THE JOURNEY

Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a journey which begins long before a twelfth or thirteenth birthday. As we talked about 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 of first grade. Others believe they have not started the journey to Jewish Adulthood, but are anxiously looking forward to the ride.

As our discussions 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.

On Sunday morning, 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.

In class we have started to write our Personal Commitment Statements which are the foundation for each student's D'var Torah.

All D'var Torahs are due on Sunday, May 2, 2010.

You've Gotta Have Friends

Our Rabbis and ancient Torah scholars had much to say about friendship and they have been sharing their wisdom with us for hundreds of year. In class this week we have been examining some of the ancient texts and reading quotes from Pirke Avot, the Talmud, and from our great teachers. We then began evaluating the qualities we bring into a relationship and the qualities we demand in a return. As generations before us did, we too share our advice. Enjoy.

"Friends are like salt and pepper, they spice you up, and you spice them up."

"Don't judge a friend by how they look."

"There are no best friends, just those who like and those who you don't."

"Friends aren't perfect, but each is special in his or her own way."

"Friends, never leave home without them."

"You can't have a friend unless you know them."

"If you want to know who you are, tell me who your friends are."

"Friends are like metal, if you leave them out they rust,
But if you bring them in, they will be shiny forever."

"To have a friend, you must be a friend."

"Don't judge a friend, just by the wrong choices they make."

"Nothing is worth anything until you give it currency."

"A good friend will alwys know when too much it too much,
And when he or she hasn't done enough."

"Friends are like a bag filled with socks,
They are soft, but they can hurt you."

"Friends are like a box of chocolates, there are a lot of them
And they are all good in different ways."

"One friend is better than no friend."

"A good friend is like a best friend."

"A friend is a person who helps you in times of need,
is trustworthy, compassionate and helpful."

"Don't be a friend that is a blank piece of paper,
Be one with glitter and sparkles and colors."

"Don't waste time thinking about things your friends could do or not do,
Or say better than they do, because if they were your real friend,
you would be thinking about how much fun you were having."

"Friends are the beat to the music of life."

"Friends are the water that plants need to grow."

"Friends are like a roller coaster."

"Friendship is like a sandwich, it needs two pieces of bread and
something in between that they both have in common."

"Be friends with someone woh will stick with you all the way."

Yesher Koach

Hugs, kisses, and enthusiastic handshakes, accompanied by the Hebrew greeting "Yesher Koach," is the customary expression of congratulations extended to those who have participated in the public synagogue service. Literally translated as "May your strength be firm” and most often bestowed upon those who read from the Torah, English readers, ark openers, and Torah dressers, are usually greeted similarly.

As a teacher, I am forced to ask myself, what exactly are we saying when we extend a "Yesher Koach," to our students? Are we congratulating them for the brilliance of their performance or for their commitment and participation? Do we wish to commend effort and hard work or do we only commend those that have achieved mastery? Reflecting on the recent Sunday morning Family Education programs and last week’s Shabbat School has convinced me to extend a "Yesher Koach," to all of the students who participated.

Parents and students who regularly attend and participate in our Religious school activities not only need to be congratulated for the brilliance of their personal accomplishments and achievements, but for their commitment to Jewish Education. You could have been anywhere else and you and chose to be here. So as I extend a heartfelt "Yesher Koach," to the students in Kitah Vav, I commend you for showing up, for being here, and for your brilliance in carrying on the traditions given to us by the generations before us. Your strength and commitment will indeed guarantee another generation will carry us forward. "Yesher Koach,” and May your strength be firm.

Have a great winter break, Barbara

Share A Shabbat

This week we again celebrate Shabbat together in Southfield. Shabbat School is a great way to spend time with your friends and enjoy our Shabbat morning Torah Service. Join us for a Torah Treasure hunt and Shabbat Learning in the Library. See you Saturday.

Tie One On

Thank you to all of the families who participated in our Tallit, Tzitzit, and Tefillah Family Education Program. We hope you found the morning interesting, educational and meaningful and enjoyed spending time together. Please have your children wear their tallit to Shabbat School this Saturday. Each tallit is more beautiful than the next and your students should wear them proudly.

If your child did not make a Tallit it is not too late. Please buy the fabric and we will teach them to tie the tzitzit in class. We look forward to spending Shabbat with you this week in Southfield.

Have a great week, Barbara

Tzitzit, Tallit and Tefillah

TALLIT, TZITZIT, AND TEFILLAH

FAMILY WORKSHOP

9:45am Learner’s Minyan in the Sanctuary

10:30am Tallit, Tzitzit, and Tefillah Workshop

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The students in Kitah Vav will be making their own tallit to wear during our Sunday Morning Learner’s Minyan. As our students prepare to become Bar and Bat Mitzvah, many will formally receive a special tallit presented to them by family to reinforce the concept that Judaism is passed L’dor V’dor, from Generation to Generation. The tallit we make this year will be used specifically in our Middle School Minyan, a special service where students come together as a community to learn the liturgy that connects us to Jews around the world, and from generation to generation. As we learn the melodies and explore the meaning and interpretations of the prayers, we will also learn the traditional laws and customs associated with the tallit and tzitzit.

On Sunday morning, January 10, 2010, the entire sixth grade will gather together for this very special program. Our Learner’s Minyan begins at 9:45am in the sanctuary, and the Tallit, Tzitzit, and Tefillah Program will begin promptly at 10:30am in Adler Hall. Please plan on joining us for this very rewarding Family Education Opportunity. If you cannot attend, please send a responsible adult to participate with your child.

Like a Maccabee

This year as we celebrate Hanukkah in Kitah Vav, we aim to increase our Jewish knowledge beyond what some call "Pediatric Judaism." The holiday of Hanukkah is more than a children's holiday centered around lighting candles and getting gifts. Hanukkah is about an amazing story, a miracle as many suggest.

Did you know the Maccabees were zealots?

Did you know the first fight actually began as Jew against Jew?

Do you know the real fear was not of physical extermination, but of spiritual annihilation?

The message we hope to share this year is one of standing up for our beliefs because we are proud of who we are. This year we hope to teach our Kitah Vav students to believe in themselves, and know who they are through learning and understanding.

Hanukkah is a minor holiday with many rituals, and families continue to create new traditions to teach the special messages which are part of our history. What are the messages we want our children to understand? Despite pressure to conform, Mattathias and his five sons refused to bow down to idols. Being a Maccabee, whether long ago or today means fighting for the right to be different, and being proud of these differences. We also need to reinforce the concept that being small in number does not mean being insignificant. The Jewish people have always been small in number, but we must continue to be strong in spirit. We know that each of us can make a difference in the world, and this is the legacy of the Maccabees we want to reinforce for our Kitah Vav students.

Have a wonderful Hanukkah and a safe, happy, and healthy winter break.