Hey – Fifth Year – Wednesday (Pogonitz)
10/9: Today in class we worked on:
- Commemoration of the October 7 attack
- Special tefilla led by Rabbi Prass, in which we listened to music and had a discussion related to the hostages and Israel’s wars
- Looked at a map of the Middle East to familiarize ourselves with the locations of Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the countries surrounding Israel which are launching rockets
- Discussed the impact the war in Israel has had on some students in America
- Talked about family members currently serving in the IDF
- Rabbi Prass led a project in which we made sukkah decorations featuring kalaniyot – flowers that grow in Israel during this season which were at the site of the Nova festival on October 7, 2023. These decorations express hope for peace in the future.
Homework to be completed by next class:
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9/25: Today in class we worked on:
- We had an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. We discussed What is something precious you were given? And how do you ‘handle it differently’ knowing it is precious? Why is Jewish prayer/t’fillah a gift? We also heard the shofar in celebration of the Jewish month of Elul.
- Conversational Hebrew – Learned ken (yes) and lo (no). Reviewed ani (I/me), mi (who), at/ata (you)
- Compared the Jewish new year and the secular new year. One important difference that students noted: The Jewish new year is spent more quietly in services, while the secular new year is loud and about the party.
- We concluded that the Jewish new year is about looking at ourselves and our actions to try and improve ourselves. This will bring a happier, sweeter new year.
- Learned about the 4 Jewish new years described in the Mishna, and talked about how each demonstrates the theme of renewal.
- Side conversations included the numerical value of Hebrew letters, and the order of the Jewish months
Homework to be completed by next class:
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9/18: Today in class we worked on:
- Participated in an all school Tefillah led by Rabbi Prass. We shared ‘noises’ that distract us and things that help us quiet and focus our brains. We talked about how t’fillah is one Jewish language/tool for quieting and focus.
- Our conversational Hebrew book. We learned Ani (I/me), Mi (who), and At/Ata (you).
- An introduction to the two parts of Torah: the Written and Oral. We explained that Rabbi Prass and Rabbi Bellows are part of the tradition of Oral law, which is the interpretation of the written Torah for each generation.
- Side notes included learning that there were actually two destroyed Jewish Temples in Jerusalem, and why the line from Hatikvah states that our hope for a Jewish country in Israel is 2000 years old.
Homework to be completed by next class:
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9/11: Today in class we worked on:
- We began with an all school assembly. The 2 older grades (daled & hey) shared 3 things that are helpful to learn Hebrew and 3 things that used to make them nervous about learning Hebrew. We also lit a yizkor candle to remember the victims of 9/11.
- In class, we discussed 9/11 a little more in depth. Students were asked if it was talked about in their secular school. All said yes, and then they were given the opportunity to share what they learned/talked about. We then talked about some of the lessons from 9/11.
- We then talked about Israel and the current conversations. Students were asked to write down their thoughts/opinions on (a) when the conflict started (b) who is involved in the conflict (c) what the conflict is about. The variety of their answers created room for an interesting conversation.
- They prepared to lead the younger classes in Hebrew thru Movement.
- We ended the session with all school assembly to do Hebrew Thru Movement. Our kitah hey students helped lead it. Parents were invited for this first session so they could meet the teachers. It was great to see so many parents and to have perfect attendance at Hebrew school!
Homework to be completed by next class:
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