Shalom Religious School Parents!

The Kindergarten Class had a special family program today, where we met with the rabbis to learn about Consecration and the Torah scroll. We made Torah covers and yads. We also had music with Mrs. Rose and practiced our consecration songs. Please email Rabbi Benjy with your child's Hebrew name for the Consecration Certificate if you have not already done so.

The 1st Grade learned the story of Jacob and Esau. The teachers put on a puppet show of the story. The kids then broke up into pairs and created their own puppets. They then all performed their own puppet skits in front of the class and had a great time doing so!

The 2nd Grade learned about God's word on the doorpost. They reviewed the purpose of the Mezuzah. Each child made and decorated his or own wooden mezuzah to put on the doorpost at home. Remember, the mezuzah should be on the upper right side of the door frame facing into the room. The blessing you say after affixing it is: Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav, vtzivanu leekboa m'zuzah. Blessed are You, Eternal Guide for Life, who has sanctified us with commandments and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.

The 3rd Grade during Hebrew continued working on Hebrew reading and understanding through lesson 6 and learned some important holiday words. They started into lesson seven in their Aleph-Bet Quest books. In the Religious School class, they learned about the Jewish concept of "seder" or order. They cut up the creation story into a puzzle so the class could "restore the seder." The class broke up into teams to solve the puzzle together.

The 4th Grade during Hebrew had a substitute teacher today, who worked on Hebrew reading and pronunciation with the class through games and drills. They then worked in their Mitkadem binders for the remainder of class. The 4th grade Religious School class learned about the land of Israel. They talked about life in Israel. Each student then made their own stuffed Israeli pillow - which was also a map of Israel!

The 5th Grade during Hebrew continued studying in the Mitkadem booklets and they continued their prayer game with the intro of the Shema and the Barchu. The Religious School class learned about the final stand of Masada and how the Jewish people managed to keep themselves intact in the diaspora.

The 6th Grade didn't happen today, as over 20 of our sixth graders were at a wonderful retreat at Deer Creek!

The 7th Grade class today began discussing the Holocaust unit in preparation for watching the movie Paperclips next week, which chronicles a school's attempt to understand the gravity of the Holocaust. They also spent time outside and talked about "a day in the life of a 7th grader" and the choices they make.

The High School Classes classes were great as always. Because of a staff shortage this week, there were only two classes.

• Tattoo Jews: In Tattoo Jews we started a new unit of study by discussing the controversial topic of abortion through a Jewish lens. This study of abortion goes above the political discussion and will introduce the students to different Jewish responsa on the issue.
• Tikkun Olam Green Class: The Green class today continued working in our Kehillat Torah Vegetable garden. They have almost finished digging the area and removing the layer of grass from the garden area.

CHUGIM! Today was our 6th and Final Day of Chugim! As you know, next week is performance day (11/15) and then a new block of classes start! If you are interested in teaching (half an hour per week for 6 weeks), let me know!