education – 1st and 2nd grade

5/21: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We started with our all school Boker Tov/“Meet and Greet”. Brady H, one of our 3rd graders led the entire school in the warm up exercise of 20 pushups and 25 jumping jacks in honor of the 45th day of the Omer. We blessed and counted the 45th day of the Omer with Rabbi Prass. Morah Ari led us in a Good Morning song.
  2. 1st – 3rd grade had t’fillah with Rabbi Bellow and Morah Ari.
  3. We collected Tzedukah- We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  4. Students made cards to our class Tzedukah organization, Yad Ezra V’Shulamit: Feeding Israel’s Hungry.
  5. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.
  6. When we came back, we wrote letters to 1st/2nd grade’s year long tzedakah project, Yad Ezra V’Shulamit: Feeding Israel’s Hungry
  7. The students played ‘Amazing Race’ with their classmates using their flashcards.
  8. Rabbi Prass came into our class and led us thru a self-evaluation where we wrote down:
    a. 4 things we learned on Sundays this year
    b. 2 reasons the things we learned on Sundays are important
    c. 1 bit of advice for next year’s 1st & 2nd grade students
  9. After class, everyone enjoyed refreshments from the ice cream truck, which has become an end of year tradition at Beth Am. It was wonderful to see so many parents present.
Homework to be completed by next class:
  1. Don’t forget to register for the 2023-2024 school year.
  2. There are lots of Beth Am events happening over the summer. You can find them all here.
  3. Have a great summer! Try to attend Shabbat services before the next school year. It’s a great way to review your Hebrew.
  4. Lihitaot (good-bye)! Have a wonderful summer, See you next year!
  5. Grateful to have taught your children every Sunday morning.

5/14: Today in class we worked on:

  1. e of a 38 second plank hold in honor of the 38th day of the Omer.  We blessed and counted the 38th day of the Omer with Rabbi Prass.  Morah Ari led us in a Good Morning song. 
  2. Tzedakah and we shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  3. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew letter ZAYIN (Hebrew Hint- Looks like a sword at the start of the letter)with the “Z”-saying sound.
  4. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.
  5. a modern “eishet chayil/woman of valor”. I hope you like it! 
  • The students will play  with their classmates “ I am the Morah or Moreh”! (Using their flashcards).  (Pick one student to be the “teacher”).
  • We enjoyed playing “I Spy a Jewish Hebrew Letter/Vowel”. ( Half sheets of white paper)(Evan will assist in this part).
  • We enjoyed being together with the whole school and so many parents for our

special annual Parent’s Day T’Fillah

   

          Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Tzedakah.

5/7 Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had our all-school Boker Tov/ “Meet and Greet”. One of our 3rd Graders Everett G. led the entire school in a warmup exercise of 31 jumping jacks in honor of the 31st day of the Omer.  We blessed and counted the 31st day of the Omer with Rabbi Prass.  Morah Ari led us in a Good Morning song.  It was wonderful to have the 6th grade Muslim guests from the Hadi School of Excellence join us for this.
  • Boker Tov assembly with Rabbi Bellows and Morah Ari. With all the classes together.
  • We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  • We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade classes for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows.
  • We enjoyed playing “I Spy a Jewish Hebrew Letter/Vowel”.  ( half sheets of white paper)
  • We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.
  • The students will play  with their classmates “ I am the Morah or Moreh”! (Using their flashcards).  (Pick one student to be the “teacher”).
  • Students were read the book, Picnic at Camp Shalom by Jacqueline Jules.
  • Lihitaot (good-bye)!

          Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Tzedakah.

4/30: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had our all school Boker Tov/“Meet and Greet”. Our own 2nd grader, Everett led the entire school in a warmup exercise of holding a plank for 24 seconds in honor of the 24th day of the Omer.  We blessed and counted the 24th day of the Omer with Rabbi Prass.  Morah Ari led us in a Good Morning song.
  2. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  3. We joined Rabbi Prass, Morah Ari, and 1st – 2nd grade for tefillot.
  4. We enjoyed playing “I Spy a Jewish Hebrew Letter/Vowel”.  ( half sheets of white paper)
  • We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.
  • The students will play  with their classmates “ I am the Morah or Moreh”! (Using their flashcards).  (Pick one student to be the “teacher”).
  • Students learned about the importance of Lifetime of Study. How a rabbi (Rav) teacher studies the Torah and how it fits into our lives.

           9. Lihitaot (good-bye)!

          Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Tzedakah.

4/23: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Yom Yisrael. We had one of our special all school days in celebration of Yom Ha’atzamut, Israel’s 75th Independence Day which is this coming week.
  2. We began in our individual classrooms sharing

a. Which one of us has been to Israel?

b. Who in our family has been to Israel?

c. What is one you would want to do in Israel?

  1. Then the 1st – 5th grade gathered for our Boker Tov/“Meet and Greet”. One of our 5th graders, Jayke led the entire school in a warmup exercise of 17 jumping jacks in honor of the 17th day of the Omer. We counted the Omer with Rabbi Prass and discovered we were now on the 17th day of the Omer which just 33 more days to go! Morah Ari led us in a Good Morning song.
  2. We stayed in the atrium for Tefilla. Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari led us through prayers in our Siddur that were especially relevant to the experience of the State of Israel.
  3. 1st – 6th grade joined together for Shira, where Morah Ari led us in songs that were “Israel centered” in the runup to Yom Hatzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day.
  4. Then we rotated thru 4 stations, by grade, to celebrate Israel:

a. 75th Yom Ha’atzmaut Global Poster Contest organized by The National Library of Israel. There is a $750 prize which can be used towards a trip to Israel

b. Israel Reform movement / IMPJ & IRAC Emergency Campaign / Signs of Support for Israel at 75: Join our campaign!

c. Rekudei Am (Israeli Folk Dancing)

d. Creating Flag of Israel filled with Birthday wishes and Singing Yom Hooledet to Israel

  1. All of 1st – 6th grade gathered together in the Atrium for a wrap up which included hearing from the madrichim and morim who have been to Israel. They shared one thing they loved about their time in Israel.
  2. As we left, we were each given some chocolate from Israel.
    • Homework to be completed by next class:

a. See you Next week

4/16: Today in class we worked on: 

  1. First in Boker Tov/“Meet and Greet”, One of our 4th graders, Ben Greenberg led the entire school in a warmup exercise of 10 mountain climbers in honor of the 10th day of the Omer.  We counted the Sefira with Rabbi Prass and discovered we were now on the 10th day of the Omer, with just 40 more days to count!  Morah Ari led us in a Good Morning song. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.  
  1. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade classes for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows. 
  1. We enjoyed the book, King David & Akavish the Spider, by Sylvia Rouss.   
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew letter FAY (Hebrew Hint- Looks like a PAY without a dot in the middle)with the “F”-saying sound, plus the vowel AY with two dots under a letter. I have provided all the names and” saying sounds” of all the letters on the back of the cards.  
  1. At Shira, Morah Ari led us in songs that were “Israel centered” in the runup to Yom Hatzmaut,  Israel’s Independence Day which comes up in about ten days.   
  1. The students were learning about the Jewish holiday called, Yom Hashoah about remembering the Holocaust, Israel’s day of commemoration.  
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Tzedakah. 

4/9: Today in class we worked on: 

  1. First at the Boker Tov assembly with all the classes together, we counted the Sefira with Rabbi Prass and discovered we were now on the third day of the Omer, with just 46 more days to count!  Morah Ari led us in a song and one of our 5th graders helped lead the movement…three pushups for the 3rd day of the Omer. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.  
  1. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade classes for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows and Morah Ari. 
  1. Students were able to listen to our Madrich Evan share his recent trip to Israel.   
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew letter SAMECH (Hebrew Hint- Looks like a Final Mem- the Samech has a “round body”)with the “S”-saying sound. I have provided all the names and” saying sounds” of all the letters on the back of the cards. 
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  Today is the 4th day of Passover, so we sang Passover songs! 
  1. The students were learning about the meaning of Beit K’nesset, a synagogue or a place where people gather.  

           8. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Tzedakah. 

3/19 Today in class we worked on: 

  1. Boker Tov assembly with Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari. With all the classes together. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.  
  1. Gan – 3rd grade enjoyed being together for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows and Morah Ari. 
  1. We worked on writing letters to give to our Madrichim Evan to place them in the WALL, when he goes to Israel.   
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Vowel “EH” and letter PAY (Hebrew Hint- Looks like a penny in the pocket)with the “P”-saying sound. I have provided all the names and” saying sounds” of all the letters on the back of the cards.  
  1. Gan – 3rd grade enjoyed Shira with Morah Ari. 
  1. The students were learning about the holiday of Passover in our books.  
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Tzedakah. 

3/12: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Boker Tov assembly with Rabbi Prass and Matthew! With all of 1st – 6th grades.
  2. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  3. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade classes for T’Fillah with Rabbi Prass and Matthew.
  4. We worked on a “Can you Spy the Hebrew Letter “project together.
  5. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Vowel “OH” and letter TET (Hebrew Hint- the top is open on the top)with the “T”-saying sound. Many students were “catching up” on past lessons. I have provided all the names and” saying sounds” of all the letters on the back of the cards.
  6. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Matthew.
  7. The students were learning about Israel. The capital, Jerusalem, the city of Tel Aviv, Eilat and Haifa.
  8. Lihitaot (good-bye)!

          Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Tzedakah.

3/5: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Purim Sunday!!! It was great to see so many wonderful costumes!!!!
  2. We began in our classrooms where we shared our secular school, who is a woman we admire and respect (like Queen Vashti & Queen Esther), who is a hard working and wise leader (like Mordechai), and we came up with a team/class name playing off of a Purim theme.
  3. Then we joined in an all school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari.  We did our prayers in very Purim ways i.e. marching in place as we sang Mi Chamocha, standing on our head for barchu.  Then we all helped with the story as each class taught the 4 Purim Mitzvot from Esther 9:20 – 22 in special voices like Robot, British accent, Southern accent, Opera, and Rap.
  4. Then we rotated thru 4 rotations, by grade, to do the Purim Mitzvot: (a) Reading the megillah: Megillah Madlibs (b) Eating a festive Purim Meal: writing down the traditional Jewish Holiday Baked Goods for 6 Jewish holidays and then coming up with a Purim playful spin on them. (c) Creating a day of Joy and Merrymaking: we wrote our own Purim jokes (d) Matanot Levyonim: gifts to those in need.  We created pictures for An organization called Lemons of Love.  These pictures will be given to people who are fighting cancer to help them smile.
  5. We gathered together as the entire school for Purim Shira, Rabbi Bellows showing us the megillah and reading from it, the 6th graders reading an English 5 minute Megillah so we could boo Haman a lot. 
  6. We ended the day with Ring Pops as part of our Purim festive meal and to celebrate Queen Esther.

          Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. There are lots of other events happening at CBA.  You can learn about them by going to: (a) The CBA Facebook group (b) The CBA Shul Cloud Calendar (c) The CBA School Newsletter

2/26: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Boker Tov assembly with Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari! With all the classes together.
  2. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  3. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade and Gan classes for T’Fillah with Rabbi Prass.  We paid special attention to Rabbi Prass’ engaging words on what we all can do to help dispel ill will and bigotry in our world today!
  4. We worked on a Purim word search together. We discussed all the words and how they relate to the story of Purim.
  5. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letter YUD with the “Y”-saying sound the smallest letter in the alphabet. I have provided all the names and” saying sounds” of all the letters on the back of the cards.
  6. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade and Gan classes and Morah Ari we learned many Purim songs.
  7. The students were learning about Jews Around the World. Jews are almost everywhere, every country in the world and speak almost every language there is.
  8. Lihitaot (good-bye)!

2/19: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Boker Tov assembly! With all the classes together.  One of our 6th Graders helped lead today.
  2. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  3. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari
  4. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letter HET with the “saying sound” CH.  All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.
  5. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  We began learning Purim songs.
  6. The students were able to draw “I spy the Hebrew letters” pictures we have covered so far.
  7. Students will learn how we start and end a Jewish meal. We start with a blessing over bread-Challah.
  8.   Lihitraot (good-bye)!

2/12-

Today in class we worked on:

  1. Boker Tov assembly! With all the classes together.  We had a chance to see all the different sports swag we all were wearing.  And Rabbi Prass read a note Rabbi Bellows from the Beth Am trip in Israel.
  2. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  3. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari.  We connected many of the prayers to today’s Yom Sport.
  4. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letters  AYIN with the “no saying sound” the other silent letter than the Aleph and the Hebrew letter NUN with the saying sound “N”.  All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.   
  5. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari. In celebration of today being Yom Sport and Super Bowl Sunday, we sang the following Americana/folk songs: Country roads, American Pie, Hallelujah, The Hope, and the Star Spangled Banner.
  6. The students were able to draw “I spy the Hebrew letters” pictures we have covered so far.
  7. Lihitaot (good-bye)!

          Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Tzedakah.

Today in class we worked on: 

2/5-

  1. Boker Tov assembly! With all the classes together. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.  
  1. We enjoyed being together with the other classrooms for the 5th graders Faux Wedding Aufruf/T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows, Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari. 
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letter TSADEE with the “saying sound”  TS. The meaning  is a “righteous person”. All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.    
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  
  1. We made Purim cards for CBA college students. 
  1. In our holiday books page 88 we studied about the holiday Tu B’ Shevat; The birthday of the trees. Why we celebrate the trees and the commandment in the Torah asks us to. 
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1.  Please remember tzedakah. 

Today in class we worked on: 

1/29-

  1. Boker Tov assembly! With all the classes together. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.  
  1. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows. 
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letters VAV with the” saying sound” V, it looks like a person standing upright. The Hebrew letter KOOF with the “saying sound” of K, the only Hebrew letter extending below the line hanging down. All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.    
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  
  1. We discussed G-D and what it teaches us and many stories about him. The students came up with ways to thank G-D. 
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1.  Please remember tzedakah. 

Today in class we worked on: 

1/22-

  1. Boker Tov assembly! With all the classes together. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.  
  1. We enjoyed being together with the Gan and 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows. 
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letters ALEPH with no saying sound, Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and signifies the number one. We also learned the letter DALET with the         saying sound of “D” (Hebrew Hint-looks like the letter RESH but the top looks like a door make sure it is written like a “hinge hanging over”). All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.    
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the Gan and 3rd grade class and Morah Ari. 
  1. We discussed the word “Mensh” the Yiddish word that means “good person”. The students came up with words and descriptions of what makes a Mensh. 

  7. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1.  Please remember tzedakah. 

Today in class we worked on: 

1/15-

  1. Boker Tov! with all the classes together. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.  
  1. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows. 
  1. We reviewed all Hebrew Letters and Vowels covered so far in class.  
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letters CHAF with the same saying sound of “C”.  (Hebrew Hint- looks like a backwards C). Be careful not mix it up with a KAF (with a dot), and letter VET with the saying sound of “V” (Hebrew Hint-looks like the letter BET without a “belly button dot”). All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.  
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Please remember tzedakah. 

Today in class we worked on: 

12/18- 

  1. We had an all school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari.  One student from each class helped with the physical holy objects.  We focused on the symbols of light we Jews use: the 2 Shabbat candles, then moved into making Havdalah (the wine cup, spice box, and twisted Havdalah candle), and then we lit the chanukiah in preparation for the first night of Chanukah.  At the end of t’fillah we had the opportunity to ask Rabbi Prass questions about Chanukah or the lights.  
  1. Then we went broke into 10 groups for the CBA Chanukah Candle Challenge (think Amazing Race for Chanukah).  The 9 challenges were: 
  1. Make a group magen (shield) just like the Maccabees 
  1. “figure out” the Chanukah story thru a rebus and then video it 
  1. Calculate how many candles you need for all 8 days including the shamas 
  1. Prepare a Chanukah song and record it (those will be posted on the CBA Facebook page) 
  1. Match Chanukah customs from around the world 
  1. Different spellings of Chanukah (the most correct one is the Hebrew one 😊) 
  1. Dreidel learning thru dreidel play 
  1. What are the important Chanukah gifts I can give (the answers will be posted on the CBA Facebook page) 
  1. What are my brachot (their work will be posted on the CBA Facebook page) 
  1. We regathered as an entire school to for a Chanukah shira led by Morah Ari.  We also heard the Chanukah story in the form of a play led by the 4th grade class.  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Please remember tzedakah. 
  1. Happy Chanukah!!! 
  1. There is Hebrew School this Week (12/20 & 12/21) 
  1. The CBA Winter Break schedule is: 
  1. Sunday, December 25 - Sunday, January 8 NO Religious & Hebrew School – Winter Break 
  1. Tuesday, January 10 - Tuesday Hebrew School Resumes 
  1. Wednesday, January 11 - Wednesday Hebrew School Resumes 
  1. Sunday, January 15 - Religious School Resumes 
  1. You can always access the school calendars by clicking here. 
  1. You can always access the entire CBA calendar by clicking here. 

Today in class we worked on: 

12/11-

  1. Boker Tov! With all the classes together. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives. We also welcomed new student, Nathan. 
  1. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari.  
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letter RESH with the same saying sound of “R”.  (Hebrew Hint- looks like a backwards R). All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.  
  1. We played “I Spy a Hebrew Letter” with the letters and vowels we learned. 
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  
  1. We played “Hebrew Amazing Race” with our Hebrew flashcards. 
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Please remember tzedakah. 

Today in class we worked on: 

12/4-

  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives. 
  1. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows. 
  1. We played “I Spy a Hebrew Letter with the letters and vowels we learned”. 
  1. We learned about the meaning of tzedakah- giving money to help other people.  
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letter HAY with the same saying sound of “H”.  (Hebrew Hint- looks like a door). We learned it is silent at the end of a word. All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.  
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Please remember tzedakah. 

Today in class we worked on: 

11/20-

  1. What a wonderful morning sharing and learning together with your student. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives. 
  1. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows. 
  1. We played “I Spy a Hebrew Letter with the letters and vowels we learned”. 
  1. We read the book, Something from Nothing, by Phoebe Gilman. We learned to be grateful for even the little things. 
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letter KAF with the same saying sound of “K”. Looks like the Hebrew letter Bet with no tail, it has its mouth open.  All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.  
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends! “Lots to be Thankful For”! 

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Please remember tzedakah. 

Today in class we worked on: 

11/13-

  1. What a wonderful morning sharing and learning together with your student. 
  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives. 
  1. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows. 
  1. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew Letter LAMED saying sound of “L”.  ( Hebrew Hint- looks like a lightning bolt or a lollipop. All the names of the letters and the saying sounds on the back of the flashcards.  
  1. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.  
  1. We had fun playing Hebrew flashcard and four-corner games to enforce all the learning we do in class. 
  1. Lihitaot (good-bye)!  

Homework to be completed by next class: 

  1. Please remember tzedakah. 

Today in class we worked on:

11/6-

  1. We shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  2. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows.
  3. We read the book Grandma Rose’s Magic, by Linda Elovitz Marshall. The story teaches us about Chesed (kindness and generosity and the magic happens).
  4. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class led by one of our high school students, Matthew Swolsky.
  5. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the Hebrew letter MEM with the same saying sound of (M) it looks like Moses is on the Mountain (Sinai). Students had the chance to do activities related to the MEM.
  6. We played the Hebrew flashcard game.
  7. Lihitaot (good-bye)!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please remember tzedakah.

Today in class we worked on:

10/30-

  1. Today was Yom Kayitz (summer day) where we prayed, sang, and studied like every Sunday, but did it in the mode that takes place at many of the Jewish overnight camps.
  2. We had a few minutes in our respective classrooms with introduction activities.
  3. We then gathered as an entire school in the atrium for t’fillah.  This week we made Havdalah and then were led by a student and several madrichim in a creative retelling of this week’s Torah portion, lech l’cha.
  4. Then we broke into thru 3 rotations by grades.  The rotations were:
    1. Limud (study): We studied the Torah portion and then made a creative retelling of the story.
    2. Kibud (snack): we talked about Jewish foods.  And then said the bracha (blessing) over snacks.  And then we ate smores.
    3. Zman Sport (sports time): We talked about the value of shmirat haguf (care for the body) and played ga-ga.  Ga-Ga is a Hebrew word which means ‘touch touch’.  It is a form of dodgeball  which is popular at Jewish overnight camp.
  5. We regathered as an entire school for shira (music).
  6. Then we had a special guest, Beth Rodin, the director of Reform Judaism’s summer camp in Wisconsin, OSRUI. Since JCYS’ TV wasn’t working, we did charades with the activities we could have seen on the camp video. If you want to see the OSRUI video, click here.  Many of our learners were excited to hear about the things they could do next summer at Reform Judaism’s overnight camp.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please remember tzedakah.

Today in class we worked on:

10/23-

  1. What a wonderful morning sharing and learning together with our 1st & 2nd grade parents, and your students.
  2. We shared our weekly ritual of “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives. And the learners had the opportunity to introduce their parents. 
  3. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows.
  4. Parents went into an adult learning session with Rabbi Bellows on “Why Shabbat”.
  5. The learners stayed in the room and started learning in our holiday books about the Oldest Jewish holiday of Shabbat. The only holiday mentioned in the Ten Commandments. Why we celebrate and the traditions and customs we follow.
  6. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson about the two vowels with the same saying sound of “AH” (t, -) they are located underneath a Hebrew letter. All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.
  7. Parents joined their learned to enjoy Shira with the 3rd grade class. Morah Ari Morah Ari introduced us to songs that were relevant to the upcoming Torah portion of Parashat Noach.
  8. Parents and students were able to learn about “Why Shabbat”. They discussed how Shabbat is special in their home, what makes their family unique. Enjoyed decorating a picture with words, and stickers that will be laminated and returned to be used at their Shabbat dinner table.

            8. Lihitaot (good-bye)!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please remember tzedakah.

Today in class we worked on:

10/16-

  1. Students shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  2. We enjoyed being together with the 3rd grade class for T’Fillah with Rabbi Bellows.
  3. Started learning about the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, why we celebrate and the traditions and customs we follow.
  4. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.
  5. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson three and four about the letter SHIN.  SHIN has the saying sound of “SH”.  “It has three branches climbing up-with a  dot on the right”.  The vowel “AH” (t,-) can be found under Hebrew letters. All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.
  6. Played Jewish games; four corners, flashcards.
  7. Lihitaot (good-bye)!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please remember tzedakah.

Today in class we worked on:

10/9-

  1. We began the day with an all school t’fillah in our CBA sanctuary.  As part of the t’fillah, we talked about what makes our sanctuary space unique.
  2. Then we broke into 6 round robin rotations by grade:
    1. An ice breaker to get to know our classmates better
    2. Sukkah visit: with Rabbi Bellows where we shook the lulav & etrog
    3. Movement: Practicing reading/saying the words lulav and etrog by playing duck, duck, goose with the words lulav, etrog
    4. Craft: Talking about ushpizin (sukkot guests) and which ushpizin we want to spend time with this week of Sukkot.  Their ideas were turned into sukkah decorations.
    5. Building: we studied one of the original rabbinic texts (Mishnah Sukkah 1:1) about the Sukkah construction and then built a sukkah with either Legos, Lincoln logs, or designed them with colored pencils.
    6. Sukkot Brachot: We studied the traditional 3 Sukkot brachot, and then wrote our own creative ones based on the traditional themes.
  3. We all came back together for an all school shira in the sanctuary
  4. After shira we met with the mother and sister of Zac, who started Zac’s Zoo.  Our learners had lots of great questions for them and were clearly inspired by this project.
    1. The project continues thru Sukkot & Simchat Torah which is Tuesday, October 18th.  Our learners set the goal of bringing in 100 new stuffed animals.  Thank you to our 7th grader, Hayden Kidd who brought this project to Beth Am.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Next week, Religious School returns to JCYS
  2. Please remember tzedakah.

Today in class we worked on:
10/2-

  1. Students shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  2. We enjoyed being together for T’Fillah outside with Rabbi Prass and the 3rd grade class.
  3. Started learning about the Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur and Sukkot, why we celebrate and the traditions and customs we follow.
  4. We read the book, A Watermelon in the Sukkah, By Sylvia A. Rouss and Shannan Rouss.
  5. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.
  6. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson two about the letter TAV.  TAV has the “saying sound” of T.  It has a “big toe and sometimes can have a “Belly Button””. All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.
  7. Lihitaot (good-bye)!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Next week meet at the synagogue not JCYS.
  2. Please remember tzedakah.

Today in class we worked on:
9/18-

  1. Students shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  2. I passed out the Hebrew books that we will be using this year. Students should bring them back to class each session.
  3. We enjoyed being together for an all school outdoor T’Fillah with Rabbi Prass and Morah Ari
  4. We started learning about the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah: why we celebrate and the traditions and customs we follow.
  5. We enjoyed Shira with the 3rd grade class and Morah Ari.
  6. We learned in our Hebrew book lesson one about the letter BET. Bet has the “saying sound” of B. It has a “belly button in the center, has a roof, a floor and one wall almost like a house”. All the flashcards I provided have the name and the sound on the back.
  7. Lihitraot (good-bye)!

Homework to be completed by next class:
9/18-

  1. Please remember tzedakah
  2. We do not have class on September 25th in preparation for Erev Rosh Hashanah.

Today in class we worked on:
9/11-

  1. It was a joy and a privilege to welcome back all the students! THANK YOU!
  2. We enjoyed an Opening Ceremony with everyone together. It was so nice to see so many parents there.
  3. Students shared “Chesed Happenings” which means Acts of Kindness and Love moments in their lives.
  4. We played a couple of “getting to know you games”. We had a fun time getting to know everyone in our classroom community.
  5. I read the book Hannah’s Way, by Linda Glaser.
  6. I passed out the books that we will be using this year and a set of Hebrew letter flashcards that the students should bring each class.
  7. We had shira with 1st – 3rd grade led by Morah Ari.
  8. Lihitraot (good-bye)!
    Homework to be completed by next class:
    9/11- Please remember tzedakah