Education – 4th grade (Blatt)

5/18: Today in class we worked on:

  1. It’s hard to believe that another school year has passed!  This year’s 4th graders were an awesome and spirited chavura!
  2. We started our day, seeing a video on the life of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, “the hero of Lag B’Omer”, which was just observed.  We learned how Rav SBY grew to be a good listener who tried to understand other people’s experiences before judging them.
  3. K-5 then enjoyed Shira with Morah Alexa.  There was a lot of ruach (spirit) in the room!
  4. It’s what has become an “end of the year” tradition for 4th grade, Judge Mitchell Goldberg of the Cook County Court spoke to the talmidim on his experiences as an observant Jew and jurist with our court system.  Judge Goldberg was very impressed with the outstanding questions our class asked of him.
  5. Finally, 4th – 6th grade finished out the year with Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa.  Rabbi Prass discussed the surprise second place finish by Israel’s performer at Eurovision, Yuval Raphael.  He shared part of her amazing story.
  6. As we close out the year, I’d like to express my appreciation to our outstanding madricha (student assistant) Adrienne Ewing for all that she did for our class.  I hope everyone enjoys an awesome summer!
  7. We all enjoyed the ice cream truck for our sweet new year, and getting ready for Shavuot.  It was lovely to see everyone hanging out together, students, parents, and siblings.
  8. Chag Pesah Shini Sameach, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Have a great summer!
  2. 1st day of Religious School is Sunday, September 7th
  3. Don’t forget to sign up for the 25-26 Religious/Hebrew School year.

5/11: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today K – 5 started off with an all school Shira with Morah Alexa.  There was great ruach in the room!
  2. Then we learned about Jewish communities in Africa and shared this with the 3rd grade class.
  3. We had a few minutes before the Parents’ Day program and we found out that we will close the school year next week, with a visit by Judge Mitchell Goldberg of the Cook County court system.  He will share with us how he applies Jewish values to his responsibilities as a jurist.
  4. Finally, K- 6th Grade enjoyed a special Parents Day Tefillah, led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa. It was wonderful to see so many parents, and even a few grandparents in attendance.  We recited the blessing for the Omer, and recounted that it was the 28th day of the Omer.  Rabbi Prass then suggested it is hard to fulfill the commercial idea of Mother’s Day. Rather in order to fulfill the commandment of “Honoring your mother and father” we all came up with a list of 28 things our parents/grandparents do for us, and then another list of 28 little things we can do to show our gratitude to our parents.
  5. Chag Pesah Shini Sameach,Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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5/4: Today in class we worked on:

  1. A Happy Chodesh Iyar!
  2. Today we started off seeing a video, from Canadian television, on young Jews from the Toronto area who were serving in the Israel Defense Force and how their military service contributes to the security of Medinat Yisrael.
  3. Then we explored Israel’s troubling experience since the October, 2023 Hamas attacks, using a lesson designed by last year’s madrich Charlie Schwartz, who is now a Freshman at University of Oregon.
  4. Owing to the 5th Graders being away on a Field Trip, we had Morah Alexa to ourselves today and showed our ruach as we sang the songs she taught us with great spirit.
  5. Back in class, we saw how the Israeli organization Shavei Yisrael is helping isolated Jewish communities, such as the Kaifeng community in China, reconnect Jewishly.  Before going to Shira, we broke into groups to come up with ritual items Shavei could send to these kehillot.
  6. 4th & 6th grades gathered for t’fillah led by Morah Alexa & Rabbi Prass. This being May 4th, Rabbi Prass helped us to see how the themes expressed the Star Wars franchise, related to the liturgy in our Siddurim.  In addition, since this is teacher appreciation week, Rabbi Prass presented the morim (teacher) and madrichim appreciation gifts which many parents contributed to, and the education committee organized. 
  7. Shavua Tov, Moreh David

4/27: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Well, here we are at the end of Chodesh Nissan, with Rosh Chodesh Iyar arriving fast and furious tomorrow.
  2. First, we saw  Nissan out by reciting the traditional prayer for the trees Jews go over each year with the advent of spring.  We all assembled outside of the JCYS building to complete this important mitzvah!
  3. Then we learned about mass communications in Israel.  The talmidim were surprised to discover that one of Israel’s TV outlets broadcasts exclusively in Russian.  We also saw a clip of a Yom Hatzmaut Special from 2023 that aired on Israel’s popular TV show “Eretz Neharderet”. 
  4. Before going off to Shira, we looked at Yad V’Shem’s special exhibit on how the Shoah impacted various Jewish families.  Everyone was amazed by the artifacts left by these families including a wood carved model car made by a Romanian Jewish family.
  5. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4th – 5th grade songs for Yom Ha-Zikaron and Yom Hatzmaut, which will be observed this coming week. 
  6. When we returned to class, we had a modified scavenger hunt about Israel’s various wars with its Arab neighbors.  This led to a multi topic discussion, which demonstrated just how bright and engaged our 4th grade talmidim are!
  7. Morah Alexa and Rabbi Prass led 4th – 6th grade in Tefillah. Rabbi Prass took time out to explain some of the prayers in our Siddur which relate to Israel, and entertain questions our 4th though 6th graders might have on Israel. 
  8. All in all, it was a magical Sunday!
  9. Chodesh Tov! Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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4/20: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today was a special day where all of K – 6th grade met at CBA instead of JCYS so we could spend time in our sanctuary.
  2. The theme of today was a Tour thru the Spring “Yoms (Yom Hashoah, and Yom Ha’atzmaut). It was great to see so many of our learners engaged here!
  3. We began our session in the sanctuary for an all school t’fillah. Rabbi Bellows and Morah Alexa led us in Havdalah. Several of our students helped by holding up the spice box, candle, and kiddush cup.
  4. Then we divided up by grade for 3 stations of our Tour thru the Spring “Yoms”
    • Omer: The Omer is 50 days walking from slavery in Egypt, into Freedom, and walking to Sinai to receive Torah. It runs from the 2nd day of Passover thru Shavuot. They looked at a famous Omer story of a school of rabbis, and how they sadly modeled disrespectful behavior.  They then did a project tracing their feet ‘walking thru the Omer’ and writing examples of how they can walk (show) respect on the feet cutouts.
    • Yom Hashoah: they looked at “The Story of Simcha – the story of Holocaust survivor Simcha Holzberg” in a Youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypeQhEAtO2w ) and program designed by Yad Vashem’s Educational program. We created a processing worksheet to help the children understand the story.
    • Yom Ha’atzmaut: The students were given a chance to continue to learn about Israel thru participating in a YOM HA’ATZMAUT POSTER COMPETITION  (https://education-en.nli.org.il/curate-create ) which offers real cash prizes.It was great to see their enthusiasm and creativity.
  5. K – 5th grade gathered back in the sanctuary for Shira led by Morah Alexa.  There was a lot of Ruach (spirit!)  She led them in songs from Passover, Yom Hashoah, & Yom Ha’atzmaut. 
  6. 6th grade went to the ALC with Morah Dickson for Trope Plus.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Work on Prayers that were worked on during trope. Focus on Blessings Before and After Haftarah, Avot V’imahot and Gevurot.
  2. Learn how to access the Trope book and prayers on Beth Am Website
    • Go To Beth Am Website
    • Scroll Over To “Education & Youth”
    • Click on “Education & Youth”
    • Click “Religious & Hebrew School Work”
    • Left hand box is a tab labeled “6th Grade-Trope Plus”
  3. Starting 4/20 – Please have your child bring highlighters for Trope (Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink)

4/6: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Well, here we are in Chodesh Nissan, with Chag Pesah fast on the horizon.
  2. First, we wrote letters to the brave Chayalim (soldiers) of the Israel Defense Force to express our appreciation for their fine efforts.  This is part of JUF’s week of good deeds campaign.
  3. Then we saw how different movements in Judaism had interpreted the famous Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel.  This prompted a very interesting discussion on many topics of current interest.
  4. Then it was off to Shira, where Morah Alexa led 4th – 5th grade in many songs for the upcoming holiday of Passover. 
  5. Once we were back in class, we saw how Jewish holidays were observed in Israel.  The talmidim had some questions about the World Zionist Congress elections, prompted by Sam Rizman and we were almost late for Tefillah because there were so many interesting observations made by our students.
  6. Finally, 4th – 6th grade gathered for Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass & Morah Alexa. Rabbi Prass helped us to focus on the important themes of the holiday of Chag Pesash thru story and introductions to our familiar prayers.
  7. Chag Pesah Sameach, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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3/16: 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 Hamantaschen Crew
    • 3rd (last name ending in A – Ka), Chocolate Hamantaschen Cookie
    • 3rd (last name ending in Ki – Z), The Kings/Melachim
    • 4th, Purim Hamantaschen
    • 5th, The Hamantaschen
    • 5th, The Grogers
    • 6th, Peanut Butter Hamantaschen
  4. Then we gathered for an all school t’fillah led by Morah Alexa, Rabbi Bellows, and Rabbi Prass. Morah Alexa changed the melodies to some of the prayers to have a Disney theme.  Rabbi Bellows showed us the real Megillah.
  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. 
    • What is Beautiful? – Queen Esther looking at Esther’s beautiful character traits and actions, and how those same things could solve some of today’s problems.
    • Let’s Get to know Each other – Purim Style looking at how we would teach Purim words/themes to someone who isn’t Jewish, and then coming up with mixer/icebreaker questions using those same themes.
    • What’s it all about – Purim Acrostics asked the groups to create a modern lesson of the Purim story in the form of an acrostic, using the Purim character names of Esther, Haman, Vashti, Mordechai
    • Haman’s Proper Blessing asked the groups to list 7 modern Hamans.  Then they played of the Tzar’s Prayer from Fiddler on the Roof and wrote 3 “Haman’s Prayer”
  6. We then gathered back together for an all school Purim shira led by Morah Alexa where we sang Purim songs, Rabbi Prass read some Hebrew from the Megillah, 3 of our students read an English 5 minute Megillah so we could cheer Mordechai & Esther, and booooo Haman.  We also had a reenactment of the Latke vs Hamantaschen debate which began at the University of Chicago in the 40s and is still held to this day.
  7. As we left Rabbi Prass handed out Hamantaschen.  

Homework to be completed by next class:

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3/9: Today in class we worked on:

  1. As we move into Chodesh Adar, we had an amazing Sunday in our 4th Grade Class.
  2. First, we enjoyed an all school Tefillah, led by our guest Jay Rapaport. 
  3. Jay also introduced us to the three Reform  Movement specialty summer camps, including the Fine Arts Camp he directs in Pennsylvania.
    • URJ 6 Points Sports Academy Summer 2025 Registration is open! (for more information click here)
    • URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Summer 2025 Registration is open! (for more information click here)
    • URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Summer 2025 Registration is open! (for more information click here)
  4. Back in class we discovered the intricacies of purchasing an automobile in Israel. Everyone was amazed at the high taxes Israeli motorists must pay to drive their purchased vehicles out of the show room.  We also learned about historic Purim costumes from the isle of Rhodes, the former Belgian Congo, and Mexico thanks to an exhibit from the University of Washington.  Everyone enjoyed discovering some amazing Purim recipes for treats such as hamantaschen, Hungarian poppy seed rolls, and Baghdadi cheese pies.  In fact, we ran out of time and had to roll over other materials for another session.  
  5. We finished our morning, with an all-school Purim Shirah led by Rabbi Prass.
  6. L’Shalom Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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This past Thursday, we welcomed URJ 6 Points Sports Academy, URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, and URJ 6 Points Creative Arts Academy, to CBA!

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At 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, kids have fun learning about science and technology through the lens of Judaism! Build a robot. Save the environment. Perform chemistry experiments. Design a video game. Code an app. At 6 Points Sci-Tech East, located just outside of Boston, campers entering grades 5-10 learn from experts and are part of a camp community that appreciates science and technology! Contact Jayme and Dan here!

At 6 Points Creative Arts Academy, the program staff, campers, and site work together to create a holistic, meaningful experience for artists in a living laboratory for learning and performing. Mentored by the best in their field, young artists are drawn together in a dynamic community to experience camp, explore their passions, and improve their skills in creative writing, photography, dance, instrumental or vocal music, theatre, musical theatre, songleading, and visual arts. Contact Samantha here!

3/2: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had a very nice class today.  We started our day, seeing how Israelis buy homes.  The talmidim broke into teams and decided where they would settle and how much they would spend for their “dream home”.  To our surprise, everyone wanted to live in Beersheva where real estate is relatively inexpensive by Israeli standards.
  2. Additionally, we learned about famous Israelis of letters such as Leah Goldberg and Erez Bitton.  Most of the talmidim were impressed with Adon Bitton’s poems describing his experience as a North African Jewish immigrant to Israel and Shai Agnon who helped compose the famous “Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel”
  3. 4th-5th grade had a special Shira, where our own and very talented Luke Kanter helped out, accompanying Rabbi Prass on his guitar as we learned new songs for Purim.
  4. Coming back to class we enjoyed a Kahoot on topics related to what we have learned so far about Israel.  We also saw how oleh chadash Tamar Meisels showed us, in her videos, how we can experience the joy of Chag Purim during these troubled times, by giving to others.  Avery Kidder shared this later at Tefillah!
  5. Finally, at Tefillah, Rabbi Prass used our weekly 4th – 6th grade morning Shacharit service to talk about experiencing the joy of the whole Hebrew month of Adar and Purim at a sad time for the Jewish people.  Luke Kanter helped again on his guitar and he was really focused on the Tefillah!
  6. L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

2/23: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We started our class with a Memorial Prayer for the Bibas family, and this led to a discussion of Jewish funeral practices.  Many of the talmidim related their own experiences attending such events for family members.
  2. Then we saw how Israel uses a Proportional Representation system of voting, and this often makes forming a government difficult after elections.  We also had the chance to view an actual political commercial from an Israeli election.
  3. At Shira Morah Alexa led 4th & 5th grade in our annual Yom Folk Music singing.  Rabbi Prass discussed some of the Jewish folk singers such as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Peter Yarrow.
  4. Returning to class, we learned about famous Israeli Prime Ministers and Chief Rabbis.  We saw that currently the office of Chief Rabbi is officially vacant because of the tragic Gaza War.
  5. Finally, at Tefillah, Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa led 4th -6th in our weekly morning Shacharit service.  Rabbi Prass began asking what are times the learners have been speechless and what helped them find what to say.  Then Rabbi Prass pointed out that this past week has left many Jews speechless. He then suggested that one answer to being speechless, is t’fillot, performing mitzvot, and studying Torah.  Rabbi Prass then asked the learners to lend their voices in t’fillah to help those who are at a loss for words.  The students showed they understood the moment and made it a beautiful t’fillah.
  6. L’Shalom Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

2/16: Today in class we worked on:

  1. It was cold and snowy outside, but inside the walls of the JCYS building, we enjoyed the warmth of coming together for Jewish learning in 4th grade.
  2. First, we learned about how many Israeli farmers observed the mitzvah of Shmitta every seven years, letting the land go fallow for an entire year.  We saw how Rav Kook, one of Israel’s first Chief Rabbis, felt that Shmitta was like a Shabbat for the entire land of the Jewish country.  Everyone felt there were good and not so good things about Shmitta.
  3. At Shira Morah Alexa led 4th & 5th grade in a Tu B’Shvat songster, as the Jewish New Year for trees was observed last Thursday!  (Avery Kidder quipped when we returned to class that the holiday should be known as “Tree B’Shvat”.
  4. Since Beth Am is actively involved in “getting out the vote” for the upcoming World Zionist Congress elections, when we returned to class, we saw how the WZC balloting is run and viewed most of the 21 slates that American Jews will have an opportunity to select from starting next month.  We saw a short video on the importance of this election and everyone enjoyed finding candidates, on the different slates, who had similar names to their own.  The talmidim thought it was interesting that Moreh David knew personally some of the candidates on different slates and that one of them, Lizzy Savetsky, had briefly appeared on a television series.
  5. Finally, 4th – 6th grade gathered for t’fillah led by Morah Alexa & Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass used our weekly morning shacharit service as an opportunity to go through different parts of the traditional Tu B’Shvat Seder. 
  6. Afterwards, we enjoyed Israeli Rugalach.
  7. Please note that next week, we will have a Kahoot on everything we have learned about Israel so far this semester, so the talmidim should come to class with some kind of electronic device.
  8. B’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

2/9: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had a very special morning in 4th grade, and it was nice that we enjoyed near perfect attendance this week.
  2. First, we enjoyed a school-wide Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa.  Rabbi Prass included the 5th Grade Faux Aufruf.  It was wonderful to see all the 5th grade parents present.
  3. Back in class, our super Madricha Adrienne Ewing talked to the class about the design of the Israeli flag and then we drew our own versions of a flag for Medinat Yisrael, many of which included designs featuring space crafts!
  4. Afterwards we saw a video, prepared by the American oleh in Israel Tamar Meisels, on the meaning of the upcoming holiday of Tu B’Shvat.  Then we learned about the role religion plays in the Jewish State.  I shared with the class different Siddurim from various Jewish movements from my personal collection.  Everyone enjoyed seeing the old Reform Union Prayer Book from the 1950’s, which Adrienne remembered was on the shelves in the OSRUI library.
  5. Finally, we enjoyed a K-4 Shira session with Morah Alexa, where we learned two new songs pertinent to Tu B’Shvat.
  6. L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/2: Today in class we worked on:

  1. I apologize for the delay in getting this to everyone.  Unfortunately, my laptop crashed, due to my foolishly spilling tea on the keyboard but I found a way, using my wife’s work desk top to prepare this.
  2. First, we enjoyed a School wide Tefillah with Rabbi Bellows. 
  3. Back in class, we broke into groups and had presentations on popular sports in Israel.  Everett Bond was especially happy to learn that hockey was very popular in the Jewish State.
  4. Next, we learned about popular Israeli foods such as Shashouka and Chocolate Babka Cake.  The talmidim had the chance to “order” foods produced from Israel from an Israeli Grocery Website, that delivers these goods to customers here in Chutz L’Eretz.  Since, we had extra time, given the irregular school schedule, we viewed a Rick Steves Travel Video of Israel.  Everyone enjoyed the scene where Rick was introduced to the foods we had just learned about in a popular Tel Aviv bistro.
  5. Finally, we enjoyed a K – 4 shortened Shira session with Morah Lexa!
  6. L’Shalom Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

1/26: Today in class we worked on:

  1. On this Australia Day, we had a wonderful morning in the 4th Grade class!
  2. First, we traveled back into time to experience what life was for the first Israelis in the 1950’s.  We broke into four groups, kibbutzniks, descendants of pioneers from the first aliyah, and immigrants from Iraq and Yemen.  We saw how food was rationed as was gasoline for cars and there were cultural obstacles for the new comers to overcome.  Everyone was sad to learn that you had to be on a waiting list to get a phone for your house and motorists were required to give up one day of driving. 
  3. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4th & 5th grades two new songs, including one based on the prayer “Ro-ma-mu” that is recited during the Torah service.
  4. When we returned to class we had a scavenger hunt to learn about Israeli cities.  We when we found out that the prayer “Lecha Dodi” was composed in the 1500’s in the city of Tzfat, Luke Kanter and Madricha Adrienne started singing this familiar selection from our Shabbat liturgy.  Also, Willow Schneider asked a very question as to how people in Israel, who lived away from bodies of water, could recite the Tachlish prayer on Rosh Hashanah!  We discovered that Israelis in those communities often use a bucket of water to facilitate this service!
  5. 4th – 6th grade gathered for Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass & Morah Alexa. Rabbi Prass talked about how Israel was fulfilling the important mitzvah of Pidyon Sheviim, redeeming captives, by helping to get all of the surviving hostages, home from Gaza.  It was very moving when the entire 4-6th grade recited the Beracha together giving thanks for the redemption of captive people!
  6. L’Shalom Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

1/12: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had an amazing morning today as we looked out our classroom morning at a picturesque snowy winter scene on what was once Illinois prairie!
  2. First, we welcomed our new student Sam Rizman and then it was time to start our unit for second semester: The Modern State of Israel.
  3. To get started, we looked at exhibits of ancient Canaan from the Israel Museum and saw a video on how Eliezer Ben-Yehuda transformed Hebrew into a modern language.  Everyone was surprised to learn that Professor Ben-Yehuda wouldn’t let his son Ben-Zion play with other children out of fear it would prevent him from becoming fluent in Hebrew!
  4. At Shira, Morah Alexa was very impressed with the enthusiasm of the 4th grade for liturgical music in our songster.
  5. Back in class we learned about different schools in Israel.  Most of the talmidim liked the Secular School Tract, although Madrich Adrienne was more deposed to the Religious Zionist school system.  Everyone was very discouraged by the fact that Israeli children in the Chinuk Atzmai schools only studied Torah subjects in their classrooms!
  6. Finally, 4th – 6th grades enjoyed Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa! Rabbi Prass challenged all of us to think about positive things we all have done despite the fact that so many terrible things are going on in the world today.  He shared a story from Pete Seeger about the teaspoons who worked to outweigh the brokenness in the world.
  7. L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

12/15: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today was Yom Chanukah! It was great to see so many of our learners in ‘Chanukah swag’
  2. We began in our assigned classrooms where each grade divided into teams and came up with their own team names based on chanukah themes.
  3. Then we gathered for an all school t’fillah led by Morah Alexa, Rabbi Bellows, and Rabbi Prass. We talked about Chanukah and how the prayers connected to our upcoming festival of Chanukah. Rabbi Bellows shared how Chanukah means dedication and that we need to give thought to rededicating ourselves to many of today’s challenges and not giving up on them.
  4. Then we divided up by grade and the teams we created for 4 stations of “13 Minute to Win It activities”.  We will share out some of their work in the days to come. The stations were:
    • Chanukah is about HEROES with Moreh David.  We looked at the Chanukah story and thought about the heroes in the Chanukah story, Israeli heroes, our own heroes, and ways that we can be heroes.
    • Chanukah is about LIGHTS with Morah Wilgus.  We talked about the Chanukah rituals, where we have lights in Chanukah, What we can do to create light.
    • Chanukah has Dreidels with Morah Rachel & Mr & Mrs. Popper. Our congregants brought in some of their 250 dreidel collection to share.
    • Chanukah Write-Pass-Write with Morah Kaufman. We retold the Chanukah story in creative contemporary formats.
  5. We then gathered back together for an all school shira led by Morah Alexa where we sang Chanukah songs.
  6. As we left Rabbi Bellows and Rabbi Prass handed out Chanukah Gelt and dreidels.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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12/8: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had a nice morning today.  Before class started Judah Schneider shared a World War II Era prayer book that was distributed for Jewish soldiers serving in the US Armed Forces!
  2. First, we talked about the tragedy in Australia, where a synagogue was set on fire this past week and the things we could do as a class to respond to this sad event.
  3. Next, we discussed the different approaches to Jewish life put forward by Rabbis Abraham Joshua Heschel and Yosef Baer Solevitchik.  Most of the class liked Rabbi Soleveitchik’s model where he taught that Jews could become heroic simply by connecting to Judaism.  Our wonderful madriacha Adrienne thought Rabbi Heschel’s teachings spoke more to her.
  4. At Shira, Morah Alexa started to teach 4th – 6th grade songs for the upcoming festive holiday of Chanukah!
  5. Back in class we broke into groups and then the talmidim shared important events that impacted American Jewry in the years after the Second World War.  One of the things we learned about was the controversial decision by the then West German government to pay Holocaust reparations to the fledgling State of Israel.  We also discussed such milestone events as the 1967 Six Day War, the 1979 Peace Treaty with Egypt, and the terrorist attacks of 9-11-01.
  6. Finally, 4th – 6th grade enjoyed Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa!  Rabbi Prass began to remind us about Chanukah thru the lens of our prayers.
  7. L’Shalom Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

11/24: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had an amazing morning this week as the 4th talmidim and their parents enjoyed Limud together.
  2. First, we shared textual learning from both the American historical and Jewish rabbinic traditions that emphasized the importance of being thankful in our lives.  We saw how the Ramchal, Rabbi Moshe Chayim Luzzato, believed that a thankful person was a successful human being.
  3. Next, the parents went and studed with Rabbi Bellows and the 4th – 6th graders enjoyed Shira with Morah Alexa.
  4. Back in class our talmidim interviewed their parents about different experiences they had seen in their lives including quite a few memories of that fateful Friday when O.J. Simpson was pursued by the police across LA freeways or of favorite pets.  Everyone was intrigued to find out that Moreh David’s earliest historical memory was of the tragic passing of President Kennedy, way back in 1963.
  5. Then, 4th – 6th students, and 4th grade parents gathered for t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa.  At Tefilla, Rabbi Prass connected our limmud theme of Jewish history to each of the prayers in that each of the prayers connect to a snapshot in Jewish history.  Rabbi Prass again talked about the Jewish concept of Hakatoret Ha-Tov or gratitude as we draw closer to the US Holiday of Thanksgiving, as well as challenging everyone to help out at their homes with what was needed to pull off a festive holiday celebration!
  6. All in all, it was a special day.  I’d like to add that I enjoyed meeting all of the parents, and in one case a grandparent, who made a special effort to be with us this Sunday. L’Shalom Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

11/17: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had an absolutely magical morning this week!
  2. First, we had talked about international borders last week, and how they relate to the American Jewish experience, I showed the talmidim photos from the old 1976 book “Between Friends”, which showed photos of the US-Canada border.  Everyone enjoyed these pictures, especially those showing where the border went through private homes.
  3. Next, we transported ourselves back in time, a century ago, and made Bat Mitzvah cards for Judith Kaplan Eisenstein, the first person to have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony in Jewish history.  After class these were left for Rabbi Prass.
  4. At Shira, 4th – 6th grade enthusiastically joined with Morah Alexa and sang out some favorite numbers from our songster.
  5. Back in class we learned about Jewish Americans like Fanny Brice, Sid Luckman, and J. Robert Oppenheimer who contributed to the Arts, Sports, and Sciences in our country.  The talmidim were especially interested in hearing about the statesman Bernard Baruch who was a friend to many US Presidents and almost lived to be 100 years old.
  6. Afterwards, we imagined we were in New York listening, in 1943, to a radio call in show where Rabbi Stephen Wise debated the noted Jewish businessman Irving Bunim on whether US President Roosevelt was doing enough to save European Jews from the German led Holocaust.  Students role played as callers from various locations in metro New York, such as Brooklyn, Staten Island, New Jersey, or Connecticut, and offered their thoughts on the matter.  The consensus went with Mr. Bunim that the US needed to do more to rescue Jews from certain death in concentration camps.
  7. 4th – 6th grade joined Rabbi Prass & Morah Alexa for t’fillah. Rabbi Prass talked about the Jewish concept of Hakatoret Ha-Tov or gratitude/recognizing the good as we draw closer to the US Holiday of Thanksgiving.  We also talked about our Jewish prayers in our t’fillah, and how they teach us to recognize the good by offering praise.
  8. All in all, it was a special day. L’Shalom, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/10: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had a terrific morning on this blustery day!
  2. First, since November is Jews of the Middle East Month, we saw a video on the contributions of these ancient Jewish communities that featured interviews with young Mizrachi Jews many of whom live here in the US and have contributed to the American Jewish experience.
  3. Next, we saw how new rabbinical training schools, such as the Hebrew Union College and Yeshiva University, were started.  Our talmidim were very excited to learn about the rare Jewish book collection at the Jewish Theological Seminary library.
  4. At Shira, we welcomed Morah Alexa back, who taught 4th – 6th grade new songs.
  5. Back in class we were introduced to Jewish heroes such as Rose Schneiderman and Louis Brandeis.  We also, learned about the tragedy surrounding Leo Frank.
  6. Afterwards, our amazing madricha Adreinne read us the story of the first Bat Mitzvah in Jewish History way back in 1922.  Everyone wanted to jump into time machine to actually attend this event and Arianna Slater quipped she would make sure we all dressed appropriately for the time. 
  7. Morah Alexa and Rabbi Prass led 4th – 6th grade in T’fillah.  Rabbi Prass talked about the attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam this past week, but stressed that since we have a Jewish country, Israel was able to successfully rescue everyone.  We compared the Israeli planes bringing the Israeli fans out of Amsterdam into safety in Israel like a modern day Mi Chamocha moment.
  8. All in all, it was a great day. L’Shalom Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/3: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had a fun morning today.
  2. First, we had a “surprise” visit by Rabbi Isaac Wise, who in an interview with Madricha Adrienne,  discussed with the class the main points of the Pittsburgh platform that guided Reform Judaism for many years. We saw how Beth Am helps live out these principles with its food bank and other worthy activities that help the community.
  3. Next, we saw a video on the lives Eastern European Jewish immigrants experienced on New York’s Lower East side.  The class thought working long hours in a garment factory would be better than having to attend school, a point Madricha Adrienne vigorously disagreed with.
  4. At Shira, 4th – 6th grade enjoyed spending time with Morah Ari who was with us again this week.
  5. Back in class we had fun with Google Translate, reading out our lines for a Yiddish Theatre production in that language.  The talmidim did a great job with the pronunciations.
  6. Afterwards, we enjoyed looking at recipes from the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv.  Everyone liked, the recipes for Chanukah treats such as fried cookies, a traditional Tunisian Jewish treat for the Festival of Lights.  Rhyder wanted to submit his grandmother’s brownie recipe to the Museum!
  7. We capped out our morning learning about Moshe Gadol and his Ladino newspaper “La America” that helped Sephardic immigrants adjust to their new life in the US.
  8. Morah Ari & Rabbi Prass led 4th – 6th grade in T’fillah. Rabbi Prass stressed the importance of finding holiness, as Jews, in Chesvan.  We had the opportunity to debate if the Talmudic rabbis were right, that this is MarCheshvan (the bitterness of Cheshvan) because there are no holidays in this month OR if Rabbi Prass’ t-shirt was right, some modern rabbis love Cheshvan because it is a slower pace than the previous month of Cheshvan.
  9. All in all, it was a great day. Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/27: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had an exciting morning today.
  2. First, we saw how many important antebellum Jewish leaders, like Isaac Mayer Wise and David Einhorn, had different opinions as to how to best to respond to the question of slavery in a Jewish manner.
  3. We saw how Jews fought on both sides of the Civil war and mourned the passing of President Lincoln in April, 1865.
  4. At Shira, 4th – 6th grade welcomed Morah Ari back and enjoyed learning new songs from her.
  5. Back in class, we had a Kahoot on everything we learned up until now and then started to work on composing lines for our Yiddish Theatre project.
  6. 4th – 6th grade gathered again for Tefilla led by Morah Ari and Rabbi Prass.  Rabbi Prass led a discussion where we talked about transitioning away from the structured “Holiday Time” of 4 holidays in Tishrei as we go into the month of Mar Cheshvan where we just live out lives, as Jews, in “Ordinary Time” with Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh. Students also shared what makes them uncomfortable: structured time or unstructured time.
  7. All in all, it was a great day.
  8. Gmar Chatima Tovah, Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/20: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today was a special day where all of K – 6th grade met at CBA instead of JCYS so we could spend time in the Sukkah.
  2. We began our session in the sanctuary.  We look around this room and talked about what makes a room “chol” Hebrew for secular, and what makes our sanctuary “kodesh”, Hebrew for holy.  The students shared answers like the Torah scrolls, Israeli flag, Jewish stars, and one 6th grader said the community. We then made Havdalah together, having some of our 6th graders hold the 3 symbols.
  3. From here the entire school broke into 4 stations/rotations focusing on Sukkot.  They were:
    • Sukkot Charades: Reviewing Sukkot topics by playing charades
    • Sukkot STEM: Learning about Sukkot through the lense of STEM questions
    • Sukkot Visits: We went out to the Sukkah with Rabbi Bellows, shook the Lulav/Etrog and talked about what middot (Character traits) we need to invite into the sukkah this year.
    • Paper chains with a 2023 twist:  We made paper chain decorations by writing the name of a hostage being held in Gaza on each piece of paper.
  4. The entire school gathered back in the sanctuary for Shira led by Morah Alexa.  There was a lot of Ruach (spirit!)
  5. Then Michael Greenwald, an associate 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.  The Reform movement runs the following speciality camps:  6 Points Creative Arts Camp, 6 Points Sci Tech Camp, 6 Points Sports Academy,
  6. Lihitaot (good-bye)! See you next week back at JCYS!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/6: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had a fun filled morning this week!
  2. First, we saw how the rise of Reform Judaism in Europe, impacted American Jewry.  Then we learned about important figures in antebellum American Jewry including Rebecca Graetz, Avraham Rice, and Isaac Mayer Wise.
  3. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4th – 6th graders new songs for the High Holiday season that will be sung at the Youth Services here at Beth Am, as well as a Debbie Friedman variation of Oseh Shalom Beemromov.
  4. Upon our return to class, we worked on articles for our class 19th century American Jewish newspaper.  Some of the topics included the kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara in Italy,  the lives of Rebecca Graetz and Isaac Leeser, and even the visitation of Jewish communities by space aliens.
  5. 4th – 6th grade gathered for Tefilla led by Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa.  We talked about what we can do when things are open, and what we can’t do when they are closed.  Rabbi Prass reminded us that on Rosh Hashanah, the Gates of Heaven are open and our prayers are extra heard thru Yom Kippur’s neilah service.  We continued to hear the call of the shofar. We also recalled the tragic events of October 7, 2023.
  6. Gmar Chatima Tovah,Moreh David

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/29: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had a very spirited class this week!
  2. Our morning started listening to a recording by the German folk music band Zupganganhansel on the sadness immigrants from that country felt when they left for a new life in America.  This helped lead into our discussion of how the failed revolutions of 1848 across Europe, particularly Germany, brought many Jews to American shores.
  3. We saw how many of these Jewish immigrants first worked as itinerant peddlers before settling down in towns, opening up their own stores, and creating synagogues in these new communities.  Additionally, we learned how the Sephardic Jewish explorer, South Carolina born Solomon Carvalho helped Colonel John C. Fremont map new US territories in the Rocky Mountain West.
  4. 4th – 6th Grade gathered for Shira. Morah Alexa taught us new songs for the High Holiday season that will be sung at services here at Beth Am.
  5. Upon our return to class, we saw how 19th century American Jews raised their voices when Jews overseas were threatened during the Damascus Affair in modern day Syria and the kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara in Bologna by Papal authorities.  Then our awesome Madriacha Adrienne Ewing led us in a great ice breaker where we learned everyone’s names and their favorite music.
  6. Rabbi Prass and Morah Alexa led 4th – 6th grade inTefilla. Rabbi Prass got us all in the spirit of the upcoming High Holiday season and the new year of 5785 by blowing the Shofar; additionally. we expressed our hopes for things to be better in 5785!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/22: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We had an awesome class this week with perfect attendance!
  2. First, we saw how Jewish leaders such as Gershom Seixas and Haym Salomon helped the patriot cause in the American Revolution and discussed whether the Jewish tradition of “Dina Malchut V’Dina” suggested that American Jews should have remained loyal to King George during the Revolutionary War.
  3. Then we saw a short video on how Jews like Jonas Philips lobbied to have equal rights and religious freedom entrenched in the US Constitution.
  4. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4th – 6th grade new songs for the High Holiday season.
  5. Back in class, we made floats to represent the Jewish community in New York City’s famous Constitution Ratification Parade of 1789!  We had floats featuring Menorahs, Jewish Stars, and Pirates!  Finally, we closed with a play on how tzedaka was important to Jews in the Early American Republic.  Wealthy Jews, like Judah Touro, even helped their brethren in Jerusalem.
  6. At Tefilla, 4th – 6th grade joined together with Morah Alexa and Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass got us all in the spirit of Chodesh Elul by blowing the Shofar. 
  7. All in all, it was a great morning for the 4th Grade!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/15: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today in class we focused on Jewish Life in Colonial America:
  2. To get the conversation started, we watched the first few minutes of the following video:Jews in the Thirteen Colonies (1654-1789) (youtube.com) (about the 23 first Jews in America).  We also got to know two very important people: Peter Stuyvesant and Asher Levy
  3. We also read and discussed a short play about The Story of the Shadarim.  They were special Jewish messengers who came from the land of Israel to the American colonies in the 1700’s.
  4. As a class, we did a scavenger hunt to get to know our physical Sunday learning spaces, our wonderful Sunday staff, and how their work makes us feel.  We will be sharing the answers out next week once all the classes have completed it.
  5. 4th – 6th grade joined together in Shira led by Morah Alexa
  6. Gan – 6th grade joined in our first Sunday t’fillah of the school year led by Morah Alexa and Rabbi Prass.  We talked about where we “find inspiration for our own words” and how silence helps us find other inspiration.  Rabbi Prass shared two rabbinic stories, and a Ringo Starr story about this.  

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/8: Today in class we worked on:

  1. It was nice to welcome a great 4th grade class
  2. We began the day with an amazing all-school opening assembly outside.  We enjoyed an Opening Ceremony, with all the grades together, Morim & Madrichim, Rabbi Bellows, and Rabbi Prass. We reenacted Mt Sinai by each kitah (class) sitting in the large circle to pretend we were encircling Mt Sinai.  Then we chose 2 people from each class to go closer to the middle of Mt Sinai to do some running for a scavenger hunt.  Morah Alexa led us as we sang blessings and we ended with a streamer/confetti burst to kick off our Torah learning party of a year!  It was great to have so many parents join us.  Pictures of the kickoff can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=BethAmBuffaloGrove&set=a.906074391552343
  3. After the assembly, we found out about what we would learn this year.
  4. Then we saw how the expulsion of Jews from Spain, helped bring about a new future for Jews in America.  One of the issues we explored was whether it was really possible to practice Judaism in secret if you opted to remain in Spain and convert to Christianity.
  5. We talked about what was life for Jews in different countries, right before the first Jews arrived in America.  The talmidim saw that it varied and that Jews were generally happy just to be able to be free enough to practice their religion and support their families. 
  6. Finally, we discussed how hard life would have to have been for the first Jewish settlers in what became the United States in the 1600’s as there was no modern conveniences or real medicine.
  7. And 4th – 6th grade enjoyed Shira with Mora Alexa.
  8. On the way out, each of us were offered a popsicle both to hold onto summer weather, and to begin our Torah learning with some sweetness.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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