Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 in Room 1 on main level of SJS building
The Rabbi’s Sukkah was prepared with all the food ready for Morah Lynn’s class Sukkah visit. She read the story book provided in the box with activities sent from the Synagogue. I worked with the students to make a Sukkah butterfly decoration out of tissue paper and a clothes pin, and the Rabbi explained the Lulav and Etrog to the students and gave each child a chance to shake it for themselves. -Morah Bonnie
Aleph (1st Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 in Room 2 on main level of SJS building
This week the Aleph students continued to learn about Sukkot with a trip to the Sukkah to say the blessings and do Hebrew through Movement with holiday words, Lulav & Etrog. We also listened to a story while taking in the smells and feelings of being in a Sukkah. Aftterwards, students began to learn about Simchat Torah and several customs that we do to celebrate the holiday. We learned that every year we begin reading the stories of the Torah with Torah Portion of
Beresheit, the creation of the world.
-Mrs. Berlow
Bet (2nd Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 in Room 3 on main level of SJS building
This week the students enjoyed visiting the Sukkah where we said holiday blessings, shook the Lulav and read a Sukkot story. We started a conversation about the Torah and learned about the holiday of Simchat Torah. The students used feather quills and practiced being
sofrim. Special shout out for Kitah Bet for doing an awesome job during
Ivrit (Hebrew). I’m very proud of you and I encourage you to keep up the great work!!!
-Morah Anna
Gimel (3rd Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 starting in Room 5 on upper level of SJS building
Will be sent as a separate email to the Gimel families.
Dalet (4th Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 starting in Room 7 on upper level of SJS building
We read about the meaning and celebration of Simchat Torah in preparation for that evening’s service. Our book presented us with several expressions about the relationship between Jews and Torah, and the students considered the meanings of these metaphorical statements. We had snack in the sukkah, and took one last chance to wave the lulav. -Hazzan Szenes-Strauss
Most of the student are finishing Hebrew Step-By-Step Boot Camp #3. The students are now ready to begin reading the prayers for the Sunday morning service that they will be leading near the end of the school year. These are prayers that many of them already sing beautifully at our weekly Wednesday afternoon Tefillah in the Sanctuary. Shabbat Shalom. -Mrs. Moustakis
Heh (5th Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 starting in Room 8 on upper level of SJS building
This past week in Torah Trope, we again took time to learn songs for Simchat Torah. After reading and singing the song Eretz Zavat Chalav (“A land flowing with milk and honey”), we studied the map of Israel, concentrating on its borders and neighbors. -Mr. Lerner
This week we discussed the Shalom Alechem prayer and learned about the concept of welcoming and greeting the angels for Shabbat. Earlier in our SJS session the students sang that prayer at our weekly Wednesday afternoon Tefillah in the Sanctuary. -Mrs. Moustakis
This week the Heh students proceeded to Hebrew Step-by-Step Boot Camp (Packet 3). I have been able to evaluate the Hebrew readings of most Heh students. Heh students are moving forward and many have now completed the Hebrew Step-by-Step Boot Camp (Packet 3). -Moreh Igal
Vav (6th Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 starting in Sanctuary in synagogue building
This past week in Yeshivat B’nai Mitzvah (B’nai Mitzvah Academy), we again took time to learn songs for Simchat Torah. After reading and singing the song Eretz Zavat Chalav (“A land flowing with milk and honey”), we studied the map of Israel, concentrating on its borders and neighbors. -Mr. Lerner
The Vav students enjoyed watching three videos about Sukkot and its meaning and significance in Judaism. In particular, the students understood better how Sukkot is being celebrated in Israel today. -Moreh Igal
Zayin (7th Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 starting in Sanctuary in synagogue building. PLEASE NOTE: Rabbi Newman Kamin will be having a brunch/family education with the Zayin Class in Room 6 from 9:50 am.-11:25 a.m.
We began to examine the concept of B’tzelem Elohim, the creation of humans in God’s image. Our discussion addressed the fundamental question of whether this was a figurative or literal statement. We also considered the extent to which we are like God, and the extent to which we are like other animals. -Hazzan Szenes-Strauss
The Zayin students enjoyed watching three videos about Sukkot and its meaning and significance in Judaism. In particular, the students understood better how Sukkot is being celebrated in Israel today. -Moreh Igal
Prozdor (8th Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 starting at 10:30 a.m. (one hour later than the majority of the classes in SJS) in Room 9 on upper level of SJS building.
The Prozdor students have been introduced to the Jewish traditions pertaining to Sukkot and enjoyed watching the videos. We then had a discussion of the Jewish life cycle. -Moreh Igal
Pardes (9th-10th Grades)
Upcoming: Sun, Oct 30 The Pardes class will convene at the Century Theater in Evanston, to view the movie, Denial, in lieu of their regular Sunday morning SJS class this week. Cantor Simon has emailed all of the specific details to the Pardes families.
Students completed watching Schindler’s List last Sunday. They were numbed by the graphic images in the movie and horrified by man’s inhumanity to man. We will now focus on antisemitism, racism and xenophobia as it exists today and what can be done about it. -Cantor Simon
Mr. Sherman’s Blog 