DALET 1 & 2 (Sun/Wed)
Shalom Dear Dalet 1 and 2 (4th-grade) Families,
We had a great month of learning together in class and on Zoom!
Multi Generations Day
It was wonderful seeing so many of our students and families during our multi generation day. We sang Modeh Ani together (Thank you G-d) as we watched a short Modeh Ani video from Israel performed by Yoni and Nina (Music name Yonina/a combination of their names). This lead us to a beautiful welcome of a blessing under the Tallis virtually, introductions and gratitude sharing.
In our small groups we celebrated more Le-Dor-Vador From Generation to Generation experiences. We read the lyrics of Josh Nelson’s beautiful song celebrating many Generations teaching the love for G-d to our children. Then had wonderful discussions/sharing that answered the question: What Stories, Wisdom/Artifacts/ do you have about your Jewish Education or
Religious upbringing?
Hanukkah
Many of our students participated in our Jewish world Hanukkah cover contest as we wrote in Hebrew script and drew bright illustrations that were submitted into the Jewish world. Mazel Tov to Jojo Awend’s sister Reese for winning the cover contest. We look forward to celebrating Hanukkah together soon.
Etgar with Morah (Teacher) Schear
Where are you on your family tree?
Students became familiar with their families’ recent genealogies.
We created a paper tree on construction paper or sketched our family tree in our journal that illustrates the main characters in our families’ recent stories.
Students participated in an interactive family-tree game to create a בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (b’nai Yisrael) family tree. In this game, students rely on questions and logic to identify individuals who are part of מִשְׁפַּחַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (mishpahat b’nai Yisrael).
We will be identifying the אָבוֹת (avot) and אִמָהוֹת (imahot) as the forefathers and foremothers of the Jewish people by adding the אָבוֹת (avot) and אִמָהוֹת (imahot) as the roots of מִשְׁפַּחַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (Mishpahat B'nai Yisrael). Next we will share names of individuals, stories, and traditions that connect modern Jewish people to those ancestors.
Hebrew with Avi
This month we read and finished the first story in our Hebrew book. The story is called "HaKol Tov, HaKol Yafe". As each student read a line or two, they were translated immediately by Avi. They did great! Once they collectively finished the story, they answered some of the questions on the following work pages. It’s exciting to see us slowly making our way through the Hebrew book. On certain days we’ve even played Hebrew Pictionary, Hebrew Hangman, and other fun games that incorporated Hebrew words from our book.
Not only that, but we’ve also started working on our cursive Hebrew writing. This may be our favorite thing to do because we’re quite interested in learning new--and much easier--ways to write the letters. As we continue with this book, we’ll start playing more games that incorporate the script letters.
We’re doing great!
Shalom and Blessings, Moreh Avi and Morah Schear
Making families trees and learning with technology
DALET 3 (Tues/Thurs)
Dear Dalet 3 (4th-grade) Parents,
I hope that this communication finds you all well.
It is my pleasure to provide you with a recap of what we have been learning in my class.
Torah
It has been very exciting to begin our study of Torah. We spoke about what Torah is, what Tanach (Bible) is , and we learned the names of the 5 Books of the Torah in Hebrew and in English. We also learned the first verse of the Torah by heart, in Hebrew.
Our focus this year will be the Book of Breishit, Genesis.
Some of the topics we have been speaking about so far are: being created in the image of God, the first mitzvah in the Torah, jealousy, and our being the caretakers of the earth.
We have also spoken about midrash and its role in studying Torah.
Students have particularly enjoyed doing role plays of different scenes involving Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel.
Chanukah
Please ask your child what the word Chanukah means.
We have reviewed the Chanukah story and spoken about its historical context. Our discussion included why wars are fought and what kind of a war was fought in the Chanukah story. I asked my students what they would do if someone told them that they could no longer practice Judaism.
I am also beginning to work with my students on the timeline of Jewish history. Where does Chanukah fit? How long ago did it happen.What is BCE and what is CE?
Students have very much enjoyed some of the games we do at the end of each session.
Thank you for entrusting your children to us and for partnering with us.
We have much for which to be grateful. I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families, and may this Chanukah bring you much light and joy.
L’hitraot,
Mary