Education – Bet Tuesday (Rogin)

4/16: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Before class started, we joined together for an all-school Tefillah, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass. He led a discussion about who encourages us to try something new, what those new things are, and why it is important to try new things.  The students had lovely answers.  He spoke about why it is important to try new things like Passover food and religious experiences.
  2. In class, we reviewed our sefer vocabulary.
  3. We also rehearsed for our all-school Passover program, which went well, and was fun! Rabbi Prass will be emailing you a video of what our class did.  I hope you have a chance to view the video.
  4. Have a wonderful and meaningful Passover.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

Reminders:

  • Sunday, April 21: We have Religious School
  • Tuesday, April 23: NO Tuesday Hebrew School – 1st Day Pesach
  • You can always access the school calendars by clicking here.
  • You can always access the entire CBA calendar by clicking here  

4/9: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We began in an all-school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass.  Rabbi Prass led a discussion about What were your reactions to the eclipse? How can we recreate the unique factor in the eclipse?  Why do we need to recreate these unique moments?  The learners had some wonderful answers.  We then pointed out that our Jewish calendar and stopping for moments of t’fillah help mark unique moments.
  2. In class, the students took an Alef-Bet test. I’m pleased to announce that everyone got 43/43!
  3. Next, we moved on to working on our seder plate presentation for April 16, when the school will be doing a little program/mock seder about Passover.
  4. The students finished the day singing the Four Questions with Rabbi Prass, and Hebrew through movement. If your student is going to be singing the Four Questions at your seder, encourage them to do it b’Ivrit (in Hebrew).

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

4/2: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today, we began with an all-school t’fillah in the sanctuary led by Rabbi Prass.  He pointed out that most families have that someone that repeats stories over and over.  He then led us in a discussion about Why is THAT family story, being told over and over, a good thing?  And why is that family story, something that strengthens you?  The learners had lovely responses including that the main reason we need to appreciate these stories is because they usually contain a lesson that we need to internalize.We then saw how the last section of the kedusha prayer spoke about telling of God’s greatness.
  2. In class we learned the new vocabulary for chapter 12, which begins our Passover chapters. We began reading the story. I heard some excellent reading!
  3. On April 16, the school will be doing a little program about Passover. Kitah Bet will be presenting the symbols of the seder plate. If you have a seder plate at home, show it to your student.
  4. The entire school finished the day with Rabbi Prass, and Hebrew through movement.  We added some new words connected to our next holiday of Pesach.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

3/19: Today in class we worked on:

  1. We began the day with an all-school T’Fillah led by Rabbi Prass.  We talked about why we need “collective wins” and how we feel with ‘personal wins’.  Then we talked about the story of Purim is both a collective win for the Jewish people and a personal win for Mordechai and Esther.
  2. In class we reviewed the vocabulary for chapter 11, which we finished today. I am so happy with the Ivrit retention! Way to go!
  3. We also did a review of each student’s Ivrit from the Megillah, and they read without any nikkud.
  4. The students finished the day with Rabbi Prass, who lead all of the students the reading their words from the Megillah. They did a great job!
  5. You can watch them on the CBA YouTube channel by clicking here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5pbz5AFZEY ).

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Have a safe and relaxing spring break. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

Reminders:

  • March 24- March 31: CBA Religious School & Hebrew School Spring Break
  • April 2: Tuesday Hebrew School Resumes
  • You can always access the school calendars by clicking here.
  • You can always access the entire CBA calendar by clicking here.

3/12: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today, we began with an all-school t’fillah in the sanctuary with Rabbi Prass.  Rabbi Prass led a short discussion about “In what ways does silence makes you feel good/positive?” and “In what was does silence make you feel challenged?”  Then we talked about how each t’fillah has a silent moment for private prayer.
  2. In class we reviewed the Purim chapter vocabulary. We read a story about students choosing parts for a Purim play. I am very pleased with the Ivrit retention! Way to go! Ask your student what the word for horse is, in Ivrit. (Psst. It’s סוס   Sus)
  3. The entire school finished the day with Rabbi Prass, who lead all of the students through “dress” rehearsal of reading their words from the actual Megillah.  Next week we will record their reading and share it out.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

3/5: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today, we began with an all-school t’fillah in the sanctuary led by Rabbi Prass.  He asked the students “how can you make someone feel special?” and “Why should you make someone feel special?”  The students had lovely answers.  Then we connected this to the kedusha prayer, how we can remind God, how God is special, and God needs us.
  2. In class we reviewed the Purim chapter vocabulary.
  3. On Tuesday, March 19, the school will be reading words from the actual Megillah scroll. Your bet students were assigned two words, each, to read. Have them practice these words each day, and they will be ready to read. They got to practice reading their words from the Megillah.
  4. The students finished the day with Rabbi Prass. Rabbi showed the students a slideshow of artwork that has been done in Israel since 10/7/23. There was some very nice insight by the students.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please have your student practice reading the story of pages 88 and 89. Remind them to sound out each syllable, if they get stuck on a word.
  2. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  3. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

2/27: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today, we began with an all-school t’fillah in the sanctuary with Rabbi Prass.   He led a discussion on things that ‘lift us up.’  Then we looked at the line in the kedusha prayer “kadosh, kadosh, kadosh” which has us act like the angels, lifting us higher, closer to God’s throne.
  2. In class, we began chapter 11 in our sefer. This is about Purim. The students learned new vocabulary. I was impressed how well they read the new words!
  3. The students got to see the Megillah up close.
  4. The students finished the day with Rabbi Prass, and Hebrew through movement, adding on new words.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please have your student practice reading the story on pages 88 and 89. Remind them to sound out each syllable, if they get stuck on a word.
  2. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  3. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

2/20: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Before class started, we attended Tefillah, led by Rabbi Prass. He led a discussion about the reality that we all have felt ‘low’ at least point in our lives.  Then we shared someone who has helped lift us up.  Then Rabbi Prass pointed out that in our prayer Gevurot, it praises God for being the source/inspiration for lifting up “those who sleep in the dust.” The students contributed some interesting answers including how valuable their pets are as a foil to talk to.
  2. In class, we began by reviewing the colors. We then played a short vocabulary game. The students were given cards with Hebrew words on them. The students had to read the word, and put the card under, on, or next to the object on the card. For instance, one word was דלת   delet (door). We finished up chapter 10. I am so pleased with the student’s progress and enthusiasm!
  3. The students finished the day with Rabbi Prass in Hebrew thru Movement.  As part of this, he showed the students all of his טלית (tallit) and students got to show how they are worn.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

2/13: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Before class started, we attended an all-school Tefillah, led by Rabbi Prass. He talked asked all of us to share a strength we all admire/aspire to and why.  The students contributed some interesting answers.  Then we talked about how the prayer Gevurot talks about God’s strength of helping others.
  2. In class, we began chapter 10 in our sefer. The students learned some new vocabulary. We started to read a story that focused on the color words. It’s great to hear how well they are doing by sounding out the new words. They are making great progress.
  3.  We finished class with a short game of hangman.
  4. The students finished the day with Rabbi Prass and Madrich Charlie, leading Hebrew through movement and adding even more words.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

2/6: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Before class started, we attended Tefillah, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass. He talked about who/what makes us feel protected, why that is such a special feeling, and how we feel when we don’t feel protected.  Then we looked at the last line of the Avot v’imahot which Blesses God for the being the “Shield of Abraham and Help of Sarah”
  2. In class, we learned about Hebrew’s use of the wordsיש  (yesh / Have) and אין  (Ain / Have Not), along with the possessives לי לך לך ( (li) I have, (lechah m.s.) you have (lech f.s.) you have. We finished chapter 9, and the check points. The students are doing very well!
  3. We finished class with a short game of Hebrew hangman.
  4. The students finished the day with Rabbi Prass and Madrich Charlie, leading Hebrew through movement. Today, the students learned the numbers 1-5.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

1/30: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Before we went to our classroom, we attended an all-school Tefillah, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass. We discussed what it means to know someone who has a WOW Factor, and how God is the ultimate example of one having a Wow Factor in our prayer, Avot V’imahot
  2. In class, we learned about Hebrew’s use of roots for building words. The root we focused on was KaDaSH, holy. The students learned about the Kiddush (holy), the Kedushah (holiness), and the Kaddish (holy). Each t’fillah contains words that are built from the root קדש  Ask your student which language makes up the majority of the Kaddish.
  3. We finished class with a short game of hangman.
  4. The students finished the day with Rabbi Prass and all school Hebrew through movement. Today, the students learned some colors and placement words.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

1/23: Today in class we worked on:

  1. At the beginning of the session, we attended an all-school Tefillah, led by Rabbi Prass. He led a discussion about who has our back and what it feels like to have someone’s back.  This led us to see how the opening lines of the avot v’imahot talk about God having our back due to the individual relationship God has with our ancestors and us. It was a very interesting conversation.
  2. In class, we continued working on chapter nine. We read a story about one of the sefer’s characters having a birthday party. Ask your student who had the birthday, and where did he have it. (It was Achbar the mouse, and he had it on a mountain (al ha har).
  3. There was a lot of excellent reading b’Ivrit.
  4. We finished class with a game of hangman.
  5. All the classes joined together for our weekly round of Hebrew Through Motion, led by Charlie, where we continue to add on Hebrew words for trees in preparation for Tu Bishvat. 
  6. Tomorrow evening begins Tu b’shvat. Ask your student if they remember which trees were in the sanctuary.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

1/16: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Our day began with an all-school Tefillah, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass. We talked about times “When I a time you have not been able/allowed to speak? And “What bothered you about that?  How did that feel?”  That was our segue into the first prayer, ‘adonai sifatai” God open up my lips.
  2. In class, we learned the new vocabulary for chapter nine. This chapter starts out with a story about the upcoming holiday of Tu b’shevat. Great reading in Ivrit today! Which trees are blooming? (Shkadiah)
  3. We finished the day with all school Hebrew thru Movement, led by Rabbi Prass, where we added on Hebrew words for trees in preparation for Tu Bishvat. 

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Practice reading the story of pages 74 and 75. The more practice you do, the easier reading b’Ivrit becomes.
  2. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  3. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

12/19: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Our day began with Tefillah, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass.  We talked about the success of the Israel Art Fair CBA co-sponsored and how we helped them. We also talked about ways we can bring light during these days of less sunlight.
  2. We did our weekly check in where each student told me one interesting thing they did during the week.
  3. We reviewed the vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 5.
  4. We continued working on chapter 5 reading a lot of Ivrit.
  5. We played Hebrew Hangman.
  6. To celebrate a fantastic semester, we ended this afternoon with a pizza party!
  7. Have a safe and fun winter break!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Review reading Chapter 5.

Reminders:

  • December 24th: CBA Religious School & Hebrew School Winter Break Begins
  • January 14th: Religious School Resumes
  • January 16th: Tuesday Hebrew School Resumes
  • You can always access the school calendars by clicking here.
  • You can always access the entire CBA calendar by clicking here.

12/12: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Our day began with an all-school Tefillah, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass. We also lit the Chanukah candles and discussed miracles that happen in our lives.
  2. In class, we did a review of the vocabulary for chapter seven.
  3. We finished working on chapter 7, which focuses on Hanukkah. I heard some excellent reading b’Ivrit today.
  4. The day ended with Hebrew through Movement with Madrich Charlie and Rabbi Prass.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.
  3. Review Chapter 7.

12/5: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Our day began with an all-school Tefillah in the sanctuary, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass. Talia S. and Ella U. helped lead. We also talked about two things going on Israel: The first was the good news of how many hostages have been released, AND the work of how many hostages still need to be released.  Secondly, we also watched a video about, sufganiyot, the special Chanukah jelly doughnuts. That was a delicious experience!
  2. In class, we did a review of the nikkud in preparation of the next Alef-Bet quiz.
  3. The students took the Alef-Bet quiz.
  4. We continued working on chapter 7, which focuses on Hanukkah. I heard some very good reading b’Ivrit today.
  5. The last fifteen minutes of class were spent playing “Hebrew Through Movement.” Led by Rabbi Prass and Charlie. Several of our students were able to lead the group in this activity today.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please review the vocabulary for chapter 7, and the b’racot (blessings) for lighting the Hanukkah candles. This is on the blue sheet.
  2. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  3. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

11/28: Today in class we worked on:

  1. our day began with an all-school Tefillah, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass.  We discussed the recent ‘better’ news coming out of Israel regarding the hostages being released.
  2. In class, we did a review of the new vocabulary for chapter 7, which is about the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah.
  3. The students read through the b’racot for Hanukkah. We began chapter 7 in our sefer.
  4. I heard some very good reading!
  5. The last fifteen minutes of class were spent talking to the parents who visited the synagogue today for Hebrew school open house. While I was with the parents, the students were in the sanctuary doing Hebrew Through Movement led by our Madrich Charlie.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please review the vocabulary for chapter 7, and the b’racot (blessings) for lighting the Hanukkah candles. This is on the blue sheet.
  2. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  3. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

11/14: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Our day began with an all-school Tefillah, led by Rabbi Bellows. We studied the meaning of one of our prayers that dealt with “freeing the captive.” Rabbi then explained how old this prayer is and yet, how meaningful it is in our world today.
  2. In class, we did a review of the vocabulary for chapters 1-3, in preparation for the checkpoints for chapters 1-3.
  3. We resumed class by learning about the Hebrew letter doubling and finished with the chapters 1-3 checkpoints.
  4. The students are making very good progress.
  5. The last fifteen minutes of our day was spent with Charlie working on “Hebrew Through Movement” with the entire school.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. I sent home a worksheet for the students to practice writing the Alef-Bet. Please have them bring it back to class next week.
  2. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  3. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

11/7: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Our day began with an all school Tefillah, a brief service, led by Rabbi Prass. As part of the t’fillah, we read the English translation of a new song written about Israel’s current situation and watched a video showing how Israelis from all walks of life are helping the soldiers and others who are in need.  Ask your student about the song.
  2. In class, we did a review of the vocabulary for chapters 1-3, in preparation for the checkpoints for chapters 1-3.
  4. We resumed class by learning about the Hebrew letter doubling and finished with the chapters 1-3 checkpoints.
  5. The students are making very good progress.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. I sent home a worksheet for the students to practice writing the Alef-Bet. Please have them bring it back to class next week.
  2. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  3. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

10/24: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Today, we began with t’fillah in the sanctuary with Rabbi Prass. The students got to see where some of their cards went to in Israel. Ask them to tell you about what they saw.
  2. In class, we did a review of the vocabulary for chapters 1-3. We had their first lesson about prefixes and conjunctions. It gets easier as they read more and more.
  3. We had Hebrew through movement with kitah aleph, led by Madrich Charlie.
  4. We resumed class by finishing chapter 3. The next time we meet they will have their first check points in the sefer. They are making really good progress.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

10/17: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Our day began with Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. As part of t’fillah, we discussed the situation in Israel, and the students expressed some interesting opinions and asked several excellent questions.
  2. In class, we did a review of the Alef-Bet, and the vocabulary for chapters 1-3.
  3. Our class was able to enjoy going outside with Kitah aleph class and Rabbi Prass and Charlie for Hebrew thru Movement.
  4. The class had their fall Alef-Bet assessment quiz. The students did very well!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

10/11: Today in class we worked on:

  1. Our day started with our weekly T’fillah which including Rabbi Prass leading a discussion on the the events in Israel. Our students contributed some very sophisticated ideas stressing the need for peace between all people. At the end of the t’fillah we sang hatikvah.  We also made a video which is posted (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf0PWJ40z1E or https://fb.watch/nCEXzIHHxD/ ) so that Israelis know they are not alone.  In the video each learner was able to say, “My prayer for Israel is……….”
  2. As part of our Hebrew thru movement time with kitah bet and Rabbi Prass, we tasted an Etrog. Here is the video of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BufkJueH-M   And we of course reviewed our Hebrew thru Movement vocabulary.
  3. Kita Aleph was very fun to work with. Both Abigail and Leah showed excellence in their knowledge of the Hebrew Alphabet, we went through the letter flashcards several times to keep it refreshed before Hebrew Through Movement. After HTM, we worked on and read several pages in the book (pages 10-15 and 18 and 22). Both were very excited to play Hebrew Hangman at the end, Abigail chose a word that neither me or Leah were able to get. Overall a productive day.
  4. Lihitraot (good-bye)!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please review the pages we covered in class today

10/3: Today in class we worked on:

  1. .  Our day began with an all-school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. We discussed times we personally have celebrated in the last week, and how we Jews have so many celebrations this month.
  2. Our class was able to enjoy going outside with Rabbi Prass, along with Kitah gimmel and daled, for Hebrew thru Movement and shaking and performing the mitzvah of Lulav in the sukkah. We combined the Hebrew thru movement vocabulary using the Sukkah.
  3. We went thru the Hebrew alphabet flashcards
  4. After that, we went thru some of the word flashcards to review the vocabulary
  5. We went thru pages 10-13 in the textbook.
  6. Overall the students were very good at participating and knew their alphabet well. I loved working with them, so fun.
  7. Lihitraot (good-bye)!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Please review the pages we covered in class today

9/26: Today in class we worked on

  1. Today we began with a community-wide Tefilla. Rabbi Prass led t’fillah and a discussion about what was one Jewish thing we did between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
  2. Today, we did a review of the Alef-Bet, and the vocabulary for chapter 1, and learned the vocabulary for chapter 2.
  3. We had Hebrew through movement with Madrich Charlie.
  4. We finished chapter 1 in our sefer and began chapter 2.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

9/19 Today in class we worked on:

  1. It was a wonderful first day of Ivrit (Hebrew)! We got to know a little bit about each other.
  2. We did a review of the Alef-Bet, had our first session of Hebrew through movement with Rabbi Prass. It was great to see how the students remembered the verbs from last year.
  3. We started our sefer (book) in chapter 1. The more your student reads, the more comfortable they will be with Ivrit. It just takes practice.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Always remember to send your student with their yellow Hebrew folder, and with a pencil.
  2. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.