Gan (3.5-5 year olds)
Upcoming: Sat, Dec 3 Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) begins in Room 1 on main level of SJS building at 9:30 a.m.
Highlights from the Gan….In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, Thanksgiving….much of today was centered around this holiday. I asked the children how many times a day in the Jewish tradition we should say Thank You (100 times). We then made a list of things we are thankful for (posted on the classroom door). The ruach that the children showed during Shira (music) was amazing. We learned about the letter Bet today as well. As always, the children enjoyed Tefillah with Mr. Sherman and Mr. Marc.
Safe travels and a Happy Thanksgiving is my wish to all of you…..
-Morah Lynn
Aleph (1st Grade)
Upcoming: Sat, Dec 3 Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) begins in Room 1 on main level of SJS building at 9:30 a.m.
Bet (2nd Grade)
Upcoming: Sat, Dec 3 Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) begins in Room 4 on main level of SJS building at 9:30 a.m.
Today Kitah Bet enjoyed learning about Shabbat. The students learned about symbols and rituals of Shabbat and learned to braid challot. After reciting Shabbat blessings we had a delicious snack with freshly baked challot. We also talked about Thanksgiving and its similarities and differences with Sukkot. We talked about being thankful for what we have; watched “Hakarat hatov” (Gratitude) on Shaboom. -Morah Anna
Gimel (3rd Grade)
Upcoming: Sat, Dec 3 Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) begins in Room 4 on main level of SJS building at 9:30 a.m.
Shalom Parents,
In our B’tzelem Eloheim unit, we’ve talked a lot about what make us different, and how G-d created us, but how can we be more like G-d?
Recap: This week, we explored our ideas about G-d, and how we can use G-d as a role model for how we live. The lesson began with a question about super heroes. We discussed what superheroes can do, and the powers they possess. This relates to role models. We have real life role models among us, and they are heroes. Not only that, but in Judaism, we have G-d as a role model. We brainstormed a list of qualities all of these groups have in common, and use them as a lens to view ourselves. How can WE be role models? How can we use super heroes, role models, and G-d to teach us how to live our lives.
We connected this with the idea of B’tzelem Elohim – if G-d created us to be in G-d’s image, what responsibility do we have to be like G-d? We spent some time learning about a common theme in the superhero world – justice. We talked about the idea of justice, and “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” pursuing justice in our lives and our communities.
Table Talk: How will you use your knowledge of being created in G-d’s image to treat others better? To treat yourself better? How about others in your family? What’s your superpower now?
MyShalomLearning: 3.2.4 & 3.3.1
Please answer the Wrap-Up questions for Unit 2 B’tzelem Elohim and do the Kick-Off questions forUnit 3, Gevurah!
Next Week: We begin the unit of Gevurah, strength!
In Ivrit (Hebrew), the yeladim (children) learned about the following Hebrew letters: י (yud) and ח (chet). The yeladim also worked on reviewing their previously learned letters and vowels through game, movement, and writing, and began learning tefillot (prayers) from the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service.
This week both Hebrew packets and flashcards were sent home with each student – please make sure that each student is continuing to work through their Hebrew packets at their own-pace. Additionally, homework sheets were sent home for each student to practice at least 5 minutes per day. All of this work can also be found on Schoology.
Have a great week!
B’Shalom,
Mrs. Sender & Morah Myra
Dalet (4th Grade)
Upcoming: Sat, Dec 3 Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) begins in Room 4 on main level of SJS building at 9:30 a.m.
We continued to explore different kinds of Zichronot (Remembrances) using examples from around the country. The students examined the different elements that made up the Zikaron as well as why that particular modality was used to memorialize the person after hearing interviews from people involved in it’s creation. This exercise will be helpful to the students as they begin to formulate ideas for their own Zikaron based on their personal interviews. After Thanksgiving break we will begin the creation of the Zichronot and already the students are thinking about whether to include text, pictures and/or other elements to tell the story of the person’s life. For those students that were not present for today’s lesson, I would encourage them to complete the interview worksheets and email them to me ASAP so that I can print them out and have them ready for class on December 4th to allow them to participate in this project. Additionally, I would encourage your child to watch the following videos showing examples of different Zichronot we explored during class”
Links to videos of remembrances:
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Temple Aliyah, Needham, MA: http://bit.do/etgarmural
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Bet Torah, Mount Kisco, NY: http://bit.do/etgargarden
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Chabad Lubavitch, Memphis, TN: http://bit.do/etgarpainting
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Run for Harold, New York, NY: http://bit.do/etgarrun
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Debbie Friedman Memorial Concert, Los Angeles, CA: http://bit.do/etgarconcert
-Mrs. Cohen
We worked on Birckot Ha’Shachar and the meaning of thanking G-d and to be in G-d’s image. We worked on reading the Hebrew accurately. Please make sure your child practices Birckot Ha’Shachar at home. Please ask your child: What does it mean that we are created in G-d’s image? -Mrs. Moustakis
Heh (5th Grade)
Upcoming: Sat, Dec 3 Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) begins in Sanctuary in the synagogue building at 9:30 a.m.
The students began working on earning the 8 Tochecha (Rebuke) Techniques and completed a packet in class where they were asked to examine examples of tochecha and describe whether they were effective or ineffective examples as well as to which “technique” the example applied. We will be going over the worksheets as a class next time we meet. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! –Mrs. Cohen
As we prepared for the Friday night service that we will be leading, we reviewed the reading for Shalom Aleichem. Please practice page 10, lines 1-6. Please ask your child: Why are we inviting the angels in the Shalom Aleichem prayer? Why do we rejoice on Shabbat? To whom we are singing? -Mrs. Moustakis
This past week in Torah Trope, we learned the zakeif katon melody and applied it to the V‘Ahavata.-Mr. Lerner
Vav (6th Grade)
Upcoming: Sat, Dec 3 Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) begins in Sanctuary in the synagogue building at 9:30 a.m.
Zayin (7th Grade)
Upcoming: Sat, Dec 3 Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) begins in Sanctuary in the synagogue building at 9:30 a.m.
The students practiced reading through the selection of prayers in their siddur packets. Some prayers were unfamiliar, while others were familiar but had not necessarily been taught to the students formally. This allowed students a chance to correct mispronunciations that they had learned orally in synagogue or school. -Hazzan Szenes-Strauss
This week the yeladim participated in an interesting discussion surrounding the topic “Why does G-d let bad things happen in the world?” Based on the text Tough Questions that Jews Ask, the students brainstormed G-d’s role (or lack thereof) in natural disasters, terrorist activities, illnesses, etc. Please be sure to ask your student about this discussion and have them share with us during our next class! -Mrs. Sender
The Zayin students learned about the Jewish perspectives on the weekly cycle and the Shabbat. The students wrote down the different terms associated with the weekly cycle and the Shabbat. The students were excited to share their ideas. They also learned to pronounce the Hebrew days of the week. Finally, we summarized the topic and emphasized the practical aspects of living a proactive Jewish life during the week and resting on the Sabbath.-Moreh Igal
Prozdor (8th Grade)
Upcoming: Sun, Dec 4 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 learned about the Jewish perspectives on the weekly cycle and the Shabbat. They also learned to pronounce the Hebrew days of the week. In addition, we discussed what we should be thankful for. Sense of gratitude is a Jewish value that should be always cultivated in the hearts of Jewish children. The students shared what they are thankful for. They enjoyed the class and are looking forward to the next one. -Moreh Igal
Pardes (9th-10th Grades)
Upcoming: Sun, Dec 4 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.
We spent several minutes discussing the election results. We then discussed the film “Denial” with a focus on reasons why there are those who deny the Shoah. Finally we turned to a detailed worksheet on the film, “Schindler’s List”, by way of highlighting key insights regarding the Holocaus and the motives of Holocaust rescuers the film provided. -Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz
We conducted a review of the recently viewed Schindler’s List, focusing on what the students learned from the movie which they had not known earlier. The portrayal of the Nazis, with their heartlessness and refusal to look at Jews as actual human beings had the greatest impact. Although students had heard multiple stories in the past, the dramatization brought the stories to life. -Cantor Simon
Mr. Sherman’s Blog 