Daled – Fourth Year – Wednesday (Fox)

11/5: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. 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. 
  2. Talk about a good name …Shame Tov. What does this mean to you and how do you show compassion? How do you show an act of Loving Kindness? (Page24)
  3. Discussed the Crown of a Good Name, which is found in Pirke Avot 4:13; The Sayings of our Fathers. We will review next class the meaning to each student.
  4. Also, what does the crown mean…what does it symbolize??? Students worked on page 25
  5. The day finished with Rabbi Prass leading Hebrew through Movement. We reviewed the new words we learned last week.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students are to think about G-d’s powers and read   “An Ethical Code”on page 25, to be ready for discussion for next class.
  2. Work on page 26 and 27 in the text be ready to discuss.
  3. Also, think what inner strength you showed during this past week.

10/29: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. 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).
  2. We continued reading the G’vurot lines that students chose to practice. Then we worked on pages 17-19 together discussing and answering the questions.
  3. The question today we discussed was about the word Nefesh…soul.  Do you believe that your soul will live forever? The explanation is on page 17 if you would like to see how we discussed this question.
  4. We ended class with a very good discussion on page 20 and a review. Next week, we will continue to discuss Mogem David Adom in Israel and France.
  5. Gimmel & Daled then went outside for a rousing round of Hebrew Thru Movement led by Rabbi Prass. Several students led this session, and we had a fun time.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students are to think about G-d’s powers and be ready to discuss.
  2. Work on page 21 in the text.
  3. Also, think what inner strength you showed during this past week.

10/22: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. The entire school gathered in the sanctuary for t’fillah led by Rabbi Pras, and this week three of our 7th graders/hey students helped lead. Rabbi Prass talked about the end of this month of Tishrei, and how on Thursday night we begin the new month of Cheshvan, and how that brings new opportunities.
  2. Began a new chapter called G’vurot meaning inner strength, powers, and kindness. This is the second blessing of the Amidah. We discussed what G’vurot means to each of them. Great discussion.
  3. We read the prayer together and each student was to choose a line to read and prepare for next class.
  4. Students practiced reading their line out loud today. I would like their reading fluency to be practiced at least 3x a week.
  5. Aleph thru daled kitot Participated in Hebrew through Movement with Rabbi Prass.  At the conclusion of that, those who wanted were able to taste the etrog from sukkot this year.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Students are to think about G-d’s powers for them and be ready to discuss. 
  2. Practice reading the line from G’vurot they chose.

10/15: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. We joined the rest of the school and Rabbi Prass for tefillot.  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.
  2. Last part of Avot V’Emaot prayer. We talked about the different sections of the Avot and discussed the merits of our ancestors where we have inherited their generosity, kindness, protection and faith. Then students talked about what good things they have done, or maybe will do, to pass down to their children in the future.
  3. Gimel & Daled kitot joined Rabbi Prass to look at the Torah as part of Simchat Torah and students got a chance to find letters they have learned, read from the Torah, and learned how a Torah is made.
  4. To end class, students practiced fluent reading. Each student has a line to read for next week.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Practice reading fluently their assigned line on page 15. Read and work on bottom of page 14 and be ready to discuss.
  2. Each student must be responsible to bring supplies to class especially their text book.

10/8: Today in class, we worked on:

  1. The entire school started our session with tefillah led by Rabbi Prass.  We had a short ceremony to mark the 2nd anniversary of the October 7th attack.  We lit a yahrzeit candle, observed a moment of silence.  Then Rabbi Prass asked what we knew about October 7th and what questions we had.  We concluded joining in singing Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem. 
  2. In class today we began with a quick alef-bet assessment
  3. Continued our prayer discussion and worked on the avot v’imahot (Chapter 1).  
  4. Celebrated Sukkot outside in the sukkah. Gimmel & Daled classes went with Rabbi Prass to the Sukkah.  We reviewed what makes the sukkah unique building and what makes up the lulav/etrog.  Then we each got to shake the lulav and etrog. Students were very interested and asked Rabbi many questions. It was a great experience.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Practice reading the avot v’imahot on page 5 at least 4 times.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Reviewed Avot V’Emaot prayer, part of the Amidah. Students read the second part.
  3. Students presented their family Trees to the class. They did a fantastic job explaining their families. I was so proud of the presentations.
  4. 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!
  5. We talked about Rosh Hashanah and how important it is and what it means.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. Page 6
  2. I hope your whole family will enjoy the holiday and make it special.  I will look forward to seing your children back on October 1.

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

  1. We started off with Rabbi Prass and some basic rules – no phones (there is a box for them), where the restrooms are, and where our classes are, then we got to hear the shofar for Elul.
  2. Getting to know you games such as, 2 truths and a lie, and what activity is their favorite, lastly, reading Hebrew vocabulary word game.
  3. Started Avot V’Emaot prayer, the first part of the Amidah. Students read page 4 in Hebrew and English.
  4. Discussed expectations for class, bringing their book, homework, supplies, etc.
  5. The students gathered back in the sanctuary with Rabbi Prass for Hebrew through Movement. And from there the parents came back to our room so we could meet and discuss our classroom. It was lovely to see so many parents.
  6. Parents: It was a pleasure to meet you today.

Homework to be completed by next class:

  1. *Students are to work on their Family Tree which will be presented in class next week. They also may work on this with you and use technology to help set it up. They might need your help with grandparents. Go back as far as you are able to.
  2. It was a pleasure to meet your children today!