Education – 4th grade (Blatt)

3/8: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had an amazing Sunday as spring rolled in.  (Yes, in meteorological time it’s already spring)
2. First, we saw what you need to do to purchase a car in Israel.  None of the talmidim were happy with the 67% tax on the vehicle, that is levied on all new car buyers in Medinat Yisrael.  I’d like to do a shout out to Ethan Kaufman who, when he learned that the average cost of gas in Israel is above $8.00 US per gallon, opted for an economy VW as opposed to the fancy luxury vehicles everyone else financed at “Beth Am Motors”!
3. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4^th & 5^th grade new songs for the upcoming chag of Pesah which begins on April 1^st.
4. Back in class, we learned about important Israeli writers such as Rachel Blaustein and Erez Bitton.  The class thought it was interesting that when he was growing up in Jerusalem, Erez’ family had to share a communal oven with the other residents in their apartment complex.
5. Afterwards we had a short talk about Israel’s system of government, which no one liked compared to the first past the post system we use in the US.
6. Then, 4^th – 6^th grade gathered for T’fillah led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa.  Rabbi Prass encouraged us all to think about the BIG, good, things that happened to all of us this past year.  He had a few learners share some examples.  Then he asked us to share why we need BIG, good, things in our year.  The learners had great examples. He reminded us that the new month of Nisan, the month with Passover is coming up, and that is the 1^st month of the Jewish year, and in certain respects, the most important.
7. L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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3/1: Today in class, we worked on:

1. “Be Happy! It’s Adar” The Hebrew month which holds Purim.
2. Today was Yom Purim! It was great to see so many of our learners in Purim costumes!
3. We began in our assigned classrooms where each grade divided into teams and came up with their own team names based on Purim themes.  Here are the names each team/grade came up with for themselves:
   • K – 2: The Queen Esthers
   • 3^rd: The Happy Hamantaschen
   • 4^th: The Hebrew People
   • 5^th: purrrrrrrrrrrim
   • 5^th: Purim People 1 & 2
   • 6^th: The Queens
   • 6^th: The Megillah Men
4. Then we gathered for an all school t’fillah led by 5^th grader Luke and Rabbi Prass. We talked about being thankful for what gives us joy, who in your community gives us joy, how we should “Shema” laughter, and how there is a Haman (Amalek) in every generation.
5. Then we divided up by grade and the teams we created for 4 stations of “Yom Purim” aka Purim Sunday!  We will share out their work over the course of the week. 
   • Rotation Aleph : What/who are today’s Amaleks? How can I blot them out?: Haman was a descendant of Amalek.  Who are modern personal & global Amaleks? How do we solve them?
   • Rotation Bet: Purim-Daze: We took the Purim story, symbols and created games of telephone & charades.
   • Rotation Gimmel : Signs of Purim: learning about the 4 main Purim characters thru getting to know them modern twists.
   • Rotation Daled: Words of Encouragement for Esther/Vashti/Mordechai: Successful athletes are ones that shout words of encouragement to themselves.  What words of encouragement would you shout to Vashti? Mordechai? Esther?
6. We then gathered back together for an all-school Purim shira led by 5^th grader Luke where we sang Purim songs, Rabbi Bellows showed us the REAL megillah and our 6^th grade students read an English 5-minute Megillah so we could cheer Mordechai & Esther, and booooo Haman.
7. As we left from a great session, each learner was handed a bag of Hamantaschen.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/22: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a very informative Sunday, and, to borrow a line from Rabbi Prass, “a win” in the high level of discussions our 4^th graders engaged in.
2. First, we learned about Israel’s Prime Ministers, Presidents, and Chief Rabbis.  Everyone thought it was interesting that I personally met Menachem Begin at an Israel Bond dinner as a teen in Indianapolis and the class was saddened to learn that some Australian Jews were opposed to the recent visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to that great antipodean land, which boasts a very large Jewish community.  We also learned that in the last presidential vote, Israel came close to electing its first woman head of state in the way of Aliza Bar-Shalom, the daughter of one of Israel’s Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef!
3. We also saw why Rav Kook and Chacham Ben-Zion Uziel were very important Chief Rabbis for Israel.
4. Then at Shira, 4^th & 5^th graders happily sang Purim songs and learned that next week 5^th grader Luke Kanter will be leading our song session solo as Morah Alexa will be away.
5. Afterwards we had a very special Zoom meeting with Mor, a young Israeli woman who for 3 summers served as a shilach at OSRUI.  Our madricha (student assistant) Julia read off questions that our class had prepared for Mor, and she shared many great things including her Tzahal experience, her current studies at the University of Haifa, and her favorite Israeli dessert.
6. Before going to Tefillah, after Mor signed off, we learned about the Shmitta Year that comes up one in seven in Israel. 
7. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade gathered for T’fillah led by Morah Alexa, Luke K, and Rabbi Prass. At Tefillah Rabbi Prass related how the month of Adar brings great joy to the Jewish people!  He showed us the megillah and told us part of the Megillah/Purim story.  As part of the story, he asked us how/when we have been like Queen Esther & Mordechai and “done Jewish things”?  And he asked us how have we been like Esther & Mordechai and taught others good/positive things?  The learners had some lovely answers.
8. Chodesh Adar Tov! L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/15: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Soon it will be the new Jewish month of Adar, where our joy increases.  As it turned out we enjoyed a joyous morning of learning in 4^th grade this week.
2. First, we learned about Jerusalem and its many unusual street names.  There is even a Lincoln Street, which is cool since we will observe Presidents Day tomorrow!
3. Then at Shira, Morah Alexa and Luke taught 4^th & 5^th songs for the upcoming holiday of Chag Purim.
4. Afterwards we had a Kahoot about everything we learned about Medinat Yisrael this semester so far and then finished the period with a video on how an American olah family celebrates Purim in modern Israel.  Everyone wanted the pizza they served for the family holiday dinner.
5. Finally, 4^th -6^th grade gathered for T’fillah led by Luke, Rabbi Prass, and Morah Alexa.  At Tefilah, in celebration of President’s Day, Rabbi Prass shared with us some interesting connections and trivia questions between many American Presidents and the Jewish people.
6. Chodesh Adar Tov! L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/8: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a nice class this week!
2. Then, we enjoyed a school wide Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and Luke.  Rabbi Prass included the 5^th Grade Faux Aufruf.  All of the Gan – 6^th grade students had the opportunity to shower our 5^th grade bride and groom with candy.  It was great to have all the 5^th grade parents there for this.
3. Then my son Daniel, a former Madrich in the Beth Am Religious School, showed slides of his gap year, after high school, in Israel.  Everyone liked his account of his visits to the graves of Yosef, Avraham, and Sarah and the Kotel.  Additionally, the talmidim were impressed that Daniel was taken out to an expensive Jerusalem restaurant on the famous Ben Yehuda Street during his time in our homeland, by parents of his friends.
4. Afterwards we learned about different religious groups in Israel and then our Student Assistant Julia shared a lesson on the Golem and Dybbuk from her high school Israel Club.
5. Before, it was time for Shira, I shared chocolate Israeli cookies with the talmidim in honor of my 66^th birthday over Shabbat.
6. Finally, it was time for Shira where Morah Alexa taught us a new song from our songster. 
7. Please note next week we will have a Kahoot on everything we’ve learned about Israel so far.
8. Have a great week! L’Shalom, Moreh David.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/1: Today in class, we worked on:

1. It was great to be back.
2. First, we reviewed the material Julia, our madricha, went over last Sunday regarding Israel’s different school systems.  Most of the class liked Israel’s Tali school system which emphasizes self-funded field trips as part of their curriculum.
3. Then we saw a video on Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and learned how he helped revive Hebrew as a modern language.
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa led 4^th & 5^th graders in several songs that helped us get in the spirit of Tu B’Shvat, the Chag of Trees, which is celebrated tonight.  We had a talk led by Grace & Emmy Shorr’s Abba on his work as an arborist, promoting tree conservation. And everyone enjoyed the Activity Book, Adon Schorr passed out before we returned to class as well as the other swag he gave us.
5. Back in class we were introduced to some popular Israeli foods, and everyone liked the fact that Chocolate Babka cake is a much beloved dessert in the Jewish state.  We also “ordered” from an online Israeli grocery store that featured some great Sabra favorites as Bisslis and Halva.  Right before it was time to go to Tefilla, we saw how Israel’s Museum of the Jewish People was highlighting Tu B’Shvat recipes and the talmidim liked the Hungarian Fruit Cake that was shown on their website.
6. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade gather for t’fillah led by Morah Alexa, Luke, and Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass shared his joy and relief that the last of our hostages came home from Gaza.  He also shared how CBA is “retiring” several symbols used while there were still hostages.
7.  Chag Tu B’Shvat Sameach! L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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1/25: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Our Madricha Julia led us in an activity about School and Cultural Life in Israel and sports in Israel. Rabbi Prass came into class and invited us to ask him (Jewish questions) in a round of stump the rabbi.  They had some great questions.
2. 4^th – 5^th grade enjoyed Shira led by Morah Alexa and Luke.  We sang Tu Bishvat songs because Tu Bishvat is next Sunday/Monday, February 1-2.
3. Rabbi Prass came in and asked us why we should care about Israel and what are ways we can show it. Again, they had some interesting (in a positive way) answers).   Our madricha Julia talked about her answers and shared how she takes Hebrew language at Stevenson and is involved in the Israel club.  She also told us that Buffalo Grove High School has an Israel club.
4. 4^th – 6^th grade had T’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and Luke.  Rabbi Prass asked us to think about how we find calm in the midst of all the chaotic talk about the weather.  He also asked us how we would create calm in places like Minneapolis where two sides are making things so tense.
5. Rabbi Prass brought us a challah to eat since it was so cold out.  And on the way out of school today, Rabbi Prass gave us gummy whales, from the Jonah & Whale story because our parents helped us “swim thru the snow”.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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1/11: Today in class, we worked on:

1. It was great to be back after Winter Break & we all enjoyed an amazing morning!
2. First, we had a zoom session with Dr John Abrams of Indianapolis, who talked about his work in securing pensions for former players of the old American Basketball Association.  This was our final component of the American Jewish experience as we saw how a devoted Jewish person was able to use his talents to benefit the less fortunate in the sports community.
3. Then we looked at a satellite image of modern Israel to associate ourselves with the country’s Geography, our first unit in our semester long study of Medinat Yisrael.
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa and Luke led 4^th & 5^th graders in some of our favorite songs from our school songster.
5. Back in class we learned about the experiences of the first Israelis, many of them refugees from the Shoah or Arab countries, and how food and gasoline were rationed during the first years of the country’s existence.  We also were thrilled to see the videos of Batel Tzabari, a Mizrachi Jewish woman, who makes these films for Israeli children, teaching them all sorts of things such as good manners.  Our talmidim found it interesting that Gveret Batel speaks little if any English, and her music videos are entirely in Hebrew.
6. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade joined in Tefilla led by Morah Alexa, Luke, and Rabbi Prass.  Rabbi Prass talked about a special interfaith tour of Israel that his daughter Ruth is now participating in. He highlighted places she is in to show us more about Israel and to remind us about the 8^th grade trip IsraelNow, High School teen trips with the Reform Movement and Birthright.
7. See you in two weeks!  Stay warm!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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12/14: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Today was Yom Chanukah in Religious School
2. It was great to see so many people dressed in “Chanukah swag” to get us in the spirit.
3. All the classes started in their classrooms for attendance and creating a Chanukah themed “team name” some of the names included: the lighted candles, dreidel macabeets, Chanukah stars, Lecha Dodis, Mac & Cheese-abees, The Jewnicorns, Spinning Dreidels, Flamming Menorahs,
4.  Then we gathered for an all school T’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th grader Luke.  Rabbi Prass pointed out connections between our prayers and the upcoming Festival of Chanukah.
5. After that we split into 4 Chanukah based rotations, where learners rotated by grade/classes:
   • Chanukah has Dreidels with Morah Rachel & Mr & Mrs. Popper. Our congregants brought in some of their 250 dreidel collection to share.
   • Pushing your Dreidel Limits: Body & Mind with Morah Kaufman where they were challenged with trivia questions about the dreidel AND challenges of different ways to spin the dreidel or be the dreidel with their bodies.
   • Chanukah Madlibs with Morah Wilgus where they were given the opportunity give fun twists to How to play dreidel, how to make a Latke, and the Chanukah story thru Madlibs.
   • Chanukah Charades with Moreh Aaron where they either reviewed or learned different Chanukah history/customs thru playing charades.
6. We came back together in the sanctuary for an all school Chanukah shira led by Morah Alexa and 5^th grader Luke K. 
7. As we left we each learner was handed Chanukah Gelt.
8. Happy Chanukah to all!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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12/7: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Wow!  The snow hit hard, but just about everyone made it into class!
2. First, we saw how American Jews had different opinions about creating Medinat Yisrael and discovered the steps the US Jewish communities had to take to bring Holocaust survivors over from war devastated Europe. I related how the parents of my friend Mrs. Shirley Behar in Detroit worked tirelessly to resettle the Salonika Sephardic Holocaust survivors there.
3. But everyone was happy to learn that Chicago Jews held a big party in the old Chicago Stadium to celebrate the creation of a Jewish state in Israel.
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa and 5^th grader Luke taught 4^th – 6^th grad Chanukah songs, and we got to spin like dreidels.
5. Back in class we finished off our unit on the American Jewish experience looking at the different approaches of Rabbis Abraham Joshua Heschel and Yosef Baer Soleveitchik.  Everyone agreed we needed both philosophies to build a strong Jewish community.
6. Finally, 4^th – 6^th graders gathered for Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th grader Luke. Rabbi Prass related his experiences at the NFTY weekend this past Shabbat at OSRUI and used it as way to challenge us to think about how we can see the positive in challenges like large snowstorms. He also asked us how we can individually make /be our own small Chanukah miracles by doing mitzvot which was a core teaching of Rav Soloveitchik!
7. Have a terrific week! L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/23: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a very special morning today, since it was 4^th grade’s annual Boker B’Yachad (family education program)
2. First, both parents and talmidim looked over the Jewish connection to Thanksgiving, including sources from the Ramchal.
3. At Shira, 4^th – 6^th graders enjoyed singing, led by Morah Alexa. The 4^th grade parents went and studied with Rabbi Bellows at this time.
4. Back in class, the 4^th graders had a chance to interview their parents about their life experiences such as favorite foods like Tatter Tot Casserole or in one case immigration to the US from the old Soviet Union.  This was part of our 1^st semester curriculum of The American Jewish Experience.
5. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade, and 4^th grade parents, gathered for T’fillah, led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa and 5^th grader Luke. Rabbi Prass asked everyone to concentrate on what they were thankful for as we approach the American Thanksgiving holiday, which has roots in Chag Sukkot.  He showed us how the blessings of the siddur offer thanks for specific things.  He then asked us to share why it is important to offer thanks.
6. Enjoy next Sunday off!
7. L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/16: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a totally amazing morning today!
2. First, we had a scavenger hunt and learned about famous Jewish personalities such as Hank Greenberg, Albert Einstein, Jack Benny, and Fanny Brice.
3. At Shira, Morah Alexa led 4^th – 6^th grade in song, and we had the opportunity to vote on the last two shirim we would sing.
4. Back in class, we role played and called into a Jewish radio show, aired in New York in 1943, on the topic of whether the Roosevelt administration was doing enough to save Jews from the Shoah.  Most of the class supported, surprisingly, the position taken by Rabbi Stephen Wise that felt FDR was doing the best he could, as opposed to that of Orthodox Jewish businessman Irving Bunim who led a delegation of rabbis to Washington to try to persuade the President to do more.
5. Finally, at Tefillah, Rabbi Bellows and Morah Alexa led 4^th – 6^th grade in T’fillah.  Rabbi Bellows led us in prayer and explained the meaning of the tefillot in our siddur.
6. Chodesh Kislev Tov and please let’s remember that it is important for all talmidim to be in class on time. Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/9: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a terrific morning today!
2. First, since November is JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa) Month, we saw a Tik Tok video produced by modern Jimenas mostly living here in the US or in Israel.  We learned about Mizrachi Jewish customs, saw how Jews were displaced from their homes in the Arab world after 1948, and how knowledge of this experience is vital towards being an informed Jew.
3. At Shira, Morah Alexa (and 5^th grader Luke) led all of 4^th – 6^th grade in some great songs including “Evdo Et Hashem B’Simcha!”
4. Back in class, we broke into groups and discovered the contributions Louis Brandeis, Rose Schneiderman, and Oscar Straus made to American life as Jews in the early 20^th century.
5. Then, our Madricha Julia read us Judith Kaplan Eisenstein’s account of being the first Bat Mitzvah girl way back in 1922.  The class thought it was interesting that her family celebrated this achievement with a simple Shabbat luncheon after the service.  We also made circa1922 Bat Mitzvah cards for Judith. Additionally, we saw how Judith’s younger sister Hadassah was probably the first young American Jew to spend a “gap year” in the land of Israel.
6. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade gathered  for Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and Luke. Rabbi Prass went over some important developments with the hostages held by Hamas.  He also shared the fact that Beth Am had honored the CBA American veterans in the kehilla at Shabbat services this week.
7. Shavua Tov and Let Us Remember this 87^th Anniversary of Kristalnacht! Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/2: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a high-power morning this week.
2. First, we learned about the pogrom at the funeral of New York’s Chief Rabbi in 1902 and how all Jewish New Yorkers came together to respond to this tragedy.
3. Afterwards, we discovered the achievements of new American Jewish religious leaders such as Rabbis Stephen Wise and Mordechai Kaplan.  We also learned that new rabbinical schools like the Jewish Theological Seminary opened to help train rabbis on American soil.  We also saw a short video on the life of Henrietta Szold.
4. At Shira Moreh Alexa and Luke K taught 4^th – 6^th grade several new songs.
5. Upon returning to class, we had a Kahoot on everything we have studied until now.
6. Finally, at Tefillah, Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th grade Luke led 4^th – 6^th grader in t’fillah.  Rabbi Prass shared with us his experiences visiting the Jewish community of Prague last spring and told us the story of the Prague Golem, and how he was created to protect the Jews in times of need.  Rabbi Prass told us he was created thru the community’s leader studying and learning Jewish tradition and enough Hebrew so that he could attain this power.  Several of our students left t’fillah saying they would study together to figure it out.
7. Shavua Tov, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/26: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a very special morning this week.
2. We enjoyed being together for an all-school T’Fillah- Havdalah service led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa.  Several of the 4^th – 6^th graders had the opportunity to help lead by holding the havdalah candle, spice box, and wine glass.
3. Afterwards, we learned about Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe and the Balkans.  We saw how many new Jewish arrivals secured work in the garment industry and then wrote lines for a play for the Yiddish theater.  Autumn did the best in pronouncing her script in Yiddish!
4. We also saw how Moshe Gadol developed a newspaper in Ladino “La America” for Sephardic immigrants that helped them acclimate to life here.  Additionally, we learned that the Reform rabbinical college HUC orchestrated a scholarship for Sephardim way back in 1914 that wasn’t made use of until the 1980’s.
5. Soon it was time for a school wide Shira, led by Morah Alexa!
6. Then Will Rivlin, an assistant Camp Director from OSRUI, came and we enjoyed a presentation from him on the amazing opportunities for fun, learning, and Jewish community from Reform Judaism Summer camp in Wisconsin. The camp website is: OSRUI. It was great to see several parents come to join us in seeing the video and what our learners were excited about trying.  We also heard from some of our students who already attend OSRUI. We all left with some OSRUI swag and a bag of ingredients to make smores.
7. Don’t forget to send your yeladim with electronics next Sunday, as we will be having a Kahoot on the topics we’ve learned so far this year.
8. Shavua Tov, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/19: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a Gevaldig-Super Sunday morning this week.
2. First, we finished our mid-19^th century American Jewish newspaper project.
3. Afterwards, we saw how the experience of the Civil War divided American Jews just as the rest of the nation was divided.  Some rabbis, like David Einhorn, opposed slavery, others, Morris Raphael comes to mind, supported it and some, such as the scholarly Abraham Rice tried to steer as far as they could from this issue.  We also saw that Jews had different responses to the war’s outcome.  Northerners were saddened by the death of President Lincoln; their brethren in the South in turn lamented the end of slavery. 
4. At Shira, Moreh Alexa started to teach 4^th – 6^th grades new songs now that the 4 chagim are behind us.
5. Back in the classroom Julia and I role played taking on roles as reporter and Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise on the ideas of the 1885 Pittsburgh Platform that codified the ideas of American Reform Judaism.  This led to a very lively discussion on traditional Jewish beliefs regarding the afterlife. We also looked at the menu for the infamous “Trefe Banquet” (Everyone was happy ice cream was served!) and how this one event gave rise to the growth of Conservative Judaism in our country.  The talmidim agreed with my suggestion that it probably would have better had the offended rabbis not walk out of the banquet but perhaps just settled for dessert and juice to avoid embarrassing the hosts.
6. Finally, 4^th – 6^th Grade met Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th grader Luke K. Rabbi Prass shared an age-appropriate update on the Phase 1 of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.  He then led a discussion about how Beth Am is responding to the fact that the remains of deceased hostages have not all been returned to their families for a proper burial.  We concluded T’fillah with Oseh Shalom, a prayer for peace.
7. Chodesh Cheshvan Tov, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/12: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a very magical and special Sunday morning this week.
2. First, we worked on the worldwide Simchat Torah Flag global project that united Jews internationally.  This prompted a discussion on Jewish identity that two of our talmidim Autumn and Layla later shared at Tefillah.
3. Afterwards, 4^th – 6^th grade headed off to Shira, where Morah Alexa taught us a song for Sukkot, the chag that ends today.
4. Back in the classroom, we learned about the first rabbis in America such as Isaac Mayer Wise and Abraham Rice.  We also saw how Isaac Leeser translated the Prayer Book and Tanakh into English, so more American Jews could appreciate the source texts of their faith.
5. Then we started working on our antebellum 19^th century Jewish newspaper project.  We will finish that up next week.
6. Finally, 4^th – 6^th grade met for Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass, Luke K, and Morah Alexa. As part of it, Rabbi Prass helped us unpack everything about the hostage release and the end of the conflict in Gaza. 
7. Gmar Chatima Tovah, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/5: Today in class, we worked on:

1. Today was Yom Sukkot in Religious School
2. For this session, we met at the synagogue.  We began in the sanctuary for an all school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and Luke K.  We lit a yahrtzeit candle for the 2^nd anniversary of October 7^th.  Then we joined together in making Havdalah. 
3. After that we split into 4 Sukkot based rotations:
   • Making yellow paperchain to decorate the sukkah. We wrote the names of the remaining 48 hostages on each slip of paper.
   • We played charades with Sukkot and Simchat Torah themes/ideas.
   • We visited the sukkah with Rabbi Bellows, learned about the sukkah, lulav, and etrog.  We had the opportunity to shake the lulav & etrog.  We talked about what middot (values) we would invite into the sukkah this 5786 as our ushpizin (sukkot guests)
   • We did a sukkah ‘scavenger hunt’ to help us think about what we have/do at home that brings the sukkot lessons home.
4. We came back together in the sanctuary for an all school shira led by Morah Alexa and 5^th grader Luke K. 
5. Then we celebrated the Auf Ruf of Morah Rachel (5^th grade) and Moreh Aaron (6^th grade) who are getting married next Sunday. 
6. We ended with Sukkot trivia led by Rabbi Bellows.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/28: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had an awesome fourth session of school.
2. First, we met individuals such as Mordechai Manuel Noah and Uriah Philips Levy who helped shape American Jewish life in the early Republic. 
3. Afterwards, we saw how American Jews were very concerned when Jews in Syria were falsely accused of murdering a Catholic priest and when the Italian Jewish child Edgardo Mortara was forcibly taken from his family.  This led to a discussion after Shira as to which tragic event was worse, with most feeling the kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara was a greater tragedy than the “Damascus Affair”
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4^th – 6^th grade a song “Tap Your Heart” to get us ready for Yom Kippur.
5. Back in class we saw how the city of Ligonier, Indiana has preserved a synagogue, founded by German Jewish peddlers in the 1840’s, despite the fact that no Jews live there anymore.  We also looked at recipes to enjoy before the fast of Yom Kippur from the Museum of the Jewish People.
6. Finally, at Tefilla, Rabbi Prass, Morah Alexa, and 5^th Grader Luke Kanter led 4^th – 6^th graders in t’fillah. Rabbi Prass taught us about the importance of second chances as we get ready for Yom Kippur.
7. Gmar Chatima Tovah, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/21: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had an awesome third session of school.
2. First, we looked at artifacts the first Jewish pioneers might have brought with them to support a Jewish community.  The talmidim were very interested in the 18^th century volume of the Talmud, published in Vienna in the late 1700’s, that I shared with them.  Matthew S enjoyed looking at the German forward by the publisher.
3. Afterwards, we were introduced to Jonah Philips and saw how he worked to ensure that the US Constitution afforded religious freedom for all citizens, including his fellow Jews and then worked on our renditions of floats the New York Jewish community might have fabricated for the famous Constitution Parade in 1789.
4. At Shira, Morah Alexa led 4^th – 6^th grade, and taught us a new Israeli song “Bashana Haba” to get us ready for Rosh Hashana. 5^th grader, Luke Kanter helped song lead. 
5. Back in class we saw how early American Jewish philanthropists helped build Jewish hospitals and aided their fellow Jews in Eretz Yisrael.  We also saw a video by the American oleh Tamar Meisels on how she makes round challahs for Rosh Hashanah for her family in Israel.  Everyone wished they could enjoy some of her home made challahs!
6. Finally, at Tefilla, Morah Alexa & Rabbi Prass led 4^th – 6^th grade. Rabbi Prass asked us all to think of what good things we had all experienced in the now outgoing year. 5^th grader Luke Kanter song led with Moreh Alexa. Emmy Shorr, Luke Kanter, and Landon Gehrke were the students who had mastered blowing the Shofar and helped us fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the shofar during this month of Elul.
7. L’Shanah Tovah, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/14: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had an awesome second session of school.
2. First, since our Tzedakah project this year is supporting Israeli hospitals, we looked at the famous Chagall windows of the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.
3. Afterwards, we went on a scavenger hunt of the JCYS building and found out, among other things, that Veteran’s Day is the favorite holiday of the security officer who helps keep us all safe each week during religious school.
4. Next, we explored the experiences of American Jews during colonial times and saw, through an in-class reading, how the Shadarim, special messengers from the land of Israel, helped the colonial Jewish communities stay connected to Judaism.  The talmidim were surprised to learn that people would get into fist fights in synagogue during these times over who got the best seat in the sanctuary!
5. At Shira, Morah Alexa led 4^th – 6^th grade in songs for the upcoming chag of Rosh Hashanah. 
6. Back in class we saw how Jewish leaders Gershom Seixas and Haym Saloman helped the American patriot cause during the Revolutionary War. 
7. Finally, at Tefilla, led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa, 4^th – 6^th grade heard the Shofar as we started the last week of the outgoing year of 5785. 
8. All in all, it was a great day at Religious School for the 4^th graders!
9. L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

9/7: Today in class, we worked on:

1. We had a wonderful first day of school. 
2. The whole school gathered to start off the year with a fun assembly which included prayer, hearing the shofar for Elul, minute to win it Jewish style, and confetti ‘canons’! It was lovely to have so many parents join us!
3. Then, 4^th grade parents joined me to learn what their students will be doing this year while the students stayed with Morah Alexa and the madrichim.
4. After meeting with parents, our 4^th graders gathered and we started our learning.
5. First, we decided that supporting hospitals in Israel, such as the Hadassah Hospital would be our Tzedakah for the year.
6. Afterwards, we saw how the Expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal led to America eventually becoming a haven for our people.  We looked, through a short play, how Jews lived in different countries in 1650, just prior to the first arrival of Jews in what became the United States.  In our study, we compared how Jews lived in England, Holland, Germany, Poland, the Turkish Empire, and Yemen.  Everyone thought Yemen was not a good place to be Jewish then.
7. We discussed what liturgical items the first Jews in America might have brought with them to help them stay close to Judaism.  Philip Ayzenberg was surprised to learn that there was actually one Jewish person, Asher Levy, already living in New Amsterdam when the “23” new arrivals first reached the colony.
8. Since, we had some time we looked at “summer recipes” from the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv.  Everyone liked the “Israeli Fruit Cake” and Layla Brand thought it was interesting that a person “named Sarah” had managed to get so many of her recipes posted on the site!
9. We ended the day with all of K – 6^th grade together for shira led by Morah Alexa.
10. Students received lollipops on their way out to celebrate the tradition that Jewish learning should be sweet.
11. All in all, it was a great first day of Bait-Sefer Ha-Datit!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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