The Journey

Becoming a B'nai Mitzvah is a journey which begins long before a twelfth or thirteenth birthday. As we talked about our personal journeys, many students felt their path to adulthood began at the Shabbat table before learning to talk, at our Beth Hayeled Preschool or in kindergarten or first grade.

As our discussion progressed, many students voiced their concerns about friends who don't attend B'nai mitzvah services, but always show up for the parties. It was surprising to hear how level headed our students were when talking about their participation in this religious right of passage, and how meaningful they felt it was.

At our round table discussions, we talked about what made us adults in the eyes of the Jewish community, and what responsibilities we are obligated to participate in as we approach adulthood. Finally, students were asked to think about what commitments they can make to themselves, their family, and the community that encourage them to take responsibility for living a Jewish life as they approach Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Tomorrow is Rosh Chodesh Shevat, the first day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. Sunday, February 1, 2009 is our Family Education Tikkun Olam Day. Sunday, February 8, 2009 is our Community-Wide Sixth Grade Tzedakah Fair. All students must attend this Sunday and next with a parent or responsible adult. If you have not already called in your RSVP, please do so ASAP.

SNOW DAY

Something to think about as we celebrate the dream of Martin Luther King Jr, and the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama. What do you think you can do to help us work towards peace in Israel and around the world.

July 23, 2008

Speaking during a visit to the rocket-battered town of Sderot in southern Israel, presidential candidate Barack Obama stated, "I don't think any country would find it acceptable to have missiles raining down on the heads of their citizens. The first job of any nation-state is to protect its citizens. And so I can assure you that if ... somebody was sending rockets into my house, where my two daughters sleep at night, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.

Have a great long weekend, and we will see you on Tuesday.

Kitah Vav Visits Israel

We Stand With Israel

We hit the ground running this week, as we welcomed our students back to class after a much needed winter holiday. Many of us returned well rested and relaxed, ready to begin right where we left off. But, just as we interpret the words of the Torah by twisting the fluid stories into a living work of art, so too is our class, as we savor every opportunity to use our valuable time for teachable moments.

Several of our students had the opportunity to visit Israel over break. As we shared their stories, talk of war broke out, leading to a discussion about Hamas, terrorists, Palestinians, and the safety of friends and family in the Jewish state. Your Kitah Vav teachers studied together in Israel last summer, so we just couldn't let the day pass without jumping in with a history lesson in order to better explain just what was happening in the Middle East.

We participated in group learning activities, geography and history lessons, and in a prayer service praying for peace in Israel and in the world. We wrote letters to IDF soldiers showing support for the hard work they do, which will be mailed to apackagefromhome.org and finally, we watched some video clips of the United Nations vote to make Israel a state.

Please take a few minutes to talk with your students about the war in Israel, and help to reassure them Israel is doing everything they can to ensure the safety of all innocent civilians.