The Final Stretch

The students in the Kitah Vav Circle of Life rotation have completed core units on the Hebrew calendar and holiday celebrations, circumcision, Bar and Bat Mitzvah and Jewish identity. As the year quickly comes to an end, we will continue to explore the Jewish values and hidden meanings found in our weekly Torah portions, and introduce lessons on the Jewish traditions, laws, and customs concerning dating, marriage, divorce, death and dying.

We have spent a considerable amount of class time on our b’nai mitzvah unit. This unit introduces students to the b’nai mitzvah process, encourages them to begin thinking about the personal responsibilities associated with becoming a b’nai mitzvah and provides an opportunity to explore the many Jewish values embraced in their specific Torah portions. All of the students are familiar with their specific b’nai mitzvah portion, have learned to navigate the siddur and chumash found in the seat backs of our sanctuary, and many have finished writing their b’nai mitzvah personal statements or mini d’vrai Torahs. If your child has not shared these assignments or handouts with you, please encourage them to do so. All papers are due on or before Sunday, May 3, 2009. (one week later than I announced in class.)

Our Life Cycle Unit on Death and Dying will begin on Sunday, April 19, 2009. In past years, this topic has been quite interesting for the students, as they seem to have many questions concerning this often taboo subject. The unit is taught in a sensitive, safe and non-threatening manner, but may be an uncomfortable topic for some students. Please take a few minutes to discuss the curriculum with your children and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Finally, as the year comes to an end, I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s religious school education. This year’s students are kind, bright and cooperative, and it has been both rewarding and wonderful learning together. I thank you for your generous support throughout the year and encourage you to contact me if there is anything I can do to help your child pursue their Jewish journey into adulthood.

Have a wonderful Passover break, Barbara