Education – 5th Grade (Woolridge)

5/18: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We talked about Shavout.
  2. We complete the what we learned portion of a worksheet from the beginning of the year.
  3. We finished up with a review game.
  4. K-5 then enjoyed Shira with Morah Alexa.  There was a lot of ruach (spirit) in the room!
  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. 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.

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. We finished our death and dying unit.
  3. We began talking about the spring holidays that are coming up and have passed such as Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazakaron, Yom Haatmaut, and then Lag Ba’omer (which is happening this week).
  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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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5/4: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We went to Chicago Jewish Funeral Homes, for our 5th Grade Boker B’yachad (Family Ed Program) It was great to be with so many parents.
  2. While there, students and their families learned about everything that happens during a Jewish funeral and why we have the traditions that we have including:
    • Why it is important to discuss funerals and the rituals that we as Jews follow
    • Different Jewish traditions that surround death, such as the washing of the body
    • What happens during a funeral and why it happens
    • As well as why we have a shiva, and why some may be more festive then others
    • We talked about how everything that goes into a funeral home is about respect for the dead

4/27: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We finished up our posters for the Yom Ha’atzmaut competition.  (https://education-en.nli.org.il/curate-create ) which offers real cash prizes.It was great to see their enthusiasm and creativity.
  2. We also began our death and dying unit.
  3. We shared what we already knew about Jewish Death practices and then talked about what happens immediately after a person dies as well as the actual funeral itself.
  4. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4th – 5th grade songs for Yom Ha-Zikaron and Yom Hatzmaut, which will be observed this coming week. 
  5. 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. 

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. May 4th is the funeral home visit. Please make sure you sign up

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:

N/A

4/6: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We started talking about Passover.
  2. We discussed what passover is, the symbols, and practiced the four questions.
  3. 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.
  4. Then it was off to Shira, where Morah Alexa led 4th – 5th grade in many songs for the upcoming holiday of Passover. 
  5. 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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Don’t forget to sign up for our next Boker B’yachad on May 4th.

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. First, we enjoyed an all school Tefillah, led by our guest Jay Rapaport. 
  2. 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)
  3. We continued to talk about Purim. We discussed why the holiday is a joyful holiday. We discussed why we eat Hamantashen and then shared our favorite flavor.
  4. We also did creative Purim plays.
  5. We finished our morning, with an all-school Purim Shirah led by Rabbi Prass.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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We strongly believe in the power of Jewish overnight camp and want to help you find the right camp for your child.

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!

Whether they have a passion for sports, science and technology, arts, or want to experience a little bit of everything – there’s a camp for them! Here is a short description of the camps:

At 6 Points Sports Academy, Jewish athletes participate in a unique camping experience that combines professional sports coaching and the beloved traditions of Reform Jewish camping. Within our kind and nurturing community, campers form lifelong friendships, feed their passion for their chosen sport, and strengthen their identity as Jewish athletes. Contact Jackie here!

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 finished our bar and bat mitzvah unit.
  2. We talked about why we do a mitzvah project and discussed ideas that we wanted to do for our mitzvah project.
  3. We also began talking about Purim.
  4. We reviewed the Purim story and made Purim cards for our college students.
  5. 4th-5th grade had a special Shira, where Rabbi Prass led us in songs for Purim.  AND, our own and very talented 4th grader Luke Kanter helped out, accompanying Rabbi Prass on his guitar in the song Or Zarua. 
  6. 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!

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/23: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We circled backed to our life cycle unit and began to talk about bar and bat mitzvah.
  2. We discussed it what it means for us to become a bar and bat mitzvah in the Jewish Community.
  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. 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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/16: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We celebrated Tu Bishvat.
  2. We discussed why we celebrate Tu Bishvat. The different ways to celebrate the holiday even though it is winter in Chicago.
  3. We also made Tu Bishvat cards.
  4. 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”.
  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. 

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

2/9: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We finished up our Wedding unit with the faux wedding!
  2. It was great to have 100% attendance including all parents present!
  3. Parents and 5th graders, gathered in the class to share parents name, their 5th graders name, and share a wedding ceremony advice from their own wedding.
  4. Then, 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.
  5. After this, parents went with Rabbi Prass for an adult ed session on “Why we have Jewish rituals”. Students stayed with Morah Rachel and finished preparations.
  6. Then the 5th graders taught us about the Jewish Wedding ritual.  They did great.
  7. We wrapped up our celebration with a “Wedding reception” catered by our parents. 

Homework to be completed by next class:

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2/2: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We joined the entire school for t’fillah led by Rabbi Bellows and Morah Alexa.
  2. We continued our Wedding unit. We talked about what the symbols mean to us.
  3. We continued to practice for our Wedding next week!
  4. K – 5th grade joined together for Shira led by Morah Alexa.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

1/26: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We continued our Wedding unit.
  2. We talked about the different symbols and their significance.
  3. We began rehearsing for our Faux Wedding happening on February 9
  4. 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!
  5. 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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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1/12: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We began tallking about our Jewish Wedding unit.
  2. We selected our parts for our faux wedding!
  3. We talked about the different traditions and symbols that make up a Jewish Wedding as well.
  4. 4th & 5th grade joined together for shira led by Morah Alexa.
  5. 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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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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 began talking about Hanukkah. We discussed the story of Hanukkah. We discussed how the Macabees must have felt by making connections to our own lives.
  2. At Shira, Morah Alexa started to teach 4th – 6th grade songs for the upcoming festive holiday of Chanukah!
  3. 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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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11/24: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We wrapped up our Shabbat and Havdalah unit.
  2. We continued to discuss how to make Shabbat special in our home.
  3. We talked about how to tell when Havdalah ends.
  4. The 4th – 6th graders enjoyed Shira with Morah Alexa.
  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 saying Todah 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!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and be thankful!

11/17: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We began our shabbat and Havdalah unit. We talked specifically about shabbat this week. We discussed our families traditioins, ways to make shabbat special.
  2. We also practice braiding challah with playdough.
  3. At Shira, 4th – 6th grade enthusiastically joined with Morah Alexa and sang out some favorite numbers from our songster.
  4. 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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

11/10: Today in class we worked on:

  1. As part of culminating our current life cycle unit, we had our 5th grade baby naming. We named our babies as well.
  2. Each child brought in their homework, and they shared the story of their personal name.  We talked about our names, who we are named after, why our parents chose that name.
  3. At Shira, we welcomed Morah Alexa back, who taught 4th – 6th grade new songs.
  4. 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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

11/3: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We continued to talk about the importance of name. We shared who we are named after and what we know about that person
  2. We talked about the differences between a boys baby name and a girl
  3. We talked about ways that we can honor our name
  4. At Shira, 4th – 6th grade enjoyed spending time with Morah Ari who was with us again this week.
  5. 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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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10/27: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We finished up our talking about the High Holidays by discussing Simchat Torah
  2. We began talking about the Jewish Life Cycle, we talked about why we have both a Hebrew name and an English Name and the difference between boys and girls baby naming
  3. At Shira, 4th – 6th grade welcomed Morah Ari back and enjoyed learning new songs from her.
  4. 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.

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:

N/A

10/6: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We talked about Yom Kippur
  2. We discussed why we celebrate Yom Kippur, the different traditions
  3. We also discussed different things that we did that we are not proud of this past year and ways to be better this year.
  4. 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.
  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.

Homework to be completed by next class:

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9/29: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We wrapped up talking about Rosh Hashana by discussing why we use a ram’s horn as a shofar
  2. We discussed positive mitzvot that we accomplished this year as well as goals that we want to accomplish next year
  3. We began talking about Yom Kippur
  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. 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 continued to talk about Rosh Hashanah and how we can make the holiday meaningful as 5th graders
  2. We made Rosh Hashanah cards for our families
  3. At Shira, Morah Alexa taught 4th – 6th grade new songs for the High Holiday season.
  4. 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. 

Homework to be completed by next class:

N/A

9/15: Today in class we worked on:

  1. 5th grade made cards for the temple’s college students boxes.  They will be sent out for Rosh Hashanah.  
  2. Began discussing Rosh Hasana and why it is important to me
  3. 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.
  4. 4th – 6th grade joined together in Shira led by Morah Alexa
  5. 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:

N/A

9/8: Today in class we worked on:

  1. 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
  2. Did a getting to know you activity.
  3. Completed part a Know, Wonder, learn worksheet on what we are learning this year.
  4. Read a story to introduce talking about why we celebrate the holidays. As well as talking about the Jewish Life cycle.
  5. Played rock paper scissor- Jewish tournament (students had to answer questions about the holidays to move onto the next round).
  6. 4th – 6th grade joined in Shira led by Morah Alexa
  7. 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:

N/A