Gimel – Third Year – Tuesday (Kerman)

2/17: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. All of Hebrew School joined for T’Fillah led by Rabbi Prass in the Sanctuary.  He reminded us that we are beginning the Hebrew month of Adar, which has the festival of Purim.  The rabbis of old commanded us to be happy because we are in Adar.  Rabbi Prass asked us what do we do to be happy.   The learners had some great answers.
  3. When we returned to class, we took our alef-bet assessment. I then scored the tests and shared the results with each student. Those students who were absent today will take the test next Tuesday.  
  4. Next, we reviewed the homework and read all of the texts we have been studying.
  5. We then looked at the homework for next week
  6. We practiced the words our students will read during our Purim megillah reading in 2 weeks.  Our alef students will read 1 word, bet 2 words, gimmel 3 words, daled & hey 4 words. They need to be able to read these words without vowels.  Students who were present today have received their assigned portion.
  7. We ended our day with Rabbi Prass discussing Purim and using Hebrew Thru Motion to enhance his presentation.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. Homework
    • Study the Hebrew Alphabet, pg. 60.
    • The Hebrew in the center of the page, pg. 61…
    • Matching, pg. 62 &63 all fill-in answers, and
    • pg. 65 lines 2 – 6…
  3. L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

2/10: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass.  He asked us for examples of strength or power Sunday night, whether we watched the Super Bowl or not. He pointed out how our Gevurot prayer talks about strength.  
  3. When we returned to class, I informed the class that we will be having a test on the Hebrew Alphabet soon.  These tests are so important because as the students gain skills in recognizing the alphabet, their ability to decode Hebrew will increase proportionally.
  4. We reviewed the homework from last week, and worked with our flashcards as well.
  5. We then played a quick game of “Jewish Trivia”
  6. The day ended with the entire school gathering for Hebrew thru movement led by Rabbi Prass.  He began with the word of the week Persomet (Commercials), and asked the students about what they found interesting about the Super Bowl Persomet.  The discussion was fun to listen to.  Then we did a little Hebrew thru movement. We discussed Purim and how at our all-school celebration each student will read Hebrew from the Megillah. They need to be able to read these words without vowels.  Students who were present today have received their assigned portion.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:
    • Studying for the Alphabet test on the 24th.
    • Practicing their Purim words (if they have them)
    • pg, 59 1-4, pg. 54 1-3…
  3. L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

2/3: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with Tefillah lead by Rabbi Bellows.  
  3. When we returned to class, we worked with our flashcards. Please continue to review the Hebrew alphabet with your child as there will be additional tests in the near future,
  4. We then reviewed our homework (each student read each assignment).
  5. Then the homework for our next class was assigned and explained.
  6. We then played a quick game of “Jewish Trivia”.
  7. The day ended with our Hebrew thru Movement time. Rabbi Bellows leading an all school fun trivia game about Israel. Afterwards, Morah Tracy led the students in a rousing game of Shimon Omer (Simon Says).

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:
    • pg.50 line 3- 4 & 10,
    • pg, 54 1-2-3, pg. 59. Lines 1-3 and a review assignment
    • pg. 34 lines 1-2-& 3.
  3. L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

1/27: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. We had an all school t’fillah led by Rabbi Prass.  He asked us what does it show when we bow.  The learners had some interesting answers.  He then pointed out how in the Aleinu, we bow showing many of the things they said earlier. 
  3.  When we returned to class, we worked with our flashcards as well as a set of Hebrew Alphabet cards. We have placed a great deal of emphasis on the “final letters” as they take time to master.
  4. We then reviewed the homework which we do every session in order to monitor each student’s progress.
  5. We then discussed the new homework and I answered some questions concerning these assignments.  We continue to move forward in our textbook.
  6. Next, we played a quick game of “Jewish Trivia”
  7. We finished our session with an all school assembly.  Instead of our normal Hebrew thru Movement, Rabbi Prass explained to the students the great significance of what happened over the weekend in Israel, when soldiers from the IDF returned the last deceased hostage being held in Gaza by Hamas, Ran Givili z’l.  For the first time in 12 years, there are no Israeli hostages being held in Gaza. The students had the opportunity to ask questions which were both interesting, and showed they grasped the bittersweet importance of this moment.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:
    • Pg. 50 line 5, 6 & 10,
    • pg. 57 the matching and studying the prayers which accompany the exercise, and
    • pg. 59. Lines 1 & 2.
  3. L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

1/20: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. All students met in the sanctuary with Rabbi Prass for t’fillah.  Rabbi Prass asked the group, “What are things that we have to do?” He then pointed out that the new (new to Hebrew school t’fillah) prayer Aleinu, says that we need to praise and focus on good things like praising or complimenting. Please, ask your student if they remember which the new prayer was.
  3. When we returned to class, we worked with our  flashcards as well as a set of Hebrew Alphabet cards. Our students need extra practice on recognizing and naming each Hebrew letter.
  4. Next, we reviewed our homework and wrote down the work to be studied over the week.
  5. We played a short game of Jewish Trivia based upon reviewing several Jewish holidays and the prayers we are studying.
  6. The day ended with all school Hebrew Through Movement led by Rabbi Prass. We reviewed all the words we have worked on this year, especially the Tu B’Shevat themed Hebrew Through Movement words. The students had a lot of fun.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet (especially the “Final Letters.”)
    • New Assignments:
      • pg. 50… 4-5,
      • pg.54 1-2-& 3,
      • pg. 56, Fill-in all the blanks.
  3. L.’Shalom, Paul Kerman

1/13: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass has been sharing about one of CBA’s college students who has been traveling thru Israel on an interfaith trip with other students from her campus.  So many of the students have been asking for updates.  He asked us why we should care about Israel or her people.  The learners had really lovely answers.  Rabbi Prass pointed out that our connections to Israel are like t’fillah, perhaps it feels far away, perhaps it changes, and perhaps it is difficult, but it is part of our Jewish language.
  3. When we returned to class, we worked with our flashcards as well as a set of Hebrew Alphabet cards. Our students need extra practice on recognizing and naming each Hebrew letter.
  4. Next, we reviewed our homework and wrote down the work to be studied over the week.
  5. We played a short game of Jewish Trivia based upon reviewing several Jewish holidays and the prayers we are studying.
  6. The whole school met for Hebrew Thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass.  He reviewed past words and kept adding on more Tu Bishvat Hebrew words.  Rabbi Prass introduced more trees in Eretz Yisrael, to get ready for Tu B’Shevat (the 15th of Shevat) which falls on February 2 this year. Ask your student if they remember which fruit, in Hebrew, sounds very close to English?

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet (especially the “Final Letters.”)
    • pg. 4-1 & 2
    • pg.23. 4-7-9,
    • pg.33- 8 &10
    • Pg.34 lines 1,2, &3
    • pg.50 1-2 & 3
  3.  B’Shalom, Paul Kerman

1/6: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. He asked us to share, whether a staycation or a trip, what is something you did with a family member over winter break that created a positive memory?  He then pointed out how these experiences are blessings.  He then reminded us that our bracha, Avot v’imahot is about blessing our relationships that God was with our ancestors, and that we have with one another.
  3. When we returned to class, we worked with our regular flashcards as well as a set of Hebrew Alphabet cards. Our students need extra practice on recognizing and naming each Hebrew letter.
  4. Next, we reviewed our homework and wrote down the work to be studied over the week.
  5. We played a short game of Jewish Trivia.
  6. We ended the session for an all school Hebrew thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass.  He introduced new words for the upcoming Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat.  Rabbi Prass started to introduce some of the trees in Eretz Yisrael, which are now starting to bloom. The next Holiday is Tu B’Shevat (the 15th of Shevat) which falls on February 2 this year. Ask your student if they remember which tree usually blooms first in Israel?

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet (especially the “Final Letters.”)
    • pg. 33…5-6-7-8,
    • pg. 40 lines 1 & 2
  3. L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

12/16: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass asked the learners when they felt they were in front of someone/something special. He then related this topic to our kedusha prayer, when we stand on our toes saying “kadosh, kadosh, kadosh” and the Chanukah story. Rabbi Prass passed out the Chanukah candle blessings. We then lit the Chanukiah candles for the 3rd night of Chanukah before going off to class.
  3. When we returned to class, two of our students took the Hebrew Alphabet test while we worked on our Flashcards.
  4. Next, we reviewed and read our homework and wrote down the homework to study over break.
  5. We then reviewed last week’s homework.
  6. During the last twenty minutes, we had an all-school “surprise” pizza party.  It was lovely to see all sit and chat and build community together.  On the way out, we gave each learner a dreidel.
  7. My family and I want to wish everyone a wonderful Chanukah and a healthy and joyous secular new year.
  8. Looking forward to seeing everyone on January 6th, 2026.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet and vowels, and
    • pages 33, 1, 2,4,5,&10,
    • pg. 34, 1,2,3,4,
    • pg.39, Read and fill-in the blanks.
  3.  B’Shalom, Paul Kerman

12/9: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass began with asking the students how the Maccabees felt as they fought and worked to overcome the Greek-Assyrians.  Rabbi Prass then pointed out that the prayer in our Amidah, Gevurot, means brave/strong, which might be how the Maccabees felt. Ask your student what Judah Maccabee’s last name means in English.
  3. When we returned to class, we took our Hebrew Alphabet test.
  4. We then worked with several new Flashcards.
  5. Next, we reviewed and read our homework and wrote down the homework for this week.
  6. We reviewed the new material that we will be working on and ended our session with a quick game of Jewish Trivia.
  7. Lastly, all of the classes joined in Hebrew Thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass and some of our students as well. We reviewed all of our words, including the Chanukah vocabulary.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet and vowels, and pages  
    • pg 34,1-3,
    • pg. 33 1,2,9.10.
    • pg.36 1-3 &
    • pg.44 1&2   
  3. L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

12/2: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with Tefillah lead by Rabbi Prass. Rabbi Prass invited each of us to share something we did that was helpful over the Thanksgiving Holiday. This brought us to analyzing, the Gevurot, the prayer which literally means strength.  It points out that God uses strength to help others.  By our helping over Thanksgiving, we showed our strength.
  3. When we returned to class, we spent about ten minutes with several new flashcards. We went into greater detail with each word discussing the letters, and the vowels as we analyzed each word.
  4. Next, we reviewed and read our homework and wrote down the homework for this week.
  5. We reviewed the new material that we will be working on and ended our session with a quick game of Jewish Trivia.
  6. Lastly, all of the classes joined in Hebrew Thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass and some of our students as well. We layered in new words around Hebrew Chanukah vocabulary. Rabbi Prass also showed some of the congregation’s Chanukiyot, and explained the difference between an everyday menorah, and one used for Chanukah. Ask your student what the difference is. The students did some fun Hebrew through movement, as well.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet and vowels!!!  
    • pg. 33- 5&7,
    • 34 1-3,
    • 36 1 -2,
    • 26 circled words &
    • pg. 11 1-2       
  3.  L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

11/18: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. He asked us about a situation where you didn’t know what to say. He then explained that prayer can be one of those times where we don’t know what to say.  And so the first words of the t’fillah ask God to open our lips to help us pray, and to say positive words.
  3. When we returned to class, we spent about ten minutes with several new flashcards. We went into greater detail with each word discussing the letters, and the vowels as we analyzed each word.
  4. Next, we reviewed and read our homework and wrote down the homework for this week.
  5. We reviewed the new material that we will be working on and ended our session with a quick game of Jewish Trivia.
  6. Lastly, all of the classes joined for Hebrew Thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass and some of our students as well.  We layered on new words.
  7. I would like to wish you all a Happy and Joyous Thanksgiving.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet and vowels,
    • pg. 33- 5&7,
    • 34 1-3,
    • 36 1 -2, 26 circled words & pg. 11 1-2       
  3.  L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

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

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. We talked about who the students consider to be an impressive person and why it is important to let that person know that is how we feel about them. Rabbi Prass pointed out that the Avot v’imahot prayer, talks about God as impressive, and uses language of complimenting God.
  3. When we returned to class, we spent about ten minutes with our flashcards. We went into greater detail with each word discussing the letters, and the vowels as we analyzed each word.
  4. Next, we reviewed and read our homework and wrote down the homework for this week.
  5. We reviewed the new material that we will be working on and ended our session with a quick game of Jewish Trivia.
  6. Lastly, all of the classes joined in a game of Hebrew Thru Movement, lead by Rabbi Prass.  We introduced several new words to our already existing vocabulary.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet and vowels,
    • pg.33,2-4-6, pg.34,1-3,
    • pg.35 write in the answers,
    • pg.11 1-2-5 &
    • pg.36 1-2         
  3.  L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

11/4: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with an all school Tefillah lead by Rabbi Prass. He asked us who has your back? And how does it feel when that person has your back? He then showed us that the Avot v’imahot prayer is about our ancestors, and by extension us, being in relationship with God.  Or in other words God having our back. 
  3. When we returned to class, we spent about ten minutes with our flashcards.
  4. We went into greater detail with each word discussing the letters, the use of final letters, and reviewing the vowels.  The students had to read and define the words they were given.
  5. Next, we reviewed and read our homework and wrote down the homework for this week.
  6. We reviewed the new material that we will be working on and ended our session with a quick game of Jewish Trivia.
  7. Lastly, all of the classes joined in Hebrew Thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass and some of our students as well. We reviewed the new words we learned last week.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet and vowels, pg. pg. 25 all,
    • pg. 26 the circled words,
    • pg. 27 all and
    • pg. 28 & 29 read and fill-in the blanks,
  3.  B’Shalom,Paul Kerman

10/28: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,
  2. Our school day began with an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. He led a discussion about what makes them feel safe and why it is important to feel safe.  He then pointed out that the end of the Avot v’imahot prayer talks about God being the Magen (or shield of our ancestors).
  3. When we returned to class, we spent about ten minutes with our flashcards. We went into greater detail with each word discussing the letters, the use of final letters, and reviewing the vowels.  The students had to read and define the words they were given. I was very impressed with how our students answered these questions.
  4. Next, we reviewed and read our homework and wrote down the homework for this week.
  5. Gimmel and Daled then went outside for a rousing round of Hebrew Thru Movement. Several students led this session, and we had a fun time.
  6. Upon returning to class, we looked at the Shema, discussed its importance, and played a quick round Jewish Trivia.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet and vowels,
    • pg. 23,3-4-&7 & 
    • page 18 -1 & 2                   
  3. B’Shalom, Paul Kerman

10/21: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents, I hope you had a wonderful Fall holiday experience. I missed seeing and working with our students for the past two weeks! Everyone returned to class prepared to move ahead.
  2. We joined the rest of the school and Rabbi Prass for tefillot.  In addition to our ‘regular’ t’fillot, we reviewed the recent holidays thru by looking at the symbols of the shofar, white Torah mantel, lulav, and etrog. We heard how the dried lulav sounds like rain, since the rainy season in Israel has now begun and some of the prayers we say ask for bountiful rain. We also spoke of the recent release of several hostages from Hamas and answered students’ questions.  We concluded with singing Hatikvah.
  3. When we returned to class, we reviewed the homework that was assigned for the break. We then worked with our Flashcards. The students had to read and define the words they were given. I was very impressed with how our students answered these questions.
  4. We reviewed and read our homework, wrote down the homework for next week.
  5. We joined kitah daled and Rabbi Prass for a look at the Torah scroll – exploring the parchment and handwritten letters. Each student had the opportunity to read a word directly out of the scroll and hold the torah.
  6. When we returned to class, we continued looking at the new material we will be working on next week, and during the last five minutes of class played Jewish Trivia.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Reviewing the Hebrew Alphabet, pg.10- 3-4
    • Pg.13,lines4,5 &6,
    • pg. 14 all, and
    • page 19, 1-2 & 3                   

9/30: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents,I hope you are having a wonderful holiday experience.
  2. During Teffilah today, Rabbi spoke about the importance of Yom Kippur and forgiveness. The students found this to be very interesting.
  3. I hope you have an easy fast and that we are all inscribed in The Book of Life for a healthy and nachas filled New Year!
  4. When we returned to class, we collected Tzedakah, and our class took a test on the Hebrew Alphabet. It is very important that our students master the letters and vowels quickly as they learned in 3rd grade, and they are the key to doing well in Gimmel.
  5. We reviewed our homework
  6. Gimmel & Daled participated in Hebrew Thru Movement outside, led by Rabbi Prass
  7. Viewed the new homework
  8. Played a quick round of Jewish Trivia
  9. This is a great class whose energy and spirit I appreciate.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Studying the Hebrew Alphabet, pg.10- 1-5
    • Pg.11 1 -2   pg. 13 1-5 and pg. 14 1-2                   

9/17: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents, Thank you for sending us your talented and clever students.
  2. Our session began with Tefillah where Rabbi Prass reviewed how our services are structured. We discussed why we are wearing kippot during Hebrew School t’fillot. We then prayed the avot v’imahot and sang the Israeli National Anthem.
  3. We returned to class, collected Tzedakah, worked with our Flashcards, and reviewed our homework from last week.
  4. We corrected a matching exercise and looked at the homework for our next class.
  5. We played a shortened trivia game.
  6. Gimmel & Daled students went outside to have a lesson in how to blow the shofar with Rabbi Prass. It was fun to listen to the students try their best. I heard some impressive sounds!

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Page 4 lines 1-4,
    • Studying the Hebrew Alphabet,
    • Page 10…lines 1-2 &5
    • Page 11…Read the top section and
    • practice reading lines 1, 2, & 3 on the bottom of page 11.
  3. I would like to wish each Gimme family a Shana Tova. L’Shalom, Paul Kerman

9/10: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. Hello Gimmel Parents, Thank you for sending us your amazingly clever and bright students! Also, thank you for attending our “Meet the Teacher” portion of our day. It was so awesome to meet each of you today.
  2. Our day consisted of an introductory session with Rabbi Prass, class time, a quick game of Jewish Trivia, and Rabbi’s Hebrew in Motion session.
  3. I look forward to communicating with you each week. If you want to contact me, please use my email: teechman8@gmail.com

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Every student wrote out the homework for the week on an index card.
  2. The homework consists of:  
    • Page 4 lines 1-4, Page 5 top section,
    • Studying the Hebrew Alphabet,
    • Pages 6 & 7 the top sections
  3. We will review these pages next week.