Camp Am Yisrael: Learn-By-Play (0-3 year olds)
This past week we had a room filled with our youngest children in the school and many of their parents, grandparents and special visitors. There was a lot of spirited singing and the group joined us for the annual All-SJS picture. This week Rabbi Newman Kamin will be reading a story to the class starting at 9:35 a.m. We look forward to seeing you then. -Mr. Sherman
Gan (3-6 year olds)
We took part in the all school picture in the Sanctuary today. We commemorated Yom Hashoah. The discussion was done in a very appropriate way for the young children, as we discussed the importance of treating everyone with respect. For example- I said..”I do not like you Ari (one of our Madrichim), since you are wearing a headband in your hair.” I asked the children if that was okay and they all told me no. I then asked the children what do you do if you see someone not making good choices, they said tell a Teacher, Parent or any other grown up. We colored pictures of flowers, since we give flowers to make people feel good. Shira (Music) with Cantor Simon and Tefillah with Mr. Marc and Mr. Sherman was enjoyed by all. -Morah Lynn
Aleph (1st Grade)
This week the Aleph students added two new letters from the alphabet– Mem and Tzadi. We also learned more about words that start with these letters like Mezuzot and Tzitzit. Students also discussed the importance of commemorating Yom Hashoah. They learned how this is another day in which the Jewish people had people who were mean to them, but they also learned that there were people who helped the Jewish people stay safe. They watched a short video of how in Israel a siren sounds and the country stops in of Yom Hashoah. -Mrs. Berlow
Bet (2nd Grade)
Shalom,
Gimel (3rd Grade)
Shalom Parents,
This week we reviewed all of the previous lessons in our ShalomLearning values curriculum. Shalom comes from the root, ש.ל.מ, meaning “complete” and we want to emphasize the importance of completing the values curriculum once we finish this final unit. As part of this process we analyzed the word Shalom and its meanings. We Googled how to say the word “Peace” in other languages. We also discussed a famous story of two brothers and the love and compassion they have for one another. The students continued their learning of the importance of creating Shalom Bayit, a peaceful home environment.
Recap:
- Students reviewed the concepts and ideas learned in previous lessons.
- Students learned various definitions of the word Shalom, both in English (hello, goodbye, and peace) and in other languages.
- Students learned the value of Shalom Bayit, peace in the home, and where their responsibility lies to foster Shalom Bayit within their own homes.
Ivrit:
The yeladim learned about the counting of the omer, and read the blessings associated with the omer in addition to actually counting the omer. The yeladim also reviewed the following tefillot: V’Ahavta, Va’yomer, Mi Chamocha, Ahvat Olam, Hashkevaynu, and the Hatzi Kadish. The yeladim also participated in an “eye spy” game, finding and identifying Hebrew letters within each of these prayers.
Table Talk: We talked about the word Shalom in class, and some of the meanings behind it. What is one thing we can do this week to create “Shalom Bayit,” a peaceful home?
MyShalomLearning Activity for next week: 3.7.2 Shalom Week 2
Go to My.ShalomLearning.org and upload a short written description of a time when you had a conflict with someone (friend, family member), including how you felt.
Next class:
Next class we will explore the concept and task of conflict resolution and consider ways for how to resolve conflicts within the home peacefully.
Have a great week!
B’Shalom,
Mrs. Sender and Morah Myra
Dalet (4th Grade)
Heh (5th Grade)
I have to say, the tefilah service led by our kids at SJS is not short of inspirational. The way they flow up and down on the bimah is seamless. Each child seems to know all the different parts and melodies. With the cantor leading and the kids joining in, the sound will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. If you have the chance on a Sunday morning to stay for services, I would definitely encourage you to do so. -Mr. Arnet
Vav (6th Grade)
This week our Vav students heard a presentation about the righteous among the nations. This is a fitting tie in to the Holocaust Museum field trip last Sunday and our discussions the past two Wednesdays. Last Sunday we toured the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and had a rare privilege through modern technology to interact with a Holocaust survivor. The students had the opportunity to see a hologram and ask him pointed questions regarding his experience. From there we toured the main exhibit. We discussed the concept of choices and being an up-stander to adversity and persecution. This past Wednesday at SJS we learned about an up-stander and member of the righteous among the nations. His name was Sir Nicholas Winton. He was an English man that was able to successfully organize Kindertransport of 669 Jewish children out of Czechoslovakia to England. The assignment that was sent home and reiterated Sunday after the presentation is to pick a couple of names from the list of the Righteous among the Nations. We will be researching these individuals the next 2 weeks. -Morah Sandra
Vav students participated in the Yom Hashoa program. There was focus on heroes, people who risked their lives to save Jews. An interesting fact was disclosed during the program. There was only one country, Albania, where the Jewish population was higher after the war than before it. Albania had a significant Muslim population that was sympathetic to Jews. Thus Albania became a haven for Jews who were fleeing. -Cantor Simon
I have to say, the tefilah service led by our kids at SJS is not short of inspirational. The way they flow up and down on the bimah is seamless. Each child seems to know all the different parts and melodies. With the cantor leading and the kids joining in, the sound will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. If you have the chance on a Sunday morning to stay for services, I would definitely encourage you to do so. -Mr. Arnet
Class was devoted to practicing reading from the siddur. We emphasized relatively unfamiliar texts, such as Hallel. Students who needed to take attention breaks spent time learning conversational Hebrew using Duolingo. -Hazzan Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)
Zayin (7th Grade)
Zayin students participated in the Yom Hashoa program. There was focus on heroes, people who risked their lives to save Jews. An interesting fact was disclosed during the program. There was only one country, Albania, where the Jewish population was higher after the war than before it. Albania had a significant Muslim population that was sympathetic to Jews. Thus Albania became a haven for Jews who were fleeing. -Cantor Simon
Everyone worked hard during this period to finish their mitzvah project presentations. These include presentation boards and oral remarks. We are excited for Sunday! –Hazzan Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)
Prozdor (8th Grade)
Prozdor students participated in the Yom Hashoa program. There was focus on heroes, people who risked their lives to save Jews. An interesting fact was disclosed during the program. There was only one country, Albania, where the Jewish population was higher after the war than before it. Albania had a significant Muslim population that was sympathetic to Jews. Thus Albania became a haven for Jews who were fleeing. -Cantor Simon
Pardes (9th & 10th Grades)
Pardes students participated in the Yom Hashoa program by reading appropriate passages. There was focus on heroes, people who risked their lives to save Jews. An interesting fact was disclosed during the program. There was only one country, Albania, where the Jewish population was higher after the war than before it. Albania had a significant Muslim population that was sympathetic to Jews. Thus Albania became a haven for Jews who were fleeing. -Cantor Simon
Mr. Sherman’s Blog 