Dear Am Yisrael SJS Community,
The following topics are covered in this week’s Limmud/Education Update:
I. Class Updates Sun, Jan 22 & Wed, Jan 25
II. Special Info for this weekend:
a) Mitzvah Opportunity: Please Help The Ark
b) Friday Night Live (FNL) is tonight, Fri, Jan 27 at 6 p.m. (family-friendly services last approximately 40 minutes)
c) Tamar Manassah is speaking about group she founded, MASK, Mothers Against Senseless Killing as part of Shabbat morning services Sat, Jan 28 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
d) Young Family Havurah Havdalah is Sat, Jan 28 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
e) Celebrate Summer in January with Ramah on Sun, Jan 29 from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
f) Party Planning Showcase is Sun, Jan 29 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
III. Special Info for next weekend:
a) Camp Am Yisrael Initiative Update
b) Gimel (3rd) Brunch & Family Ed with Rabbi Newman Kamin, Sun, Feb 5 9:50am – 11:25am
c) Ruach (3rd-5th Grade) Youth Group Event, Sun, Feb 5 12:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
IV. Looking Ahead:
a) 6th-8th Grade CHUSY Regional Kadima Day is Sun, Feb 26
b) Next Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) is Sat, Feb 25 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
c) Purim Megillah Reading and Carnival is Sun, Mar 12; Details TBA
V. Calling all Purim Megillah Readers for Sun, Mar 12 and Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) Torah Readers for Sat, Feb 25 and Sat, Apr 22
NOTE: There are several attachments with specific details that are not placed in this blog posting, rather just in the weekly Limmud/Education Update 1-27-17 that is emailed.
I. Class Updates: Sun, Jan 22 & Wed Jan 25
Gan (3.5-5 year olds)
Upcoming: Our next Gan SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in Room 1 on main level of SJS building at 9:15 a.m.
Highlights from Gan….. We did a review of some of the Hebrew words we have been working on. I was about to read the children a Bible story, from where it prompted one of the children to ask where do Bible stories come??? So we dropped what we were doing and went to visit the Sanctuary and the Torahs and had a nice discussion. The children helped our friend Michael with one of his mitzvah projects by making cards for the Lone Soldiers of Israel. As usual, we had a great time during Shira (Music) Tefillah. -Morah Lynn
Aleph (1st Grade)
Upcoming: Our next Aleph SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in Room 2 on main level of SJS building at 9:15 a.m.
1. Mitzvot performed between people
2. Mitzvot performed for G-d
The Students also added the letter yud and three words that begin with yud. (1. Yad – Hand , 2. Yerushalayim – Jerusalem 3. Ya’yin – Wine) -Mrs. Berlow
Bet (2nd Grade)
Upcoming: Our next Bet SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in Room 3 on main level of SJS building at 9:15 a.m.
Gimel (3rd Grade)
Upcoming: Our next Gimel SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in Room 5 on upper level of SJS building at 9:15 a.m.
This week’s session was our introduction to achrayut, and all of the different types of roles and responsibilities we have in our lives. The students related this to the idea that each person is important. We started out with an activity that illustrated the many roles we have in our own lives within our community and at home. We will also learn what happens when the opposite occurs and how easily everything can fall apart.
Recap:
- Students learned that we all have different roles and responsibilities for different parts of our lives.
- Students explored the notion that if we all do our own part well that life runs more smoothly
- Students learned about the importance of achrayut within a Jewish context.
Table Talk: Discuss the various roles you have within your family. Does everyone always do his or her own share? What can you do to make sure everyone within our family works together?
MyShalomLearning Activity for next week: 3.4.2 Achrayut Week 2
Login to My.ShalomLearning.org and share the two activities for students to complete prior to the next class:
1) We all have responsibilities, and sometimes that means helping others, just like the Kid President said. For the next few weeks, I’d like you all to think of a place to volunteer to help someone else. Talk with your family and come up with a place you can go on a normal basis. Please post some places where you will commit to volunteering with your family!
2) Please watch: “Rosa Learns to be Responsible” and respond to the question in the discussion thread!
Next week:
In next week’s session we will tackle the concept of responsibility from a Jewish perspective.
In Ivrit, the yeladim continued to work on their writing skills by writing letters previously learned in class in their notebooks. The yeladim also learned about two vowels: the Sh’va (and associated rules) and the Kammatz Katan. Additionally, the yeladim began learning about and how to recite the V’Ahavta (the first paragraph of the Shema prayer).
Have a great week!
B’Shalom,
Mrs. Sender and Morah Myra
Dalet (4th Grade)
Upcoming: Our next Dalet SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in Room 7 on upper level of SJS building at 9:15 a.m.
Heh (5th Grade)
Upcoming: Our next Heh SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in the Sanctuary in the synagogue building at 9:15 a.m.
Continuing our ma’achil re’evim (feeding the hungry) unit, we reviewed what we learned last week about food insecurity in the United States, and specifically in Cook County. Since many of us have little or no personal contact with food insecurity, our discussion went into some detail about the different ways it can manifest: chronic hunger, a regular yet tenuous supply of food, or nutritional deficiencies among people who are not “hungry” in the usual sense. We briefly touched on the issue of how much food costs and the inadequacy of many relief efforts. -Hazzan Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)
Kitah Heh started the class by playing “Last reader standing”: we reviewed speed reads from the Hebrew-Step-By-Step packets. Students were allowed to make only one reading mistake and needed to keep fast pace. We had not one but two students “standing” and called it a tie. Also we reviewed vocabulary related to the Rosh ha Shana by reading short mystery about a family missing Dvash. -Morah Anna
This past week, the Heh students continued their work on Torah Trope, and also began closely looking at the translation of the Sh’ma. -Mr. Lerner
Vav (6th Grade)
Upcoming: Our next Vav SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in the Sanctuary in the synagogue building at 9:15 a.m.
Hebrew reading practice focused on the berachah “Yotzer Or” as well as the beginning of Shema. Many students had time to work on the second paragraph of Shema, which is usually recited quietly and which is in fact the longest of the three paragraphs. One group of students also focused on Ashrei, which is familiar but which contains many words that are often learned incorrectly by oral tradition.-Hazzan Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)
The class continued our discussion on Israel by highlighting G-d’s promise to Abraham that the land would be given to his descendants forever, provided that they keep G-d’s statues and obey the commandments. We discussed how this prophecy was fulfilled with the Jewish people dwelling in the land of Israel and subsequently exiled. The class gave examples of what “holy” means. We also gave examples of conditional gifts in our own lives. Next week we will begin discussing the Jewish calendar and its connection to the land of Israel. -Mr. Dallal
Zayin (7th Grade)
Upcoming: Our next Zayin SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in the Sanctuary in the synagogue building at 9:15 a.m.
Continuing our exploration of gevurah (strength or heroism), we learned about the life of Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, the commander of the 1976 rescue of hostages at Entebbe and the only Israeli soldier to die in that operation. Students were asked to think about what other sorts of behavior could be called heroic. Next week we will begin to assemble short presentations about people who have displayed heroism, and students should come in with someone in mind and at least a general idea of what that person did. -Hazzan Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)
This week the yeladim watched the White House Chaplin’s prayer during the Inaguration luncheon and compared it to “Prayer for our Country” found in our siddur. The yeladim looked at our Jewish values, and discussed how these values can and should be used as a guide-map with which we live our lives. The yeladim discussed specific Jewish values, such as Achrayut, and how that are an integral part of our lives.
B’Shalom,
Mrs. Sender
The class continued our discussion on Israel by highlighting G-d’s promise to Abraham that the land would be given to his descendants forever, provided that they keep G-d’s statues and obey the commandments. We discussed how this prophecy was fulfilled with the Jewish people dwelling in the land of Israel and subsequently exiled. The class gave examples of what “holy” means. We also gave examples of conditional gifts in our own lives. Next week we will begin discussing the Jewish calendar and its connection to the land of Israel. -Mr. Dallal
Prozdor (8th Grade)
Upcoming: Our next Prozdor SJS is Sun, Jan 29 beginning in Room 9 on upper level of SJS building at 10:30 a.m.(one hour, 15 minutes later than the majority of the classes in SJS)
The class continued our discussion on Israel by highlighting G-d’s promise to Abraham that the land would be given to his descendants forever, provided that they keep G-d’s statues and obey the commandments. We discussed how this prophecy was fulfilled with the Jewish people dwelling in the land of Israel and subsequently exiled. The class gave examples of what “holy” means. We also gave examples of conditional gifts in our own lives. Next week we will begin discussing the Jewish calendar and its connection to the land of Israel.-Mr. Dallal
Pardes (9th-10th Grades)
Upcoming: Our next Pardes SJS is Sat, Jan 28 in the Sanctuary beginning at 9:30 a.m. in lieu of regular SJS that day. Those members of the Madrichim Team who are in Pardes are welcome to come on Sun, Jan 29 and work the entire SJS session in lieu of regular class.
Students discussed social activism. A couple of students described their experience at the Women’s March over the weekend. We also discussed the work of Tamar Manasseh who created MASK, Mothers Against Senseless Killing, and the bravery it requires to stand on the street corners of Englewood to promote her cause. -Cantor Stuart Simon
II. Special Info for this weekend:
a) Mitzvah Opportunity: Please Help The Ark
The Ark is in need of items for its pantry. Please bring in the following kosher items, knowing that these are only the suggested items, as sadly there is a great need of many additional items at all times. We have a bin by the elevator off the synagogue lobby and there are additional bins in the school lobby to drop off these much needed items during regular business hours. Thank you in advance.
-vegetarian baked beans
-pineapple slices
-soups (not broth) such as chicken noodle and mushroom barley
-crunchy peanut butter
-tea, both regular and herbal
-baby wipes
-dish soap
-adult diapers
-incontinence pads
b) Friday Night Live (FNL) is tonight, Fri, Jan 27 at 6 p.m. (family-friendly services last approximately 40 minutes) a wonderful, lively service featuring Cantor Simon and the Shabbatones.
c) Tamar Manassah is speaking about group she founded, MASK, Mothers Against Senseless Killing as part of Shabbat morning services Sat, Jan 28 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Here is the video that the Congregation sent out to show a small glimpse of the powerful work that our friend from Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation is doing with this organization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL5zBFV5g-c
d) Young Family Havurah Havdalah is Sat, Jan 28 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Please join the Young Families of Am Yisrael for a fun annual tradition as we gather at Jon and Carrie Feig’s home for a casual Havdalah service, a pot luck DAIRY dinner and a lot of laughs. This is being sent to members of the congregation who have at least one child in 5th grade or younger. Older siblings are certainly welcome to attend and we always like to have at least a few of the older siblings in the role of babysitters. Please RSVP via email csherman@amyisrael.org or the evite that was sent out and let us know what you can bring. We ask that you bring food prepared following a “Kosher Ingredient” policy in disposable containers whenever possible. We will need salads, sides, fruit, dessert, paper goods, soda and perhaps a little wine. Special thanks to the Feig Family for opening their home to all of us.
e) Celebrate Summer in January with Ramah on Sun, Jan 29 from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Please see attached flyer for this program that is taking place at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El for this free event featuring Harris Kal and his Music Mania and Games Show. RSVP at www.ramahday.com/summerinjan.
f) Party Planning Showcase is Sun, Jan 29 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Please see attached flyer for this program for this free program taking place at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort. Some have found all the people they hired for their B’nai Mitzvah celebrations at this event, now in its 26th year. For more information please call 847-291-0475.
NOTE: When planning a party, please be sure that it is not scheduled to take place during SJS hours. Thank you.
III. Special Info for next weekend:
a) Camp Am Yisrael Initiative Update
Several parents were interested in having a Sunday morning class introducing the kids to Shabbat, the holidays and with plenty of play. Am Yisrael in Northfield is re-starting its Camp Am Yisrael initiative. The class will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings and will focus on kids ages 0-3. This is not a regular structured class, but rather a learn-by-play style class. A sample Sunday might look like this:
9:30 – 9:40 Families arrive, kids can play freely
9:40 – 9:50 Story about Shabbat
9:50 – 10:00 Play pretend Shabbat dinner (using a Shabbat playset to do candles, wine, motzi, etc.)
10:00 – 10:10 Songs with the Cantor
10:10 – 10: 20 Free play and snack
10:20 – 10:30 Tefillah (song-based as well)
The camp runs 9 weeks, starting February 5th, and will focus on one holiday for two weeks including an age-appropriate art project every other week. Kids will learn about Shabbat/Havdallah, Tu B’Shvat, Purim, and Passover. On the 9th week, the grandparents can come see what these kids have been up to. Please let Mr. Sherman know if you are interested.
b) Gimel (3rd) Brunch & Family Ed with Rabbi Newman Kamin, Sun, Feb 5 9:50am – 11:25am
Mrs. Nan Naranjo has been in touch with all Gimel families. Please be sure to RSVP to her at nnaranjo@amyisrael.org or 847-446-7215 this week if you haven’t already. Thank you.
c) Ruach (3rd-5th Grade) Youth Group Event, Sun, Feb 5 12:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Who:
Ruach (3rd-5th Grade) SJS & Day School Students
When:
Sun, Feb 5
12:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
What:
Color Me Mine at The Glen
We will meet in Room 10 after SJS dismisses to eat lunch
We will then leave the synagogue to go to Color Me Mine around 12:45 p.m.
Pick up will be at The Glen at 2:30 p.m.
Cost is $25.00 which includes art piece, painting fee and food
Checks should be made out to “Am Yisrael” (or pay in cash)
NOTE:
More expensive pottery pieces can be purchased at the time of the program for additional cost
Where: Color Me Mine: 1855 Tower Drive Glenview, IL
RSVP: Please respond directly to this email or to our Shalom Club & Ruach (Pre-K-5th Grade) Youth Group Advisor, Miss Jamie Cooper via email jcooper@amyisrael.org or 847-962-1478 call/text
Please indicate if you are available to help drive from the synagogue to Color Me Mine
IV. Looking Ahead
a) 6th-8th Grade CHUSY Regional Kadima Day is Sun, Feb 26
b) Next Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) is Sat, Feb 25 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
c) Purim Megillah Reading and Carnival is Sun, Mar 12; Details TBA
V. Calling all Purim Megillah Readers for Sun, Mar 12 and Shabbat Family Programming (SFP) Torah Readers for Sat, Feb 25 and Sat, Apr 22
We are looking for Megillah readers to chant anywhere from 1, 2 or 3 verses to an entire chapter of Megillah on Sun, Mar 12. Cantor Simon or I will be sending you your readings soon after you request them. We are also quickly filling up our Torah reading line-ups for Sat, Feb 25 and Sat, Apr 22 SFP Torah reading line-up set. I will send one verse Torah readings for the library service or three verses of Torah readings for the Sanctuary service. While our SJS students are learning Torah trope formally starting in the Heh year, I will be sending mp3’s to all SJS and Day School students who sign up, unless families specifically request to only receive the text without the recording. Please let me know via email csherman@amyisrael.org or cell phone (847) 708-1805 call/text which date(s) work for your family and I will assign the Torah reading(s). Thank you in advance.
Shabbat Shalom,
Charlie Sherman
Mr. Sherman’s Blog 