Shalom Religious School Parents!
Message from Rabbi Benjy Bar-Lev, Director of Education
Shalom Religious School Families,
Hello! We sure had an exciting weekend here at TBS. On Friday night we had a wonderful Consecration ceremony during services, where 28 out of the 32 kids in the Consecration class participated in singing songs, hearing a story and receiving a mini Torah. It was a blast! Fast forward a couple days to Sunday, where students heard the "real story" behind Chanukah. Also, our 3rd-7th graders began the second round of Chugim with much excitement!
Speaking of exciting, THIS FRIDAY, December 11th is our Chanukah Extravaganza! Hopefully you've seen our advertising for this event. We will have exciting activities happening all night long from 5:45 - 9:15, with a delicious dinner served at 6:30. Please make sure to bring your family's Chanukiyot (Chanukah Menorahs) to light them at your table for dinner.
Remember, your family can attend as many or as few of these great sessions as you'd like! Here is a run-down of the evening:
From 5:45 - 6:30 p.m., you early arrivers will be able to choose from three different activities: Edible Chanukah Treat Making, Instant Choir (learning Chanukah songs to perform during dinner), or Chanukah In Your Home (a guide to celebrating the traditions of Chanukah at home).
Dinner, Singing, Candle-Lighting, Games and Raffle will happen at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for this delicious dinner!
From 7:15 - 8:00 p.m., you will be able to choose from three more activities: Chanukah Story Time and Craft Making (geared toward younger kids and families, Chanukah: The Real Story (interesting texts geared toward adult learners). We are adding another great event in this block: A Chanukah Sing-A-Long! (come and sing your way through Chanukah at this fun event. Sing your favorites and learn some new tunes!) (Green Energy presentation postponed until the next Extravaganza)
From 8:00 - 8:45 p.m. you will be able to choose from three more activities: A standard Shabbat Service (with Chanukah liturgy), Shabbat Yoga/Relaxation led by Karee DuBro and JewTube: A Look at Chanukah Spoofs on YouTube.
At 8:45 p.m. dessert will be available for everyone!
Important: If you are coming for Yoga/Relaxation and you have your own Yoga Mat, please bring it with you!
Also: 3rd and 4th Graders are encouraged to participate in the Instant Choir at 5:45. They will perform during dinner!
Please RSVP to RSVP@tbsohio.org or 855.4882! For more information on the Extravaganza, please check out the front page of December's Window at www.tbsohio.org/Window
Highlights from This Morning:
The Kindergarten
Class learned about Chanukah and story of Judah and the Maccabees. They made menorah hats, practiced the Chanukah blessings, read Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah, and even made Maccabee puppets! What fun!
The 1st Grade Classes learned today about the Jewish value of Derech Eretz, which means "the way of the land." That really means that we should have manners, treat people with respect and behave appropriately. We asked questions and had a great discussion! We then split up into groups of 3 and acted out skits about being kind, polite and respectful.
The 2nd Grade Class began the study of "Avodah" which is the Hebrew word for "service." They discussed "How do we connect to God?" One way to connect is through prayer. Each student made his or her own "Baruch Ata Adonai" pillow to take home.
The 3rd Grade Class in Hebrew continued to enjoy their new space, while reviewing some of the reading skills they have learned so far this year. In Religious School, they also learned today about the Jewish value of Derech Eretz from our CHAI curriculum. They made up and performed hilarious and meaningful skits about being kind, respectful and polite at school and in everyday situations, as well as together when in class at Sunday School.
The 4th Grade classin Hebrew worked on some prayers together from the prayer book, as well as spent time working in the Mitkadem program. In Religious studies they studied Avodah and the connection between God, Community and self. They also talked about Keva and Kavanah, the difference between fixed prayers and our own feelings and thoughts when in prayer. The students gave terrific examples!
The 5th Grade Class in Hebrew continued working on Hebrew reading in prayerbooks (sidurim) in small groups as well as working in the Mitkadem binders. In their 5th grade history class the students learned about the rise of the Hasidic movement and its leader the Bal Shem Tov and its influence on Jews around the world today.
The 6th Grade Classes in Hebrew continued working on reading and understanding prayers to help prepare them for becoming a bar or bat mitzvah next year. They are doing really well and reading much better than they did at the beginning of the school year! In Religious School the 6th graders learned about righteousness and what it means to be a tzadik - a righteous person through the story of Noah's Ark.
The 7th Grade Class finished watching Paperclips and discussed the movie in the context of learning about the Holocaust as middle school students. They discussed how the Holocaust affected different groups of people, and why a movie like Paperclips is such an important way to remember what happened.
In High School, the Tattoo Jews class watched part of the documentary called "Trembling Before G-d" about Observant Jews who are openly gay and their struggles as part of the Orthodox community. They then read articles about the Reform movement, gay marriage and had a great discussion in class about the difference in the sects of Judaism about openness. The students next week will start picking classes for 2nd semester.
CHUGIM 2.0 Started Today! Ask Your Child About His or Her Chug!
Chugim Offered:
Upcoming Events:
- Chanukah Extravaganza 12/11/09 at 5:45 p.m.
- 1st Grade Family Program 12/13/09 at 9:30 a.m.
- Shabbat Chai! Musical Shabbat 12/18/09 at 6:15 p.m.
That's it for now! Have a great week!
L'Shalom,
Rabbi Benjy