Shalom Religious School Parents!

The Kindergarten Class spent time playing a name game to get to know each other again as we spent the past couple of weeks away. We learned what a "midrash" is and heard the story "A Midrash about Abraham; Abraham, the Sun and the Moon." We learned that there is only one God and God created everything around us. God made us different from each other and we should be thankful for the talents God gave us. We traced our bodies and decorated ourselves to show how God made us unique.

The 1st Grade Classes learned all about Havdalah, the ceremony to say goodbye to Shabbat, with Rabbi Benjy. We did a mini Havdalah ceremony, and saw the candle, smelled the spices and sang the blessings. We than made our own spice boxes.

The 2nd Grade Class reviewed the concept of Avodah, work or service connected with God. They discussed different ways to connect with God through praying, singing and through silent prayer. They started talking about Shabbat and listened to a cd of Shabbat music. They also made a Shabbat art project.

The 3rd Grade Class class in Hebrew reviewed lesson 12 and worked on Hebrew reading with the staff and madrichim. They are progressing well through their Hebrew curriculum. The Religious School class learned about Judaism and connectedness and made pipe-cleaner versions of themselves that are on display in their classroom. Check them out sometime!

The 4th Grade classclass in Hebrew continued working on reading and working in the Mitkadem program. In Religious School, they reviewed "Avodah" work or service connected to God. They reviewed the concept of Keva, ordered payers and Kavanah, the emotion and personal connection we bring to God and prayer. They discussed why we pray and that it takes work and practice. They read the story "Benjy is Bored" about practice making us better at many things - even prayer!

The 5th Grade Class class in Hebrew worked on reading in their Ramot and also played a fun game of Hebrew Hangman. In History class they learned about the vents that led to the rise of modern Zionism. They learned about Theodore Herzl and the push for a return to the land of Israel.

The 6th Grade Classes class in Hebrew continued to learn, chant and recite prayers that will be part of their First Aliyah (Bar/Bat Mitzvah) ceremony.

The 7th Grade Class class discussed the Jewish values behind respecting people around them. They also had a brain-storming session for community service ideas that they will implement.

In High School, classes picked new classes today. The 10th graders are taking Confirmation class with Rabbi Apothaker and me... it will be an interesting class for sure! The other kids elected to take a class about Modern Israel, where they will learn about life in Israel as well as the Israeli Palestinian conflict. It should be very interesting. During the second block of classes, some of our students will do Jewish Meditation, while others will do a class based on the Union for Reform Judaism's curriculum called "Sacred Choices" about sex and sexual messages in our culture on TV and in movies. They will discuss Jewish responses to these issues and issues of self-esteem. This is a Middle School curriculum that we will adapt for High School.