Dalet Class Updates Week of 5-6-18

Dalet students will be singing songs to celebrate Israel’s 70th Birthday on the Sanctuary bimah this Sun, May 6.  All students should come dressed in blue and white.  We hope that all parents of Dalet students will join us for this in the Sanctuary by 11:50 a.m.

Dalet has been assigned to bring meat free tomato sauce for the end of the year Am Yisrael SJS Food Drive to support the clients of the Ark.  Please note that you are welcome to bring any item, we have just found that assigning specific items helps with the variety of foods that we receive for these food drives.

Please note that our final day of SJS for this school year is Sun, May 20.  We hope that many children will join their students for all or part of SJS for some time in the classroom and in the Sanctuary.  There is also a catered Shavuot kiddush lunch.  Please be sure to RSVP if you would like to join us: http://evite.me/6NP7Pm3eVY

Class Updates:

We are in the home stretch! We had a couple of great tefillah presentations, and many more are ready to roll as soon as we begin class this coming Sunday. I am looking forward to these, and I hope all the students are excited about the deeper knowledge of the siddur that they’ve developed during this unit. Written Thu, May 10, 2018 

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

We started with Tefilah in the court yard.  The students enjoyed getting the chance to pray outside.  In class , we start talking about the Parasha of this week  Behar – B’chokotai and about the concept of the 7 years, six years to work and on the seventh to let the land rest.  G-d  created the world in 6 days and on the seventh day G-d rested and gave us a day to rest.   He had a major review of Hebrew reading through all kind of ways to motivate the students.  They took the work very seriously, worked very hard and did a good job. I am very proud to see the student’s progress at the end of the year. Written Wed, May 9, 2018 

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

Today we reviewed the concept of Kadosh and what the word Kiddush comes from and how “Borei P’ree Ha’ga’fen is about the vine and its fruits.  We then read the Kiddush in groups.  Written Sun, May 6, 2018

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

 

Ongoing:

Please listen to the songs that Dalet learned in honor of Israel:

1. Am Yisrael Chai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMWtN4FMz0k

2. L’Ar’tzee Yesh Yom Huledet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wBYST0W9Ns

3. Kol Ha’Olam Kulo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WnEAxa1tFc

4. Amar Rabbi Akiva: V’Ahavta L’Reacha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmSC_MUNty4

Here is the information for you to access in between classes, as we strongly recommend that your child reads Hebrew every day for approximately 10-15 minutes:

1. Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  It is important that the students focus on reading prior to chanting.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

2. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

3. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 4-29-18

Dalet students will be singing songs to celebrate Israel’s 70th Birthday on the Sanctuary bimah this Sun, May 6.  All students should come dressed in blue and white.  We hope that all parents of Dalet students will join us for this in the Sanctuary by 11:50 a.m.

Dalet has been assigned to bring meat free tomato sauce for the end of the year Am Yisrael SJS Food Drive to support the clients of the Ark.  Please note that you are welcome to bring any item, we have just found that assigning specific items helps with the variety of foods that we receive for these food drives.

Please note that our final day of SJS for this school year is Sun, May 20.  We hope that many children will join their students for all or part of SJS for some time in the classroom and in the Sanctuary.  There is also a catered Shavuot kiddush lunch.  Please be sure to RSVP if you would like to join us: http://evite.me/6NP7Pm3eVY

We had a short class this week due to the Torah assembly in the morning. Picking up on last week’s “ner tamid” discussion, we took the time to discuss other features of synagogues. With the list we made this week, we will explore other possible metaphors for God next week.  We are in full presentation mode! Over the next two weeks students will continue to present their work on parts of the siddur whose meanings they have researched. These will take the form of sketches, dialogues, videos, and visual artwork, among others.  Written Thu, May 3, 2018 

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

We start our Wednesday session with Tefillah in the court yard, talked about Lag Ba’omer and celebrated it with some games.  In class we reviewed reading of prayers through games.  The last half of class we practiced the songs for Israel’s 70th Birthday with Cantor Simon on the Sanctuary bimah. Written Wed, May 2, 2018 

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

This week we worked on the Kiddush with a background in the concept of Kaddosh, Kidoshim Tehyoo and Keedush.  We discussed how these words come from the same source and how they build on each other.  We then learned about the different parts of the Amidah and how it is different on weekdays vs. Shabbat. We got the students to see the different prayer services: Mincha – afternoon before Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat, Maariv like every night yet slightly different for Shabbat, Kiddush Friday night, the Shabbat morning service, Shacharit and Musaf.  Written Sun, Apr 29, 2018

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

 

Ongoing:

Please listen to the songs that Dalet learned in honor of Israel:

1. Am Yisrael Chai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMWtN4FMz0k

2. L’Ar’tzee Yesh Yom Huledet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wBYST0W9Ns

3. Kol Ha’Olam Kulo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WnEAxa1tFc

4. Amar Rabbi Akiva: V’Ahavta L’Reacha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmSC_MUNty4

Here is the information for you to access in between classes, as we strongly recommend that your child reads Hebrew every day for approximately 10-15 minutes:

1. Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  It is important that the students focus on reading prior to chanting.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

2. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

3. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 4-22-18

This picture, taken during a Wednesday Tefillah session at SJS, includes Kitah Heh and Kitah Dalet, as these two classes joined together twice this year to lead Friday evening services.  They will be on the bimah this Fri, Apr 27.   Please RSVP if you haven’t already: http://evite.me/wPMrf7fkxu  Written by Mr. Charlie Sherman, Head of School Thu, Apr 26, 2018

 

Returning to the video of Anna Brooks’s “Shema,” we focused on a the metaphor of “ner tamid” (eternal light) that the songwriter uses to describe God. Using assorted images and our own classroom, which contains an ark, we learned about the practice of having a light always on directly over an ark containing a Torah scroll. We then discussed why someone might use this light as a metaphor for God and what that metaphor would indicate about one’s relationship with God.  We heard several presentations from student groups about prayers that they had decided to study and elucidate for us! Selections included Adon Olam, Veshamru, Shema, and formats ranged from live performances to videos to illustrations. After those students who were ready to present had finished, they divided up among the groups that were still working in order to provide assistance and move things along.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

It is nice to see the progress in Tefilah.  The prayers sound very good. It is important for every student to read the words and not memorize from hearing only.  In class we make sure that the students read the prayers.  Please make sure your child practices at least 10 minutes every day from the prayers and the songs.  Written Wed, Apr 25, 2018 

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

This week we reviewed the concept of the Amidah standing for standing and the different services in a day and how we recite 22 Amidot in a week.  We then read the Amidah and practiced our reading.  Written Sun, Apr 22, 2018

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

 

Ongoing:

Please listen to the songs that Dalet learned in honor of Israel:

1. Am Yisrael Chai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMWtN4FMz0k

2. L’Ar’tzee Yesh Yom Huledet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wBYST0W9Ns

3. Kol Ha’Olam Kulo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WnEAxa1tFc

4. Amar Rabbi Akiva: V’Ahavta L’Reacha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmSC_MUNty4

Here is the information for you to access in between classes, as we strongly recommend that your child reads Hebrew every day for approximately 10-15 minutes:

1. Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  It is important that the students focus on reading prior to chanting.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

2. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

3. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

NOTE: Please click here to read Dalet updates from previous weeks.  Thank you.

Dalet Class Updates Week of 4-15-18

Kitah Dalet did a beautiful job leading the singing at SJS for Israel’s 70th Birthday.  This picture above also includes Kitah Heh, as these two classes joined together twice this year to lead Friday evening services, including Fri, Apr 27.  Please RSVP if you haven’t already: http://evite.me/wPMrf7fkxu  Written by Mr. Charlie Sherman, Head of School Thu, Apr 19, 2018

 

On Wednesday we focused on the memory of our soldiers in Israel.  We focused the entire session on Israel and reviewed the songs so that we would be able to sing with Cantor Simon.  The class led the singing for the entire school and helped make it a very meaningul day.

חג עצמאות שמח ישראל       Written by Mrs. Tikva Moustakis Wed, Apr 18, 2018

We had an excellent discussion about what the Amidah means why we stand.  We also talked about the Amidah’s relation to Kings and Queens   We also reviewed the process of taking three steps forward and three steps back at the beginning of the Amidah.  We spent the rest of our time together reading the Amidah in small groups.  Our three Madrichim were incredibly helpful with this process.  Written Thu, Apr 19, 2018

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

After a hiatus of several weeks (due to the class brunch and Passover) we returned to our unit on devekut, or one’s personal relationship with God. We re-viewed the music video that spurred our discussion: Anna Brooks’s “Shema Yisrael.” Several students have begun to observe nuances in the video that they had not noticed originally, such as the woodland setting and the choice to depict the songwriter alone at times and with groups of people other times. We talked about what this might imply about the meaning of the song, and of the songwriter’s relationship with God.

We are finishing up our creative projects on different passages from the siddur! This is independent student work with occasional teacher involvement and facilitation, and the range of artwork, writing, and video projects is really impressive. Some will be ready to present next week!  Written Thu, Apr 12, 2018

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

Ongoing:

Please listen to the songs that Dalet learned in honor of Israel:

1. Am Yisrael Chai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMWtN4FMz0k

2. L’Ar’tzee Yesh Yom Huledet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wBYST0W9Ns

3. Kol Ha’Olam Kulo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WnEAxa1tFc

4. Amar Rabbi Akiva: V’Ahavta L’Reacha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmSC_MUNty4

Here is the information for you to access in between classes, as we strongly recommend that your child reads Hebrew every day for approximately 10-15 minutes:

1. Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  It is important that the students focus on reading prior to chanting.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

2. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

3. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 4-8-18

Dr. Lefkovitz led an inspiring program about Yom Hashanah Remembrance day in the Sanctuary.  Afterwards we counted the Omer.  In class we continued to practice Hebrew reading. I am asking every parent to make sure that your child practices at home at least 10 minutes every day.  I am happy to see that most of the students worked nicely on their Israeli projects and brought them in to SJS this past Wed, Apr 11 (and earlier).  We learned about some of the projects during class and will learn about the rest of them next week. These projects are now on display on the first level of the school.  We encourage you to come check them out.

Kitah Dalet has been asked to lead the singing at SJS for Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please listen to these songs on a regular basis:

1. Am Yisrael Chai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMWtN4FMz0k

2. L’Ar’tzee Yesh Yom Huledet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wBYST0W9Ns

3. Kol Ha’Olam Kulo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WnEAxa1tFc

4. Amar Rabbi Akiva: V’Ahavta L’Reacha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmSC_MUNty4

Here is the information for you to access in between classes, as we strongly recommend that your child reads Hebrew every day for approximately 10-15 minutes:

1. Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  It is important that the students focus on reading prior to chanting.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

2. We are preparing our students to be able to participate in a Pesach seder.  As part of this process, I feel that it is essential for the students to know these key vocabulary words:

Seder =  סדר = order, Hagadah = הגדה= telling, Chametz =  חמץ = unleavened- without yeast, Shehechianu ( chai =  חי = life or alive.  We covered many key texts in the Haggadah up to the 10 plagues.

3. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

4. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

After a hiatus of several weeks (due to the class brunch and Passover) we returned to our unit on devekut, or one’s personal relationship with God. We re-viewed the music video that spurred our discussion: Anna Brooks’s “Shema Yisrael.” Several students have begun to observe nuances in the video that they had not noticed originally, such as the woodland setting and the choice to depict the songwriter alone at times and with groups of people other times. We talked about what this might imply about the meaning of the song, and of the songwriter’s relationship with God.

We are finishing up our creative projects on different passages from the siddur! This is independent student work with occasional teacher involvement and facilitation, and the range of artwork, writing, and video projects is really impressive. Some will be ready to present next week!

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

This week we started with a prayer everyone was familiar with to get the students warmed up again to SJS: The Modeh/Modah Ani.  We then asked the students to read in groups the Elokai Neshama and we talked about the meaning of our soul going up to heaven for our “REM” sleeping cycle.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

NOTE: Please click here to read Dalet updates from previous weeks.  Thank you.

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 3-11-18 and 3-18-18

This week:

This week we started in the Beit Kenesset (Sanctuary) learning about Pesach: 1. Echad Mi Yodea “Who Knows One” in Ivrit (Hebrew); 2. We learned about and sang a part of Hallel.  In class we review reading the blessing before and after the Haftorah.  We practiced reading Ahava Raba  אהבה רבה אהבתנו page  62 and  VaYomer  ויאמר  page 66.  Please make sure your child practice these two prayers.  I wish you a Hag Sameach  חג שמח (Happy Holiday)  Please make sure your child greats you with these 2 words in Hebrew.

Last Week:

Kitah Dalet learned about the going out of Egypt and the route taken from Egypt to the Sinai desert, the order of the plagues and the reason that G-d started with blood and finished with the slaying of the first born.  We navigated through the Haggadah and learned the importance of freedom and how we have to treat strangers with respect and compassion.  Please ask your child: 1. Why did G-d sent the first plague, blood?  2. Why did G-d end the plagues with the slaying of the first born?  3. Why is there parsley on the Seder plate?  4.  How many names does the holiday have and what are they called?

Kitah Dalet has been asked to lead the singing at SJS for Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please listen to these songs on a regular basis:

1. Am Yisrael Chai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMWtN4FMz0k

2. L’Ar’tzee Yesh Yom Huledet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wBYST0W9Ns

3. Kol Ha’Olam Kulo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WnEAxa1tFc

4. Amar Rabbi Akiva: V’Ahavta L’Reacha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmSC_MUNty4

Here is the information for you to access in between classes, as we strongly recommend that your child reads Hebrew every day for approximately 10-15 minutes:

1. Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  It is important that the students focus on reading prior to chanting.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

2. We are preparing our students to be able to participate in a Pesach seder.  As part of this process, I feel that it is essential for the students to know these key vocabulary words:

Seder =  סדר = order, Hagadah = הגדה= telling, Chametz =  חמץ = unleavened- without yeast, Shehechianu ( chai =  חי = life or alive.  We covered many key texts in the Haggadah up to the 10 plagues.

3. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

4. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

Students spent this period working on presentations, both independently and in groups, on different sections of the siddur that interest them. They began with a brief summary provided to them of the meaning and purpose of the prayer they chose, and continued to learn more by looking up translations in various siddurim in our library. It was wonderful to see so many students thoroughly engaged in hands-on learning.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

We focused on the Pesach curriculum. This led into a discussions about the Seder. The students concluded the class by reading the Four Questions in Hebrew.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 3-4-18

I brought in my own real Megillat Esther and had the students look at the script and in groups read as much as they could from the actual scroll.  I also showed the students some laws about the scroll for the Megillah and the Torah. We also talked about the difference between the Torah and the Megilah and about why we try and insure we are using the exact words in every scroll and every Torah.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Our students are putting forth fantastic effort to master Hebrew reading.  Thank you to those families who have set aside time each day to have your child practice his/her Hebrew reading.  It makes all the difference.  Here are my specific recommendations:

1. The blessings before the Haftorah and the first part of the blessings after the reading of the Haftorah.  It is very important to spend time at home to review the reading of the blessings before and after the Haftorah.  Please make sure your child practices his/her Hebrew reading every day for approximately 10-15 minutes.  Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  It is important that the students focus on reading prior to chanting.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

2. We are preparing our students to be able to participate in a Pesach seder.  As part of this process, I feel that it is essential for the students to know these key vocabulary words:

Seder =  סדר = order, Hagadah = הגדה= telling, Chametz =  חמץ = unleavened- with out yeast, Shehechianue ( chai =  חי = life or alive.  We covered many key texts in the Haggadah up to the 10 plagues.

3. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

4. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please clickhere to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 2-25-18

Our students are putting forth fantastic effort to master Hebrew reading.  Thank you to those families who have set aside time each day to have your child practice his/her Hebrew reading.  It makes all the difference.  Here are my specific recommendations:

1. The blessings before the Haftorah and the first part of the blessings after the reading of the Haftorah.  It is very important to spend time at home to review the reading of the blessings before and after the Haftorah.  Please make sure your child practices his/her Hebrew reading every day for approximately 10-15 minutes.  Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  It is important that the students focus on reading prior to chanting.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

2. We are preparing our students to be able to participate in a Pesach seder.  As part of this process, I feel that it is essential for the students to know these key vocabulary words:

Seder =  סדר = order, Hagadah = הגדה= telling, Chametz =  חמץ = unleavened- with out yeast, Shehechianue ( chai =  חי = life or alive.  We covered many key texts in the Haggadah up to the 10 plagues.

3. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

4. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please clickhere to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

Dalet Class Updates Week of 2-11-18

Several Jewish holidays are coming.  We discussed Purim, sang a Purim song and worked on reading it accurately and fluently.  During Tefilah we started our study of Pesach; the names of the holiday, what we are celebrating, what is a seder, the order of the seder and what the word seder means.  We also discussed the importance of the Shehecheyanu and how we thank G-d for helping us reach another year.  We also discussed the Kiddush and what we are making holy.  Please ask your child the meaning of the following words: seder, hagadah, kiddish (Kaddosh) and chai.  I asked the students to record themselves reading or singing the blessing before the Haftorah and to send it to me to tmoustakis@amyisrael.org.

Thank you to those families who have set aside time each day to have your child practice his/her Hebrew reading.  It makes all the difference.  Here are my specific recommendations:

1. The blessings before the Haftorah and the first part of the blessings after the reading of the Haftorah.  It is very important to spend time at home to review the reading of the blessings before and after the Haftorah.  Please make sure your child practices his/her Hebrew reading every day for approximately 10 minutes.  Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.

2. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

3. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please clickhere to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

This week Mr. Aberman started with the Dalet Class and had them read Shalom Aleichem and to become familiar with the words. We had a good number of Madrichim and assistants so that many students were individually taught.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 2-4-18

Thank you to those families who have set aside time each day to have your child practice his/her Hebrew reading.  It makes all the difference.  Here are my specific recommendations:

1. The blessings before the Haftorah and the first part of the blessings after the reading of the Haftorah.  It is very important to spend time at home to review the reading of the blessings before and after the Haftorah.  Please make sure your child practices his/her Hebrew reading every day for approximately 10 minutes.  Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.

2. Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.

3. For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please clickhere to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

Continuing our curriculum on blessings, we reflected on last week’s lesson about the traditional blessing one recites when hearing bad news. Students composed their own spoken responses to God to be said in the event of bad news. Next week we will hear some of these and consider how our views align with, or differ from, the view expressed in the Talmud.

Continuing with our brit (covenant) curriculum, we examined several different Jewish naming ceremonies. Students were given an outline for a ceremony and asked to construct their own within that framework. Next week we will share some of these ceremony outlines to see how different students imagined a formal entrance into the covenant.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

Shalom, my name is Mr. Michael Aberman and I was the substitute teacher for Mr. Gelbart this week.  We practiced the first two paragraphs of the Amidah.  The challenge is getting students to read the words as opposed to singing by memory.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 1-28-18

We continue to practice the blessings before the Haftorah and the first part of the blessings after the reading of the Haftorah.  It is very important to spend time at home to review the reading of the blessings before and after the Haftorah.  Please make sure your child practices his/her Hebrew reading every day for approximately 10 minutes.  Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  Please clickhere to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.  For the celebration of the 70th birthday of Israel the students are learning to read and then sing several songs.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the packet of Hebrew songs that the students are using in class to practice for the Israel’s 70th Birthday celebration.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

We delved deeper into the Talmudic rule that Jews should bless God for both good and bad occurrences. Students considered what this means about our relationship with God, and whether they personally felt comfortable with the idea of blessing God for bad things. We then explored other ways we might respond to misfortune that would be more theologically comfortable.

Taking a break from our usual curriculum, we learned about the earliest origins of Tu Bishvat as a literal “birthday for the trees.” On Tu Bishvat each tree is considered to grow one year older, which is surprisingly important if you’re following the Torah’s rules for agriculture in the Land of Israel. Students finished the period by sketching out “tree birthday” celebrations that they felt would be personally meaningful.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

This week we started focusing on the Amidah.  I spent this lesson having the students work in their own groups. Next lesson I will have the students listen to Cantor Simon chanting it.  The students had a basic idea of the Tefillah. We will focus on the Amidah further to insure that the students understand the importance of its blessings and be able to read them fluently and accurately.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 1-21-18

Tu B’shvat has special meaning when it comes to the land of Israel. There is a commandment in th Torah “When you go to the land plant a tree.”  Our class is going to plant a tree.  Please make sure for next Wed, Jan 31 that you send $1.25 so we can order a tree in honor of the Dalet students 2018.  Ask your child why trees are so special in our life?  We are practicing the blessings before the Haftorah and the first part of the blessings after the reading of the Haftorah.   Please make sure your child practices his/her Hebrew reading every day for approximately 10 minutes.  Please click here to access the text for the Blessings after the Haftorah.  Please click here to access the mp3 for the blessings after the Haftorah.  Please click here to access the text for Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the mp3 for Adon Olam.  For the Hamilton fans out there, please click here to access the mp3 for Cantor Simon singing this version of Adon Olam.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the text for the song “Eretz Yisrael Sheli אֶרֶץ-יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁלִּי” that we are learning throughout the year in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

We read a short passage from the Talmudic tractate Berachot (“blessings”) about traditional Jewish responses to hardship and misfortune. We found that Jews are expected to bless God when bad things happen, which led to a lovely discussion about why this might be and what purpose it would serve. We also compared this response with the ways Alexander reacted to bad things in last week’s video.

We studied liturgies from different Jewish naming ceremonies. We saw how boys are generally given names as they are welcomed into the brit (covenant) of Abraham, and how naming ceremonies for girls are increasingly using the same language. We also spent some time examining our own names and their meanings, both in the sense of what they mean in various languages and also where they come from.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

This week we focused on reading the Yishtabach prayer.  Our Madrichim focused on two or three students at a time.  I was able to circulate around the room and spend some quality time with students who needed a little extra help.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 1-14-18

It was a pleasure meeting with you at Parent Teacher Conferences this week.  Please click here to access the assignment sheet that we handed out for the major Israel Project that we are doing this semester in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  As a part of our Parashat HaChodesh series for Shabbat Family Programming (SFP), the students prepares themselves forParashat Va’era.  We learned that Moses was asked by G-d to go to Pharaoh to let the Israelite people go.  Moses wanted to know what G-d’s Name is (G-d has many names).  The one that G-d gave to Moses is Y- H- V- H.  We spoke of the idea that people have many names.  For example a Mom can be referred to by different people as “Doctor,” “Sister,” “Daughter,” etc.  Moses did not want to take the job of leader of the Israelite people because he said that he had trouble speaking.  This then led to a great conversation about how people have disabilities or physical challenges and can still do a wonderful job.  We then started working on the Berachot (blessings) before reading the Haftorah.  Please make sure your child take some time every day to practice this Beracha.  Here is a recording of Cantor Simon singing this blessing.

Please click here to access the text for the song “Eretz Yisrael Sheli אֶרֶץ-יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁלִּי” that we are learning throughout the year in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

Continuing our examination of blessings, we watched a video adaptation of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. During breaks, students identified the different things that befell the main character and discussed the ways in which he reacted to them. This lesson will continue next week as we learn about traditional Jewish responses to misfortune.

Our unit on Jewish names brought us to a discussion of names connected with the brit, or covenant, between God and Abraham. As we learned about when and how different people receive their Jewish names, it came up that a few of the students had been born outside of Jewish families and brought into the covenant as infants. This led to an extended conversation about the role of the mikveh, or ritual bath, in conversion to Judaism. Most students had no prior exposure to this ritual (and the few who had experienced it had been too young to remember), so it proved to be a fascinating and engaging talk.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S.)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Week of 12-17-17

This week we reviewed the Ashrei, through reading games.   We also worked on the song  ארץ ישראל שלי and added to our Hebrew vocabulary:

land – ארץ

house-בית

tree –  עץ

road- כביש

bridge-  גשר

song –   שיר

Please click here to access the text for the song “Eretz Yisrael Sheli אֶרֶץ-יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁלִּי” that we are learning throughout the year in honor of Israel’s 70th Birthday.  Please click here to access the text of Ashrei. Please open a second tab and click here to access an mp3 of Cantor Simon singing the Ashrei.  Please make sure that your student practices the Ashrei and the songEretz Yisrael Sheli.  Here is a video of the most recent Torah portion that we studied: Joseph interprets dreams.  Have a healthy and safe vacation.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 12-10-17

This week we went to perform Chanukah songs at the Lieberman Center for Health and Rehabilitation (CJE).  In addition, the students played bingo with the senior citizens.  We received incredible feedback and everyone involved seemed to have an extremely positive experience.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

This week we discussed Parashat Miketz as part of the Parashat HaChodesh curriculum connected to Shabbat Family Programming (SFP).  We focused on Pharaoh’s dream and Joseph’s interpretations of Pharaoh’s dreams.  Please click on the following link to watch the video with your student: Parshat Miketz: Joseph interprets dreams   We then practiced reading the Ashrei lines 1 – 12 in the booklet sent home.  Please click here to access the text of Ashrei.  Please open a second tab and click here to access an mp3 of Cantor Simon singing the Ashrei.  Please make sure that your student practices reading these lines.  Have a wonderful Chanukah!

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

We did not have class with me this week since the Dalet students went to sing Chanukah songs and play bingo at Lieberman as noted in Mr. S’ update above.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 12-3-17

Last week we began a unit on brachot (blessings) by visualizing the blessings in our lives using a paper chain. Today we continued this project with a different goal in s mind: sheer quantity. Students wrote down all the blessings in their lives—all the things for which they are grateful—that they could think of in numbered lists. Many were surprised at how many there were! This is a lead-in to the study of a Talmudic idea about reciting 100 blessings every day.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

This week we concentrated on reading of Birkot Hashachar, Ahavat Olam and the Ashrei,  I have sent a booklet home with each student to practice at home.  Please make sure that your child takes 10-15 minutes each evening to practice his or her Hebrew reading.  In addition, the students learned about the history of Chanukkah, the Assryan Greeks and that the Jews were not allowed to practice their Mitzvot. etc.  Please also ask your child which Mitzvot that the Jewish people were not allowed to keep.  Also, what did light symbolize?  Also, when was Chanukkah celebrated according to the Jewish calendar?

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

This week we focused on the b’rachot (blessings) for Chanukah. We also worked on the tune and explained the significance of the b’rachot and how the She’he’khe’yanu blessing is recited many other times during the year, specifically the first time we reach specific special events and holidays each year.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 11-19-17

Last week we began a unit on brachot (blessings) by visualizing the blessings in our lives using a paper chain. Today we continued this project with a different goal in s mind: sheer quantity. Students wrote down all the blessings in their lives—all the things for which they are grateful—that they could think of in numbered lists. Many were surprised at how many there were! This is a lead-in to the study of a Talmudic idea about reciting 100 blessings every day.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

We have almost completed the review of Hebrew reading, to make sure everyone recognizes letters, vowels and special exceptions to the rules.  We discussed the meaning of the Sh’ma  and from where the name B’nai Yisrael originated.  We discussed Parashat Toldot and the role of the mother to protect the family to make sure that the right son will continue the tradition of our beliefs.  We discussed the meaning ” T’zelem  Hashem” to be created in G-d’s image.  Please ask your child to tell you how we are created in G-d’s image and what are our responsibilities?  How did the name “Children of Israel became our name as Jews?

Have a healthy and good Thanksgiving.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

This week we reviewed the Kel Adon prayer. We listened to Cantor Simon’s rendition and we worked in small groups. Many of the students feel a great sense of accomplishment with their Hebrew reading skills coming along nicely.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 11-12-17

Shalom, my name is Michael Aberman and I substituted for Mr. S. this week.  The students began to see that they have many blessings—and that visually counting them gives us a greater awareness of them and compels us to think of even more blessings.  We created a chain of blessings—counting our blessings.  We literally “counted our blessings” and discussed all for which we are grateful.   We went around the room, asking each student to share a blessing to add to our chain. Each student should share only one blessing at a time.  We then discussed what we think of when we see this chain of blessings.

For the second part of class, the students learned that in the תַּנַ”ך (TaNaKh) and in our other stories, names often tell us something about the nature of a person. This principle is called כִשְׁמוֹ כֶּן־הוּא (ki shmo ken hu): “What he is called, that is what he is.”  Students listened to a talmudic story about כִּשְׁמוֹ כֶּן־הוּא (kishmo ken hu), and debated the assertion that names reveal what a person is.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

We have almost completed the review of Hebrew reading, to make sure everyone recognizes letters, vowels and special exceptions to the rules.  We discussed the meaning of the Sh’ma  and from where the name B’nai Yisrael originated.  We discussed Parashat Toldot and the role of the mother to protect the family to make sure that the right son will continue the tradition of our beliefs.  We discussed the meaning ” T’zelem  Hashem” to be created in G-d’s image.  Please ask your child to tell you how we are created in G-d’s image and what are our responsibilities?  How did the name “Children of Israel became our name as Jews?

Have a healthy and good Thanksgiving.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

The students enjoyed hearing Cantor Simon’s recording of the prayer.  I got to each of the small groups to listen to each of the students.  I’m thankful to have Madrichim help me with this process every session.  Please click here to listen to the Cantor chanting the Shochen Ahd prayer.  I let some of the students who are showing mastering with this prayer move on to other prayers.

 

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 11-5-17

We continued working on personal family trees, drawing up diagrams as detailed as we could make them from memory and decorating them appropriately. It was great to see so many creative formats and designs! We also began working on a family tree of Abraham and Sarah, the first Jews, to represent visually the earliest Hebrew family and how they were both similar to and different from our families today.

We continued working on bowl designs for an Empty Bowls meal. Students who had finished this phase of the project broke into small groups and planned out the logistics of such a meal, providing us with a number of different possible menus, venues, and economic models. I was impressed by the creativity expressed in both phases of the project!

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

We began with the date in Hebrew then went on to hearing the Cantor recite the Shochen Ahd for Shabbat Morning. I spent a few minutes explaining the location in the prayers and how everyday we start the with Morning Brachot etc.  The Madirchim and I moved around the room to see what was happening.

This week we focused on reading the Shochen Ahd prayer.  The students enjoyed hearing Cantor Simon’s recording of the prayer.  I got to each of the small groups to listen to each of the students.  I’m thankful to have Madrichim help me with this process every session.  Please click here to listen to the Cantor chanting the Shochen Ahd prayer.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 10-29-17

Continuing our zikaron (remembrance) unit, we began to explore our own family histories to the extent that we know them. We looked at some different models of how to draw a family tree and began work on our own family trees. In the coming weeks we will develop more elaborate versions based on family interviews, since our parents certainly know more about our ancestry than we do!

We were introduced to the Empty Bowls Project, an approach to raising funds to fight hunger through a craft project and community meal. Students designed bowls that they would like to create as part of this project. Stay tuned for further details!

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

We are making progress in bringing the students to higher Hebrew reading levels.  There are several Hebrew letters that look alike.  We are paying extra attention to making sure that our students can tell the difference between them:

 

ס    —- ם

 

ע——–צ

 

ת——-ח

 

On Nov 4 we have our first SFP of this school year and the students are learning Parashat Vayera.

The Parsha Experiment – Vayeira: the Power of Abraham’s Influence

Please let your student watch this video so that s/he will know the story.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

This week we focused on reading the Baruch She’amar prayer.  The students enjoyed hearing Cantor Simon’s recording of the prayer.  I got to each of the small groups to listen to each of the students.  I’m thankful to have Madrichim help me with this process every session.  Please click here to listen to the Cantor chanting the prayer and open a new tab and click here to follow along with the text.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 10-22-17

Having taken some time to explore our own family histories (with more to come!), we took some time to learn about our collective family history: the story of Abraham and Sarah. Students watched a music video about parashat Lech Lecha, which documents the beginning of Abraham and Sarah’s journey. We also used Google Maps to plot out the route Abraham’s family had to walk in order to get from Abraham’s birthplace, Ur (now in southeastern Iraq), to Haran (in modern southern Turkey) and then to Cana’an (what we now call Israel).

We took this time to learn about modern Jewish responses to hunger, beginning with an advocacy video from Hazon. Students saw an example of Jewish organizers working to make school lunches more accessible to low-income kids in Minneapolis. From there we segued to a story about a millionaire restauranteur who decided to take the Food Stamp Challenge in 2014, spending no more than $4.50 per day on food for himself.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

The Dalet students are making a good progress reviewing Hebrew reading.  We worked on letters that look alike:

ז    –   ו

 

ת   –   ח

 

ב    –  כ

We then discussed the value of “Love your fellow human being as yourself.  We spoke about Rabbi Akiva, the great Rabbi who spoke highly of this concept.

we learned a song about Rabbi Akiva.  Please make sure your child will review the song and bring it back on Wed, Oct 25 and will review their Ivrit (Hebrew) reading.

Have a good week.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

We began by listening to the blessings chanted by Cantor Simon on the mp3 for the morning service.  Please click here to listen to the Cantor chanting and open a new tab and click here to it to follow along with the text. We also read them out loud.  Then we divided into groups of students, reading to each other with the group leaders or a teacher involved in all groups.  The students have different levels of Hebrew capabilities and with the help of our Madrichim, we are navigating through the different levels to get each and every student to reach his/her full potential.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 10-15-17

Our shortened session took place immediately after the students met with Rabbi Yochanan Salazar, the sofer who is writing Am Yisrael’s new sefer Torah. Rather than switch topics, we continued to learn the art and craft of writing sifrei Torah by watching a video and asking questions based on that prompt. (I have limited training in Torah repair and maintenance, so I have basis on which to answer questions.) Students were fascinated by the video of a sofer writing the letters of a Torah, a process quite unlike the handwriting with which they are familiar.

Students finished up their illustrations of their family histories, traditions, and stories. This was a free-form project: Everyone was at liberty to choose from among those three topics as they wished. In the coming weeks students will be taking home questions for their families to get more information and explore their own roots more deeply!

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

The Dalet students are making a good progress reviewing Hebrew reading.  We worked on letters that look alike:

ז    –   ו

 

ת   –   ח

 

ב    –  כ

We then discussed the value of “Love your fellow human being as yourself.  We spoke about Rabbi Akiva, the great Rabbi who spoke highly of this concept.

we learned a song about Rabbi Akiva.  Please make sure your child will review the song and bring it back on Wed, Oct 25 and will review their Ivrit (Hebrew) reading.

Have a good week.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

Today we had a good day breaking up in groups and going through the Hebrew reading packets. We clearly have different levels of reading. Some are close to finishing the packet. Others need some more time in order to master the phrases and language reading and decoding the Hebrew.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 10-8-17

Students continued work on a free-form art project on their family stories, histories, and traditions. Many showed an intense interest in where their families came from, and we spent a lot of time looking up various national and state flags. Expect a communication in the near future about sharing details of your family history with your children as we move forward in this unit!

Continuing our exploration of Jewish responses to food insecurity, we examined four photographs from Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio’s Hungry Planet: What the World Eats. The photos featured an affluent family in Brisbane, Australia; a middle class family in a Paris suburb; a middle-class family in Texas; and a Darfuri refugee family in Dar-es-Salaam Refugee Camp, Chad. In each picture, the family was surrounded by the amount and type of food that they eat in one week. We were able to use these pictures to distinguish between obvious types of food distress (the refugees’ UNHCR rations were tiny compared with everyone else’s groceries) and less obvious types (who is reliant on how much processed food, who can afford more fresh fruits and vegetables, etc.).

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

Our students learned many things about Sukkot, as follows:

1. Why do we build a sukkah? From where did we get the idea?

2. What is the reason that after so many years we are still building a sukkah?

3. The berachot to sit in the sukkah & the berachot for the lulav and etrog.

4. What are 4 Minim and what do symbolize?

5. How many days we sit in the sukkah?

6. What do we learn from living in a sukkah for 7 days?

Please see the notes your children brought home and let them review the notes with you.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

My name is Michael Aberman and this week I substituted for Mr. Gelbart.  We continued with the Hebrew reading packets that the students have been working on. For the students who were already more adept, we started working on the Lecha Dodiprayer.

Mr. Michael Aberman

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 9-24-17

We began by refreshing our memories of last week’s introductory book, “The Keeping Quilt” by Patricia Polacco. Last week we explored the role of tradition in that book: things that are done repeatedly through years and even generations. This week we addressed another element of the book: stories, which may be passed on as traditions but which happened only once. After some light prompting, students were eager to share stories about themselves and their families, some recent and some quite old. In coming weeks we will work on projects about our own families’ traditions and stories as part of our Zikaron (remembrance) unit.

Building on our introduction to food insecurity in modern times last week, this week we began to discuss the ways in which food insecurity was different in the time of the Torah: Money was less important, and most people grew, caught, or gathered at least some of their own food, so food insecurity would arise from famine, drought, or not having enough land to farm. Many students were surprised that this issue, initially presented to them as a modern urban one, is actually an ancient one. Next week we will begin to look at food insecurity through the lens of the book of Ruth, the story of a migrant woman in search of food stability who becomes the great grandmother of King David.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

Shalom,

This week Kitah Dalet explored what it means to be a good friend.  We had a discussion about the importance of apologizing and forgiveness connected with the rituals of Yom Kippur and the concept of Teshuvah.  In addition, the talmidim (students) continued working on their Hebrew reading skills.  The talmidim worked in groups and had an individual Hebrew reading sessions as well.

Tzom Kal (easy fast) and G’mar Chatimah Tovah,

Morah Anna Volchek

avolchek@amyisrael.org

 

The madrichim and I each focused on the Hebrew reading of three to four students a piece.  We had the students read Hebrew and continued the process of assessing their levels. We will continue this process for another week or so before delving deeper into reading Hebrew prayers.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org

 

Dalet Class Updates Weeks of 9/10 and 9/17, 2017

 

Shalom, my name is Tikva Moustakis and I teach your children on Wednesdays.  On the first day of school we began with a meaningful Tefillah (Prayer Service).

Each student got a calendar for the 5778 year and learned how

to read it.  The students learned that the letters are equivalent to numbers. For example, 15=טו.  In addition, the students learned how to look for the Jewish holidays on a Jewish calendar.  The students are learned why we start Shabbat & holidays the evening before.  They learned about the importance of the month of Elul and why we blow the Shofar.  The students also learned how a moon looks on the 15th of every month.  Then we practiced and review the letters & vowels in Ivrit (Hebrew).  On our second Wednesday, we began the session with learning Musar– Jewish values.  The students watched a video on it and then

they got cards with words that discribe the charcteristics to be a Mench, so they were asked to define them, or give examples.  We then continued our work on Ivrit (Hebrew) reading.  Next, we reviewed concepts of the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah: Why do we celebrate the holiday?  What is Slicha (saying sorry)?  What are the blessings we say on the candles for Yom Tov?  We said the blessing She’he’che’ya’nu (giving thanks for reaching the holiday once again).  How do we welcome Rosh Hashanah?  What is the difference between a Siddur and a Machzor?  I would like to wish all the families of Am Yisrael a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Mrs. Tikva Moustakis

tmoustakis@amyisrael.org

 

Hi, my name is Lawrence Szenes-Strauss and I teach your children on Sundays.  The students call me Mr. S for short.  It was wonderful to meet my new students! We began a unit on family traditions and customs, and the role that zikaron(remembrance) plays in Jewish life. First we read Patricia Polacco’s “The Keeping Quilt,” a book I highly recommend for any picture book library, and then we shared some of our families’ traditions. Please feel free to continue this conversation at home, as we are not finished!

 

We also spend some of our time combined with the Heh Class on Sundays.  During this time we began a unit on the importance of feeding the hungry from a Jewish perspective. After watching a short news report on the problem of food insecurity in America, we talked as a class about how this affects individuals and families in different ways. In future classes we will explore Jewish texts on hunger, and formulate plans to help the hungry and food-insecure in our area.

Hazzan Lawrence Szenes-Strauss (Mr. S)

lszenesstrauss@amyisrael.org

 

Hi, my name is Dennis Gelbart and I teach your children on Sundays for the first 50 minutes.  We began class going through Hebrew names.  Then we discussed the universality of Tefillot (prayers) and how our goal is for everyone in the room to be able to follow the Tefillot at any Jewish Service anywhere in the world. We discussed why that is important. We then delved into a booklet for the base prayers.

Mr. Dennis Gelbart

dgelbart@amyisrael.org