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
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Passover Preview Day
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 is our Passover Preview Day
Last Call Before Passover Break Begins - All Students Meet in the Library
Bring a song, tradition, bit of trivia or something interesting to share at our co-operative seder.
Last Call Before Passover Break Begins - All Students Meet in the Library
Bring a song, tradition, bit of trivia or something interesting to share at our co-operative seder.
SPRING IS IN THE AIR!
If March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb then April showers bring us to the beginning of our Life Cycle unit on dating and marriage. Most of the students have completed their personal commitment statements and many have begun writing their mini d'var torah in class. This paper, while it does seem a bit overwhelming, has been the focus of our Bar and Bat Mitzvah unit for the past month. Students have had class time to complete their papers each week, and many have started to bring their folders home so they can type them and save a copy for later. If your student did not bring home a copy of the assignments, please ask them about it or give us a call.
The final product is dues on Sunday, April 26, 2009.
The final product is dues on Sunday, April 26, 2009.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
HAPPY PURIM!
So much to do, so little time. I can't believe our blog hasn't been updated in over a month. Rest assured, we have been busy, we just haven't been sharing the news with you. Here's the excuse, and trust me, it is a really good excuse, just in time for Purim. We tried to hire what we thought were responsible and reliable students to take responsibility for the weekly updates, and they just weren't up to the task. So, I guess Tracye and I will have to fire the students we trusted with this most important job, and we will have to start doing our own work once again, just as soon as we are finished celebrating Purim with the best Kitah Vav class in all of Shushan!
See you in a few, have a great holiday, and don't forget to wear your costumes!
See you in a few, have a great holiday, and don't forget to wear your costumes!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
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.
Monday, January 12, 2009
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