SCHOOL NEWS - January and February

Dear Parents,

Time has really flown by.  Despite the many vacation breaks, lots of fun and exciting learning occurred.  Here is a recap of all of our classroom activities during the months of January and February.

Family Education
Because of the Jewish calendar we were able to celebrate Tu Bishvat on Tu Bishvat this past January.  In lieu of Sunday School, we held special classes on Shabbat, 15 Shevat (that is Tu Bishvat!).  During the week Kitah Dalet/Hey made a Tu Bishvat Trail mix which we enjoyed at our seder.    Rabbi Greene led a special Carlebach Shabbat service in the Library geared for our Hebrew School parents and students.  Afterwards we split up into different holiday workshops.  Dr. Carl Gussin led the workshop entitled Let the earth teach you Torah in the Library.  Nobody who took this workshop will look at an apple in the same way.  Rabbi Greene led A Tu Bishvat Jewpardy Game downstairs enjoyed by both students and their parents.  Our Hebrew School students joined the Cantor on the Bimah and helped him conclude Shabbat morning services. Those who stayed after services enjoyed our annual Tu Bishvat Seder with a Kiddush Lunch.  I want to thank all the parents and volunteers who made this morning so successful.  I couldn't have done it without you.

We also celebrated Purim on Purim together as a school family.  Kita Aleph/Bet put on a great Purim play performance.  It was the hit of the season.  We heard the Megillah and  learned about different aspects of Purim.  We made Purim Tzedakkah boxes so we can fulfill the Mitzvah of Matanot le'evyonim (gifts to the poor).  Our younger students made their own home made groggers.

Shoresh
January and Febuary were busy months for the Shoresh class! We spent time in January learning about Tu'Bshvat (birthday for trees) Each child was able to recognize the importance of trees in their daily lives.  We even planted! Febuary was spent studying Purim. We learned the story of Queen Esther and even made our skits! This unit was concluded by our wonderful family education program. Morah Melissa

Kita Aleph/Bet
Our class has finished our book on places in Israel, and we are about to begin another lesson on Israel.  This time we will focus more on history. In Bible, we are still studying the book of Prophets. By acting the stories we learn about these Biblical heroes, the lessons we learn from the Prophets, and how to relate these lessons to everyday life.   main focus of the past month has been Tefilah, or prayer. We have learned main words used in prayer, and when to recite certain prayers.  Kita Bet has been learning the Kiddush and the Sh*ma, and the meaning behind those two prayers. Our Hebrew reading has improved and we continue to practice.  We look forward to learning about Passover, and the rules and customs associated with the holiday.  We are planning a trip to the Jewish Children*s Museum in the next few weeks. 

The main focus of the past month has been Tefilah, or prayer. We have learned main words used in prayer, and when to recite certain prayers.  Kita Bet has been learning the Kiddush and the Sh*ma, and the meaning behind those two prayers. Our Hebrew reading has improved and we continue to practice.  We look forward to learning about Passover, and the rules and customs associated with the holiday.  We are planning a trip to the Jewish Children’s Museum in the next few weeks.  
Morah Stephanie

Kirah Gimmel
The months just fly past in gimel! the children put together a very nice bulletin board for tu Bshevat.  I hope you had a chance to see it.  We wrote up questions about the holiday and ecology, connecting the holiday also to Israel.

We are continuing on in our prophet study with Judges.  I have been able to find videos about some of the judges and the students enjoy watching these..  Of course with popcorn! We acted out a scene from one of the prophets sections for the sunday school students and everyone enjoyed that!

Hebrew is a continued focus for us.  The students know how to read Hatikvah very well.  We are halfway thru VAhafta.  Students can often sing prayers and hebrew songs but they cant always read them.  In other words we are making sure that they have not just memorized the words but are actually reading the lines.  They enjoy putting  the words of the prayer or the song  in order on their own or working with a partner.

We have learned about the holidays of Tu Bshevat and Purim.  Mrs Amar

Kita Dalet/Hey
January we celebrated Tu'Bshvat, the birthday for the trees. Along with learning about the special fruits of Israel and how we need to celebrate them all of our students learned all about blessing over all foods including fruits and vegetables. We even held a "bracha bee" in class where the students showed off their new found knowledge of blessings over foods. Moving into February we kicked off the month with the exciting task of decorating the school bulletin board. The theme was based on Purim and all the fun that goes along with the holiday. Each student focused on a different aspect of the story and wrote some points on their topics then we created fun questions making the board into a board game. While learning all about Purim we have also been reviewing the readings of taking out and putting away the Torah, in anticipation for many of our students upcoming bar and bat mitzvahs. We look forward to an exciting upcoming month of learning about Passover, Israel and Prophets.   Morot Irene and Allison


Shalom,
Rabbi Greene