich(a) and myself.
Please make sure that each student is practicing their Hebrew 10-15 minutes each day.
Have a great week!
B’Shalom,
Mrs. Sender
Dalet (4th Grade)
Upcoming: Wed, Oct 5 starting in Sanctuary in synagogue building and Sun, Oct 9 starting in Room 7 on upper level of SJS building
Dear Parents,
This week we began our unit on Teshuvah, which focuses on taking responsibility for ones actions through repentance. The lesson is summarized below:
Recap:
- Students learned that as a result of having free will that people sometimes make bad choices even as they try to do what is right. (Chet literally means missing the mark.)
- Students also learned that In a system with free will, it is not unusual to make some bad choices on the path to growing older and hopefully, as a result, wiser. Students should now be able to explain why the process of teshuvah is so important when they inevitably make mistakes.
- Students learned how the process of teshuvah can be a tool to learn from mistakes instead of denying that mistakes were made.
- Students learned some of the ways that Judaism attempts to keep us “aiming straight and hitting the target” of good behavior instead of “missing the mark.”
- Students examined the GPS as a metaphor to help them understand the role that other rituals play in helping us “recalculate” our behavior or keep us from making bad choices in general.
Table Talk: How can we use the steps of teshuvah to help with a problem at home or at school?
My.ShalomLearning.org Activity for next week: 4.1.2 Teshuvah Week 2
Next week:
We will concentrate on the role of rituals and focus on hearing the shofar, our central Rosh Hashanah ritual, and what the sound of the shofar reminds us to do.
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Marc Sender
This week the students completed their “Family Tree Branches” and we spoke about how all Jewish people are related. They were shown an article from a study down in 2014 that determined that Ashkenazi (European) Jews are all genetically related! How cool! Additionally, we spoke about Rosh Hashanah and the importance of using our “rosh” (Head) to make good choices in the coming year. –Mrs. Cohen
We continue to work in small groups of students, teachers and madrichim in the Hebrew Step-By-Step Boot Camp Packet #2. Some students are almost at the end of this booklet and will be moving to the third Boot Camp packet next time. –Mrs. Moustakis
Heh (5th Grade)
Upcoming: Wed, Oct 5 starting in Sanctuary in synagogue building and Sun, Oct 9 starting in Room 8 on upper level of SJS building
Dear Parents,
Today in our ShalomLearning lesson we completed the first week of Teshuva, with a focus on reflecting on the potential that a new beginning has to offer. Teshuva translates to repentance and introspection.
Recap:
- Students got to know a little bit about their classmates and practiced using the ShalomLearning interface.
- We began to associate Rosh Hashana with a new beginning and a chance to learn from past mistakes.
- We learned about some of the Rosh Hashana rituals including blowing the shofar, eating symbolic foods, and tashlich.
- One of the major goals was that students would understand the symbolism of actions and see them as a catalyst for personal change.
Table Talk:
Each week I will send you some suggestions of things to talk about at the dinner table (or elsewhere!) following your child’s class.
- What is a mistake you made in your life that you wish you could go back and fix? Discuss!
MyShalomLearning Activity for next week:
A great way to have a fresh start is with your friends. Please watch the following video clip: “You never had a friend like me” from Aladdin – in Hebrew!
Link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ5x7t_23BE
Discussion Questions to answer:
- Can you describe one occasion in which you acted like a good friend?
- What about your actions showed that you were a good friend?
Next Week:
Teshuva can help you be a better friend!
Please contact me with any questions!
Sincerely,
Marc Sender
This past Sunday in Ta’amei haMiqra (Torah Trope), we reviewed the etnachta and sof pasuk trope melodies. Also we all discussed our Hebrew names. On behalf of myself and my children Helen and Toby, I want to wish all of you a Healthy and Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing your children again on Sunday, October 9th. –Mr. Lerner
There was a lot of discussion this week on how we feel when we are criticized. The students talked about how they are criticized often impacts how they feel about the event afterwards. In class, the students created “chalk feelings” where they were asked to think about the colors and lines that make up their feelings when receiving “Tochecha”. I look forward to the next time we meet and are about to discuss the thought process behind our drawings. –Mrs. Cohen
The students are currently in the middle of the second packet of the Hebrew Step-By-Step Boot Camp. –Mrs. Moustakis
We enjoyed discussing what Kabbalat Shabbat is and what soups the kids like to eat for the Friday night service. The students gained more confidence in reading and writing the Hebrew letters. I am very happy with the progress they are making with Hebrew. –Moreh Igal
Vav (6th Grade)
Upcoming: Wed, Oct 5 starting in Room 10 on upper level of SJS building and Sun, Oct 9 starting in Sanctuary in synagogue building
This past Sunday in Yeshivat B’nai Mitzvah (B’nai Mitzvah Academy), we reviewed the etnachta and sof pasuk trope melodies, and began to apply them the Hebrew text. We also continued our study of the Jewish calendar. On behalf of myself and my children Helen and Toby, I want to wish all of you a Healthy and Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing your children again on Sunday, October 9th. –Mr. Lerner
We began
Wednesday, with a moving, thoughtful tribute to the late, former president of Israel-Shimon Peres. It’s amazing to fathom the breadth of influence he had and will continue to have for both Israel the world as a whole.
Well, that was fast! In Kitah Vav, we steadily worked this past session on moving through the Hebrew Boot Camp. The students have either tested through the second book or is about to. On the whole, we discovered Hebrew roots and how learning meaning can help our reading speed up. For example, we encountered the words “San-dal” and “Sand-lar” meaning “sandal” and “shoemaker,” the connection is the just the basis of what’s to come as we encounter and master Hebrew.
–Mr. Sakofs and Morah Sandra
The students enjoyed watching and discussing two video clips: “What Makes Rosh Hashanah Beautiful?” and “Elements of Repentance.” –Moreh Igal
Zayin (7th Grade)
Upcoming: Wed, Oct 5 starting in Room 9 on upper level of SJS building and Sun, Oct 9 starting in Sanctuary in synagogue building
We began
Wednesday, with a moving, thoughtful tribute to the late, former president of Israel-Shimon Peres. It’s amazing to fathom the breadth of influence he had and will continue to have for both Israel the world as a whole.
Well, that was fast! In Kitah Zayin, we steadily worked this past session on moving through the Hebrew Boot Camp. The students have either tested through the second book or is about to. On the whole, we discovered Hebrew roots and how learning meaning can help our reading speed up. For example, we encountered the words “San-dal” and “Sand-lar” meaning “sandal” and “shoemaker,” the connection is the just the basis of what’s to come as we encounter and master Hebrew.
–Mr. Sakofs and Morah Sandra
The Zayin class engaged in an in-depth conversation on G-d, based on the text Tough Questions that Jews Ask. Students explored their understanding and belief systems surrounding G-d. Students explored the concept of G-d as a creator and provider vs. G-d as a magician.
-Mrs. Sender
Prozdor (8th Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 9 starting in Room 9 on upper level of SJS building.
In our continued study of Hebrew prayers we discussed the key nouns and verbs used in the Baruch-Shacharit 3. Especially, the spiritual meaning of this Jewish prayer. The students enjoyed watching and discussing one video clip: “What Makes Rosh Hashanah Beautiful?” Finally, we reviewed two current events (A virtual reality visit to the Second Temple; Rare documents shed light on Jewish life in ancient Afghanistan and Persia). The review of current events helps students grow in their appreciation of our Jewish historical and spiritual heritage. –Moreh Igal
Pardes (9th-10th Grades)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 9 starting in Room 6 on upper level of SJS building.
We had some discussion on Anti-Zionism articles as well as on several other current events articles. We discussed the refugee problem and screen an excerpt from a film on Jewish refugees. As Jews, we were refugees and should be sensitive to their needs. We did a Pirke Avot exercise and discussed choices (a) Knowledge not increased is knowledge decreased; (b) Do not judge your fellow human beings until you stand in their place; (c) Do not look at the flask but what it contains.
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