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

Prozdor Class Update 4-15-18

The Yom Hashoah program commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, the single most important act of Jewish physical resistance during the Holocaust and the first urban rebellion anywhere in Nazi occupied Europe. The program emphasized the motivation of the ghetto fighters and the some 50,000 civilian residents still alive in the ghetto to go to their deaths resisting-to die with dignity. Since the Prozdor and Pardes classes are engaged in a unit of study focused on Jewish heroes, the program included information about two notable ones connected with the uprising. The first was Barbara Steiner who worked making weapons and tending the wounded during the rebellion. She was captured and miraculously survived Majdanek concentration camp and two slave labor camps. Mrs. Steiner and her family ultimately came to Chicago where she and other survivors founded the Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois, the forerunner of the current museum. The second hero was Mordechai Anielewicz, the Zionist leader of the uprising who sought to uphold the honor of the Jewish people but perished along with many others in the rebellion. He was the heart and soul of this act of courage. Students did a very fine job summarizing Mordechai’s short life and achievements during the commemoration, which also included a presentation by Dr. Lefkovitz, musical renditions by Cantor Simon and thoughts from Rabbi Newman Kamin. Written by Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz Thu, Apr 19, 2018

Prozdor Class Updates 4-8-18

We continued working on our hero’s project. The students are really doing a nice job. Please ask your student to talk to you about the hero they choose and why. We really want the students to be inspired by their choice as they journey down the road to becoming hero’s themselves.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Prozdor Class Updates 3-11-18 & 3-18-18

This Week:

The students began their Heroes Project, as each student chose a Jewish Hero to research.  They will be sharing their research at a special program on Sun, May 6.  Stay tuned…

Last Week:

We started off class reading the passage at the beginning of the Haggadah that says “All Who Are Hungry Come and Eat” and ends off saying “This Year We Are Slaves Next Year May We Be Free.”  I asked the kids to explain why the Haggadah is saying “We Are Slaves” and what that means.

Two Weeks Ago:

Shalom, my name is Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz and I introduced a Heroes project in class this week.  Each student defined the word “hero,” including the qualities that a hero possesses.  We then discussed “good” and “bad” heroes, Jewish heroes, Biblical heroes, Rabbinic heroes, Israeli heroes, Holocaust heroes and American Jewish heroes.  We look forward to taking the next steps of this study in the upcoming weeks.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Prozdor Class Update 3-4-18

Shalom, my name is Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz and I introduced a Heroes project in class this week.  Each student defined the word “hero,” including the qualities that a hero possesses.  We then discussed “good” and “bad” heroes, Jewish heroes, Biblical heroes, Rabbinic heroes, Israeli heroes, Holocaust heroes and American Jewish heroes.  We look forward to taking the next steps of this study in the upcoming weeks.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Prozdor Class Update 2-11-18

We reviewed Purim and the fascinating twists and turns the story in the Megillah takes.  We also learned about the Knesset in Israel what it is and what it does.

Shabbat Shalom,

Mr. Allan Arnet

Prozdor Class Update 2-4-18

We spoke about my trip to Israel but we focused on one place in particular. Being the case we are learning about Israel 1948 I thought the Ayalon Institute would be a perfect fit. Please take a moment and watch the link below. It was a fascinating place that was responsible for helping Israel become what it is today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQNw5MA3DII

Mr. Allan Arnet

Prozdor Class Update 1-28-18

Shalom, my name is Mr. Michael Aberman and I was the substitute teacher for Mr. Allan Arnet this week.  In Prozdor we discussed the holiday of Tu Bishvat with the date and meaning behind the name of the holiday. The pages in the book that were studied had pictures of the building of Israel. From looking at people on a kibbutz, to people clearing away swamp land It gave a vision of what it was like to build the land of Israel into what it is today. We ended with a game of bingo and covered the different fruits and grains that are known to be produced in the land of Israel.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Prozdor Class Update 1-14-18

On Sunday, January 14, Prozdor and Pardes students listened to a presentation by representatives of A Wider Bridge.  A Wider Bridge is the North American LGBTQ organization building support for Israel and its LGBTQ community. Students were attentive and mature, and were pleased that the same efforts toward inclusiveness and understanding that we experience in the United States are also being made in our Jewish homeland.

Cantor Stuart Simon

cantorsimon@amyisrael.org

Prozdor Class Update 12-17-17

In class we discussed why we celebrate Chanukah for 8 days if the actual miracle was seven days. The oil was supposed to burn one day so that does not factor into the miracle. Please ask your child and see if they remember.  We learned about Joseph becoming ruler of Egypt and what that must have been like. We also spoke about the brothers coming back together.  Chanukah Sameach!

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Prozdor Class Update 12-3-17

This week in class I showed the Prozdor students a video about making a difference in the world and how at any age, we have the power to make change. Here is the video I showed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuKqMoWHt54Wecontinued on with the formation of the State of Israel. We looked at and read about the different types of Zionism. We spoke about the concept of a kibbutz and why we thought they did not work. I asked the kids to see what form of Zionism to which they could most relate.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Prozdor Class Update 11-12-17

This week in class I showed the Prozdor students a video about making a difference in the world and how at any age, we have the power to make change. Here is the video I showed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuKqMoWHt54Wecontinued on with the formation of the State of Israel. We looked at and read about the different types of Zionism. We spoke about the concept of a kibbutz and why we thought they did not work. I asked the kids to see what form of Zionism to which they could most relate.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Prozdor Class Update 11-5-17

It was so nice to have breakfast with the Rabbi and learn very insightful life lessons from her taken from last week’s Torah portion.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Class Update and overall Prozdor Overview 10-29-17

On the whole so far this year we have learned the importance of having a Jewish homeland.  We have focused on what the difference is between a gift and a promise.  We have also learned what the different types of Zionism are and how the students relate to them.  With our new Parashat HaChodesh program focused on preparing the students for Shabbat Family Programming (SFP), we have learned about opening up our homes and welcoming people on an 8th Grade level. In addition, we have learned the importance of standing up for what we feel is right no matter who or what we are up against. Finally, we have learned about the power of one.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Class Update 10-22-17

On Sunday morning, November 5th, Rabbi Newman Kamin will join the Prozdor class from 10:30 am until 11:25 am for a class Brunch.  Now that your students are older, Rabbi Newman Kamin prefers the opportunity to meet with them for the brunches on their own, without parents.  This brunch affords her this opportunity.

http://evite.me/UEBARwTNJr

Please respond to the evite by Tuesday, October 31st, noting what you will send with your Prozdor student(s) for the brunch in the “comment section” of your evite response.  There are 12 students, 1 teacher and of course Rabbi Newman Kamin.  Food items must include no peanuts, peanut oil or traces of nut nut products.  In addition, food items must have an approved hechsher.  The following are suggested items for the brunch:

▪   fruit salad

▪   juice

▪   cups, plates, napkins and plasticware

▪   yogurt with hechsher (kosher symbol)

▪   mini bagels

▪   cream cheese with hechsher

▪   sweets with a hechsher

Link to Kashrut hechshers: http://www.crcweb.org/agency_list.php

We continued our discussion between a promise and a gift and which one we feel is more valuable. We also spoke about the parasha and how we can relate it to our lives today and how we need to speak up when we see something we know is wrong.  Please ask your student what the power of one means.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Class Update 10-15-17

We discussed what the difference is between a promise and a gift. We started learning about the land of Israel and where we see that it was promised to Avraham.  We also had a very special guest speak to the class.  The sofer, Rabbi Salazar, came to discuss how he will be writing the Torah for Am Yisrael and everything that goes into writing a Torah.

Mr. Allan Arnet

aarnet@amyisrael.org

Class Update 10-8-17

Hi, my name is Allan Arnet and this past Sunday, October 8 was my first session with Prozdor for this school year.  It was so nice to be in the classroom with your children on Sunday. I am so happy to be back.  In class we reviewed the chag Simchat Torah and why we do not let a moment go by without starting to read the Torah over again. Please ask your child why it is important to start reading again.  We also spoke about being created in G-d’s image and I had the kids create what they felt was the perfect person. Please ask your child about their creation.  We also visited the Sukkah and had snack outside.

Chag Sameach!

Class Update 9-24-17

Hi, my name is Michael Aberman and I was the substitute teacher for your students this week.  While Prozdor and Pardes will typically meet as separate classes this year, we combined the classes for this one additional week.  For Prozdor/Pardes we discussed the second text of the Chai Mitzvah curriculum text focused on the idea that if the Torah had not been given we may have learned lessons from animals. It took an interesting turn when one of the children said like the loyalty of a shark.  We then discussed what animals are known for doing and what we can learn from specific attributes of animals.

Mr. Michael Aberman

Class Update 9-17-17

Hi, my name is Michael Aberman and I was the substitute teacher for your students this week.  We utilized the Chai Mitzvah curriculum and how Ben Zoma asked “Who is wise?” One who learns from every person. We also discussed situations where the students have learned concepts from their parents, their siblings and strangers. This led to discussing the Pirke Avot and how if we follow the examples of ancestors from the past and their teachings we can avoid making mistakes that earlier generations made.

Mr. Michael Aberman

Class Update 9-10-17

Hi, my name is Eytan Dallal and I was the substitute teacher for your students this week. While Prozdor and Pardes will typically meet as separate classes this year, with special programming taking place, including Cantor Simon singing the national anthem at the White Sox game, we combined the classes for a part of the time. The Prozdor/Pardes class discussed aspects of Rosh Hashanah, including the main commandment of the day, the Shofar. We discussed three reasons for the shofar, three themes of the Chazzan’s (Cantor’s) service and their meaning, as well as different foods that are customarily eaten on Rosh Hashanah (including apples and honey!).

Mr. Eytan Dallal