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 * WELCOME TO KITA ALEF 5776 **
 * Ivrit (Hebrew) Teacher: Ora Avidan Antonir**
 * Yahadut (Jewish Studies) Teacher: Davida Adelberg**

June 1, 2016
 * 5776 Hebrew Homework Assignments:**

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope this last letter of the year finds you all well. It is hard to believe we have come to the end of the school year.

I want to give you Important Reminders and fill you in on our last Kitah Alef class, held Sunday, May 22, 2016.


 * __Important Reminder:__**
 * **Saturday, June 4, 2016, Moving Up Ceremony.** During this Shabbat service, we will celebrate our 7th graders who are “moving up” from the Religious School to our Teen Program, and our high school seniors who are graduating, and going off to college. The Religious School will also acknowledge all of the staff and our many wonderful volunteers.
 * **Also at this service Iris Bendahan will be honored for her 11 years as Principal of our school.** I hope you can all attend and thank Iris for her innovative and creative ideas and excellent programming over the years. Iris has been an inspiration for the teaching staff and a warm and dedicated principal for the many students whose lives she has touched. She will be greatly missed!
 * **Please remember to help your child work on the BHPP, Black Hole Prevention Packet, this summer.** If your child can retain the Hebrew learned during this year, it will make next year much easier, and your child won’t have to repeat what has already been taught. It requires a small amount of time, but the benefits are huge, so please, do keep up with the lessons.


 * __Sunday, May 22, 2016:__**


 * Ot Hashavuah** – mem, middot and mitzvot, characteristics and commandments


 * Israel – Food**
 * Text: __The Whole-School Curriculum, Israel II: The Food of Israel__
 * Israel is full of food, and Israelis love to eat. People come to Israel from all over the world, so Israeli food has flavors from all over the world.
 * When people move to a new place they bring their favorite foods with them. Here are a few foods that people have brought to Israel:
 * o From the Middle East: falafel, hummous, tehina.
 * o From North Africa: shakshuka, tomato stew with eggs cooked on top; this dish is delicious! I told the class had it for the first time in Israel this spring, and I highly recommend it!
 * o From Asia: Chinese food and sushi.
 * o Eastern Europe: kugel (made from noodles), latkes (potatoe pancakes).
 * o Western Europe: schnitzel (breaded and fried chicken breast).
 * o America: pizza. Israelis like corn and tuna on their pizza.
 * o Israeli foods, grown in Israel: cucumbers, tomatoes, pomelo (like a grapefruit, but can grow bigger than your whole head).
 * Recipes are listed for falafel balls, Israeli bean salad, and hummous.


 * Mitzvot**
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot: Talmud Torah__
 * Books and learning are very important in the Jewish religion. You can read famous stories in the Bible, you can learn how to pray using a prayer book, you can read poetry and sing songs.
 * Books can help us as we’re learning, to choose right instead of wrong.
 * “Just as frosting makes a tasty birthday cake complete, Jewish knowledge makes our lives more flavorful and sweet.
 * Jewish learning is part of living a Jewish life. When we read Bible stories, learn prayers and songs, and study Hebrew and Jewish history, this is “Talmud Torah,” or Jewish learning.
 * We discussed what items could be considered “Jewish” and what we could learn from them: a shofar, the Torah, a tzedakah box, an Israeli flag.
 * Talmud Torah is a mitzvah. A mitzvah is a commandment.
 * We read the Torah over and over, year after year. It teaches us about God, about Jewish life and traditions, and about right and wrong. It is our most important book.
 * We learn prayers, such as the Shema prayer, our most important one. It says we believe in one God. Learning the Shema in Hebrew connects us to God and to Jews around the world. In Hebrew we say, “Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohaynu Adonai Ehad.”
 * We learn about the holidays. On Sukkot we learn how to shake the lulav and etrog. On Hanukah we learn the story of the Maccabees, on Passover we learn about Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt. When we learn about the holidays, we also learn about Jewish history and traditions.
 * Long ago, teachers wrote Hebrew letters on slates and covered them with honey. They gave the slates to students on their first day of school. They wanted everyone’s first taste of Hebrew to be nice and sweet. Yum!
 * Talmud Torah is one mitzvah that helps us learn other mitzvot. Mitzvot are commandments Jews follow that help make the world a better place.
 * Talmud Torah is for everyone.

Morah Ora and I had both Kitah Alef and Kitah Gimel classes join together in the Kitah Gimel classroom. We thanked all of our students for being such great classes this year, wished them a good summer, and encouraged them to do the BHPP this summer. Each child got a small bag with a patchwork bear inside from the two of us. The attached note read:
 * Thank You to the Class**

May 22, 2016 Dear (Student’s Name), We hope these little patchwork bears help you **remem//bear// to do mitzvot** and help others, and **remem//bear// the Kavod Code in all you do.** Just as these bears are “repaired,” we hope you will do your part to do **“tikkun olam,” to help repair the world**. We have enjoyed being your teachers this year in Kitah Alef for Judaica and Hebrew. Please keep up your good progress by completing your BHPP this summer. We wish you a fun, relaxing, and wonderful summer! L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

Following a short break, we had the Rewards Ceremony in the Sanctuary. Iris gave out rewards for school attendance, Haverim service attendance, reading library books, and climbing our M&M Charts. Kitah Alef did an awesome job earning stickers this year. I applaud all parents for your efforts in all of these areas.
 * Rewards Ceremony**

For those who could stay afterwards, there was a hot dog barbecue in the Quad area under the tent.
 * Lag B’Omer Picnic**

Morah Ora and I have had an enriching year of teaching Kitah Alef. What an amazing group of children! They showed a keen interest in learning, participating in class discussions with thoughtful and perceptive insights.

We hope to see you at the Religious School in the fall, and that you and your children will come and visit us in Kitah Alef!

We wish you and your families a healthy, relaxing, and fun summer (whiled doing the BHPP, of course!).

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

May 17, 2016

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Shalom! I hope you are all doing well. It seems hard to believe, but we are quickly approaching the end of our school year at Congregation Beth David’s Religious School.


 * Next Sunday, May 22, will be our last JYEP class.** The students will have class as usual for the first hour, have a short break, and then from **10:45 am - noon, we will have our Rewards Ceremony in the Sanctuary, to which all parents are invited.**

These Rewards will recognize students who have earned M&M stickers, have attended Haverim services, and have read library books, and who had excellent attendance in class over the past year. We hope you will attend, and applaud your child’s achievements!


 * Following the Rewards Ceremony, all families are invited to the Lag B’Omer picnic, beginning at 12:00 pm.** We look forward to seeing you there!

This letter will give you some Important Reminders and an update on our class on Saturday, May 14.


 * __Important Reminders:__**
 * On Sunday, May 22, 2016, your child will receive a packet for the summer called **BHPP, or Black Hole Prevention Packet**. **Please have your child do this packet over the summer, so he or she will retain the Hebrew learned during this year.** It will make next year much easier for your child! It is just a small amount each day, so please do take the time to do this! Thank you!!
 * **Saturday, June 4, 2016, Moving Up Ceremony.** During Shabbat morning services, we will celebrate our 7th graders who are “moving up” from the Religious School to our Teen Program. The Religious School will also acknowledge all of our many wonderful volunteers. We hope you can join us on this important day.

Ot Hashavuah – mem, middot and mitzvot, virtues and commandments
 * __Saturday, May 14, 2016, Shabbat School__**

Holidays – Shavuot 10.Do not desire what belongs to your neighbor.
 * Text: “A Time to Celebrate – Shavuot”
 * We discussed the holiday of Shavuot, covering the following points.
 * Shavuot is the Jewish holiday that remembers and celebrates when God gave the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people. God said the Ten Commandments from the top of the mountain. Then Moses went up to the top of the mountain and spent 40 days and 40 nights writing down the Torah.
 * We reviewed the Ten Commandments.
 * 1) 1. I am Adonai your God who brought you out of Egypt.
 * 2) 2. Do not have other gods besides Me or pray to idols.
 * 3) 3. Do not use my name except for holy purposes.
 * 4) 4. Remember Shabbat and keep it holy.
 * 5) 5. Honor your father and mother.
 * 6) 6. Do not murder.
 * 7) 7. Do not take another person’s husband or wife.
 * 8) 8. Do not steal.
 * 9) 9. Do not tell lies about other people.
 * Confirmation is a ceremony where teenagers, about 15 or 16 years old, stand before the ark. They say, “Na’aseh v’nishmah,” “We will do the Torah and we will listen to the Torah.”
 * Shavuot is also a time when many adult Bar and Bar Mitzvah ceremonies take place. They did not have the chance when they were children, so they study as adults. A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is not just turning thirteen. It is also the first time someone is called to the Torah.
 * Consecration is when small children first begin to study Hebrew. Some schools put honey on the first Hebrew letters a child learns, so that the learning will be sweet!
 * To get the Torah Moses had to go up Mount Sinai. Today, we call a Torah honor an aliyah, a going up. This is also the same name used when a person moves to Israel.
 * Some adults attend an all-night study session. It is a tradition to study Torah all night. There is a custom about studying Torah all night on Shavuot. Israel stayed up until midnight before they could receive the Torah. They stayed up the rest of the night talking about the Torah they had received.
 * On Simhat Torah we finish reading the Torah and start it all over again. Simhat Torah is a few weeks after Rosh Hashanah. On Shavuot we celebrate the night on which the Torah was written.
 * On Shavuot it is a custom to eat dairy food. To keep kosher one needs to divide between dairy foods and meat foods. Some foods are parev, meaning they have no dairy or meat in them. They can be eaten with either dairy or meat meals.
 * Why do we eat dairy food on Shavuot? There is a tradition that when God taught Torah to Israel, Jews got the rules of Kashrut for the first tme. It is harder to prepare meat food in a kosher way, so at first the Families of Israel ate dairy. Many Jews do not keep kosher but every Jew should know about Kashrut. The laws of Kashrut can teach us many Jewish values.
 * Shavuot is called Hag Matan Torah, the Holiday of the Giving of the Torah.
 * It is also called Hag Ha-Bikkurim, the Holiday of the First Fruits. In ancient times Jews brought the first fruits of their trees to the Temple as a gift to God. Jews gave bikkurim as a way of thanking God for the gift of the trees.
 * On Shavuot we read from the Book of Ruth. Ruth tells the story of a woman who became Jewish. She was married to a Jewish man who died. She told her mother-in-law, Naomi, “Where you go, I will go. Your people shall be my people. Your God shall be my God.”
 * When Ruth and Naomi got back to the land of Israel they were poor. There was a Jewish law that farmers had to leave any grain that was dropped, forgotten, or in the corners of the field. Ruth fed Naomi by going to the fields and picking up the food that was left for the widow, the poor, and the orphans. There she met Boaz, a rich farmer. They fell in love and got married. King David was born from one of their descendants.
 * Eric Ray is a sofer. A sofer is a person who writes a Sefer Torah, a Torah Scroll, and the parchments that go in a Mezuzah and in a set of Tefillin. Eric sews up the pages of parchment that make up a Torah Scroll.
 * A Sofer has to be very careful about writing a Sefer Torah. It must be perfect, without mistakes. Every single word in the Torah must be copied from another Torah. A sofer cannot write a single word from memory.
 * Every time we read the Torah, we hold up the text we read so that the congregation can see the words that are in the reading.
 * Torah is written in a very special script. Some of the letters have crowns on the top.
 * We discussed several activities and exercises in the pamphlet. One task was to number the five books of the Torah in the correct order: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Haverim Services
 * Iris led Haverim services with a lot of ruach. This was the last Haverim service for this year.
 * Iris went over the main theme of the Torah portion for the week, Kedoshim, and reviewed what it means to be holy, and to be respectful of others and of our environment.
 * She mentioned that when the students return next year, they will be in a new building, and they need to treat the new building respectfully.
 * Iris read two books to illustrate the idea of holiness. They were __A Boy and a Jaguar__, by Alan Rabinowitz, and __Never Say A Mean Word Again, A Tale from Medieval Spain__, by Jacqueline Jules.

Ruach Rally
 * The students joined the congregation in the Sanctuary for the Ruach Rally, the end of services, and Kiddush luncheon with the Wigon family, whose daughter, Rachel, became Bat Mitzvah.
 * All who stayed enjoyed the Kiddush luncheon.

Morah Ora and I look forward to seeing your children next Sunday, May 22, for our last class, and to seeing all families at the Rewards Ceremony and Lag B’Omer picnic following the class.

We wish you a Shavuah Tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

May 11, 2016 Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Your children did beautifully on Friday night, May 6, at the TGIShabbat services. They lead the Shema and Or Zarua with confidence, and sang several other prayers as well. I was very proud of them!

They were also dressed nicely for Shabbat, which I appreciated very much! It helps to make the day special, and helps us honor Shabbat, our special day of rest. Thank you, parents, for your assistance with this. And thank you to all of you who came, and for supporting your child at this milestone service.

I hope the children like their gift, and that you enjoy reading the book the children received, __The Shema in the Mezzuzah: Listening to Each Other__, by Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Here is a description of this meaningful story:


 * “In a divided world, where the one who shouts the loudest often gets the most attention, a story about compromise and listening. **

"Standing UP!" "Lying DOWN!"

What were the people to do? They decided to ask the rabbi of the town. "What are we to do?" they asked. “Shall we put the mezuzah standing up or lying down?”

The townspeople have mezuzahs but cannot agree on how to put them up on their doorways. Should they place them horizontally or vertically, standing up or lying down? To end their arguing, they consult the wise rabbi of the town, who advises them to carefully read the //Shema// in the mezuzah to find the answer. With this lively tale, based on a twelfth-century rabbinic debate, best-selling, award-winning children's author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso helps young people discover that there is often more than one solution to a problem, and that living together and creating ‘home’ requires cooperation and listening to one another.”

And…I hope you all enjoyed a restful Shabbat and weekend, and enjoyed Mother’s Day on Sunday. I also hope you had time to observe Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Remembrance Day, and Yom HaAtzma'ut, Israel's Independence Day, which begins tonight.


 * __Important Reminders:__**
 * Saturday, May 14, 2016, SHABBAT SCHOOL, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
 * Sunday, May 15, 2016, NO SCHOOL
 * Sunday, May 22, 2016, Last Day of School!, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, includes Awards Ceremony, parents invited to attend.


 * __Following is an update for our last class, on Sunday, May 1, 2016__**.

Ot HaShavuah – zayin, zikaron, remembrance

Holidays – Yom HaZikaron
 * We discussed this Day of Remembrance for those fallen while defending the State of Israel. Israel sounds a siren, and all movement stops in the country. People who are walking stand still, vehicles that are moving come to a standstill. All work stops. People stand respectfully, heads bowed, and they remember the sacrifices made to keep Israel secure.
 * We discussed how the United States has Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day to honor those who fought for the United States.

Holidays – Yom HaAtzma’ut (Source: __My Jewish Year__ by Adam Fisher)
 * We discussed this holiday. I mentioned the points that follow.
 * Israel’s birthday is the 5th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. It was founded on May 14, 1948. It became a nation, a homeland for Jews around the world. It is a happy day in the Land of Israel and for Jews everywhere.
 * Long ago, our people had our own country – Israel, or “Yisrael.” We lived there for more than a thousand years. During that time great kings like David and Solomon ruled the land. Prophets reminded us to be kind and fair. Great rabbis taught us to love one another.
 * Then, about 2,000 years ago, our land was ruled by foreign countries. The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. We were forced to leave our homes in Israel. Jewish people were scattered across the world. We stopped speaking Hebrew and began to learn the languages where we lived, like English, French, Spanish, etc.
 * But our people never forgot the Land of Israel. Every year at the Passover seder we would say, “Next year in Jerusalem!” Our people longed to have our own country once again.
 * About 100 or so years ago, a small group of Russian Jews decided it was time to move back to Israel. At about that same time, a man named Theodor Herzl was urging Jews around the world to rebuild Israel. He felt Jews deserved a land of their own. The belief that Jews should have their own country is called Zionism.
 * Jews began to return to Israel. When Jews move to Israel it is called making aliyah. The Jewish people wanted a country of their own, one that would be a Jewish state. But they had much work to do.
 * They drained the muddy swamps and learned to farm the land. They grew fruits and vegetables, even in the dry desert sand. They built houses, schools, and roads.
 * Finally, in 1947, the United Nations voted. At last the Jewish people would have its own country. On May 14, 1948, Israel declared itself an independent country called Medinat Yisrael.
 * The very next day, Israel was attacked by 5 Arab armies. Although Israel had only a small army and a few airplanes, the small Jewish state defended itself. For the first time in almost 2,000 years, there was a Jewish state where Hebrew was the language spoken by the people. Jews came from all over the world to Israel. Those who had survived the Holocaust came, and others came from Arab lands, from South America, from the United States.
 * Some Jews settle in cities, like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. Some went to live on kibbutzim, small communities where people work and live together.
 * Eliezer Ben Yehudah modernized Hebrew so that it could become a language to be used in everyday living. Later, a special school called an ulpan was created to teach Hebrew to new immigrants. Signs, newspapers, school books were all printed in Hebrew.
 * Every year we celebrate the courage and bravery of the Jews who struggled to create the State of Israel. Israelis celebrate with parades, flags, and dancing and singing in the streets.
 * We celebrate in America, too. We have parties, sing Israeli songs, and do Israeli dances like the hora. We can eat falafel, a tasty Israeli sandwich in pita bread. Some large cities have parades, too.
 * All celebrations of Yom Ha’Atzma’ut include the singing of Hatikvah, “The Hope.” It is the national anthem of the Jewish State.

Israel
 * Text: “Israel I: The Symbols of the State of Israel”
 * We reviewed two symbols of the State of Israel, the flag and the national emblem. Symbols are important for countries and Israel in particular. Israeli symbols incorporate ancient or traditional Jewish themes, such as the seven-branched menorah or the star of David, drawing a connection between the state and Judaism.
 * The flag or “degel” has a white background, two blue stripes, and a blue “Magen David” or Jewish star, in the middle. The idea came from the tallit, the prayer shawl we wrap ourselves in when praying. The tallit usually has blue stripes. The Jewish star is the “Magen David,” which, it is thought, was on King David’s shield. It has been a symbol of the Jewish people for a long time.
 * The students were asked to fill in some Israeli flags that had pieces missing, such as a stripe, or part of the star. The last flag was empty, so the children had to draw on both stripes and the star.
 * The Hebrew word for symbol is “semel.” This is the national symbol of Israel. When you see this symbol on a building you know that this is a place doing work for the State of Israel. It is also on Israeli coins, stamps, and some airplanes. The branches on both sides of the “semel” are from an olive tree. Olives grow all over Israel. Olive branches are also a symbol for peace. The children were asked to count how many arms the menorah on the semel has, and to count how many leaves are on each olive branch.
 * Yom Ha’Atzma’ut is Israel’s Independence Day. On this day, people wave flags.
 * On this day, people wave flags. They sing, dance, have parties, eat Israeli food.

Holocaust Museum Library Visit
 * Kitah Alef did not go through the Museum. Instead, we went to the library. I told the class a little about Anne Frank, and then I read the book __Anne Frank //and the// Remembering Tree__, by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso.
 * Here is a summary of this beautifully written story, which is told from the point of view of the tree outside the Annex where Anne’s family was hiding.

“In most windows I saw people working and children playing. When the soldiers came, people began covering their windows, so I couldn't see inside anymore. But the tiny attic window of the narrow brick house behind Otto Frank's business offices had no shade. For a long time the rooms were empty. Then one day, Otto's whole family came to live there. They called their new home the Secret Annex... A story of Anne Frank, who loved a tree and the tree who promised never to forget her. This book is co-published with the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, chosen by the Anne Frank Center as the first U.S. recipient of a sapling from the tree outside of the Secret Annex window (the tree is the narrator in the book).”

At the end of the book, we learn that saplings from the chestnut tree behind the Secret Annex are planted or slated to be planted in eleven places around the United States at the time of the book’s printing (in 2015). Each place is a reminder of the importance of tolerance and the continuing search for justice and peace. The locations are: Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts Little Rock High School, Little Rock, Arkansas William J. Clinton Presidential Library Sonoma State University, California Idaho Human Rights Center, Boise, Idaho The Children’s Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana Holocaust Memorial Center, Farmington Hills, Michigan Liberty Park, New York, New York Southern Cayuga Central School District, Aurora, New York Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center, Seattle, Washington U.S. Capital, Washington, D.C. Saplings from the chestnut tree have also been planted in 32 countries around the world, including Argentina, Amsterdam, Canada, England, Israel, Japan, Madrid, and Paris.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children next Saturday, May 14, for Shabbat School. Wishing you a Shavuah Tov, a good week. L’Shalom, Morah Davida

April 30, 2016

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Shalom to all! I hope you and your families had wonderful sederim, and have enjoyed the holiday of Pesach this week. And I hope you had successful afikoman hunters among your first-grade children!

This letter will include Important Reminders, and give you an update on our last class, on April 17.


 * __Important Reminders__**


 * Sunday, May 1, 2016, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, JYEP classes. Kitah Alef will visit the Holocaust Museum library only, and an age-appropriate story will be read.
 * **Friday, May 6, 2016 – TGIShabbat, 6:30 pm, Services, Kitah Alef and Kitah Bet to help lead services; 7:30 pm Potluck – RSVP needed.** **Please have children dress in Shabbat clothing.**
 * Sunday, May 8, 2016 – NO SCHOOL, Mother’s Day!
 * Saturday, May 14, 2016 – SHABBAT SCHOOL, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
 * Sunday, May 15, 2016 – NO SCHOOL
 * Sunday, May 22, 2016 – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL, REWARDS DAY!


 * __Sunday, April 17, 2016__**

Ot Hashavua – hey, herut, freedom

Passover Review
 * We briefly reviewed the holiday for the children who missed our previous Passover lesson.
 * Some items covered: hametz, matzah, seder – 15 steps, seder plate, slave work, foods we eat, such as parsley dipped in salt water, maror, haroset, drink four cups of wine, Haggadah, 4 Questions, afikoman, Elijah’s cup, Miriam’s cup.

Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day
 * We discussed some points about Yom HaShoah. (Source: __My Jewish Year__, by Adam Fisher)
 * Most of our holidays are happy. They help us to remember great and wonderful things, like a queen saving our people in Persia. But some holidays are very sad. They remind us of things too important to forget.
 * Not very long ago, a most terrible disaster happened to our people. A very evil man came to power in Germany, named Adolf Hitler. He was like Haman, who had wanted to kill all the Jews. But this time there was no brave queen like Esther to stop his terrible plan. Many Jewish lives were lost.
 * We try to remember all of the Jews whose lives were lost. We think about them all through the year, but especially remember them on Holocaust Memorial Day, Yom HaShoah, the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nisan.
 * Many communities hold prayer services on this sad day. Yellow yahrzeit memorial candles are lit in memory of the people who were killed. We recite the mourner’s prayer, the Kaddish.
 * On Yom HaShoah we remind ourselves that some people can be terribly cruel. We remind ourselves that some people can be very brave when they try to help others. We must never forget. Remembering will help us prevent such a terrible thing from ever happening again.

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Solomon__
 * Solomon, Israel’s third king, did not dream of riches, or long life, or death for his enemies. King Solomon’s dream was to take care of the people of Israel with wisdom.
 * One day, two women came before King Solomon. The first woman said, “We live in the same house. I had a baby. Three days later, she had a baby. But her baby died. That night I saw her take my baby and put the dead one in its place. Make her give my baby back!”
 * “No!” said the second woman. “The live baby is my son! The dead one is yours.”
 * “Bring a sword!” King Solomon ordered “I will cut this baby in two. Each of you will get half. That will be fair.”
 * “I agree,” said the second woman. “Then the baby will be neither hers nor mine.”
 * But the first woman began to cry. “No! Please! No!” she begged. Give the baby to her, then. Just please don’t hurt him.”
 * King Solomon now knew the truth. “You would rather give your son away than let him be hurt” he said to the crying woman. “I know you are his real mother.” And King Solomon let the crying woman keep her baby.
 * Solomon ruled in Israel for many years. His decisions were just and wise. The people loved him. They helped him build the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. And even today, they tell stories about Solomon, the wise king of Israel.
 * The children did written exercises.
 * We discussed: What made Solomon a great king? He did not ask for money, or want God to kill his enemies for him. Solomon wanted to be able to help his people. He wanted wisdom. The children thought of some people they considered wise, such as family members or friends.

Prayer Practice for TGIShabbat
 * We practiced the Shema and Or Zarua for the TGIShabbat service.
 * It is this coming Friday, May 6, 6:30 pm, followed by a potluck dinner (Italian theme) at 730 pm. Please be sure to RSVP for this dinner on the Beth David website.

Story
 * I read the book __Freedom: The Timeless Lesson of Passover__, by Howard M. Kurtz. This book helps us “appreciate the gift of freedom every day.” The book discusses Passover, the holiday which celebrates our freedom. It also mentions other times throughout our Jewish history “both recent and long past, (when) we see some rulers who chose not to let this freedom last.” It reviews some tragic episodes in Jewish history when the Jews were attacked, such as the destruction of the 1st and 2nd Temples, the expulsion of Jews from Spain, and World War II, when “Jews could not learn or pray, and their books and Torah scrolls were taken away.” It also lists Russia and other countries where “Jews were told they couldn’t teach the Jewish laws they knew.” Some were able to escape to find a better life, and went to other countries where there was “freedom from religious strife.” Today, we are able to pray almost anywhere at all, including the Kotel in Jerusalem. We are fortunate to be able to observe our traditions and holidays without fear. “We can sing and pray and read and celebrate all night. Freedom of Religion is a very special right.” We must be grateful for our freedom!

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children tomorrow, Sunday, May 1, for their JYEP classes.

We hope you enjoyed a Shabbat Shalom, and have a good conclusion to the holiday of Passover. L’hitraot, see you soon!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

April 8, 2016

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

As mentioned in my last letter, I am now back from my family’s trip to Israel. For all of those who gave me notes, I was able to put your and your children’s notes in the Kotel during my visit to Jerusalem. I sincerely hope those prayers and wishes are fulfilled! I also hope that, if you have not already done so, that you will some day visit Israel with your family. I feel that as our Jewish homeland, it is important to see it, experience it, and feel a connection to it. There is so much to see and do and learn there. And it is truly inspiring.

Important Reminders:
 * NO SCHOOL on Sunday, April 10
 * Regular JYEP class on Sunday, April 17
 * Passover, April 22 – April 30, NO SCHOOL on Sunday, April 24
 * Regular JYEP class on Sunday, May 1
 * TGIShabbat for Kitot Alef and Bet, Friday, May 6, 6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 7:30 pm Potluck dinner. Please RSVP for the dinner. And, please have your children dress nicely to honor Shabbat.
 * Holocaust Museum, Open April 27 – May 10. Students will visit in an age appropriate way at designated times.

This letter will catch you up with our last three Kitah Alef classes, on March 20, March 27, and April 3.


 * __Sunday, March 20, 2016__**

Ot Hashavuah – ayin, Aseret Dibrot, the Ten Commandments

Holiday – Purim
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__
 * Hamantashen – named after Haman’s hat, or Haman’s pockets. In Hebrew this triangular-shaped pastry is called Oznei Haman.
 * Esther was brave woman who saved the whole Jewish people. She is the heroine of the Purim story.
 * King Ahashuerus was King of Persia. He chose Esther to be his queen.
 * We read from a scroll called a Megillah on Purim. It tells the story of Queen Esther.
 * Mordechai was Esther’s cousin. He was a wise Jew. Mordechai used to sit by the gates of the palace. Once he heard two men planning to kill the king. He told a guard, and the king was saved. The king didn’t remember what Mordechai had done. He forgot to give him a reward.
 * Mordechai told Esther not to tell anyone that she was a Jew. He told her to keep it a secret. He knew that some people in Persia hated the Jews. Esther did just what Mordechai told her.
 * Haman was an evil man who wanted to hurt all the Jews. One day Haman talked the king into letting him kill all of the Jews. Haman began to plan.
 * Mordechai heard of Haman’s plans. He sent a message to Esther, telling her she must go to the king and reveal Haman’s plot.
 * In Persia you could only see the king if he sent for you. If you went to the king on your own, you would be killed.
 * Esther went to the king. He had not sent for her. When he saw her, he asked what he could do for her. She invited him to come to a party and to bring Haman.
 * When we read the Megillat Esther, we make lots of noise with a gragger every time we hear Haman’s name. Together the noise we make is louder than Haman’s name. The gragger teaches us that together we are stronger than evil.
 * At the party Esther told the king about Haman’s plan. The king ordered that the Jewish people should be saved and that Haman should be killed.
 * On Purim it is a mitzvah to hear the Megillah read. It is important to learn from the story of Esther and her cousin Mordechai.
 * On Purim it is a mitzvah to be happy and celebrate. Parties, special meals, hamantashen, costumes, carnivals and graggers are all part of the Purim celebration.
 * On the first Purim Modechai ordered all Jews to give gifts of food to their friends and families. Today we still do as he said. We call these gifts Mishloach Manot.
 * Mordechai also told the Jews to give gifts to the poor. Jews try to mke tzedakah part of every celebration. This special Purim tzedakah is called “Matanot l’Evyonim.”

Story
 * I read the book __Cakes and Miracles__, by Barbara Diamond Goldin. This is a wonderful story. Summary: “ Purim is approaching and Hershel, the only blind boy in the village, wishes he could help his mother prepare hamantashen for the holiday. //If only I could see, he thinks, I could help my mother more.// That night, Hershel dreams of a winged angel descending a sparkling ladder. She says, //"Make what you see. nYou see when you close your eyes. You see in your dreams."// With new courage, Hershel learns to trust his dream and creates something more beautiful than anyone in the whole village can imagine.”

Kotel Notes
 * The students were given slips of paper on which to write notes or draw pictures, for me to deliver to the Kotel in Jerusalem.
 * Some parents sent in notes with their children. (All were delivered!)

Prayer Practice
 * The students practiced the Shema and Or Zarua prayers for the TGIShabbat on Friday, May 6.
 * Kitah Alef and Kitah Bet will help lead services at this Kabbalat service. Please have your student dress nicely in honor of Shabbat.
 * Following the service we will have a potluck dinner. Please be sure to RSVP for this dinner.


 * __Sunday, March 27, 2016 – taught by Iris Bendahan and Irene Swedroe__**

Ot Hashavuah – pey, pikuah nefesh, saving a life

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – David and Goliath__
 * Israel was at war. The enemy had a secret weapon – a giant named Goliath.
 * No one wanted to fight a giant. Everyone was afraid. But a boy named David was not afraid.
 * David’s brothers were soldiers. David was a shepherd. He kept wild animals away from his father’s sheep. Sometimes he killed them with his slingshot.
 * One day David took food to his brothers. He saw Goliath, and he saw that the soldiers were afraid to fight the giant.
 * David was not afraid. “God helped me kill a lion and a bear,” he said. “With God’s help I know I can kill a giant. He took his shepherd’s stick, and his slingshot. He took a bag filled with smooth stones. He set out to fight Goliath.
 * Goliath laughed when he saw David. He asked, “Do you think you can stop me with a stick?”
 * David said, “I will stop you with God’s help.”
 * David took a stone from his bag and put it in his slingshot. He took careful aim, and then sent the stone flying. It hit Goliath right in the middle of his forehead. The giant fell to the ground. He was dead.
 * The war was over. The Israelites had won. And this small, brave boy someday would become king of Israel.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * They discussed what made David brave. David felt God helping him protect his father’s sheep from wild animals. David said he was not afraid of Goliath because he knew God would help him fight the giant too. The class discussed what helps them be brave.

Mitzvot
 * __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Welcome Guests__
 * In Hebrew we say “Bruchim ha-baim” to welcome guests.
 * Welcoming guests is called Hachnasat Orchim. It is not just a nice thing to do – it is a mitzvah.
 * Abraham and Sarah welcome three guests. Abraham was sitting in this tent when three men walked by. Abraham ran to them and said, “Rest in the shade of my tree. I will give you some water so you can wash your feet.” Then Abraham and his wife Sarah made food and served it to the men.
 * In Biblical times hosts gave water to their guests so the guests could wash their feet. It was hot and dusty, so travelers’ feet would be dusty and would need a wash.
 * We can be like Abraham and Sarah, and make guests feel welcome. Sometimes the best welcome is a great big smile. The students were asked to draw themselves with a friendly “Welcome” face.
 * There are many ways to say “Welcome.” In Israel people say “Hachnasat Orchim.” Jews al over the world use the Hebrew word “shalom” as a greeting. Shalom means hello, goodbye, and peace. On Shabbat we greet others by saying “Shabbat Shalom.”
 * The students were given a Classroom Enrichment sheet of an invitation for a Shabbat meal. They could decorate it and use it as an invitation.

ZmirRikudiyah – The Religious School students participated in the Song and Dance Festival, and then enjoyed the Purim Carnival.


 * __Sunday, April 3, 2016__**

Ot Hashavuah – tzadi, tzedek tirdof, pursue justice

Holiday- Passover
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__
 * Matzah is the special flat bread we eat on Pesach. It is made from dough that doesn’t have time to rise. It is flour and water that has been mixed together. It must be finished in 18 minutes. When God brought the Families of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, we didn’t have time to let the bread rise.
 * On Pesach, it is a mitzvah to take all the hametz out of our houses. Hametz is stuff made from dough that has had time to rise, such as challah, bagels, pizza, crackers, pretzels.
 * A Pesach Seder is a special event that Jewish families make every Pesach.
 * Seder means order. The Seder meal goes in a special order, and has 15 steps. When we follow the Seder, we remember the story of how all Jewish families were once slaves in Egypt. We learn how God brought us all to freedom.
 * We put a Seder plate on our table at Pesach. On it are symbols that teach us the story of Pesach. They are zeroah, a roasted bone; beitzah, an egg; maror, a bitter herb; haroset, a mixture of wine, nuts and fruit; karpas – a green vegetable; hazeret, another bitter herb, such as romaine lettuce.
 * The 15 steps of the Seder are: Kadesh, Urhatz, Karpas, Yahatz, Maggid, Rahtzah, Motzi, Matzah, Maror, Korekh, Shulhan Orekh, Tazfun, Barekh Hallel, Nirtzah.
 * During the Seder, we dip parsley in salt water. The salt water tastes like tears. When we were slaves in Egypt, there were many reasons to cry.
 * Maror is really bitter. When we were slaves, the Egyptians made us do bitter, hard work.
 * Pharaoh was the King of Egypt. He made the Families of Israel build two cities, Pitom and Ramses.
 * Haroset reminds us of being slaves in Egypt. It looks like the cement we used to hold the bricks together.
 * The roasted lamb bone teaches another part of the Pesach story. The first Pesach was the last night that we were slaves in Egypt. Every family roasted a lamb. This bone reminds us of the lamb.
 * Kiddush is the prayer sung before drinking the wine. We say Kiddush and drink wine on every Shabbat and on every Jewish holiday. At the Seder we drink four cups of wine. We say Kiddush four times.
 * The Haggadah is the book we use at the Seder. It tells us the 15 steps, and it teaches us the story of Pesach.
 * At the Seder the youngest child asks The Four Questions. This night is different from all other nights: Why do we eat only matzah? Why do we eat maror? Why do we dip our food? Why do we lean on a pillow?
 * At the beginning of the Seder we hold up a piece of matzah and say, “This is the bread of the poor that our families ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry are invited to come and eat with us.”
 * We hide part of the middle matzah, the afikoman. After the meal, all the children hunt for the afikoman. The one who finds it gets a prize.
 * Elijah’s cup is placed on the Seder table. Elijah is a prophet who lived a long time ago. Jews believe that he will return to us and tell us when a time of peace is coming. During the Seder Elijah visits every house. We fill Elijah’s cup, so when he comes, he can “drink” some wine, too!
 * We end the Seder by singing songs, and by making wishes for peace and for freedom. We say, “Next year in Jerusalem.”

Story
 * I read the story __The Passover Parrot__, by Evelyn Zusman. This cute story relates what happens when the family parrot steals the afikoman at the Passover Seder.

Morah Ora and I look forward to seeing your children next week, on April 17.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, and a Shavuah Tov, a good week to come.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

March 13, 2016

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Greetings. I hope you all had a Shabbat Shalom, and a good weekend. This letter will include some reminders and an update on our last three classes on February 28, March 6, and March 12.


 * __Important Reminders__**
 * March 20, 2016, regular JYEP classes, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
 * March 23, 2016, Purim! Come (in costume!!) for the Family Megillah reading, spaghetti dinner, and Purimspiel. Be sure to RSVP. No School that day.
 * March 27, 2016, 9:30 am – 11:30 am, Classes meet; 11:30 am – 12:00 pm, All-school rehearsal; 12:00 pm, ZmiRikudiyah, Song and Dance Festival, all grades perform.
 * March 27, 2016, 12:00 pm, Purim Carnival! (Come in costume or crazy clothes!)
 * Please note: I will be on a trip to Israel March 23 – April 3, so there will be a substitute for the Judaica classes during my absence.
 * Friday, May 6, 2016 – Kitah Alef and Kitah Bet, TGIShabbat, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, students leading prayers; 7:30 pm, potluck dinner. Please calendar this date!


 * __Update on Classes__**

__Sunday, February 28, 2016__

Ot Hashavuah – shin, shmira - to watch out for, care for: shmirat lashon, watch your words! shmirat haguf, care for your body

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Moses and Pharaoh__
 * Moses left Egypt, but God told him to go back. “Go tell Pharaoh to let my people go.”
 * Moses went back to Egypt. He said to Pharaoh, “The God of Israel commands ‘Let my people go.’” Pharaoh said, “No!”
 * God sent plagues that tormented the Egyptians, blood in the Nile River, frogs, lice, wild beasts, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness. After each plague Moses said, “Let my people go.” Pharaoh said, “No!”
 * Finally God sent a plague that killed the first-born son of every Egyptian family. Not a single house lay untouched by death. A loud cry went up in Egypt, and Pharaoh called for Moses.
 * “Take the people and GO!” cried Pharaoh.
 * The Israelites rushed to leave Egypt. They grabbed up their unbaked bread before the dough even had time to rise, and followed Moses.
 * But Pharaoh changed his mind. His army chased the Israelites to the Sea of Reeds. The Israelites were terrified. “It was better for us to be slaves in Egypt than to die in the wilderness!” they cried.
 * “See what God will do,” said Moses. Moses stretched his hand out over the water. It split apart and the Israelites crossed to the other side.
 * The Egyptians tried to follow. The water came crashing down and swept Pharaoh’s army away.
 * When the Israelites saw the powers God had used to save them from Egypt, they trusted in God, and in their leader, Moses.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * We discussed why the Israelites needed to learn to trust in God. The Israelites had been slaves all their lives. They did not know what it was to be free. They needed to trust in God to keep going, and to walk across the Sea of Reeds even tough they were afraid.

God
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God: God’s World__
 * There is order in God’s world. God created our world according to a plan.
 * The sun rises in the morning and the moon and stats shine at night.
 * The seasons follow one another in a regular order each year.
 * Order is very important.
 * Every year we celebrate the Jewish holidays in the same order. The Jewish year begins with the holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
 * We reviewed the holidays that come in fall, winter, spring, and summer.
 * The students answered some questions covering how we celebrate the holidays.
 * The students shared which holiday was their favorite.
 * Just as there is an order to each day of the year, there is an order in each person’s life. We go through a life cycle – baby, student at school, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, adult, parent.
 * Throughout a person’s life there are times when he can show that he is created in the image of God. These might come through giving tzedakah, helping the sick, assisting the elderly, taking care of a baby, feeding a pet.
 * We recite the Sheheheyanu blessing when we learn a new skill, when we taste a new fruit, and at the start of every holiday.
 * You can also recite the Sheheheyanu blessing if you learn something new.
 * Two handouts were given to the students, one for parents called “Learning at Home,” and one for the students, a “Classroom Enrichment Worksheet” called “Make a Jewish Calendar.”

Prayer Practice – for TGIShabbat, May 6, 2016, 6:30 pm
 * The class practiced the Shema.
 * The class practiced “Or Zarua.”

Song Practice – for ZmiRikudiyah, March 27, 2016, 12 noon
 * The class sang our songs, Yom Tov Lanu, You Can Change the World (chorus), Adama v’Shamayim.

__Sunday, March 6, 2016__

Ot Hashavua, taf, tikkun olam, repair of the world

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah: The Israelites and God’s Laws__
 * At Mt. Sinai God said to Moses, “Tell the people: If you will hear My voice and obey My laws, you will be My treasured people.”
 * The people said, “All that God has spoken, we will do.” They washed their clothes, made themselves ready, and waited at the foot of the mountain.
 * On the 3rd morning, the mountain was covered in clouds. Lighting flashed and thunder crashed and a blast from the shofar made the people tremble.
 * God came down in fire and smoke, and spoke to the Children of Israel the words of the Ten Commandments:
 * 1) I am the One God. You shall have no others.
 * 2) Do not make idols to pray to in My place.
 * 3) Do not speak falsely in My name.
 * 4) Remember Shabbat, and keep it holy.
 * 5) Honor your father and your mother.
 * 6) Do not murder.
 * 7) Do not be false to your wife or husband.
 * 8) Do not steal.
 * 9) Do not lie about your neighbor.
 * 10) Do not wish for your neighbor's belongings.
 * The people promised to be faithful and to serve God. “All that God has spoken, we will do,” they said.
 * God called to Moses. “Come. I have written all the laws on tablets of stone so that you can teach the people.” And Moses went up the mountain to receive the tablets with God’s laws.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * We discussed, What does it mean to serve God? The Torah tells us that the Israelites promised to serve God by remembering God’s laws, and following them.

God
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God: In God’s Image__
 * When we look in a mirror, we can see we all look individual. People are quite different, but we are all created in the image of one God.
 * God has no hands or feet, no face that we can see. God’s image is the goodness inside of us.
 * No one person is exactly like another. Each person is special.
 * The students shared what they like best about themselves. They were asked to draw a picture of their face.
 * People are created in God’s image. In Hebrew we say we are created “b’tzelem Elohim.” This doesn’t mean we look like God. It means we can act like God by being kind and helpful.
 * We discussed what good things you can do to show that you are created in the image of God – when a friend is sick, when you find something that doesn’t belong to you, when guests visit your house, when you show love and respect for your parents.
 * The students were asked to trace their hand, and write in the name of someone they wanted to help, and tell what they would do for that person.
 * Giving money to tzedakah is an important way to help others. When we put our coins in a tzedakah box, we show that we are created in God’s image.
 * Tzedakah money is used to buy things people need, such as food, clothing, books, toiletries, bedding, a car.
 * Two handouts were given to the students to take home, the “Learning at Home” for parents, and the “Classroom Enrichment Worksheet” called “Make a Tzedakah Box” for students.

Prayer Practice
 * The class practiced the Shema and “Or Zarua” prayers.

Song Practice
 * We practiced singing our songs: Yom Tov Lanu, You Can Change the World (chorus), Adama v’Shamayim.

__Saturday, March 12, 2016, Shabbat School – taught by Iris__ (Morah Ora is in Israel, and I taught Kitah Gimel this day)

Ot Hashavuah – kaf, kavod – kibud av v’em or ze et ze – honor your mother and father and each other

Torah
 * __Teach Me Torah – Esther__
 * This pamphlet reviews the story of Purim. The king had chosen Esther to be his queen. He knew that Mordechai had stopped an evil plot to kill him. But he did not know that Esther was Jewish.
 * Haman was the king’s advisor. The people of the city had to bow before him. But Mordechai would bow only before God. This filled the proud Haman with rage.
 * “The Jews refuse to obey your laws,” Haman said to the king. “If it please Your Majesty, I will choose a day to execute them all.”
 * The Jews of the city were terrified. “You must speak to the king!” Mordechai begged Esther. “Even your own life will be in danger.”
 * Esther made feasts to honor the king. This made him very happy. “Whatever you wish will be yours,” he said.
 * “I wish for my life,” said Esther. “I wish for Mordechai’s life, and the lives of my people. There is a man who plans to destroy us all.”
 * “Who dares?” said the king. “You are my queen. Mordechai saved my life!”
 * “We are also Jews,” said Esther. “And Haman plans to kill us all.”
 * “Then let Haman be the one to die!” ordered the king.
 * And so each year Jews tell the story of how Queen Esther revealed her secret and saved the Jewish people.
 * Esther served the king a fabulous feast so he would grant her wish to save all the Jews. The students took the pamphlet home to draw the food they might serve the king. They can also complete the activity on the last page which shows different ways to be loyal to the Jewish people.

Hebrew
 * The class reviewed counting 1 – 13, and answered ehad mi yodea, ehad ani yodea or yodaat. In the process they learned some of the Passover trivia, such as 1-God, 2-tablets, 3-avot and their names, 4-imahot and their names. The other numbers were covered as well, but more quickly.
 * The students learned the word “mazon” and they spoke about “matanot la-evyonim.”

Haverim Services – led by Iris
 * Iris led child-friendly prayers, discussed the Torah portion - about building the Mishkan, the temporary Tabernacle in the wilderness, and read the story __The Purim Surprise__, by Lesley Simpson, a cute Purim story, about a family who moves to a new town, and gets to know the people in town by inviting them to celebrate the Purim holiday with them.

Ruach Rally
 * The students joined the congregation in the Sanctuary for the singing and dancing, and did the closing prayers and Kiddush/Motzi.
 * Those who stayed afterwards had lunch.

I am looking forward to seeing your children next on Sunday, March 20, 2016.

Have a Shavuah Tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

February 20, 2016

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Hello to all. I hope you are having a good break from school and Religious School.

I want to give you some Important Reminders of upcoming events and give you an update on our last two classes on January 31, 2016 and February 7, 2016.


 * __Important Reminders__**
 * Saturday, February 27, 2016, Haverim Services, K – 3rd grades. Please bring your child to this educational and fun service! If your child attends, please let me know, and I can award him or her with a sticker for our M&M Chart.
 * Sunday, February 28, 2016, JYEP classes resume.
 * Friday, March 4, 2016, TGI Shabbat services and potluck dinner, all students welcome. Kitah Vav to receive Humashim. Theme is Persia; RSVP needed.
 * Sunday, March 6, 2016, 11:45 am – 12:30 pm, All Parent Education Hour – topic: “Shabbat.”
 * __Saturday, March 12, 2016, SHABBAT SCHOOL__, so no class Sunday, March 13.
 * Wednesday, March 23, 2016, Purim, Family Megillah, Dinner, Purimspiel
 * Sunday, March 27, 2016, JYEP classes, ZmiRikudiyah, song & dance performance by all students at noon, Purim Carnival
 * Friday, May 4, 2016, 6:30 pm, Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Kitah Alef and Kitah Bet lead “Shema” prayer; followed by Potluck Shabbat Dinner for all, RSVP to bring contribution.


 * __Update on Last Two Classes__**


 * __Sunday, January 31, 2016__**

Ot HaShavuah – kuf, kehillah kedosha, holy community

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah - Joseph__
 * Jacob had 12 sons. Joseph was his favorite, which made the others furious. They hated the colorful coat their father had given him, and they hated Joseph’s dreams. “In my dreams,” Joseph said, “you all bow down to me.”
 * The brothers didn’t want to bow to Joseph. They would not speak nicely to him. They wanted to get rid of him.
 * The brothers sold Joseph and he was taken to Egypt as a slave. They put goat’s blood on Joseph’s coat and took it to their father. “A wild animal ate him!” cried Jacob. He mourned for his son.
 * Joseph lived in Egypt many years. He helped Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, save the Egyptians from terrible hunger at a time when no food would grow.
 * Joseph’s brothers were also hungry. They came back to Egypt to ask for food. After so many years, they did not recognize Joseph. He looked and dressed like an Egyptian. But Joseph knew them. “How many bothers do you have?” he asked.
 * “Our father had twelve sons, but one is gone. It is our fault. We are sorry,” they answered.
 * “Do not be upset,” Joseph told them. “I am your brother. I know God sent me here to save our lives. You must all come live in Egypt with me.”
 * That is how the Children of Israel came to live in the land of Egypt.
 * The students did written exercises, one of which was to color in Joseph’s colorful coat.
 * We discussed what helped Joseph and his brothers get along again. Joseph’s brothers told him how sorry they were. Joseph also realized that he was sent to Egypt with a purpose – to save the lives of his family and many others. He felt he was sent by God. We discussed what helps us forgive someone who has been mean to us.

Values
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot__ __– Feed the Hungry__
 * There are hungry people who won’t have food today. Children and grown-ups can help them in some way. We can give tzedakah, donate food to shelters. To feed those who are hungry is a very holy deed, called ma’achil re’eivim.
 * It doesn’t feel good to be hungry all day. It’s nice when a friend helps out by sharing. We discussed – would you share your lunch with a hungry friend. We talked about people with allergies, and there are now rules in some schools that do not allow children to share their lunches!
 * Some people are hungry because they don’t have enough money to buy food. Others live in places where it is hard to grow food. And some people are hungry because something bad happened – a fire, a hurricane, or even a war.
 * We can help the hungry. Today, most of us are not farmers. We cannot leave gleanings. Today we help the hungry by giving tzedakah and by donating to food drives and food banks.
 * The Bible tells the story of Naomi and Ruth, who lived in the land of Israel. Naomi and Ruth had no food. Naomi sent Ruth to collect “gleanings.” Gleanings are crops the Torah commands farmers to leave in their fields for hungry people. A farmer named Boaz left extra gleanings in the fields so Ruth would find enough food for herself and Naomi.
 * Feeding hungry people is not just a nice thing to do. It is ma’achil re’eivim, a mitzvah.
 * We discussed how if you donate food, to give food that will not spoil. The food should be in containers that will not break. The food should be canned, rather than fresh, so that it won’t spoil.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * Each child received a Family Activity handout related to feeding the hungry. It gives suggestions for what a family can do in order to fulfill the mitzvah of feeding the hungry.


 * __Sunday, February 7, 2016__**

Ot HaShavuah – raysh, rahamim, compassion

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Miriam and Moses__
 * Egypt was filled with the Children of Israel. Pharaoh made all of them slaves. He was worried that they might join his enemies and fight against him.
 * Pharaoh ordered two Hebrew midwives to kill all the baby Israelite boys as they were born. But the women let the babies live. So Pharaoh turned to his own people. “Throw them into the river!” he commanded the Egyptians.
 * One mother had a plan to save her son. She smeared tar all over a basket so it would not leak. Then she put her baby in the basket, and hid it among the reeds near the shore of the river.
 * “Watch the basket,” she told her daughter, Miriam. Miriam watched it, and saw Pharaoh’s daughter come to bathe in the river. She watched the princess discover the basket. “ This must be a Hebrew baby!” the princess said when she opened the basket. And she took pity on the crying baby.
 * Miriam came forward out of the reeds. “I know a woman who can nurse the baby,” Miriam told the princess. And she brought the baby’s own mother to care for him.
 * When the boy grew, the princess made him her son, and named him Moses. “For I pulled him out of the water,” she said. And so Moses, the Hebrew baby, became the son of an Egyptian princess.
 * We discussed who saved baby Moses. It took many people: the Hebrew midwives, who refused to follow Pharaoh’s orders, Moses’ mother who hid him in a basket by the river, Miriam who watched over the baby, and Pharaoh’s own daughter, who drew the baby from the water to keep as her own.
 * The students did written exercises. We discussed people we know who protect lives: firefighter, policeman, doctor, bus driver. We discussed how a tzedakah box can help protect life. And what you do to help protect your own life, such as wearing a helmet when you are biking.

God
 * __Let’s Discover God – Talking to God__
 * God will always listen to what is in your heart.
 * You can talk to God just about anywhere – alone in your room, in the synagogue with other people, when in a crowd, or in a park.
 * We say prayers from a prayerbook called a siddur. But we can also pray to God with our own words, whenever we want to. Where you talk, God will listen.
 * What do you say to God? One reason we pray is to thank God for everyday things – like seeing the sun in the morning, smelling hot pancakes on the stove, hearing birds chirp in the trees. All these are reasons to thank God.
 * The Hebrew word for prayer is tefillah. The synagogue is called a Beit Tefillah, a House of Prayer.
 * There are many reasons why people pray. People say “I’m sorry,” they thank God, they feel lonely and God is like a companion who provides comfort, they thank God that their family and friends are healthy.
 * How do you talk to God? Just about any way. Sometimes it’s best to pray with other people. That is why we have prayers to say together in the synagogue.
 * But talking to God can also be private. So sometimes people talk to God by themselves, with their own words.
 * When you wake up in the morning, you can recite a prayer to thank God for the new day that is starting. For boys, it starts, “Modeh Ani,” and for girls, “Modah Ani.” This means I am grateful for…. And then you can say what you are thankful for.
 * The students completed written exercises.
 * Handouts were sent home with this folder: one is a “Learning at Home” sheet for parents, and the other is a “Make Your Own Prayerbook,” handout that is a Classroom Enrichment Worksheet the children can do at home.

Morah Ora and I hope you enjoy the rest of the break from school, and we are looking forward to welcoming your children back to class on Sunday, February 28.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

January 28, 2016
 * 5776 Classroom Updates **

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Hello, all! I hope you and your families are well, had a wonderful and joyful New Year’s celebration for 2016(!), are off to a healthy and inspiring New Year, and have had a good few weeks since I last wrote, on Dec. 31, 2015. As it has been awhile, I want to catch you up on the latest news from Kitah Alef.

Sunday, January 31, 2016, 11:45 am – 12:30 pm, All Parent Education Hour – Israel, with Rabbi Ohriner, in Sanctuary.
 * __Important Reminders__**

Sunday, January 31, 2016, 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Jewbilee, an afternoon of Jewish learning for all ages, JCC/Levy Family Campus, Los Gatos.

Friday, February 5, 2016, 6:30 pm, TGIShabbat for Kitah Hey (5th grade), Torah Reader’s Club Induction; open to all students to help lead the service; RSVP for potluck contribution after services.

Friday, May 6, 2016, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, TGIShabbat for Kitah Alef and Kitah Bet; both grades will lead the Shema prayer at this Kabbalat Shabbat service, and each student will receive a special gift. Services start at 6:30 pm, to be followed by a planned potluck dinner at 7:30 pm. Please calendar this date now!


 * __Tzedakah Day__**
 * Thank you to all parents who were able to bring your children to Tzedakah Day on Sunday, January 24, 2016. This was a meaningful, hands-on learning day which we hope conveyed to the children the importance of tzedakah, doing mitzvot, and helping with tikkun olam – repairing the world.
 * Thank you to Becky, Ezra’s mother, for helping out during the entire morning! The extra pair of hands was much appreciated!
 * Thank you also to Tamar, Daria’s mother, for assisting as needed.
 * The children participated in several tzedakah projects, including the following:
 * o decorating paper bags for Passover food for Jewish Family Services
 * o making cat toys for Petco
 * o planting flowers and green plants for inbound seniors to honor Tu B’Shevat
 * o creating Purim greetings for a video to thank Israel Defense soldiers
 * o creating Passover matzah covers for seniors
 * o doing composting.
 * We had discussions on Maimonides’ ladder, with 8 steps of giving. We learned that the top level is helping people be able to help themselves. The example was given of, instead of giving a man a fish, teaching him how to fish for himself. The students recognized this was better because then the man could then fish for himself, and remove the need to receive help from others.
 * We explained the other mitzvot being done by other grades in our school:
 * o making sandwiches for the homeless
 * o making fleece scarves for the homeless
 * o toiletries to sort and bag
 * o baking cookies for the police who help patrol around our synagogue – at the end of the morning, the cookies were presented to the sheriff; the police parked their cars and opened them for the children to climb in and experience.
 * I read the story, __It’s a ….it’s a ….it’s a Mitzvah__, by Liz Suneby and Diane Heiman, which is a “fun-filled introduction to doing good deeds and mitzvot.”

Due to a change in our teaching schedule, only Morah Ora taught Kitah Alef on Saturday, January 9 at Shabbat School, so Kitah Alef only had Hebrew on that day.

On Sunday, January 17, 2016, our class was back to normal! Here is an update from our last Judaica class.

__Sunday, January 17, 2016__

Ot Hashavuah – pey, pikuach nefesh, saving a life

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah: Jacob and Esau__
 * Isaac and Rebecca had twin sons named Jacob and Esau, but the boys did not get along.
 * The firstborn, Esau, would have a birthright. He would become leader of the family. The first to be born was Esau.
 * As the brothers grew older, they still fought to be first. One day when Esau returned from hunting, he saw Jacob making soup. He was starving and asked Jacob for the soup.
 * Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright first.” Esau didn’t care about his birthright. So he sold his rights as the oldest son for a pot of lentil soup.
 * When their father Isaac grew very old, Jacob pretended to be Esau, and tricked Isaac to get the blessing promised to his brother.
 * Now Jacob, not Esau, had his father’s blessing to lead the family.
 * Esau was very angry. He was upset that Jacob took both his birthright and his blessing. He said, “When my father dies, I will kill him to get what belongs to me.”
 * So Jacob ran away. He was gone many years.
 * When Jacob came back, he was still afraid of Esau. So he sent gifts to his brother. When he saw Esau, Jacob bowed seven times. When Esau saw his brother, he ran to meet him and hugged him. Esau said, “I have plenty. Keep what is yours.”
 * Then Jacob and Esau went their separate ways in peace.
 * The students did some written exercises.
 * We discussed keeping the peace in one’s family. Jacob and Esau finally were able to make peace – they treated one another with respect and care. Jacob sent gifts. He bowed to his older brother as a sign of respect, and Esau ran to Jacob and hugged him. We talked about ways the students can keep the peace at home.

Mitzvot
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Save the Earth__
 * Planet earth gives us so much – forests, flowers, beach sand. If we are wasteful, all nature’s treasures could disappear. If we remember to treat the earth with care, the earth will keep blooming.
 * God created a beautiful world – beaches, mountains, and forests. We take care of the world by keeping it clean, using God’s creations wisely, and planting trees and flowers.
 * Taking care of the earth is a mitzvah. It is called Bal Tashhit, “do not destroy.”
 * Rabbis of long ago taught that broken glass should be buried so it would not spoil the earth. Today we help keep God’s world beautiful by putting trash into garbage cans.
 * Before electricity, people used oil lamps to light their homes. The rabbis taught that it was wrong to burn the oil in a lamp too quickly, because it wasted fuel. Today, we need to be sure to close the refrigerator door, turn off lights, turn off faucets.
 * Recycling also takes care of the earth. When we recycle, we find a new way to use old things. We can recycle paper, glass, plastic and metal.
 * A man named Honi saw an old man planting a fruit tree. Honi asked why the man was planting the tree, when the man would not live to eat its fruit. The old man answered, “My grandparents planted a tree for me, and I will plant a tree for my grandchildren.”
 * Some trees live longer than we do. Planting trees helps keep the eaerth beautiful and green.
 * We have a holiday just for trees. It’s called Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees. We discussed why trees are important, what they give us, that there was a rule in the Torah that one couldn’t eat the fruit of a tree until the 5th year of its life, that we have a “seder” for the holiday the way we have one for Passover to help us appreciate trees and all they provide for us.
 * The Torah tells us that we should not destroy fruit trees, even during a war.
 * The Jewish National Fund and other groups plant trees to turn deserts into forests in Israel. Jews from all around the world have helped plant millions of trees. Tzedakah money given to the JNF is used to plant trees in Israel.

Prayer
 * We practiced singing the Shema prayer.

We hope your children were able to attend the Tu B’Shevat seder offered on Saturday, January 23 during the Haverim services by Iris. If your child did, please let me know, so I can give him or her a sticker for our M&M Ladder!

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children on Sunday, January 31, 2016.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

December 31, 2015 Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Shalom to all! It has been quite some time since I last wrote! On Dec. 5, I was wishing you all a Happy Hanukkah, so I hope you enjoyed lighting candles and sharing the warmth and glow of that bright holiday!

Now I want to add that I hope you are having a relaxing and fun winter break. And, as we are approaching a new secular year very soon, I would like to wish you and your families a healthy and happy New Year, 2016!

Important Reminders: Jan. 17, 2016: 11:45 am All Parent Education - Values Jan. 31, 2016: 11:45 am All Parent Education - Israel
 * Our next class for Kitah Alef will be a SHABBAT SCHOOL on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016.
 * Upcoming parent programs to add to your calendar:

This letter will bring you up to date on our last two classes. Thank you in advance for reading this through.

Ot Hashavuah – mem, middot & mitzvot, good qualities & commandments
 * __Sunday, December 6, 2015__**

Holidays
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__ – Hanukkah
 * The hanukkiyah is lit on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. It has room for eight candles and one more called the shamash. The shamash is used to light the other candles. I brought in a hanukkiyah and lit the candles. We sang the blessings together. I explained how to light the candles, starting with the most recent candle first.
 * The sevivon, or dreidle, is a spinning top, used to play the dreidle game at Hanukkah. The four letters on the dreidle are nun, gimel, hay, and shin, for the phrase “Nes gadol hayah sham,” or “A great miracle happened there.”
 * In Israel, the dreidle has the letters nun, gimel, hay, and pay, for the phrase New gadol hayah po,” or “A great miracle happened here,” – since the here refers to the land of Israel.
 * This game was played by children when the Syrian soldiers patrolled, looking for Jewish children studying Torah. The children would actually be learning, but quickly switch to the game to make the soldiers think they weren’t studying.
 * The story of Hanukkah is the story of a miracle, a story of people who fought for freedom. They were heroes who were proud to be Jewish. Hanukkah teaches us that even when everything seems dark, we can always find light.
 * Antiochus was a wicked king who wanted everyone in his kingdom to be exactly the same. He tried to make the Jews be like everyone else. He ordered them to bow down and pray to idols.
 * Antiochus’ army was a big and powerful army. No one thought that just a few Jews could beat them.
 * Mattathias was a Jew who would not bow down to the idols. He fought back. He told the other Jews, “Let everyone who believes in following the Torah and keeping the Covenant follow me.”
 * Mttathias killed a soldier. Then he and his sons ran away to the mountains.
 * The Maccabees were freedom-fighters. They became an army that fought back against Antiochus. The Maccabees hid in the mountains and sneaked down to fight Antiochus’ army.
 * Judah was one of Mattathias’ sons. When his father died, Judah became the leader. He led the Maccabees in their fight for freedom.
 * The Maccabees fought long and hard. They felt brave because they believed in God. They felt smart because they carefully planned each fight. After years of fighting, they won the war. They were free to live as Jews. They didn’t have to be like everyone else.
 * They came to the Temple and found that it was a mess. Antiochus’ soldiers had used it as a place to dump garbage. When it was all clean and ready, they made a special service. They lit the Great Menorah and celebrated for eight days. They called this celebration Hanukkah. Hanukkah is still eight of the happiest days in the Jewish year.
 * We reviewed the difference between a menorah, with its seven branches and a hanukkiyah, with room for nine candles (eight lights and a shamash).
 * On Hanukkah we eat food made with oil, such as latkes, or potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, or jelly doughnuts.

God
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God__ – Thanking God
 * Everyone loves presents. Gifts make us feel good. When somebody gives them, we say “thank you.”
 * We receive many gifts from God – warm sun, rain for crops, sweet fruit and grain for eating. God’s giving never stops. When we say a blessing over food, it is our way of thanking God for providing for us.
 * When we see, taste, or hear one of God’s gifts, we thank God by reciting a blessing. When you see a colorful rainbow, smell sweet flowers, or eat a slice of watermelon, you can thank God with a blessing.
 * There are many different blessings – to say over wine and Shabbat candles, to say over bread and fruit and cookies, and when we hear thunder, or see an unusual sight, like a shooting star or a snow-covered mountain.
 * A blessing is like a recipe – a recipe for thanking God. You start with “Blessed are You, Adonai (the Hebrew word for God)” and then add something that you are thank for, like fruit. After you say the blessing, you can say why you like the item.
 * We practiced the blessing’s first three Hebrew words, “Baruch atah Adonai,” which is “Blessed are You, Adonai.”
 * The students did a Search and Circle word puzzle, looking for items we can be grateful for, like grapes, flowers, rainbow, carrots, sun, rain, Torah, Shabbat.
 * Each student was given a parent “Learning at Home” handout for the Thanking God pamphlet, and a student “Classroom Enrichment Worksheet” which was a letter to God to complete.

Ot Hashavuah – nun, nedivut, generosity
 * __Saturday, December 12, 2015, Shabbat School__**

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah__ – Rebecca
 * Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac.
 * He instructs the servant to take ten camels and many gifts, go back to the land Abraham came from and find a wife for his son.
 * The servant stopped at a well in the center of one of the towns. He said, “When the girls of the town come for water, I will ask for a drink. The girl who offers water to me and to the camels will be the one God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.”
 * Rebecca came to the well with her water jug. “Will you please give a sip of the water from your jug?” the servant asked her.
 * Rebecca hurried over. “Please, sir, drink as much as you want. And let me get water for all your camels, too,” she said.
 * The servant asked, “Is there a place I can stay for the night?”
 * Rebecca replied that her family had room for a guest, and plenty of straw for the camels.
 * The servant thought that such a kind, generous girl would be a good wife for Isaac.
 * The servant gave Rebecca gifts – a gold ring and two gold bracelets. He asked her family if she would marry Isaac. “I will,” said Rebecca. And she did.
 * The students used stickers to complete a camel counting exercise.
 * We discussed what made Abraham’s servant decide that Rebecca would be a good wife for Isaac. Rebecca gave water to the servant right away. She also took care of the animals without being asked. In this way, Rebecca showed that she was more than just polite. She showed she was kind. We discussed ways that we could show kindness.
 * We discussed a picture showing helpful and unkind behaviors, and identified which ones were which.

Values
 * __Let’s Discover Mitzvot__ – Tzedakah
 * The Torah teaches that it is only fair that those who have plenty be a mensch (a good person) and share. Sharing, whether clothing, food, toys, or tzedakah coins, helps those who have less feel better.
 * Jews from all around the world should lend a helping hand. When we share with others we are “keeping God’s command.”
 * Some children do not have what they need. Tzedakah can help make the world more fair. It is not fair that some people have a lot while others have only a little. To make things fair, we have to share.
 * We discussed what we need, including food, housing, clothing.
 * How can we help? We can help by sharing what we have. The students matched pictures of children needing something specific with the item needed.
 * Putting coins in a tzedakah box can help too. Tzedakah money can help buy the things people need.
 * It all adds up. One dollar may not seem like very much, but if everyone put one dollar together, it could start to add up. When each of us gives a little, together we can give a lot!
 * Giving tzedaah is not just something nice to do, it’s a mitzvah – a commandment.
 * The students were asked to find the Hebrew word “tzedakah” on two pictures of tzedakah boxes.
 * Our tradition teaches us to give tzedakah cheerfully. But it is not always easy to share. We discussed that we should we feel cheerful when we give.
 * The “My Family and Me” section gave a suggestion for creating a tzedakah box at home by making a slit in the top of a clean container, such as an oatmeal box, or a tennis ball can. It is a tradition to put a few coins in a tzedakah box before lighting Shabbat candles.
 * An “Enrichment” handout for Tzedakah went home with the students. They can color the Hebrew word for Tzedakah, which is printed on the handout, then cut it out and glue it to the front of the box.
 * A Parent letter from the authors of the “Let’s Discover Mitzvot” series was also sent home. In this letter is a recommendation of a book called __The Blessing of a Skinned Knee__, by Dr. Wendy Mogel. Many of the eight commandments from the “Mitzvot” series are described in this child rearing guide.

Zehut Yehudit (Jewish Identity) and Giborim (heroes) Review
 * Before Haverim services, Iris assembled all the students to review what they had learned at the “Jewish Identity” program on Nov. 22 (during the time the parents were in Parent Conferences).
 * Students had been placed in small groups on Nov. 22 to read a book about a Jewish hero, and were asked to create a poster about it, including what that hero had contributed. Iris now asked each group to come up and explain its poster.
 * These heroes included Elijah the Prophet, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Anne Frank, Marc Chagall, Shalom Aleikhem, Golda Meir, Yizhak Rabin, Aaron Lansky, Olivia from __The Only One Club__ book, Moses, Elan - a Native American Jewish man, Esther, and the Maccabees. The students, for the most part, remembered their hero’s contribution, and we heard what each one did.

Haverim Services
 * Kitah Alef attended this service. Iris led the K – 3rd grade students in the prayers and songs. She discussed the portion, which was Miketz, in which Pharaoh has two dreams, about the cows and about the ears of grain. Joseph interprets the dreams for Pharaoh, and is put in charge of all Egypt. He saves up extra food for seven years so that when the seven years of famine come there is enough food for everyone. When famine comes to Canaan, Israel sends ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain. They come to Joseph. He recognizes them and he tests his brothers to find out if they regret what they had done to him many years before. He says that when they come for more food they must bring Benjamin, the youngest son. When they return Joseph tricks them by hiding gold in Benjamin’s bag. This makes Benjamin look like a thief.

In a subsequent portion, Judah begs Joseph to let Benjamin go, and even offers to stay in Benjamin’s place. Joseph cries. He stops pretending, and tells Israel’s sons that he is their long-lost brother Joseph. They hug and cry. He tells them, “God sent me ahead of you to save lives.” Pharaoh welcomes Joseph’s family. Israel brings the whole family to Egypt. They settle in an area called Goshen.

Iris read a book related to Hanukkah. We joined the congregation in the Sanctuary for the Ruach Rally with Rabbi Ohriner, and then we had lunch.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children on Saturday, January 9, 2016, for SHABBAT SCHOOL, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Wishing you and your families a healthy, happy, peaceful New Year.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 19, 2015 Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope you and your families are all doing well.

I was glad to see so many Kitah Alef families at the Jewish Time Travel last Saturday. I hope you and your families found it a fun, informative, and enlightening experience. There were many activities to choose from, and they certainly transported us back to the 1800’s. It was quite a worthwhile event!


 * __Important Reminders__**:
 * **Parent Conferences, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. Students have a special program, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.**
 * **Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 25 – 29, 2015. Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!**
 * **Next Regular JYEP class, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm**
 * **Hanukkah begins Dec. 6, 2015**

I would like to catch you up with our last 2 classes, on Nov. 8 and Nov. 14.

Ot Hashavuah – tet, hakarat haTov, recognizing the good
 * __Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015__**

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – The Tower of Babel__
 * Long ago the people of the earth had one language but no home. They moved from place to place.
 * They decided to all live in one place. They baked hard bricks from clay and they used the bricks to build houses.
 * “We will build a city. And a tower with its top in the heavens! We will be famous for it. We will live here always. People will remember us forever.”
 * God came down and saw the tower they were building. God said, “This is just the beginning of what they will try to do!” The people thought the tower was more important than anything else.
 * So God changed the one language into many languages. The builders could not talk to each other. They couldn’t make bricks together and so couldn’t build the tower together.
 * All the work stopped. The tower was never finished.
 * The people moved away. The empty city was called Babel. And even today, when people talk in a way no one can understand, we call it babble.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * We discussed why God stopped the people from building the tower. The people were not humble. They wanted to make themselves famous. They put themselves and the tower first, and forgot to think about others. They forgot to think about God.

Mitzvot
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Guard Your Tongue__
 * The way we choose to use words can affect how others feel.
 * Using words wisely is “shmirat halashon.”
 * A scraped knee hurts on the outside, but mean words hurt on the inside. The students did an exercise placing mean words into a trash can and words that heal into a heart shape.
 * We read the story “Feathers Everywhere!” It is about a woman who gossips and whose neighbors do not wish to speak with her anymore. She goes to her rabbi for advice. He asks her to go home, find a pillow filled with feathers, rip the pillow open and bring it to him. As she is walking back to the rabbi, the wind blows all the feathers away. The rabbi asks her to go collect all of them. She says, “Il’ll never find them all.” The Rabbi explains: “The feathers are just like your mean words - once the words come out of your mouth, you can never take them back.”
 * The moral of this story is that you can never get your words back. But you can watch what you say.
 * The students did an exercise to choose the right thing to say – if you don’t wish to play with someone, if you received a gift you didn’t like, or if you missed a catch during a ballgame.
 * The expression “shmirat halashon,” or “guard your tongue” means to be careful with what you say. Certain expressions sound funny but they mean to “guard your tongue.” These include hold your tongue, a fly can’t get into a closed mouth, bite your tongue. They sound funny, but they all mean: be careful with the words you use!
 * Watching what you say is not just a nice thing to do – it’s a mitzvah, shmirat halashon.

Dance
 * Kitah Alef had dance with Morah Donna.
 * One of the dances was for Hanukkah, and the students practiced spinning like dreidles.

Kitah Alef Family Education Hour – Topic: God
 * I talked a short time about God, then the students worked on an art project created by Morah Leslie. The children used crayons to color in a flying dove with an olive branch in its beak, and the word “Mizrach” in Hebrew, meaning “East.” They could put the bird and the dove inside the frame in any way they wished. The “Mizrach” placques are put on the Eastern wall of a home, towards Jerusalem, the direction we face when we pray. The children’s pictures came out beautifully! I hope you have put them up at home!

1. We can’t see God, so this makes it difficult to understand the idea of God or to describe God. We can’t see the wind or electricity either, but we know they are there. We can, however, feel the effects. 2. We can appreciate nature, and we can see God as Creator. We see beautiful plants and flowers, green trees, the mountains, the oceans, sunrises and sunsets, animals. 3. God is brought into the world through the mitzvot, God’s commandments. We are working with God as partners to do what is right, to make the world a better place, to leave it better than we found it. We do “tikkun olam,” or repair of the world. 4. We are created with free will. Human beings have been given reasoning and thought. We have the capability to choose right from wrong. When we choose the right path or “derekh eretz” we are choosing the right actions to take. We are asked to think before we speak or act. Think twice, act once. 5. We are created in the image of God. Not literally, because God does not have a physical being the way we do. When it says that Noah “walked with God,” it doesn’t mean that God walked along the beach next to Noah. It means that we were created with the good characteristics or “middot” of God, such as being generous, being helpful, being kind, having compassion, having lovingkindness. 6. One definition: God is the capacity to do good in the world. 7. In the Noah story, the dove is a symbol for peace. The rainbow is a symbol of God’s Covenant with us, that God will not again destroy the world. The rainbow gives us hope for the future. In recent years, it has represented inclusion of all types of people, all the diverse types of people. Inclusion fosters unity, and the more people are united, the more chance we have for a peaceful world.
 * Following are the points conveyed in my discussion about God during the Family Education Hour:


 * The parents went to the Sanctuary to meet with Rabbi Ohriner, who continued the conversation about God.
 * Thank you to all who attended this Family Education Hour.

Ot Hashavuah – limud, lamed, learning
 * __Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 – Shabbat School__**

Torah
 * __Teach Me Torah – Abraham__
 * God chose Abraham to be the father of the Israelite people.
 * God tells Abraham to leave his home, and go to the land God will show him. God will make Abraham a great nation. So Abraham and his wife Sarah go live in the land of Canaan. They follow God’s ways.
 * However, many people did not follow God’s ways. God said, “I have heard that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are evil. If this is true, I will destroy them.”
 * But Abraham argues with God. He says, “But what if fifty good people are living there? Will you kill good people as well as bad ones?”
 * God says that if Abraham can find fifty good people, God will let the cities stay.
 * Then Abraham asks, if there are only forty good people, or only twenty, will God still destroy the cities.
 * God says God will let the cities stay.
 * Then Abraham asks, “But what if you find only ten good people?” God replies, “For the sake of ten good people the cities will be safe.”
 * But in all of Sodom and Gomorrah, there were not even ten good people. Only a man named Lot and his family were good.
 * God calls to Lot, “Run away! I will destroy these evil cities. Run away now, and do not look back!”
 * Lot and his family do run away, but his wife looks back. The story is that she turns into a pillar of salt.
 * God burned Sodom and Gomorrah.
 * The Torah tells us that God agreed to save a whole city for the sake of ten good people. It takes ten Jews to make a minyan, a group that prays together.
 * The students completed an exercise of counting ten people.
 * We discussed the question, Why did Abraham argue with God? Sometimes we must speak up to help others. Abraham did not want good people to be destroyed, so he argued with God.
 * We discussed pictures of people needing another person to stand up for them. We gave suggestions of what could be said to be of help.
 * We also learned that arguments can be solved by talking out the problem; you don’t have to fight – even if you disagree with the other person.

Mitzvot
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God – God is One__
 * God is the Creator. There is One God above us all, God helps us love each other.
 * God created all on our earth. We discussed items in nature or in the animal world – noting differences in size, weight, height, etc. – but noticing that regardless of dimensions, God is the One who made them all.
 * We discussed the “Shema.” The Shema is an important prayer. It teaches us about God. The word Shema means “Listen” or “Hear.” It means “There is only one God.” It tells us to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might.
 * Some people say the Shema in the morning, some say it before going to sleep at night.
 * We practiced saying the “Shema”: Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad. Hear O Israel: Adonai is our God, Adonai is One.
 * A mezuzah is a small container attached to the doorpost of a Jewish house. The Shema is written on the scroll inside.
 * When you see a mezuzah you will remember that there is only one God.
 * A mezuzah is attached on the right side as you enter the house or room. It hangs about one-third of the way down from the top of the doorpost, and the top of it slants toward the inside of the house or room.
 * Before attaching the mezuzah, a special prayer is said: Blessed are You, Adonai Our God, Ruler of the world, who makes us holy with mitzvot and commands us to affix a mezuzah.
 * The students were given a Classroom Enrichment worksheet, with the outline of “Shema Yisrael” in Hebrew, for them to trace and color, and then roll into a scroll. This can be put into a container to make their own mezuzah at home.

Haverim The children attended Haverim services, which I led. We sang several opening prayers, the Shacharit prayers, and an abbreviated Torah service. I discussed the week’s Torah portion, Toldot. In this portion, Jacob secures Esau’s birthright, and later, tricks Isaac into granting him the blessing that was to have gone to Esau. He does this by putting on goat skins on his arms and neck to fool Isaac, who does not see well. Jacob learns that Esau is very angry, so he runs away to his mother’s brother’s home. Many years later, Jacob goes to meet Esau, but finds that Esau is no longer angry at him, and they part amicably. The story has much to teach us about getting along with siblings!

Iris chose two books, which Hindy and I read at the service. They were set in the early 20th century and were about two influential Jewish young people. Iris chose them to coincide with the Jewish Time Travel event which was to be that evening (Nov. 14). The first story was called __Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1919__, by Michelle Markel. It is a true story about Clara Lemlich, a young Ukrainian immigrant, who helps organize garment factory girls and women to strike for better conditions, hours, and pay. She leads the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history.

The second story is called __Lipman Pike: America’s First Home Run King__, by Richard Michelson. He was one of the first professional baseball players. His father, a Dutch immigrant, runs a small haberdashery in Brooklyn, New York, though Lipman is more interested in playing ball than in working behind the counter. “When he is barely a teenager, he is invited to the Nationals Junior Club and play first base. When he hits his first pitch over the right fielder’s head, Lip knows baseball is the sport for him.” He continued to play and made major contributions to baseball.

Following services, we had Kiddush and Motzi under the Tent. Cake and cookies were served, too. We did not attend the Ruach Rally on this Shabbat, due to the length of the service.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to the Parent/Teacher conferences this coming Sunday, November 22, 2015, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Please come to the Kitah Alef classroom for the conferences. The students will attend their own special program at a different location.

As we will not see the children this Sunday, please wish your children a “Happy Thanksgiving” from both Morah Ora and me. We hope you enjoy the holiday.

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 7, 2015

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope this letter finds you and your families well.

__Schedules for Tomorrow__
 * Please note that your children have their regular JYEP schedule tomorrow, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.** Due to the Family Education tomorrow, Morah Ora will teach Kitah Alef Hebrew the first hour, and Morah Davida will be with Kitah Alef the rest of the morning.


 * Parents, please come at 11:15 am tomorrow to Portable 2 for your Family Education Hour. Your schedule is as follows:**


 * 11:15 – 11:45 am Art project, parents and children together, in Portable 2**


 * 11:45 – 12:30 pm All Parent Education Hour (topic: God), with Rabbi Ohriner, in Sanctuary (parents only)**


 * 12:25 – 12:30 pm Children to join parents for refreshments, in Sanctuary**

__A Note about TGIShabbat__ This past Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, was the first TGIShabbat service of this school year. This Kabbalat Shabbat service, to welcome in Shabbat, usually takes place on the first Erev Shabbat of the month. Each grade of the JYEP program helps to lead one specific (and practiced) prayer at this service, and the students of that grade receive something special specific for that grade.

Kitah Gimel (the other grade that I teach at Beth David) received their first siddur at the service on Nov. 6. The students each gave a speech on why the siddur is important to him or her, the parents and students created a bookmark, and the students were presented with their own siddur and the bookmark. It was a milestone experience.

I would like to encourage you and your families to attend this monthly multigenerational service throughout the year, even if it is not your child’s grade. The service is filled with lively melodies and geared for children’s participation, and all children, and all families, are most welcome. It is a joyful, musical, uplifting experience, and it is very child oriented. As the months go by, you will see what the other grades do, and see the texts they receive, and have a “bigger picture” of your child’s Religious School journey. Your child will become quite familiar with the prayers and their melodies. And, in addition, you will meet other JYEP families – both in your child’s grade and out of his or her grade, which will broaden and deepen your child’s Beth David experience.

In May, Kitah Alef (along with Kitah Bet) will have their turn to lead a prayer and to receive a special book. Please mark your calendars for Friday, May 6, 2016. Following the service we have a potluck dinner, and those who attend are asked for a contribution to the dinner. This is another wonderful way to meet other families in the JYEP program and to enjoy delicious food at the same time.

I hope you will take advantage of these monthly TGIShabbat services as they come throughout the year.

__Bringing you up to date__

I would like to catch you up with our last three classes, held on Oct. 18, Oct. 25, and Nov. 1. Please note that I was absent on October 25, due to a visit from my grandson and his parents, and Iris Bendahan and Irene Swedroe covered the class for me.

__Ot Hashavuah__ – hey, hoda’ah, gratitude
 * __Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015__**

__Holidays__ Text: __A Time to Celebrate, Shabbat__
 * Friday afternoon is a time to prepare for Shabbat by cleaning, making challah, shining the candlesticks, filling the Kiddush cup, and dressing nicely for Shabbat.
 * A very short service is done to welcome Shabbat. At the Shabbat table, there is a blessing over the candles, the prayer for the wine or juice (the Kiddush), blessing the children, making ha-Motzi.
 * I set up a sample Shabbat table, and we chanted blessings: for the candles, circling three times with our arms and covering our eyes to welcome the warmth and light of Shabbat; for the wine or grape juice, singing the Kiddush with everyone, and taking a sip of the wine or juice; blessing the children that God’s countenance would shine down upon them and grant them peace; and saying the Hamotzi before eating the challah.
 * Many families pray in the synagogue every Shabbat. They study and meet with their friends, too.
 * The Torah is read every Shabbat. It teaches the stories and rules of the people.
 * We discussed that the Torah is a scroll, made with two wooden rollers.
 * On Shabbat afternoon, there is time to relax and be together as a family. The Cohen family likes to take a walk together.
 * We learned that Shabbat is over when we can see 3 stars in the sky. The ceremony saying goodbye to Shabbat is Havdalah, which means separation. It has four parts: lighting the tall, braided candle, and saying the blessings over the wine, the spices, and the flame. At the end of Havdalah, the candle is dipped into some wine. When the flame is put out, everyone sings “Eliyahu HaNavi,” and says “Shavuah Tov!” or “Have a good week!”
 * The students completed some written exercises.

__God__ Text: __Let’s Discover God: God’s Gift of Shabbat__
 * During the week, everyone is busy. Parents are working, children are learning and playing. Everyone rushes and hurries, there is a lot of traffic, we get tired! But on one day, we stop all the rushing around. That day is Shabbat. “With Shabbat God gives us Time to rest and more, Time to hope and dream and to make our spirits soar!” Shabbat is a time for renewal.
 * Shabbat is a gift from God, a day to enjoy the world God created. On Shabbat we can finally slow down, and we can enjoy all of God’s creations – animals, insects, flowers, trees.
 * We celebrate Shabbat every week. It is like having a holiday every week.
 * Shalom is the Hebrew word for “peace.” When we greet people on Shabbat we say, “Shabbat Shalom,” “May you have a peaceful Shabbat.”
 * The Torah says that God worked for six days to create the world. On the seventh day God rested.
 * There are many things you can do to make Shabbat a peaceful day. These include singing, taking a walk, going to services and hearing the Torah being chanted, lighting Shabbat candles, reading books, enjoying a festive meal together.
 * Shabbat begins on Friday evening. We light candles to welcome Shabbat, then we say a blessing. We practiced this blessing.
 * Two handouts were sent home with this pamphlet, ‘Learning at Home” for parents, and “Classroom Enrichment Worksheet” for children – to find some of God’s creations hidden in a picture of the world.

Substitutes: Iris Bendahan and Irene Swedroe
 * __Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015__**

__Ot Hashavuah__ – Vav, v’ahavta, and you shall love….God, your neighbor as yourself

__Brachot Hashahar__ The children learned a few lines from this prayer, said in the morning. It thanks God for ordinary things, which we might take for granted, such as our minds, eye-sight, making us free, giving us strength when we are tired. The children practiced the first 6 words of each line in Hebrew, which repeat for all the lines of the prayer.

__Values__ Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Derekh Eretz__
 * Showing care and courtesy is Derech Eretz – the right path; it is treating people with respect.
 * Rules are important; when we follow rules, treat others with respect, and help others, we are on the right path. When we stay on the right path, the word feels like a better place.
 * The Torah helps us find the way to good behavior. It tells us to treat others as we want to be treated – with kindness and respect. A “yad” or Torah pointer is used to guide us when we read Torah. Irene showed the class a “yad.”
 * Derech Eretz is not just good behavior. It is a mitzvah, a commandment.
 * It is easy to be nice to someone when you both agree. What happens when you do not agree? Derech Eretz dos not mean you should never disagree. You can have a different opinion from someone else. You just need to state your opinion respectfully.
 * The children did some written exercises where they were asked to choose the right path.
 * Derech Eretz is not just for school; it is also for respecting parents, helping out at home, and being nice to brothers and sisters.

__Art__ Kitah Alef had art with Morah Leslie.

Ot Hashavuah – het, herut, freedom
 * __Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015__**

Torah Text: __Teach Me Torah: Adam and Eve__
 * Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, lived in a garden called Eden.
 * Many kinds of fruit trees grew in the garden.
 * God said they could eat of any fruit in the garden except for the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Goad said, “ If you do, you will die.”
 * A snake also lived in Eden. The snake told Eve, “You will not die. If you eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, you will know good from evil, just like God.”
 * The fruit looked delicious. Eve took a bite, then she gave the fruit to Adam, and he took a bite, too.
 * Then Adam and Eve heard God calling to them. They were afraid, so hid behind the trees.
 * God asked, “Why did you hide? Did you eat the fruit I told you not to eat?’
 * Adam said, “Eve gave it to me.”
 * “The snake tricked me,” Eve said.
 * God spoke to the snake. “Because you have done this, you will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life.”
 * God spoke to Adam and Eve. “You will face hardship and pain.”
 * Then God dressed Adam and Eve in clothing made from animal skins, and sent them out of the Garden of Eden forever.
 * The students did a written exercise.
 * We discussed why God punished Adam and Eve and not just the snake. The reason is that Adam and Eve had to accept responsibility for their actions. The snake did not force Eve to eat the fruit. Eve had a choice. Eve gave Adam the fruit. She did not make him eat it. Adam had a choice, too. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. They tried to blame others for their own mistakes.
 * We discussed what happens when we try to hide from our own mistakes. People do not trust us, and may not want to remain our friends.

Torah Text: __Teach Me Torah – Noah__
 * People had spread evil over all the earth. God said, “I wish I had never created them.”
 * But one man, Noah, was good. Noah walked with God.
 * God told Noah to build an ark. God told Noah to take his family and two of each animal onto the ark, and take food for all. Noah did as God said.
 * I asked the Kitah Alef students to choose an animal. They had to move like that animal. Then I created a small space, to represent the ark, and asked them to move into it, and still try to move the way their chosen animal moves. It was a tight space, and they didn’t have much room to move. I asked them to describe what it was like to be in such a small area. It was very confining!
 * It then began to rain. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights. The water rose and covered the earth. Noah’s ark floated along, keeping his family safe and all the animals, too.
 * The rain stopped. Noah sent birds out of the ark, but they flew right back. There was no place to land, only water.
 * After seven days, Noah sent a bird out again. This time it came back with an olive branch. It had found a treetop not covered by water.
 * The third time Noah sent a bird out, it did not come back. It had found a place to live, for the earth was finally dry.
 * God told Noah to come out of the ark. God blessed Noah and his family. God said, “You may kill animals for food. But do not kill people. They are created in the image of God.
 * God said, “Never again will I destroy the earth with a flood. I have set a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of My promise.”
 * The children completed written exercises.
 * We discussed what it means to walk with God. It does not mean that Noah literally walked with God. It means that Noah was different from other people. The others behaved badly and did wicked things. Noah set out to do the right thing, and to follow God’s commands. Noah had qualities of goodness and kindness. We discussed how we can “walk with God” – how we can be helpful and do the right thing. This could be playing nicely with a brother or sister, helping out at home, being kind to a friend at school.

God Text : __Let’s Discover God – God’s Promise__
 * A rainbow shows God’s promise that God will not again destroy the world.
 * We reviewed the Noah story: Noah took the animals onto the ark, the rained poured for 40 days and 40 nights, and God sets a rainbow in the sky as a symbol or a sign of God’s promise not to destroy the world again.
 * When you see a rainbow, it can make you feel better. It can show that after a storm, sunny days will follow.
 * We discussed how the colors in a rainbow help you remember God’s creations. For instance, certain colors remind us of certain foods or plants or flowers we like. The students thought of examples – of colors of food, or colors of items found in nature, that can remind them of God’s creations.
 * When you see a rainbow, there is a special blessing you can say: “Blessed are You, Adonai or God, Ruler of the world, who remembers the Covenant.” The class said this prayer in Hebrew. The word Covenant, or “Brit,” is an agreement. We discussed the word Covenant, meaning that both sides agree to the terms. In this case, that God will protect people, and people must live by God’s rules.
 * A symbol reminds of something. We reviewed a chart with a stop sign, the Israeli flag, a recycling sign, and a chanukkiyah, and talked about what each picture represents.
 * The 2 tablets of stone with the Ten Commandments are a symbol of a promise. Long ago, the Jewish people made an agreement with God. Our people promised to follow God’s laws. And God promised to make the Jewish people a great nation.
 * It is easy to make a promise, but sometimes it is hard to keep. We talked about what you can do to remember the promises you make, and why it is important to keep your promises.
 * When we follow God’s laws, we live a Jewish life. When we keep these law, we make the world a better place.
 * God’s laws teach us to honor our parents, protect the environment, and to remember Shabbat. Taking care of animas is another of God’s laws.
 * God’s laws are called commandments, or mitzvot in Hebrew.
 * Two handouts were sent home with this pamphlet, one to parents called “Learning at Home,” and one for students called “Classroom Enrichment Worksheet.” It is a list of the Ten Commandments.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children tomorrow.

L’hitraot, see you soon!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

October 12, 2015

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Greetings to all. I hope you have had a good holiday season.

Thank you to those who helped to decorate the shul’s sukkot on Sept. 27. They were very festive and colorful! And I hope you enjoyed the holiday of Simhat Torah, and dancing around with the Torahs! Welcome to all students new to our JYEP program. Please let me know if your child attended these events or services by including it on a mitzvah note; I can give stickers for our M&M Ladder for attendance!

Important Reminder
 * October 18, 2015, 11:30 am – Parent Education Hour with Rabbi Ohriner on “It’s a Mitzvah.” This is for families with students new to the JYEP program.

Here is an update on our last two classes.

__October 4, 2015__ Ot Hashavuah – hey, hoda’ah, gratitude

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – God and Creation__
 * God’s creations for the first 6 days: light/darkness; sea/sky; land/trees/plants; sun/moon/stars; fish/birds; animals/humans
 * God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. It was the day God rested after creating the world.
 * When God created people, God said the people will rule over the whole earth.
 * We did written exercises.
 * We discussed what it means to rule over the earth. A good ruler can be like a parent, taking care of all members of the family. By taking care of the world the way parents take care of a family, people can rule the earth.
 * We discussed how we can help take care of the world.

Candy Sukkah
 * At snack time, each child was invited to make a sukkah out of candy – graham crackers, nutella, marshmellow, thin pretzels, gum drops. It was fun to see the creative sukkot everyone built – and to see them collapse and be eaten!

Hakkafot
 * While there were no Hoshanah Rabbah services at Beth David on this morning, the entire school assembled in a big circle in the sanctuary, and made parades around the seats.
 * Iris provided real lulavim and etrogim, and each child had a chance to carry them part of the way.
 * Whenever we stopped, Iris gave explanations of the ritual of doing the Hoshanah Rabbah – praises to God.
 * At the end, Iris asked the children to take out the willow branches, take them outdoors, and beat them on the ground until the leaves came off. That symbolizes the ultimate and final chance to get rid of all the mistakes we made during the past year. Needless to say, this was a fun activity for the children!

Ot Hashavuah – hey, hoda’ah, gratitude
 * __Shabbat School, Oct. 10, 2015__**

God
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God – God’s Creations__
 * When we smell a flower, feel a raindrop, taste an apple, hear snow crunching beneath our feet, feel the sun, or coolness of the shade, we are reminded of all that God has made.
 * We discussed items that remind us of God’s creations, things that smell good, taste good, places we like to feel the sunshine, or the shade.
 * The Torah tells us that God created the world in six days. On the seventh day, God rested. We discussed what was created during the first six days.
 * We discussed things that God creates versus things that people make.
 * We can all be God’s partners and help create new things.
 * We read about the steps needed to take wheat and make it into challah to eat on Shabbat. We need to grow wheat, grind it into flour, knead the flour into dough, bake the dough to make challah.
 * We thank God for our food.
 * We practiced the Motzi the blessing for bread, in Hebrew and English.
 * **Two handouts were given:** **1) Learning at Home, a parent guide for the pamphlet on God’s Creations; and 2) a Classroom Enrichment Worksheet for each child. Please note: If your child did not bring a book bag, I kept his or her pamphlet and handouts and will give them out at our next class.**

Story About this book: ** " ** In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth...But something was missing..." Before creating humans, God said, “Let us make humans in Our image, after Our likeness.” In this playful new twist to the Genesis story, God asks all of nature to offer gifts to humankind―with the promise that the humans would care for creation in return. Then, woman and man were formed from the dust of the earth, in the image of God and in the image of all of nature. And it was very good, indeed. Whether you're large like the whale, small like the ant, lazy like the lizard or busy like the bee, this spirited story with its lively illustrations celebrates the interconnectedness of nature and the harmony of all living things.”
 * I read a beautiful book called __In Our Image, God’s First Creatures__, by Nancy Sohn Swartz, in which the animals give suggestions of attributes to God before God creates man and woman.

Haverim & Ruach Rallly The children attended the Haverim service lead by Iris. Iris read a book about with some stories from Genesis. We joined the Ruah Rally in the Main sanctuary with Rabbi Ohriner. Some children kept rhythm on the reading table while others danced. Afterwards, all who stayed had lunch!

Morah Ora and I look forward to seeing Kitah Alef on Sunday, October 18, 2015.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

September 20, 2015

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

The following is an update on our class today.

We had a shortened class this morning, due to our many activities! Here is what we covered in our Judaica class:


 * Ot Hashavuah** – gimel, gemilut hasadim, deeds of lovingkindness

We learned that the last letter in the Torah is a “lamed” - at the end of the word “Yisrael.” The first letter in the Torah is a “vet” or “bet” for the word “breisheet.” Putting the “lamed” together with the “vet” spells “lev” - the Hebrew word for heart. We love the Torah, and it was given to us with love by God.
 * Sukkot/Simhat Torah** –
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__
 * Sukkot - we briefly reviewed from our last class –
 * o What is a sukkah
 * o A sukkah’s roof has a leafy covering, and you can see the stars at night
 * o We decorate the sukkah with fruit and other items
 * o We remember that our ancestors brought the harvest to the Temple in Jerusalem
 * o We take the four “kinds” together to make up the lulav and etrog, and we shake them in all directions.
 * o Sukkot lasts for 7 days.
 * o It is called “Zeman Simchataynu” or the Time of our Rejoicing.
 * Simhat Torah – we discussed this holiday
 * o We learned that the Torah has laws and also many stories in it
 * o Some stories are Creation, Noah, Abraham, Jacob’ ladder, the Exodus from Egypt
 * o A sofer is the person who writes a Torah; he must be careful
 * o As soon as we finish reading the Torah we begin it again right away
 * o We sing and dance with the Torahs, circling in “hakkafot” or parades
 * o We carry and wave flags, which is a way we show that we love to study the Torah.
 * o On Simhat Torah, Cong. Beth David unrolls the entire Torah!


 * Handouts** –
 * The Torah is a Gift
 * “Turning, turning, turning” song
 * Mitzvah Note
 * “Supper in the Sukkah” invitation!

Today, Morah Ora could not be present. Samantha Wigon taught in her place.

Following the teaching part of the morning, the entire school went to the Sanctuary for a fun sinaglong with Hazzan Levy. The students returned to the quad and drew with blue chalk on the black-top, creating a “river.” Then they were asked to write down one item they did in the past year, on a coffee filter, and to dunk the paper in water. Afterwards, they were to clip it to the railing along the portatble. In a short time, the words on the paper disappeared, representing that one item being cast away, so that we can start the New Year fresh and clean. Rabbi Ohriner and Rabbi Alexander led us in a short tashlich ceremony and blew the shofar.


 * Please calendar the sukkah-decorating event at Beth David next week in Sunday, September 27, beginning at 10:30 am.** There will be no regularly scheduled JYEP class, but we do encourage your children to help decorate the sukkot at Beth David.

We will next meet as a class on Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. During the morning, we will be joining in the hakkafot in the Sanctuary, so everyone will have a chance to wave the lulav!


 * __Reminder: Please RSVP to me either way about coming to the “Supper in the Sukkah” at my home on Sunday, Sept. 27th with numbers and names of all guests, and with what you would like to bring!__**

Morah Ora joins me in wishing you all a “Gamar Hatimah Tovah.” We hope the adults have an easy fast on Yom Kippur, and it is a meaningful holiday for you and your family.

Have a Shavuah Tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

September 15, 2015 Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

We want to wish you and your families a Shanah Tovah u’Metukah, a good and sweet New Year, with health, happiness, peace, and abundant blessings.

This letter will cover our last class, on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, when we had our first Shabbat School.

We reviewed our Ot Hashavuah, bet, the mitzvah of “bikkur holim,” visiting the sick. The students thought of several ways to cheer up someone who is sick, including bringing them toys, flowers, and get-well cards.
 * __Ot Hashavuah__**

We discussed “What is the Torah?” We learned that it is many things: a book called the “Humash,” a collection of stories, the history of our ancestors, laws and rules to follow, a scroll, the 5 books of Moses, a “tree of life,” Jewish teaching, a precious gift.
 * __The Torah__**

We learned that the world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah, Gemilut Hasadim, Torah, Prayers, and Deeds of Lovingkindness.
 * __The World__**

We talked about the word “teshuvah,” which means “turning” or “returning.” We practiced walking across the room, then turning abruptly, and saying “teshuvah.” Especially at the start of a New Year, at the time of the High Holidays, we think of this term. We concentrate on casting off behavior that was not good, and resolving to do better. We make amends and say “I’m sorry” to those whom we may have hurt. We try to return to our best selves – and try to do and be the best we can be.
 * __Teshuvah__**

We sang the 3 T’s song about turning, accompanied by actions and hand-motions. The song’s words are:
 * __3 T’s Song__**

Turning, turning turning (turn on spot) On this holy day Turning, turning, turning (turn other way) Each in our own way

We turn to God – that’s Tefillah (hands reach upward) We turn to others – Teshuvah (hands reach toward other people) We turn to those who need our care That’s called Tzedakah (hands putting money into tzedakah box) We turn to those who need our care That’s called Tzedakah (hands putting money into tzedakah box)

We began our pamphlet on Sukkot, which I have kept because we did not finish it. We discussed the following points:
 * __Sukkot__**
 * To understand Sukkot we must recognize the importance of rain. For our ancestors, who were farmers, rain meant life; it nurtures and sustains the growth of food. Rain in the land of Israel is critical. Sukkot occurs just before the rainy season begins there. Sukkot was once the single most important event in the Jewish year.
 * We are reminded that we are dependent on nature, and of our need to protect it.
 * A sukkah is a hut or booth, with a roof made of branches.
 * We decorate the sukkah, often with fruit. Decorations can include strings of popcorn and cranberries.
 * When the Jews who lived in ancient Israel used to harvest their fields, they would sometimes live in a sukkah. This saved them a long walk home every day. The decorations remind us that Sukkot is a harvest holiday.
 * During Sukkot, Jews live in their sukkah, eating meals and sometimes even sleeping in it.
 * When the Jews left Egypt and spent forty years in the wilderness, they lived in Sukkot and tents.
 * After services on Sukkot, the Oneg or celebration, is held in the community sukkah.
 * In ancient Israel, Jewish families would come to Jerusalem three times a year. They would bring gifts from their harvests to the Temple.
 * On Sukkot we hold the 4 kinds together: the 3 kinds of branches, the lulav, myrtle, and willow, and the etrog.
 * The Lulav is shaken east, south, west, north, then up and down. This shows that God is everywhere.
 * We counted the 10 days between Sukkot, which lasts 7 days, and the next holidays, Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah.
 * We looked at a picture of people looking at an unscrolled Torah, which is filled with laws and stories that teach us how to be good Jews. It is our most important book.

Kitah Alef attended Haverim services, led by Iris, then joined the Ruah Rally in the main Sanctuary with the congregation. Lunch followed.
 * __Haverim__**


 * __Announcements__**
 * Our next JYEP class will be on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. We will have a shortened class period, a Singalong with Cantor Levy, and a creative “Tashlich” experience.
 * As a reminder, Yom Kippur services are on Tuesday evening, Sept. 22 and on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
 * All students are invited to help create Sukkah decorations for the synagogue’s sukkah on Sunday, Sept. 27, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm (note: no regular JYEP classes that day).

__Reminders__
 * Please remember to bring in Mitzvah notes, tzedakah, Haverim attendance, and completed library book coupons – all ways to earn stickers for our M&M Ladder (mitzvot and middot).
 * Please remind your children to bring their blue JYEP school bags to school every school day. Thank you!

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children next weekend, on September 20.

Again, our best wishes to you for a happy, healthy, and fulfilling New Year.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

__**September 6, 2015**__ Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Greetings! I hope everyone is well. I will be sending Parent Letters from time to time to keep you up to date on our classroom activities in Kitah Alef. This letter will cover our first two classes, on Aug. 23 and Aug. 30.

It was truly a pleasure to meet your children. They are good listeners, and they like to participate in class. We’re off to a wonderful start to our year!


 * Important Reminder:** **If you have not already done so, please provide your child with a two-pocket folder for taking home our pamphlets.** Please remove the current take-home items each week in order to make room for future handouts. Thank you! (Note: Some children in our class left their Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur pamphlets in the classroom; I will return them at our next class.) **It is also helpful if your child remembers to bring his or her blue JYEP book bag to school every school day.**


 * __Sunday, Aug 30, 2015__**

We did a different icebreaker, which I call “Kehillah Kedosha” (holy community). Seated in a circle on carpet rugs, each child takes a turn turning over an index card with another child’s name on it. Then the “turner” has to locate the child in the circle whose name is on the card, shakes hands, and say, “Shalom, how are you?” We go around the circle until everyone has a turn. If we have time, I will ask children if they would like to share something about their week.

We discussed the Ot Hashavuah, “bet,” for “Bikkur Holim” or Visiting the Sick. We discussed what we could take to someone who was sick, something that would cheer him or her up. We also talked about the next letter or sign, “gimel,” for “Gemilut Hasadim” or Acts of Lovingkindess, and mentioned several ways we could be helpful to others.

We learned the “Modeh Ani” prayer, which is said upon waking up in the morning. We learned its meaning, and practiced singing it, in Hebrew and in English, to the tune of “You are my sunshine.”

We went through the pamphlet __A Time to Celebrate: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.__ We covered the following:
 * Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year.
 * We send New Year’s cards, and say L’Shanah Tovah, a good New Year!
 * We wrote down one wish for the coming year.
 * The shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah. It is made from a ram’s horn. (Some children tried to blow on shofars I brought from home. We learned it’s hard to do!)
 * The shofar sounds 4 calls: Teki’ah, Shevarim, Teruah, Teki’ah Gedolah.
 * The special prayerbook for Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur is a “machzor.”
 * On Rosh Hashanah we do a lot of thinking about the coming year, and what we can do to become a better person.
 * We try to do good things, such as honor parents, give tzedakah, be honest, be kind.
 * Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world.
 * We eat apples dipped in honey, for a sweet new year.
 * We eat a round __h__allah. It is shaped like a crown to remind us that God is our Ruler. Also, it reminds us that the seasons keep repeating.
 * We do “teshuvah.” This is recognizing what mistakes we have made in the past year, and “returning” to our best selves. We say, “I am sorry” for the things we have done that are wrong. We apologize to ourselves, to God, to other people. Teshuvah is hard work. In Hebrew, the word for “missing the mark” is __h__et. We practiced throwing beanbags at an “x” target on the wall, trying to hit the middle of the “x.” Though we don’t always hit the target, and recognize we are not perfect, we do not give up improving ourselves!
 * We have 10 days to reflect on our errors and do teshuvah. These are called the ten days of teshuvah, the ten days of repentance, extending from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur.
 * On the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah we participate in the “tashlich” ceremony. We go to a stream or river, and toss in bread crumbs that represent our mistakes. On Rosh Hashanah Jews are trying to throw their mistakes away. The children were each given a small piece of bread, and as I walked in front of them, I trailed a blue towel, representing a flowing body of water. They were invited to throw their bread onto the “stream,” as if casting away their mistakes from the past year.
 * On Erev Yom Kippur the Cantor chants a special prayer called “Kol Nidre.”
 * On Yom Kippur we go to synagogue. It is a whole day set aside for praying, thinking, studying, and dong “teshuvah.”
 * On Yom Kippur adults fast, having no food or water for 25 hours.
 * We try to wear white on Yom Kippur, to remind us of the idea of cleansing out the behavior we do not want to keep from the past year, and to have a pure, clean, fresh start for the coming year.
 * It is a tradition not to wear leather on Yom Kippur.
 * At the very end of Yom Kippur, all who have a shofar are invited to come to the bimah and blow the final “tekiah gedola” together. It is one final, loud call to remind us to be and do our very best in the coming year.
 * Yom Kippur ends with the hope that all our wishes for peace, justice, food and shelter will come true. We hope that all of us will become the best people we can be.

Kitah Alef did an art project with Morah Ora (Morah Leslie is in Israel), making a mobile from symbols of the High Holidays. Kitah Alef also had dance with Morah Donna.


 * As a reminder, we do have Kitah Alef on Saturday, September 12, 2015, Shabbat School, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.** Within that timing, Kitah Alef will attend class and our children’s service (for K – 3rd grades), Haverim, after which we will go to the Sanctuary for the Ruah Rally with the congregation. We invite you to attend services in the main sanctuary that day, and join us for lunch with your children in the Social Hall.

As it is coming very soon, Morah Ora and I want to wish you and your families a “L’Shana Tovah U’Metukah,” a good and sweet New Year!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora


 * __Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015__**

For introductions, we did a fun apple-matching activity, where each child had to walk around looking to match his or her half apple (made of paper) with another child’s half-apple, to make a whole apple, and then find out something about that new person.

I mentioned the different Judaica topics we will be covering in our class this year. We reviewed the Kavod Code, our classroom rules, and each student signed the Code. I also listed ways the students can earn stickers for our classroom “M&M Ladder” – our Mitzvot (commandments/good deeds) and Middot (virtues) chart - including bringing in tzedakah, reading Jewish books, attending services, and doing mitzvot at home.

We discussed the Ot Hashavuah, the letter or sign of the week, the Hebrew letter “Alef.” This letter is for the Hebrew world “Truth” or Emet. We talked about honesty and telling the truth. If you don’t tell the truth, you may lose a friend’s trust!

I told the class a story, called “The Apple Tree’s Discovery,” by Peninah Schram and Rachayl Davis. The apple wants stars on its branches, because, when it looks up at night, it thinks that the tall oak trees around it have stars on their branches. If it has stars, too, the little tree would feel truly special. God reminds the tree of all it does have - beautiful blossoms for people to look at, delicious fruit for people to eat, it provides shade, and it offers a home for birds. These are not enough, and the little tree wants to have stars. God tells the apple tree to be patient. In the end, God causes a wind to blow, and an apple falls to the ground from its branches. Only then does the little apple tree realize it does have “stars” - inside its fruit. (I had a cut apple (cut horizontally), to show the children the star shape inside it.) At last, the apple tree is happy. God says, “See, you had stars inside you all along, you just didn’t know it.” We earned that the message in this story is that each one of us is special, we each have something special unique to us.

__**August 22, 2015**__ Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Greetings and welcome to the new school year at Congregation Beth David’s Jewish Youth Education Program (JYEP)! We are very excited about teaching your children and having an inspiring year of learning and growing together.


 * We are also very much looking forward to meeting you and your children at our “Back to School” event this coming Sunday, August 23, 2015, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.** Children and parents will have separate times to meet with the teachers in the classroom, and we will be all together in the Sanctuary towards the end of the morning.

We want to give you a little information before school starts. Morah Davida will teach the Judaica topics including Torah, God, Mitzvot, Israel, holidays, prayers, blessings, and Morah Ora will teach Hebrew. Judaica will have very little homework; however, **we do ask that you help your child keep up with the Hebrew homework, which will be invaluable on the journey to becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah!**


 * We request that you please reinforce our “Kavod Code” (good behavior rules) during school hours and at home. We encourage students to climb our “M&M Ladder” by doing “middot and mitzvot.” A middah is a virtue or characteristic (being honest, patient, compassionate, etc.). A mitzvah is a commandment.** **Ways to earn stickers for the M&M Ladder include:**
 * • **Donating tzedakah or charity (any amount is fine!)**
 * • **Attending 7 tefillot or prayer services (five from Haverim services for grades K – 3rd, two from other services; tracked on Haverim Chart)**
 * • **Reading Jewish books (complete a sifriya tloosh, library ticket, and turn it in to Morah Davida; tracked on the Library Chart)**
 * • **Performing middot or mitzvot in class or at home (exhibiting good behavior or doing chores above and beyond the normal expectations; complete “Mitzvah Note” and turn it in to Morah Davida)**
 * • **Adding and continuing a new Shabbat or holiday ritual (email or send in note)**

We are most fortunate that our instruction will be enriched weekly by the creativity of **Morah Leslie Drori in art** and monthly by the energy of **Morah Donna Frankel** **in dance.** In addition, our school year includes several opportunities for family enrichment, involvement and learning in our monthly **TGIShabbat service** (grade-specific, but open to all grades), our **Family Education Days** (by grade) and **Mishpacha Programs** (all-school and community-wide).


 * __IMPORTANT NOTE:__ To help keep your child organized will you please supply him or her with the following: __a two-pocket folder, pencil pouch with 2 pencils with erasers, and a kippah to wear during school.__ __Please bring all supplies in the blue book bag__ (provided by our school). Thank you!**

And… if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us:
 * • Davida Adelberg, adelbergfam@me.com, or (408) 892‐3691 (cell)
 * • Ora Avidan-Antonir, oraaa@hotmail.com or (408) 530-0384 (home)

B’Shalom and l’hitraot, see you soon, Morah Davida and Morah Ora


 * 5775 Classroom Updates**
 * May 26, 2015

Dear Kitah Alef Parents, Hello, all! I hope you and your families are doing well, and enjoyed the holiday of Shavuot! It is remarkable that we have reached the end of our JYEP school year. I would like to fill you in on our Shavuot program, and the last in-class day we had on Sunday, May 17.

Several families were able to attend our “Shavuot Pilgrimage and Picnic” this past Sunday, May 24. There were four groups (by age) of children and adults going through a rotation of four different stations covering the main themes of the holiday: first fruits, the harvest, giving of the Torah, and the Book of Ruth. Those children who were doing the Ruth skits enacted the story in the sanctuary for the congregation, which was well received. Following was a lovely lunch and desserts brought by the families in baskets.
 * __Shavuot Pilgrimage and Picnic__**

A heartfelt thank you to all who came, to parents who helped out in various capacities, and who brought donations of canned fruit. We hope everyone had a good understanding of this holiday – which is one of the least observed, but one of the most significant since it commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai.

Our last Kitah Alef classroom session was on Sunday, May 17. The following topics were covered:
 * __Sunday, May 17__**


 * Ot Hashavuah – dalet, derech eretz, good manners


 * Mezzuzah pamphlet


 * It reviewed the mezzuzah, which we put on our doorposts
 * It has the “Shema” in it, written on parchment
 * When we affix a mezzuzah on our door, we say a special prayer
 * The mezzuzah is a reminder of Passover when the Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Jews, where blood was put on the lintels of the doors
 * It also reminds us of Hanukkah when there was a rededication of the Temple after the Maccabees restored it
 * Stickers were placed on the pamphlet as a reminder of the important concepts related to the mezzuzah


 * Story read: __In God’s Hands__, by Lawrence Kushner and Gary Schmidt. Here is a synopsis of this delightful story:

“When the sun sets and stars fill the sky, the square in the little town grows quiet and still. The cool air of distant hills mingles with the sweet scent of baking bread. The moon rises and glows softly. It’s the sort of place where miracles could happen.”

David and Jacob live in the same little, ordinary town, but it’s almost as if they’re from different worlds. David is so poor he can barely feed his family. Jacob is so consumed with staying rich he thinks about nothing but money. But the two men have one thing in common: they both believe that miracles are big, magical things that can only happen somewhere else, to someone else.

But when Jacob wakes up from a nap in synagogue one day, sure that God has demanded twelve loaves of bread from him, all this changes in amazing ways you’d never expect.

A delightful, timeless legend based on Jewish tradition, //In God’s Hands// tells of the ordinary miracles that occur when we really, truly open our eyes to the world around us.”


 * Morah Ora and I gave each student a small patchwork bear as a parting gift. Included was a note saying we hope everyone will remem//bear// to do mitzvot and act with kavod. Just as the bear was repaired, we hope each student will do “tikkun olam,” help repair the world.

The day ended with our **Rewards Ceremony** in the Sanctuary, where gifts were given for school attendance, M&M Ladder progress, attendance at Haverim services, and books read for the reading program. The class did very well in earning awards! **Mazal Tov to them and to you for helping them in all of these endeavors!**
 * __Rewards Ceremony__**

Morah Ora and I very much enjoyed teaching your children this year in Kitah Alef. They are lively and eager to learn, and had many interesting and thoughtful comments to share. We want to encourage you to keep up their good progress this year by completing the BHPP, Black Hole Prevention Packet. This will help them retain the Hebrew they learned this year and will prepare them to enter Kitah Bet next year.
 * __Farewell__**

We want to wish everyone a fun, relaxing, restful and wonderful summer! Because some students missed our last in-class meeting on May 17 and/or missed our final Shavuot event, Morah Ora and I did not have the opportunity to bid farewell to all of our Kitah Alef students. Please do especially wish your children a “kol hakavod” (all the honor) for a very good year this year, and wish them a super summer from us.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

P.S. And please come back and visit us in Kitah Alef next year!

May 14, 2015

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope you are well and have had a good week.

It is quite remarkable that the year is coming to a close soon. I have enjoyed teaching your children. They are bright and eager learners, have wonderful insights, and are a pleasure to have in class. Hopefully they enjoyed our Judaica class and learned meaningful lessons in all of our areas of study - Torah, God, mitzvot, Israel, blessings, holidays, and values.

I want to give you a few important reminders and bring you up to date with our last two classes.


 * __IMPORTANT REMINDERS:__**

Regular classes, 9:30 – 11:15 am. Rewards Ceremony in the Sanctuary, 11:15 am – 12:30 pm. **__Note: Please have your child wear JYEP tie-dyed tee shirt as we will have class photos__.** The Ceremony honors students for M&M Ladder progress, classroom attendance, services attendance, and our reading program. All Parents encouraged to attend!
 * __Sunday, May 17, 2015__**

Shavuot Pilgrimage and Picnic, last day Shavuot celebration, 9:30 – 12:30 pm, for both students and parents. **__Please bring dessert in a basket to share, and canned fruit as a donation.__** __**RSVP requested!** **Note: Please have your child wear white or floral clothing in honor of Shavuot.**__
 * __Sunday, May 24, 2015 – Last session for this school year!__**

During Shabbat morning services, Moving Up/Graduation/Volunteer Recognition.
 * __Saturday, June 6, 2015__**

For those who qualify, Youth Service Award program, 9:30 - 11:30 am, featuring “Mad Science.”
 * __Sunday, June 7, 2015__**

Please, please, please have your child complete this packet over the summer. You may help your child. It will help him or her retain Hebrew learned during the year, and will make the next school year much easier! BHPP Packets will be handed out this Sunday, May 17, 2015.
 * __Black Hole Prevention Packet or BHPP – very important to do this summer!!!__**


 * __BRINGING YOU UP TO DATE__**


 * Sunday, May 3, 2015**

Ot HaShavuah – yud, yediat Eretz Yisrael, Knowledge of the Land of Israel

Holidays
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__ – Shavuot
 * Celebrates the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai. It is an agricultural holiday celebrating the spring harvest.
 * Moses went up Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights writing down the Torah.
 * We reviewed the Ten Commandments.
 * On Shavuot a Confirmation ceremony often takes place in which teenagers (about 15 or 16 years old) celebrate completion of a course of study; they stand before the ark and say “Na’aseh v’nishmah,” “We will do and we will listen to the Torah.”
 * Shavuot is a time when many adult Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremonies take place. Some adults never did become Bar or Bat Mitzvah as children. So they are now learning as adults.
 * Consecration occurs when a child first starts learning Jewish subjects.
 * To get the Torah Moses had to go up Mt. Sinai. We call a Torah honor an aliyah, a going up.
 * Adults attend an all night study session. On Shavuot it is a tradition to study Torah all night.
 * On Simhat Torah we finish reading the Torah and start it all over again. Simhat Torah is a few weeks after Rosh Roshanah. On Shavuot we celebrate the night on which the Torah was given.
 * On Shavuot it is a custom to eat dairy food, that is, to divide between dairy foods and meat foods.
 * Some foods are parev – meaning that they are a food with neither milk nor meat in it. Parev foods can be eaten with either dairy or meat.
 * We eat dairy foods on Shavuot because when God taught Torah to Israel, Jews got the rules of kashrut for the first time. It is harder to prepare meat food in a kosher way, so at first the Families-of-Israel ate dairy. Many Jews do not keep kosher but every Jew should know about kashrut. The laws of kashrut can teach us many Jewish values.
 * Shavuot has several names:
 * Shavuot – weeks, for the 7 weeks from Passover to Shavuot; 49 days
 * Hag Matan Torah – Holiday of the Giving of Torah
 * Hag Habikkurim - Holiday of the First Fruits
 * Hag HaKatzir – Holiday of the Harvest
 * On Shavuot we read the Book of Ruth. It is the story of a woman who became Jewish. She was married to a Jewish man, but he died. She told her mother-in-law “Where you go, I will go. Your people shall be my people. Your God shall be my God.”
 * When Ruth and Naomi got back to the land of Israel, they were poor. There was a Jewish law that farmers had to leave any grain that was dropped, or forgotten, in the corners of the field. Ruth fed Naomi by going to the fields and picking up the food that was left for the widow, the poor, and the orphans.
 * There she met Boaz, a rich farmer. They fell in love and got married. King David was born from one of the descendants.
 * A sofer is a person who writes a “Sefer Torah,” a Torah scroll, and the parchments that go into a mezuzah and in a set of tefillin. The sheets of parchment are sewn together.
 * A sofer has to be very careful about writing a Sefer Torah. It must be perfect, without mistakes. Every single word in the Torah must be copied from another Torah. A sofer cannot write a single word from memory. Every time we read the Torah we hold up the text we read so that the congregation can see the words that are in the reading.
 * Torah is written in a very special script. Some of the letters have crowns on the top.
 * The 5 books of the Torah are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Mitzvot
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot__ – Talmud Torah
 * Jewish learning can teach us many things, including stories with important lessons and how to pray. It can help us choose right from wrong. Jewish knowledge makes our lives “more flavorful and sweet.”
 * Jewish learning is part of living a Jewish life. We read Bible stories, we learn prayers and songs, we study Hebrew and Jewish history. All this is “Talmud Torah” or Jewish learning.
 * Talmud Torah is a mitzvah. A mitzvah is a commandment.
 * We study Torah. We read the Torah over and over again, year after year. It teaches us about God, about Jewish life and traditions and about how to behave. It is our most important book.
 * We learn prayers The Shema is an important prayer. It says we believe in one God. Learning the Shema in Hebrew connects us to God and to Jews around the world.
 * Learning should be sweet. Long ago, teachers wrote Hebrew letters on slates and covered them with honey. They gave the slates to students on their first day of school. They wanted everyone’s first taste of Hebrew to be nice and sweet.
 * We learn all life long. Some things are just for babies and children. But Talmud Torah is for everyone.
 * Talmud Torah is one mitzvah that helps us learn other mitzvot. Mitzvot are commandments Jews follow that help make the world a better place.
 * A Family Activity sheet was sent home with this pamphlet.

Kitah Alef had art with Morah Leslie, which was a Mother’s Day project. I hope all the mothers enjoyed this gift!


 * Saturday, May 9, 2015, Shabbat School**

Ot HaShavuah – lamed, limud, learning

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah__ – Ruth and Naomi
 * After her husband and two sons died in Moab, Naomi decided to return home to the Land of Israel.
 * Naomi said to her sons’ wives, “Go back to your families.” One agreed, but the other refused to leave Naomi. Her name was Ruth.
 * Ruth said to Naomi: “Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God.” And she followed Naomi back to the Land of Israel.
 * The two women had very little food. But it was the harvest season. “I will go into the fields,” said Ruth. “I will walk behind the workers and pick up grain they leave behind.”
 * A farmer named Boaz owned the field Ruth chose. Boaz knew that Ruth and Naomi were alone and hungry. “Return only to my field,” Boaz said to Ruth. Then he told his workers to leave extra grain behind for her to find. And Ruth shared all this with Naomi.
 * Boaz saw that Ruth was kind. He saw that she was loyal to Naomi.
 * “You are a fine woman,” Boaz said to Ruth. “I will marry Ruth,” he said to Naomi.
 * God blessed Ruth and Boaz. They had a son named Obed. And Obed’s son was Jesse. And Jesse’s son was David. And David grew up to become King of Israel. This was the blessing God gave to Ruth for being loyal to Naomi and to God, and choosing the faith of the Jews.
 * We discussed the exercises in the pamphlet, linking a child’s need with the correct object: a boy who is shivering with a coat, a hungry girl with food, a crying baby with a teddy bear.
 * We discussed why Boaz left grain in his fields. It was the custom in ancient Israel for farmers to let poor people pick up fallen grain from the fields at harvest time. Picking up the fallen stalks was called gleaning. By leaving extra grain behind, Boaz helped Ruth gather enough food for herself and Naomi.
 * Today hungry people in our country cannot find food in a field. We talked about how we can help them – by food donations and by donating money.

God
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God__ – God’s World
 * There is order in God’s world. God created our world according to a plan. Order is very important.
 * We are reassured by observing order in our world – the sun rises in the morning, the moon and stars shine at night, spring comes after winter, fall follows summer.
 * The students had to identify things that were not correct in a summer picture – such as a scarf and mittens, boots, a snowman, penguins.
 * Every year we celebrate the Jewish holidays in the same order. The Jewish year begins with the holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
 * Holiday Calendar: Fall – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simhat Torah; Winter – Hanukkah, Tu B’Shevat; Spring – Purim, Passover, Yom Ha’atzma’ut; Summer – Shavuot.
 * We talked about some of the holidays. The students shared which holiday was their favorite and why. Also, which is their favorite season and why.
 * Just as there is an order to each day of the year, there is an order in each person’s life. As a baby, we learn to crawl first, then to walk. After a few years we start going to school, where we learn to read and write. And, when children become a Jewish adult, they celebrate their Bat Mitzvah or Bar Mitzvah.
 * Throughout life we are able to show that we are created in God’s image. We did an exercise showing how each person was acting as God’s partner: putting tzedakah in a box, visiting a sick person, helping an elderly woman with her groceries, feeding a baby, feeding a pet.
 * When we learn a new skill, when we taste a new fruit, and at the start of every holiday, we recite the “Sheheheyanu” blessing, which our class did.
 * Two handouts were sent home: Learning at Home for parents, and the Classroom Enrichment worksheet, “Make a Jewish Calendar,” for children.

Kitah Alef attended Haverim Services with Iris, joined the Ruah Rally with Rabbi Ohriner in the main Sanctuary, and then had lunch in the Social Hall.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children this Sunday, May 17 for regular classes, and to seeing you and your children for our Rewards Ceremony beginning at 11:15 am. Please remember to have them wear their tie-dyed tee shirts.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

April 26, 2015 Dear Kitah Alef Parents, Greetings! I hope you and your families are well, that you had a good week this week, and enjoyed a Shabbat Shalom. I would like to catch you up with recent events, give you some reminders, and fill you in on our last two classes.
 * __Recent Beth David Events:__**
 * Thank you to all who came on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, for the Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzma’ut observances at Beth David.
 * The program for Israel’s Day of Remembrance included prayers and readings, and the Kaddish. It was a fitting and moving tribute, remembering those who fought so that the State of Israel could survive.
 * This ceremony was followed by a hot dog barbecue, enjoyed by both adults and children. Flags and wristbands were given out.
 * Thank you to those who were able to attend our ZmiRikudiyah today, and for remembering our blue and white theme. The children did very well, and I know they appreciated your being there.
 * __Important Reminders:__**
 * **Kitot Alef and Bet Shabbat Mishpacha Experience, Friday, May 1, 2015 6:30 pm, followed by a dairy potluck dinner - __be sure to RSVP__ with numbers attending and your contribution for the dinner.**
 * **Regular JYEP class next week, Sunday, May 3, 2015.**
 * **Shabbat School, Saturday, May 9, 2015. //No school// on Sunday, May 10. 2015.**
 * **JCore Rewards Day, Sunday, May 17, 2015.**
 * **Last Day of JYEP for this year: special Shavuot program, May 24, 2015**

Ot HaShavuah – tav, tikkun olam, repair the world Tefillah – Shema Holiday - Yom Hashoah
 * __Topics covered in our last two Kitah Alef classes:__**
 * __Sunday, April 19, 2015:__**
 * We practiced this prayer and reviewed its meaning
 * I discussed this day, Holocaust Memorial Day, in an abbreviated way, before we went to the museum library to read a book.
 * Most of our holidays are happy, and they help us to remember great and wonderful things, like a queen saving our people in Persia.
 * However, some are sad. They remind us of things too important to forget.
 * Not very long ago, a most terrible disaster happened to our people. An evil man came to power in Germany. He was like Haman, who had wanted to kill all the Jews. But this time there was no brave queen like Esther to stop his terrible plan.
 * We try to remember every one of the people who lost their lives. We think about them all through the year, but especially on Yom Hashoah.
 * Many communities hold prayer services on this sad day. Yahrzeit memorial candles are lit in memory of the people who were killed. We recite the mourner’s prayer, the Kaddish.
 * I showed the class a yellow yarzheit candle and a picture of the yellow star that the Jews were forced to wear.
 * On Yom Hashoah we remind ourselves that some people can be terribly cruel. We remind ourselves that some people can be very brave when they try to help others. We must never forget. Remembering will help us prevent such a terrible thing from ever happening again.
 * We only visited the library part of the museum, where I read the book, __The Place Where I Belong,__ by Abie Rotenberg, about a Torah that, once read and loved and danced with by its community in Kiev, is left in a basement alone during World War II. After being transferred to a glass box in a museum in America for all to see, the Torah, who is not happy with being on display, is brought to a place where people will once again read and dance and learn from it. Told from the Torah’s point of view, this is a touching and meaningful story.
 * There is a beautiful song that was written based on this story. Iris sent me the link to the song, sung by Stanilas Vitort, and I thought you might like to hear it. __[] __
 * “The song was published on June 24, 2013 **

The Song is called ‘The Place Where I Belong.’ The lyrics and music were written by Abie Rotenberg from Kew Gardens, NY, who is well known in Jewish music for using stories to get his messages across. The song's lyrics are notable because they voice the experiences and feelings of a Torah scroll in the first person, from its creation by a scribe in Kiev and regular use there in a "shull" to its eventual resting place in an American museum. The song expresses the sentiment that a museum is not the proper place for a Sefer Torah. It should rather be in regular use in a synagogue. ” Holiday - Yom HaZikaron Holiday - Yom HaAtzma’ut Israel’s Symbols Dance
 * I briefly explained Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s day of remembrance, for all those who have fought for the State of Israel. I mentioned the siren that is sounded in the country, and that all stand in silence out of respect for all those fallen.
 * The students had a chance to experience this during the ZmiRikudiyah today as we stood in silence when Iris sounded the siren, and we saw pictures from Israel of people standing and traffic stopping out of respect.
 * I discussed Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day. Here are some points I covered:
 * o Israel’s birthday is on the 5th of Iyar, 1948, which corresponded to May 14, 1948. Israel became a nation, a homeland for Jews around the world. It is a happy day in the land of Israel and for Jews everywhere.
 * o Long ago, our people had our own country, Israel. We lived there for a thousand years. During that time, great kings like David and Solomon ruled the land. Prophets reminded us to be kind and fair, and great rabbis taught us to love one another.
 * o Then, about 2,000 years ago, our land was ruled by foreign countries. The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, and we were forced to leave our homes in Israel.
 * o Jewish people were scattered across the world. We stopped speaking in Hebrew and began to learn the languages o the countries where we lived – such as French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, English. Hebrew was used only when praying or for studying our sacred books.
 * o But our people never forgot the Land of Israel. We longed to have our own country once again.
 * o About 100 years ago, a small group of Russian Jews decided it was time to move back to Israel. At about that same time, a man named Theodor Herzl was urging Jews around the world the rebuild Israel. He said the Jews deserved a land of their own. The belief that the Jews should have their own country is called Zionism.
 * o Many Jews began returning to Israel. They had a lot of work to do – they drained the muddy swamps and learned to farm the land. They grew fruits and vegetables, even in the dry desert sand. They built houses, schools, and roads.
 * o Finally, in 1947, the United Nations voted. At last the Jewish people would have its own state. On May 14, 1948, Israel declared itself an independent country called Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel.
 * o The very next day, Israel was attacked by 5 Arab armies. Although Israel had only a small army and a few airplanes, the tiny Jewish state defended itself. The war was won.
 * o For the first time in almost 2,000 years there was a Jewish state, where Hebrew was the language spoken by the people. Jews were free to worship and celebrate and to govern themselves.
 * o Jews from all over the world came to live in Israel. Those who had survived the Holocaust fled from Europe and began new lives. Others came from Arab lands, from South America, from the United States.
 * o They settled in cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa. Some went to live on kibbutzim, small communities where people work and live together.
 * o Teaching Jews to speak Hebrew from all over the world was important. In the early 1900s Eliezer ben Yehudah modernized Hebrew so that it could become a language to be used in everyday living. Today, most of the signs, newspapers, and school books in Israel are printed in Hebrew. On television and in the movies Hebrew is spoken. The Hebrew language lives again in our ancient land.
 * o The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 70 C.E. But part of the stone wall that surrounded the Temple still stands today. It is called the Kotel, or the Western Wall. When you go to Israel, you can pray there with Jews from all over the world. Some people write prayers on slips of paper that are put in the cracks of the wall.
 * o Every year we celebrate the courage and bravery of the Jews who struggled to create the State of Israel. Israelis celebrate with parades, flags, and dancing and singing in the streets.
 * o We celebrate in the United States, too. We have parties. We sing Israeli songs and do Israeli dances like the hora. We can eat falafel, a tasty Israeli sandwich in pita bread. Some large cities have parades too. All celebrations include the singing of Hatikvah, “The Hope,” which is the national anthem of the Jewish state.
 * Pamphlet: __The Whole-School Curriculum, Israel I: The Symbols of the State of Israel.__
 * Israel is the only Jewish country. People speak in Hebrew.
 * In Hebrew the word for a flag is “degel.” The first people to draw an Israeli flag decided to make their flag look sort of like a tallit. The Jewish star, “Magen David,” is also on the Israeli flag. It has been a symbol of the Jewish people for a long time.
 * The students completed several pictures of the flag, each missing a part of the flag’s design. Using a blue marker or crayon, they had to fill in the missing part, whether a stripe or a Star of David.
 * The Hebrew word for symbol is “semel.” This is the nation symbol of Israel. When you see this symbol on a building you know that this is a place doing work for the State of Israel.
 * This symbol is also on Israeli coins, Israeli stamps, and even some Israeli airplanes.
 * The branches on both sides of the semel are from an olive tree. Olive trees grow all over Israel.
 * Olive branches are also a symbol for peace.
 * In the middle of the semel is a menorah. There is a menorah similar to this in front of the Knesset, Israel’s seat of government.
 * On Yom HaAtzma’ut people wave flags, watch parades, sing and dance, eat Israeli foods.
 * Kitah Alef had dance with Morah Donna.
 * The class reviewed their ZmiRikudiyah dance & the group Am Echad dance.

Ot HaShavuah – zayin, zicharon, remembrance Tefillah Torah God Song Practice
 * __Sunday, April 26, 2015__**
 * Shema – we reviewed this prayer
 * __Teach Me Torah__ – Solomon
 * King Solomon’s dream was to take care of the people of Israel with wisdom.
 * One day, two women came before King Solomon. The first woman said, “We live in the same house. I had a baby. Three days later, she had a baby, but her baby died. That night I saw her take my baby and put the dead one in its place. Make her give my baby back!”
 * “No! the second woman said. “The live baby is my son! The dead one is yours>
 * “Bring a sword!” ordered King Solomon. “I will cut this baby in two. Each of you will get half. That will be fair.”
 * The second woman said, “I agree. Then the baby will be nether hers nor mine.”
 * But the first woman began to cry. “No! Please! No! Give the baby to her, then. Just please don’t hurt him.”
 * King Solomon now knew the truth. “You would rather give your son away than let him be hurt,” he said to the crying woman. I know you are his real mother.” And King Solomon let the crying woman keep her baby.
 * Solomon ruled in Israel for many years. His decisions were just and wise. The people loved him. They helped him build the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. And even today, they tell stories about Solomon, the wise king of Israel.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * We discussed what made Solomon a great king. He did not ask for money. He did not want God to ill his enemies for him. Solomon wanted to be able to help his people. He wanted wisdom.
 * __Let’s Discover God__ – God’s Promise
 * The poem talks about God’s promise. “A rainbow shows God’s promise that after every storm, Sunny days will follow, clear and bright and warm.”
 * When we feel unhappy, we can remember the rainbow glowing, and feel encouraged.
 * Noah was told by God to build an ark, which he did. He took his family and the animals into the ark. Then God made it rain for forty days and forty nights. A great flood covered the world with water. God promised never again to send a great flood. The rainbow is a symbol or a sign of that promise.
 * We learned and practiced the blessing for when you see a rainbow, “Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, melech ha-olam, zocher ha-brit.” Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the world, who remembers the Covenant.
 * We discussed how the colors in a rainbow help us remember God’s creations. For instance, yellow might remind us of the sun, red might remind us of cherries.
 * We reviewed what certain symbols tell us: a stop sign, Israeli flag, recycle sign, chanukkiyah.
 * The stone tablets with the 10 commandments were a symbol of another promise. Long, long ago the Jewish people made an agreement with God. Our people promised to follow God’s laws. And God promised to make the Jewish people a great nation.
 * This important agreement is called a Covenant. In Hebrew our Covenant with God is called a brit.
 * It’s easy to make a promise, but sometimes it is hard to keep it. We discussed what we can do to help us remember the promises we make. And why is it important to keep our promises.
 * When we follow God’s laws, we live a Jewish life. When we keep these laws, we make the world a better place.
 * God’s laws teach us to honor our parents, to protect the environment, and to remember Shabbat. Taking care of animals is one of God’s laws.
 * God’s laws are called commandments, or mitzvot in Hebrew.
 * Student received two handouts: Classroom Enrichment Worksheet on the Ten Commandments; and a Learning at Home guide for parents.
 * We practiced “Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu” for the ZmiRikudiyah with Morah Barbara, who played her guitar.
 * We also practiced the all-school dance and song, “Am Echad.”

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children next Sunday, May 3, 2015. Shavuah Tov, have a good week. L’shalom, Morah Davida April 14, 2015 Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Shalom, all. I hope you and your families are in good health, are well rested, had a Hag Pesach Sameach, a Happy Passover – and that your Kitah Alef child found the afikoman!

Though we don’t start back to JYEP until April 19, I wanted to send you some reminders and bring you up to date on our last class before Spring break.

Sunday, April 19, 2015 Resume regular JYEP classes Sunday, April 19, 2015 Parent Education Hour, 11:15 – 12:00, with Rabbi Ohriner. Topic: Israel. ALL parents welcome. Wednesday, April 22, 5:30 pm All-school Yom Hazikaron observance, followed by Yom HaAtzma’ut celebration with free barbecue dinner at 6 pm, bring own picnic blankets (RSVP required, (408) 257-3333). Come celebrate Israel’s 67th birthday! Sunday, April 26, 2015 Regular JYEP, followed by ZmirRikudiyah – parents strongly encouraged to come to our annual song and dance festival, 11:15 – 12:30 pm, culminating with Israeli food. **Please have your child wear his or her tie-dyed JYEP tee shirt.** Friday, May 1, 2015 Kitah Alef helps lead the “Shema” at Friday evening’s Shabbat Mishpacha Experience; dairy potluck dinner follows.
 * Important Reminders:**

Here are the topics we covered in our last Kitah Alef class.


 * __Sunday, March 29, 2015__**

Ot HaShavuah – Resh, rahamim, compassion

Shin, shmirat halashon, guard your tongue; shmirat ha guf, guard your body

Tefillah
 * We practiced the Shema, for our Shabbat Mishpacha Experience, May 1, 2015. Kitah Alef along with Kitah Bet will recite the “Shema” during services.
 * After services we will enjoy a dairy potluck meal; please watch for sign-ups.

Song Practice
 * We practiced our song for the ZmiRikudiyah, Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah__ – David and Goliath
 * Israel was at war. The enemy had a secret weapon – it was a giant named Goliath
 * No one wanted to fight a giant. Everyone was afraid except a boy named David. David kept wild animals away from his father’s sheep. Sometimes he killed them with his slingshot.
 * One day David took food to his brothers. He saw Goliath, and heard his booming voice. He also saw that the soldiers were afraid to fight the giant.
 * David was not afraid. “God helped me kill a lion and a bear. With God’s help I know I can kill a giant.” David took his shepherd’s stick, slingshot, and a bag filled with smooth stones, and he set out to fight Goliath.
 * Goliath laughed when he saw David. “Do you think you can stop me with a stick?” he roared.
 * “I will stop you with God’s help,” said David
 * David took a stone from his bag and put it in his slingshot. Carefully he aimed. Then he sent the stone flying. It hit Goliath right in the middle of his forehead, and the giant fell to the ground.
 * David had killed Goliath. The war was over. The Israelites had won. And this small, brave boy would someday become king of Israel.
 * We discussed what made David brave. David felt God helping him protect his father’s sheep from wild animals. He was not afraid of Goliath because he knew God would help him fight the giant too. We discussed what helps us to be brave.
 * The students did written exercises. One was to draw themselves being brave.

Holiday
 * Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day
 * I mentioned we would be learning a little about this day when we return from Spring break. I mentioned that in our Jewish history there were other mean people, like Goliath, that wanted to fight the Jews. The Holocaust Memorial Day is to remember a time when Jews faced difficult times during World War II.

Israel
 * Text: __Whole-school Curriculum, Israel II: The Foods of Israel__
 * People come to Israel from all over the world. Israeli food has flaors from al over the world.
 * When someone moves to a new place they bring their favorite foods with them.
 * Jews from the Middle East brought falafel, hummus, and tehina with them.
 * North African Jews brought shakshuka, a tomato stew that has eggs cooked on top.
 * Jews from Asia brough Chinese food and sushi to Israel.
 * Jews from Eastern Europe brought kugel and latkes to Israel. Kugel is made from noodles and is sort of like lasagna. Latkes are potato pancakes.
 * Schnitzel is the name for chicken breast that has been breaded and fried. It was brought to Israel from Jews from Western Europe. Israelis like to eat schnitzel with hummus and tehina.
 * Jews from America brought pizza to Israel. Israelis like corn and tuna on pizza
 * Israelis also make food from things that grow in Israel. They love salad, especially with cucumbers and tomatoes, which grow all over Israel. Israelis eat salad at every meal, even at breakfast.
 * Israelis eat pomelos, fruit that is like giant grapefruit. They are sweet and juicy and fun to peel. Some are bigger than your whole head.
 * This pamphlet includes recipes for falafel balls, Israeli bean salad, and hummus.

Passover Observance
 * Morah Ora talked to Kitah Alef about Passover, especially about the items on the seder plate.
 * The students made their own creative seder plates. They colored in a picture of each seder plate item, cut them out, and glued them onto the bottom of the container, adding creative decorations. A clear plastic lid secured the artwork, so that when the container was turned over, you could see the seder plate through the plastic. They came out beautifully! I hope you were able to use your child’s seder plate at Passover!
 * Each child was given a kosher l’Pesach chocolate bar, and our good wishes for a Happy Passover!

I would like to recommend that you visit the Holocaust Museum if you haven’t already done so, and be sure to take some time to peruse the books in the library area. Iris set up the museum very well and there is a great deal of information presented. Every year I always learn something new! The museum is, of course, very moving; it is also extremely important that we always remember and never forget this era of our history. Kitah Alef is scheduled to visit the museum's library area on April 19, where we will read an age-appropriate book.

We wish all of you a good week, some now on vacation, some back to work/school. Wherever you may be, have a wonderful week, a Shavuah Tov, and a Shabbat Shalom. Morah Ora and I look forward to seeing your children when school resumes, on Sunday, April 19.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

March 26, 2015 Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Shalom! I hope everyone is doing well, and enjoying the arrival of Spring.

Important Reminders: Sunday, March 29, 2015 JYEP class April 1 – April 18, 2015 Spring Break Sunday, April 19, 2015 Resume classes Sunday, April 26, 2015 ZmiRikudiyah – parents invited! Friday, May 1, 2015 Shabbat Mishpacha Experience (potluck dinner to follow)

I would like to catch you up with our last two Kitah Alef classes. Here are the topics we covered:


 * __Sunday, March 15, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – kuf, kehilla kedosha, holy community

Prayer – Shema
 * We practiced reciting the Shema.
 * We reviewed its meaning.

Holiday
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate – Passover__
 * We eat a special flat bread called matzah, made from dough that doesn’t have time to rise. It must be made in eighteen minutes. When God brought us out of slavery in Egypt, we didn’t have time to let the bread rise.
 * On Pesach, we remove all the hametz from our houses. Hametz are items made from dough that has had time to rise, such as challah, bagels, pizza.
 * At Passover we have a special event called a seder. Seder means order. It is a meal that goes in a special order, with 15 steps. When we follow the seder, we remember the story of how all Jewish families were once slaves in Egypt. We learn how God brought us all to freedom.
 * We have a seder plate at Passover. On it are symbols that teach us the story of Passover. They are zeroah, a roasted bone; beitzah, an egg; maror, bitter herb; hazeret, additional bitter herb; haroset, a mixture of wine, nuts, and fruit; karpas, a green vegetable, often parsley.
 * We dip parsley into salt water, which tastes like tears. When we were slaves in Egypt, there were many reasons to cry.
 * Maror and hazeret are really bitter. When we were slaves, the Egyptians made us do bitter, hard work.
 * Pharaoh was the King of Egypt. He made the families of Israel build two cities, Pitom and Ramses.
 * Haroset reminds us of being slaves in Egypt. It looks like the cement we used to hold the bricks together. There are many different recipes for haroset.
 * The roasted lamb bone teaches another part of the Pesach story. The first Pesach was the last night that we were slaves in Egypt. Every family roasted a lamb; this bone reminds us of the lamb.
 * The Kiddush is the prayer sung before drinking the wine. We say Kiddush and drink wine on every Shabbat and on every Jewish holiday. At the seder we drink four cups of wine, and we say Kiddush four times.
 * We remove 10 drops of wine or juice from our cups when we recite the ten plagues. We do this because, though we are glad to be free, we are saddened that the Egyptians lost their lives as we gained our freedom.
 * We read from the Haggadah, a book we use at the seder. It tells us the 15 steps, and teaches us the story of Pesach.
 * At the seder, the youngest child asks the Four Questions, which include: only eating matzah, eating maror, dipping our food twice, and leaning on pillows.
 * At the seder, we say of the matzah, “This is the bread of the poor that our families ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry are invited to come and eat with us.” Then he hides part of the middle matzah, the afikomen. After the meal, all the children hunt for the afikomen, and the one who finds it gets a prize.
 * Elijah’s cup is placed on the seder table. Elijah is a prophet who lived a long time ago. Jews believe that he will return to us and tell us when a time of peace is coming. During the seder, Elijah visits every house and drinks some wine.
 * At the seder, we study, pray, and have a wonderful meal. We end by making wishes for peace and for freedom.

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Moses and Pharaoh__
 * Moses left Egypt, but God told him to go back. “Go tell Pharaoh to let my people go.”
 * Moses went back to Egypt. He told Pharaoh, “The God of Israel commands ‘Let my people go.’”
 * Pharaoh said “No!” God sent plagues that tormented the Egyptians. After each plague Moses said, “Let my people go.” Pharaoh refused until the final plague, which killed the first-born son of every Egyptian family. Not a single family lay untouched. A loud cry went up in Egypt, and Pharaoh called for Moses.
 * “Take the people and go!” cried Pharaoh.
 * The Israelites rushed to leave Egypt. They grabbed up their unbaked bread before the dough had time to rise, and followed Moses.
 * But Pharaoh changed his mind. His army chased the Israelites to the Sea of Reeds. The Israelites were terrified. They said, “It was better for us to be slaves in Egypt than to die in the wilderness!”
 * “See what God will do,” said Moses. Moses stretched his hand out over the water. It split apart and the Israelites crossed to the other side.
 * When the Egyptians tried to follow, the water came crashing down and swept Pharaoh’s army away.
 * When the Israelites saw the powers God had used to save them from Egypt, they trusted in God, and in their leader, Moses.
 * We discussed why the Israelites needed to learn to trust in God. They had been slaves all their lives. They did not know what it was to be free. They needed trust in God to keep going, and to walk across the Sea of Reeds even though they were afraid.
 * We did some written exercises.

Song practice
 * We practiced our ZmiRikudiyah song, Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu.

Dance
 * Kitah Alef had dance with Morah Donna. The class reviewed the dance for the ZmiRikudiyah, and also practiced the song “Am Echad Shir Echad.” This song and dance performance will take place on Sunday, April 26.


 * __Saturday, March 21, 2015, Shabbat School__**

Ot Hashavuah – kuf, kehilla kedosha, holy community

Prayer – Shema
 * We practiced reciting the Shema.
 * We reviewed its meaning.

Torah 10.Do not wish for your neighbor’s belongings.
 * __Teach Me Torah – The Israelites and God’s Laws__
 * At Mt. Sinai God said to Moses, “Tell the people: If you will hear My voice and obey My laws, you will be My treasured people.”
 * The people said, “All that God has spoken, we will do.” Then they washed their clothes, made themselves ready, and waited at the foot of the mountain.
 * On the third morning, the mountain was covered in clouds. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed and a blast from the shofar made the people tremble. God came down in fire and smoke, and spoke to the children of Israel the words of the Ten Commandments:
 * 1) I am the One God. You shall have no others.
 * 2) Do not make idols to pray to in My place.
 * 3) Do not speak falsely in My name.
 * 4) Remember Shabbat, and keep it holy.
 * 5) Honor your father and your mother.
 * 6) Do not murder.
 * 7) Do not be false to your wife or husband.
 * 8) Do not steal.
 * 9) Do not lie about your neighbor.
 * The people promised to be faithful and to serve God. “All that God has spoken, we will do,” they said.
 * God called to Moses. “Come. I have written all the laws on tablets of stone so that you can teach the people.” Moses went up the mountain to receive the tablets with God’s laws.
 * We discussed what it means to serve God. The Torah tells us that the Israelites promised to serve God by remembering God’s laws, and following them.
 * We discussed the exercises.

Song Practice
 * We practiced our song for the ZmiRikudiyah, “Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu.”

Book a. The destruction of the Temple by Babylon and by Rome. b. In Spain when it was a crime for Jews to pray in public or at home at any time, so many Jews became Marranos and were Jews in secret. c. During World War II a very evil man took away our freedom. d. Other countries, too, denied the Jews rights, such as Russia, where Jews were not permitted religious freedom.
 * I read the book, __Freedom The Timeless Lesson of Passover__, by Howard M. Kurtz.
 * This book is a colorful book written in rhyme. __Freedom: The Timeless Lesson of Passover__ tells about the holiday and our freedom. It also briefly goes through stages in our Jewish history “both recent and long past, (when) we see some rulers who chose not to let this freedom last.” Some mentioned are:


 * Many Jews left to find countries which offered freedom. Many came to Israel, where they could pray at the Western Wall.
 * Now we do have religious freedom – to put up a chanukkiyah in our window, to observe a Passover seder. “We are very lucky at the Seder every year, to sit with friends and family, relaxed and free from fear. We can sing and pray and read and celebrate all night. Freedom of Religion is a very special ‘right.’ So as you raise your Kiddush cup or join along in song, be grateful for this freedom you can cherish all year long.”

Kitah Alef attended Haverim Services with Iris, went into the Sanctuary for the Ruah Rally with Rabbi Ohriner, and had lunch in the Social Hall.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children on Sunday.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

March 14, 2015

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Hello. I hope you all had a good week and had a Shabbat Shalom.


 * On March 1, we welcomed a new student into Kitah Alef, named Shaina Cohen, whose family recently joined our JYEP program. We warmly welcome the Cohen family!**

I saw many of you at our Purim festivities, including the Megillah reading, spaghetti dinner, and “Book of Purim” spiel, and also at the lively Purim carnival last Sunday. It was exciting to see our students dressed in costumes and enjoying this holiday – I hope everyone had a lot of fun, and got to eat lots of hamantaschen!


 * Important Reminder:**
 * Our class next week will be a Shabbat School on Saturday, March 21, 2015. There is no school on Sunday, March 22, 2015.**

I would like to catch you up with our last two Kitah Alef classes. Here are the topics we covered:


 * __Sunday, March 1, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – pey, pikuach nefesh, save a life

Prayer – Shema
 * We practiced reciting the Shema.
 * We reviewed its meaning.

Holiday
 * Text – __A Time to Celebrate – Purim__
 * We talked about hamantaschen, a special Purim treat, said to look like Haman’s hat, with three sides. We learned that in Hebrew they are called oznei Haman, or Haman’s ears.
 * We reviewed the people in the Story of Esther: Queen Esther, the queen of Persia, a brave woman who saved the whole Jewish people and who is the heroine of the Purim story; King Ahashuerus, King of Persia, who was the king who picked Esther to be his queen; Haman, the king’s advisor, who wanted to do away with all the Jews; and Mordechai, Esther’s cousin, who saved the king’s life and who warned Esther that she must tell the king about Haman’s plot.
 * The megillah is the scroll that tells the story of Queen Esther. It is a book whose pages are all sewn into a big long roll. It has only one roller.
 * Mordechai told Esther not to reveal to the king that she was Jewish at the time she married the king. This was because he knew that some people in Persia hated the Jews. Esther did what Mordechai told her to do.
 * Haman talked the king into letting him kill all of the Jews. Haman began to plan.
 * Mordechai heard of Haman’s plans, and he sent Esther a message.
 * In Persia you could only see the king if he sent for you. If you went to the king on your own, you would be killed.
 * Esther went to the king. He had not sent for her. He was glad to see her and asked what he could do for her.
 * She asked him to come to a party and to bring Haman. At the party, Esther told the king about Haman’s plan. The king ordered that the Jewish people should be saved and that Haman should be killed.
 * When we read Megillah, we hear the story of Esther. Whenever Haman’s name is read, we are to drown out the name with noisemakers called “graggers.” Together the noise we make is louder than Haman’s name. The gragger teaches us that together we are stronger than evil.
 * It is a mitzvah to hear the Megillah read. It is important to learn from the story of Esther.
 * It is also a mitzvah to be happy and celebrate. Parties, special meals, hamantaschen, costumes, carnivals, are all part of the Purim celebration.
 * On the first Purim, Mordechai ordered all Jews to give gifts of food to their friends and families. Today we still do. These are called Shelach Manot.
 * Mordechai also told the Jews to give gifts to the poor. Jews try to make tzedakah part of every celebration. This special Purim tzedakah is called Matanot l’Evyonim.
 * The last page of our pamphlet included a recipe for hamantaschen., which had jam or preserves for the filling. Another good filling for hamantaschen is chocolate.

Values
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Derekh Eretz__
 * Showing care and courtesy is “derech eretz.” It is treating people with respect. Other examples are raising your hand to answer a question in class, or saying polite words such as “please” or “pardon me.”
 * When we follow rules, we treat people with respect, and when we help others, we are on the right path. When we stay on the right path, the world feels like a better place.
 * The Bible tells us to treat others as we want to be treated – with kindness and respect. A “yad,” or Torah pointer, helps us find our way in the Torah. The Torah helps us find the way to good behavior.
 * Kindness, respect, helping others – are the paths to good behavior.
 * Derech Eretz is not just good behavior. It is a mitzvah – a commandment.
 * It is easy to be nice to someone when you both agree. Even if you disagree, you can still treat the other person with respect.
 * We did some exercises showing which children were treating others with respect.
 * Derech Eretz is not just for school. It means respecting our parents, helping out at home and being nice to brothers and sisters.


 * __Sunday, March 8, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – tzadi, tzedek tirdof, pursue justice

Prayer – Shema
 * We practiced reciting the Shema.
 * We reviewed its meaning.

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Esther__
 * Esther had a secret.
 * The king chose Esther to be his queen. He knew that Esther and her cousin Mordechai had stopped an evil plot to kill him. But he did not know Esther’s secret. He did not know that she was a Jew.
 * Haman was the king’s advisor. The people of the city had to bow before him. But Mordechai would bow only before God. This filled the proud Haman with rage.
 * Haman told the king that the Jews refused to obey his laws. He chose a day to kill all of the Jews.
 * The Jews of the city were terrified. Mordechai told Esther, “You must speak to the king. Even your own life will be in danger.”
 * Esther made feasts to honor the king. This made him very happy. “Whatever you wish will be yours,” he said.
 * “I wish for my life,” said Esther. “I wish for Mordechai’s life, and the lives of my people. There is a man who plans to destroy us all.”
 * “Who dares?” said the King. “You are my queen. Mordechai saved my life!”
 * “We are also Jews, and Haman plans to kill us all,” said Esther.
 * “Then let Haman be the one to die!” ordered the King.
 * So each year Jews tell the story of how Queen Esther revealed her secret and saved the Jewish people.
 * We did some written exercises and discussed how Esther showed her loyalty to the Jewish people.

ZmiRikudiyah Practice
 * We practiced our song, Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu, for the ZimRikudiyah, our song and dance festival.

Purim
 * I read a wonderful Purim book to the class called __The Purim Surprise__, by Lesley Simpson, a story about the value of giving.
 * Here is a summary: “When Naomi Levin moves to a new town three days before her seventh birthday and the Jewish holiday of Purim, she struggles with the discomfort of being a stranger in a strange place. Her mother suggests that they break the ice with their new neighbors by giving them traditional Purim treats. For two days they ignore the moving boxes and set to baking //hamantaschen//, buying candy, packing up the goodies, and delivering them to every Jewish family in town. What Naomi doesn't know is that an invitation to celebrate her birthday is included with the sweets, resulting in a wonderful Purim surprise party complete with costumes, gifts, and lots of new friends.”

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children tomorrow for Religious School.

L’hitraot, see you soon!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

February 27, 2015

Dear Kitah Alel Parents,

Greetings, and welcome back to Religious School. I hope you and your families enjoyed our time off, and had some rest and relaxation.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children this Sunday, March 1. Just as a reminder, please bring your child to portable building 4, Room 4C.

As Purim is approaching quickly, I want to wish you a Happy Purim!

Important Reminders:
 * Purim will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 4, with a Family Megillah Reading at 5:30 pm. Please remember to wear crazy clothes or a costume! And please be sure to RSVP if you wish to stay after for the spaghetti dinner, followed by a fun Purim shpiel.
 * On Sunday, March 8, we will have classes from 9:30 – 11:30 am, followed by Beth David’s Purim carnival. (Please note: Teacher supervision ends at 11:30 am that day.)

I wanted to catch you up with our last class, held before the break.


 * __Sunday, February 8, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – samekh, slicha, forgiveness

Torah God
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Miriam and Moses__
 * Egypt was filled with the Children of Israel. Pharoah made all of them slaves. However, this was not enough for Pharoah. He thought that in a war, they might join his enemies and fight against him.
 * Pharoah ordered two Hebrew midwives to kill all the baby Israelite boys as they were born. But the women let the babies live. So Pharoah turned to his own people. “Throw them into the river!” he commanded the Egyptians.
 * One mother had a plan to save her son. She smeared sticky tar all over a basket so it would not leak. Then she put her baby in the basket and hid it among the reeds near the shore of the river.
 * “Watch the basket,” she told her daughter, Miriam. Miriam watched, and saw Pharoah’s daughter come to bathe in the river. She watched the princess discover the basket.
 * The princess realized this must be a Hebrew baby, and she took pity on the baby.
 * Miriam came out of the reeds and said “I know a woman who can nurse the baby.” And she brought the baby’s own mother to care for him.
 * When the boy grew, the princess made him her son, and named him Moses. “For I pulled him out of the water,” she said. And so Moses, the Hebrew baby, became the son of an Egyptian princess.
 * We did some written exercises.
 * We discussed who really saved baby Moses. It took many people: the midwives, who refused to follow Pharoah’s orders, Moses’ mother, who hid him in a basket by the river, Miriam, who watched over the baby, and Pharoah’s own daughter, who drew the baby from the water to keep as her own. We discussed people who protects lives, such as a firefighter, policeman, doctor.
 * We talked about things we can do to protect our own lives, such as wearing bike helmets when we are on a bicycle.
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God – Talking to God__
 * God will always listen to what is in your heart.
 * We talked about where we talk to God. Sometimes we talk to God in the synagogue with other people. We say prayers from a prayerbook called a siddur. But we can also pray to God with our own words, whenever we want to. Wherever you talk, God will listen.
 * One reason we pray is to thank God for everyday things, like seeing the sun in the morning, smelling good things to eat, hearing birds chirp in the trees. These are all reasons to thank God.
 * The Hebrew word for prayer is tefillah. The synagogue is called a Beit Tefillah, a House of Prayer.
 * There are many reasons why people pray: saying I’m sorry, thanking God, feeling alone at night, thanking God that your family is healthy.
 * You can talk to God in just about any way. Sometimes it is best to pray with other people. That is why we have prayers to say together in the synagogue. But talking to God can also be private. So sometimes people talk to God by themselves, with their own words.
 * We practiced the prayer “Modeh Ani” or “Modah Ani.” This is a prayer you say when you wake up in the morning. It thanks God for the new day that is starting. After you say the first two words, you can add what you are thankful for. For example, “Modeh Ani for my parents who take care of me.” Or, “Modah Ani for being healthy and strong.”
 * We discussed some things we can thank God for.
 * We did written exercises.
 * Two sheets were sent home for this pamphlet, Learning at Home, Folder 7 for parents, and a Classroom Enrichment worksheet for children - a page of prayers the students can cut out and make into their own prayerbook.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

February 3, 2015

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Hello, everyone. I hope you and your families are doing well. As we are very close to our next Jewish holiday, I want to wish everyone a Happy Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the trees, which is tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 4! I hope you are able to celebrate by enjoying fruit, nuts, and/or juice, and appreciating all the blessings of nature!

Thank you to all who came to Beth David’s Next 50 Project’s Groundbreaking Ceremony last week, on Sunday, Jan. 25th. Kitah Alef students participated nicely singing the song “Am Echad Shir Echad,” and our class representative, Sasha Slain, was the “digger” for the digging part of the ceremony. The ceremony, featuring several speakers, was a well-received event, and was a fitting launch for the next chapter in Beth David’s history. All enjoyed a light lunch afterwards, and the students were invited to draw a farewell drawing or message on one of the walls of the Education wing of the building.


 * Important Reminder:**
 * **Sunday, Feb. 8, JYEP, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.** All being well, this class should be in the portable. **__The classroom for Kitah Alef will be in portable 4, room #4C.__**

Here is an update of our last two classes:


 * __Sunday, January 25, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – nun, nedivut, generosity

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah - Joseph__
 * Jacob had 12 sons. Joseph was his favorite, which made the other eleven furious.
 * The brothers hated the colorful coat their father had given Joseph. They were upset about Joseph’s dreams. “In my dreams,” Joseph said, “you all bow down to me.”
 * The brothers did not want to bow down to Joseph. They would not even speak nicely to him. They wanted to get rid of him.
 * The brothers sold Joseph and he was taken to Egypt as a slave. They put goat’s blood on Joseph’s coat and took it to their father. “A wild animal ate him!” cried Jacob, and he wept for his son.
 * Joseph lived in Egypt many years. He helped Pharoah, the king of Egypt, save the Egyptians from terrible hunger at a time when no food would grow.
 * Joseph’s brothers were also hungry. They came to Egypt to ask for food. After so many years, they did not recognize Joseph. He looked and dressed like an Egyptian. But Joseph knew them. “How many brothers do you have?” he asked.
 * “Our father had 12 sons, but one is gone. It is our fault. We are sorry,” they answered.
 * Joseph said, “Do not be upset. I am your brother! I know God sent me here to save our lives. You must all come live in Egypt with me.” And that is how the Children of Israel came to live in the land of Egypt.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * We discussed what helped Joseph and his brothers get along again. Joseph’s brothers told him how sorry they were. Joseph also realized that he was sent to Egypt with a purpose – to save the lives of his family and many others. He felt he was sent by God. We talked about what helps us forgive someone who has been mean to us.

Preparation for Groundbreaking Ceremony
 * We practiced the Groundbreaking song, “Am Echad Shir Echad” in Hebrew and in English.
 * The “digger,” Sasha Slain, was selected by lottery.


 * __Sunday, February 1, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – samekh, slicha, forgiveness

Holiday (source: __My Jewish Year__)
 * Tu B’Shevat, the birthday or new year of the trees.
 * We discussed the importance of trees and what they provide – oxygen, fruit, shade, home to animals and birds, products like paper and wood.
 * We wrote “thank yous” to the trees on green leaves.
 * It is important to know the birthday of trees because of a commandment in the Torah: For the first 3 years of a tree’s life, you may not eat its fruit. During the 4th year, its fruit must be given to God. Only when a tree is 5 years old may you eat its fruit.
 * To observe this commandment we must know how old a tree is. So long ago the rabbis determined a special day would be the day, the 15th of Shevat.
 * Shevat was a good month to choose because in Israel the winter rains are stopping, and the land begins to warm up. The first buds appear on the trees. It is a time for growth and life.
 * The first tree to bloom in Israel is the almond tree. It has pretty pink and white blossoms.
 * Over 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people were forced to leave Israel. Other people ruled the land, but did not take good care of it. After hundreds of years of wandering and living in many other places, our people came home. Israel became a Jewish state in 1948.
 * The Jews who returned to Israel found the land in bad condition, and few trees still grew. There was dry sand, rocks, and muddy swamps. So the Jews planted trees in the dry desert to make the land green again. They planted trees on rocky hills to make the soil rich and fertile. And they planted eucalyptus trees in the swamps to soak up the water.
 * Jews from all over the world gave money to plant trees in Israel, to make the Jewish State green and strong once more. The Jewish National Fund collects money to plant trees, and over 200 million trees have been planted in the Land of Israel.
 * Trees can be planted at any time, but there are some special occasions when we plant trees to give thanks or to remember – when a baby is born, when someone becomes Bar or Bat Mitzvah, when someone gets married, or when someone dies.
 * When you plant a tree in Israel, you are also planting for our people’s future.
 * At a Tu B’Shevat seder we eat fruit that grows on trees, sing songs, and drink four different kinds of wine – white, pink, light red, and red, representing the four seasons, winter, spring, summer, and fall. We eat different kinds of fruit – fruit with peels that must be removed, fruit with pits inside, and fruit with tiny seeds – and you can eat all of it.
 * At the seder, we say prayers to thank God for the food and wine, and for all of the blessings of nature.
 * At Tu B’Shevat we remember to commit ourselves to the care of the environment, to taking care of the earth for future generations.
 * I read a story about Honi and the Carob Tree. He saw a man planting a tree, and asked why the man was planting the carob tree, which would not bear fruit for 70 years. The man explained that just as his grandparents had planted carob trees with good fruit to eat for him when he was little, so he was planting trees which would make fruit for his grandchildren.
 * We went outside and looked at some trees in the synagogue’s side yard to look at their trunks, branches, leaves, and bark, and to thank them for all they provide.
 * Kitah Alef joined JGan, Gan, and Bet for a short Tu B’Shevat seder and a story, __Happy Birthday, Tree, A Tu B’Shevat Story__, by Madelyn Rosenberg.

Mitzvot
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot: Save the Earth__
 * The planet Earth gives us so much. God created beaches, mountains, forests. We need to take care of them. We need to plant trees and flowers.
 * Taking care of the earth is a mitzvah, called “bal tash-hit,” meaning do not destroy.
 * We help keep God’s world beautiful by putting trash into garbage cans.
 * We need to be careful not to waste our resources, such as water and electricity. We need to remember to turn off faucets, turn off lights, and not use more than we need.
 * Recycling helps to take care of the Earth. When we recycle we find new ways to use old things. That helps protect God’s creations. We can recycle paper, glass, metal.
 * The Torah tells us that we should not destroy fruit trees, even during a war.
 * A Family Activity handout was sent home with this pamphlet.

Art with Mordechai Rosenstein
 * Students in JGan through Gimel had some time with Beth David’s Artist-in-Residence, Mordechai Rosenstein.
 * They colored in their own drawings on paper prepared by Mordechai, using markers or crayons, which were bright and colorful.
 * Mordechai showed the students how he does his Hebrew calligraphy, first showing them a “yud,” then elongating the “yud” shape - which helps him make the “aleph” and other Hebrew letters.
 * He explained that he liked the letter “lamed.” He drew a “lamed” with its top turned to one side, and drew a shield shape around it. He then asked what it looked like. Sure enough, it looked like the logo for Superman!
 * At the end of the session, the students all posed for a photograph with Mordechai, and gave him a heartfelt “thank you.”

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children next Sunday, Feb. 8.

We wish you a shavuah tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

January 19, 2015

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope everyone is well, had a Shabbat Shalom and good weekend, and had a chance to reflect on the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. today.

Here is an important reminder:
 * Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 – JYEP, 9:30 – 12:30; however, the Rel. School students will be participating in the Beth David Groundbreaking Ceremony during part of the morning. **PLEASE HAVE YOUR STUDENT WEAR A WHITE SHIRT AND DARK PANTS OR SKIRT.**

Time has been going by very fast and a lot has been going on! I’m afraid it has been awhile since I last wrote, so I would like to catch you up on our last class, a Shabbat School day, and our Mitzvah Day, held yesterday.


 * __Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, Shabbat School__**

Ot HaShavuah – nun, nedivut, generosity

Tefillah
 * Yismechu Hashamayim - prayer recited at Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday evenings
 * We practiced singing this prayer.
 * We reviewed its meaning

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Jacob and Esau__
 * Isaac and Rebecca had twin sons names Jacob and Esau. The boys did not get along. They fought to be first. The first to be born would have a birthright. He would become leader of the family. The first to be born was Esau.
 * As they grew older, the brothers still fought to be first. One day Esau returned from hunting and saw Jacob making soup. He said, “I’m starving. Give me that red stuff!”
 * Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright first.” Esau did not care about his birthright, so he sold his rights as the oldest son for a pot of lentil soup.
 * When their father Isaac grew very old, Jacob pretended to be Esau and tricked Isaac to get the blessing promised to his brother.
 * Now Jacob, not Esau, had his father’s blessing to lead the family. Esau was furious. “Jacob took my birthright and my blessing,” he wailed. “When my father dies, I will kill him to get what belongs to me.”
 * Jacob ran away. He was gone many years.
 * When Jacob came back, he was still afraid of Esau. So he sent gifts to his brother. When he saw Esau, Jacob bowed seven times. When Esau saw his brother, he ran to meet him and hugged him. “I have plenty,” Esau said. “Keep what is yours.”
 * And then Jacob and Esau when their separate ways in peace.
 * We completed an exercise which asked the students “What was more important to Esau than his own birthright?” A pot of lentil soup.
 * We discussed how Jacob and Esau finally are able to make peace after years of treating each other badly. Each brother treated the other with respect and care. Jacob sent gifts. He bowed to his older brother as a sign of respect. Esau ran to Jacob, and hugged him, and told Jacob he wanted nothing.
 * We discussed ways the students can keep the peace at home – sharing, talking out problems, compromising.
 * We completed an exercise with stickers showing how two sisters could show respect for each other and keep the peace.
 * We discovered a Hebrew word that means peace: Shalom.

Mitzvot
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Feed the Hungry__
 * We talked about what it feels like to be hungry. It is nice when a friend helps out by sharing. We talked about sharing your lunch with a hungry friend, and with a child you don’t know.
 * Some people are hungry because they don’t have enough money to buy food, some because they live in places where it is hard to grow food, some because something bad has happened – such as a fire, a hurricane, or even a war.
 * We can help the hungry today by giving tzedakah and by donating food to food drives and food banks, such as Second Harvest Food Bank here in our own community.
 * We heard the biblical story of Naomi and Ruth, which is read on the holiday of Shavuot, who lived in the land of Israel. Naomi and Ruth had no food, so Naomi sent Ruth to collect “gleanings.” Gleanings are crops the Torah commands farmers to leave in their fields for hungry people. A farmer named Boaz left extra gleanings in the fields so Ruth would find enough food for herself and Naomi.
 * Feeding the hungry is not just a nice thing to do. It is a mitzvah, ma’achil re’eivim.
 * We learned that when we give food, we need to give food that doesn’t go bad. Foods that will not spoil include juice, peas, corn, beans, soup, applesauce, pasta, tuna. They should be in containers that will not break.
 * A Family Activity handout was sent home with this pamphlet.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel
 * We reviewed Rev. King’s message calling for equality for all, and achieving it through a peaceful process.
 * I mentioned that Rabbi Heschel also marched with Rev. King.
 * We discussed what Rabbi Heschel meant when he said, “When I marched in Selma, I was praying with my feet.” We learn from this that it is important to take action to accomplish our goals.

Haverim
 * Students attended the Haverim service, led by Iris.
 * They heard the story__, As Good As Anybody__, by Richard Michelson, a book about both Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. Here is a synopsis:

“Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel. Their names stand for the quest for justice and equality. Martin grew up in a loving family in the American South, at a time when this country was plagued by racial discrimination. He aimed to put a stop to it. He became a minister like his daddy, and he preached and marched for his cause. Abraham grew up in a loving family many years earlier, in a Europe that did not welcome Jews. He found a new home in America, where he became a respected rabbi like his father, carrying a message of peace and acceptance. Here is the story of two icons for social justice, how they formed a remarkable friendship and turned their personal experiences of discrimination into a message of love and equality for all.”


 * __Sunday, January 18, 2015__**

Mitzvah Day! We hope these projects helped the students feel connected to the spirit of social justice and the “middah” of compassion which are such important components of Judaism, and also were so central to the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and others.

The students rotated in four different groupings through four different stations. Each station was run by the teachers, and many helpful Teen Madrichim helpers. The stations were:

1. Groundbreaking Preparation - for our Ceremony on Jan 25th, with Morah Barbara 2. Planting Project, with Morot Hindy and Davida 3. Homeless Projects 4. Connection Israel - helping Israel/soldiers, with Morot Sharon and Monique
 * Practiced the song “Am Echad”
 * Each student created a Prayer for our Community
 * Decorated pots with stickers and markers, then filled them with potting soil and perlite, put in pansies, mathiolas, and ivy, and watered them. Thank you to all parents who offered to help deliver these colorful and cheerful pots!
 * Discussed why this project might cheer up a homebound person, why plants and trees are so important, about Tu B’Shevat, the birthday of the trees, and about caring for our environment.
 * Students were also invited to plant parsley seeds in compostable pots to take home. After the parsley sprouts and grows for awhile, the entire pot can be planted in the ground at home, where it will bio-degrade. Please wait for the weather to be warm before doing this, and be sure to water the plant. The parsley should be ready for harvesting for Passover.
 * Sandwich Making and Filling Lunch Bags, with Morot Hemy and Robin
 * Paper bag decorating
 * Sandwich-making by older students
 * Filling bags with sandwiches, carrots, soda, chips, clementines, cookies.
 * Bags delivered to St. James Park by Iris and Morah Barbara
 * Blessings Bags, with Morot Ora and Daniela
 * One bag for each family to take and give to a homeless person
 * Bags filled with crackers, granola bars, fruit leather, peanuts, applesauce, spoon, wipes
 * Cards for soldiers in Israel for Purim
 * Students decorated with stickers and markers

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children on Sunday, January 25, 2015 for JYEP and our Groundbreaking Ceremony.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

January 1, 2015
 * 5775 TEACHER UPDATES: **

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope you all had a bright and fun Hanukkah! And… as we have started a new secular year, I want to wish you and your families a healthy and happy and inspiring 2015. I also hope you are enjoying the last few days of a restful and rejuvenating winter break.

I am looking forward to seeing your children on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, for Shabbat School. There will be NO SCHOOL on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2014. Please note that as of now, we will not be moving into the portable classrooms until the 3rd week in January. Until then, Kitah Alef will be in Room 5 as usual.

I last wrote on December 12th, so would like to catch you up on our last session before the winter break, when we had our school-wide Hanukkah program.

Due to our late start and shortened class time, only Morah Ora taught Kitah Alef on this day.
 * __ Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 __**

Hanukkah Celebration
 * The entire Religious School gathered in the Social Hall for singing, candlelighting, and art projects.
 * We then enjoyed Hanukkah treats of latkes and soufganiyot.
 * The author, Caryn Yacowitz, read her new book, __There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Dreidle__, using a puppet and props, and showing the illustrations on the large wall in the sanctuary. It is a Jewish version of the familiar folk song, with clever illustrations adapted from famous works of art. It is good way to introduce young children to masterpieces of the art world while incorporating the Hanukkah theme at the same time.

I want to thank those of you who were able to attend the One Million Lights program on Saturday, Dec. 13, and especially to thank Jen Greene, Talyah’s mother, Director of Operations for this nonprofit organization. Jen gave a presentation, explaining that these solar lights are distributed to children and adults around the world. They replace environmentally toxic and hazardous kerosene lamps. They allow children to read and study at night, fostering literacy and education. One Million Lights also works with schools to increase awareness of global issues. Please visit OneMillionLights.org to learn more. During the evening, there were several light-related art projects to do, information tables on how the lights work, a “reading by solar lights” room with fascinating stories of those who have received the lights. For entertainment, tuneful songs were sung by a women’s trio comprised of Rhonda Raider, Judy Holtzman, and Marjorie Alpert accompanied by Larry Yelowitz on piano.
 * __ Other Events __**

And thank you also to those who were able to attend (in the rain!) the community-wide Hanukkah celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Santana Row. JYEP’s upper grade students, 3rd – 7th, who had a field trip that afternoon, were invited to join others from area schools on the stage with Jewish singer Rick Recht. He sang many festive Hanukkah songs, with the crowd joining in. It was good that our Beth David students were able to be there and be a part of this community event. It really gave one the feeling of “k’lal Yisrael” – all Jews together in unity. (Prior to the Santana Row event, the JYEP students had performed Hanukkah songs at Chai House for the senior residents there, who greatly appreciated the spirited singing.)

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, for Shabbat School. Best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom, & “shavuah tov,” a good week, as school and work resume.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

December 12, 2014

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope everyone is doing well. It feels like a long time since I last wrote, which was before Thanksgiving. I hope you and your families enjoyed Thanksgiving and had the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends and give thanks, too.

Just to let you know, many children left the handouts from our Saturday, Nov. 22 class in our Kitah Alef classroom, and several children were absent that day. So you will find the two handouts from that class, Teach Me Torah – Rebecca, and Let’s Discover God – Thanking God (along with the Parent Letter Learning at Home, Folder 4 and the Student Classroom Enrichment Activity worksheet #4, the “Dear God” letter) in your child’s book bag. For those of you whose children missed the class, I encourage you to read through the pamphlets and have your child complete the exercises.

Following is an update of last Sunday’s class:


 * __Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014__**

Ot HaShavuah – lamed, limud, learning

Tefillah
 * Shema
 * V’ahavta
 * We practiced these prayers and reviewed their meaning.
 * In May, at a Kabbalat Shabbat service, Kitah Alef and Kitah Bet will lead the Shema prayer during the service. More information will be forthcoming closer to the time of the service.

Holiday – Hanukkah
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate – Hanukkah__
 * We discussed the hanukkiyah with room for eight candles for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, plus the shammash, or helper, candle. The shammash is used to light the other candles. Every night when we light a candle, we add another candle, up to eight candles.
 * We read about the dreidle, with nun, gimel, hay, and shin, for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, a great miracle happened there. For dreidles in Israel, the letters are nun, gimel, hay, and pey, for Nes Gadol Hayah Po, a great miracle happened here.
 * The story of Hanukkah is the story of people who fought for freedom. It teaches us that even when everything seems dark, we can always find light.
 * The King of the Syrian-Greeks, King Antiochus wanted everyone in his kingdom to be exactly the same. He tried to make the Jews be like everyone else. He ordered them to bow down and pray to idols. His army was big and powerful, and no one thought that just a few Jews could beat it.
 * Mattathias was a Jew who would not bow down to the idols. He fought back. He told the other Jews, “Let everyone who believes in following the Torah and keeping the Covenant follow me.”
 * Mattathias and his sons ran away to the mountains. They were known as the Maccabees, freedom fighters. They became an army that fought back against Antiochus. The Maccabees hid in the mountains and sneaked down to fight Antiochus’ army.
 * Judah was one of Mattathias’ sons. When his father died, Judah became the leader. He led the Maccabees in their fight for freedom.
 * The Maccabees fought long and hard. They felt brave because they believed in God. The carefully planned each fight. After years of fighting, they won the war. They were free to live as Jews. They didn’t have to be like everyone else.
 * They came to the Temple and found that it was a mess. They cleaned it up and made a special service. They lit the Great Menorah and celebrated for eight days. They called this celebration Hanukkah, which means dedication.
 * We reviewed that a menorah has seven branches, while a hanukkiyah has room for nine candles – eight lights and a shammash.
 * We eat latkes, potatoe pancakes, or sufganiyot, jelly doughnuts, on Hanukkah. They are made with oil, which reminds us of the legend of the small container of oil. Instead of lasting for only one night, the oil lasted for eight nights, which gave the people time to make new oil.
 * I lit candles on a hanukkiyah and we all sang the blessings for Hanukkah. We read the following:
 * We light these candles ro remember the miracles and the wonder and the battles which we won, all because You helped our ancestors in those days at that time.
 * During all eight days of Hanukkah these lights are holy. We are not allowed to use them. We cannot use their light to read or eat or work. We are only allowed to look at them. They remind us to give thanks and to praise You for Your miracles, for Your wonders, and for your help.

Values
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Visit the Sick__
 * Visiting someone who is ill can make the person feel better.
 * We reviewed some items which might cheer up a sick person – a colorful get-well card, a bouquet of flowers, a game, books, hot soup, a stuffed animal.
 * Sometimes clowns visit sick people in hospitals to cheer them up. A cheerful visit can be great medicine.
 * Visiting the sick is called “bikkur holim.” It is not just a nice thing to do, it is a mitzvah.
 * In English we say “get well soon.” In Hebrew we say “refu-ah shleimah” which means have a complete recovery.
 * We can feel lonely when we are sick. We discussed why hearing from a friend or relative can make someone who is sick feel better.
 * If you can’t visit, making a pretty or funny card can help someone feel better who is not feeling well.
 * When someone is sick we say a special prayer, called a “mishe-beirach. This prayer asks God to bless and heal the sick person.
 * The Family Activity handout for this pamphlet includes a translation of this prayer.

Looking forward to seeing your children on Sunday, Dec. 14, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. If they would like to wear their pajamas, they are welcome to do so!

Morah Ora joins me in wishing you all a Shavuah Tov, a good week, and a Happy Hanukkah - beginning on Tuesday night.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 26, 2014

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Greetings! I hope you and your families are all doing well. Some of you are already on vacation, some about to go, and some enjoying a “staycation,” so wherever you are, I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a fun, joyful, relaxing time with family and friends, and get a good rest.

I want to catch you up with what we have covered in Kitah Alef’s last two classes.


 * __Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014__**

Ot HaShavuah - Tet, Hakarat HaTov, Recognizing the good in people (appreciation)

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Abraham__
 * God chose Abraham to be the father of the Israelite people.
 * God told Abraham to leave his home and go to a land that God will show him. God said, “I will make you a great nation.”
 * Abraham and his wife Sarah went to live in the land of Canaan. They followed God’s ways.
 * God tells Abraham that he has heard that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are evil. God says, “If this is true, I will destroy them.”
 * Abraham asks God if God will destroy them if he can find fifty good people living there.
 * God says the cities can stay if there are fifty good people.
 * Abraham asks him about 40, and 20, and goes all the way down to 10.
 * God says, “For the sake of ten good people the cities will be safe.”
 * But in all of Sodom and Gomorrah, there were not even ten good people. Only a man named Lot and his family were good.
 * God called to Lot, “Run away! I will destroy these evil cities. Run away now, and do not look back!”
 * And then God burned Sodom and Gomorrah.
 * We did a written exercise to find pictures of 10 people, the number the Torah tells us that God agreed upon to save a whole city. We learned that it takes ten Jews to make a minyan, a group that prays together.
 * We discussed why Abraham argued with God. We talked about how sometimes we must speak up to help others. Abraham did not want good people to be destroyed, so he argued with God.
 * We discussed how someone we know speaks up for others.
 * We looked at pictures showing a person who needs someone to stand up for him or her, and discussed what an appropriate thing to say would be.

Values
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Welcome Guests__
 * When guests come to our home, we want to put them at ease and make them feel comfortable.
 * At school, if you see a new child you do not know, you can show your welcome by saying hello.
 * In Hebrew, we say, “Bruchim ha-ba’im,” or Welcome. Making people feel at home is “hachnasat orchim,” welcoming guests.
 * We read a story about Abraham and Sarah welcoming three men to their home. Abraham rushed to them, offered them the shade of his tree, water with which to wash their feet, and food to eat.
 * We thought of ways we can make a guest feel welcome in our home: offering a snack, welcoming the guest with a smile.
 * Hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests, is not just a nice thing to do, it’s a mitzvah.
 * There are many ways to say “Welcome.” Some are: hi, please come in, do you want to play?, hello, I’m so glad you came!, How are you?
 * Jews all over the world use the Hebrew word “Shalom” as a greeting. Shalom means hello, goodbye, and peace.
 * On Shabbat, we greet others by saying “Shabbat Shalom.”
 * An enrichment handout was given, called Create an Invitation. Students can decorate the card to invite guests to celebrate Shabbat.

God
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God – God is One__
 * There is only one God above us all.
 * God is the Creator of all things in our world.
 * Things we see every day can remind us of God.
 * The Shema reminds us of God’s oneness. It is an important prayer.
 * We practiced saying this prayer.
 * The Hebrew word Shema means listen or hear.
 * The Shema tells us to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might.
 * We say the Shema in the morning, and before we go to sleep at night. When we say the Shema we are saying that God is our only God and that we worship God alone.
 * The mezuzah is a small container attached to the doorpost of a Jewish house. The Shema is written on the scroll inside.
 * When we see a mezuzah we will remember that there is only one God.
 * We looked at several mezzuzot on the doorways of the Religious School classrooms, which are made out of different materials and have different designs.
 * Handouts: Learning at Home, Folder 2, for parents; Classroom Enrichment Worksheet “Make a Mezuzah Scroll,” for students


 * __Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, Shabbat School__**

Ot HaShavuah - Yud, Yediat Eretz Yisrael, Knowledge about the Land of Israel

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Rebecca__
 * Abraham wanted his son Isaac to marry. He told his servant to take 10 camels and many gifts, and go back to the land he came from and find a wife for his son.
 * At a well in the center of one of the towns, the servant stopped. He said that when the girls of the town come for water, he will ask for a drink. The girl who offers water to him and to the camels will be the one God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.
 * Rebecca came to the well. The servant asked her for a sip of water from her jug.
 * Rebecca hurried to offer the servant a drink, and offered to get water for all of his camels, too.
 * After he inquired about a place to stay for the night, she said that her family had room for a guest and could put up the camels, too. She told him her name was Rebecca.
 * The servant thought Rebecca would be a good wife for Isaac.
 * He gave Rebecca a gold ring and two gold bracelets. He asked her family if she would marry Isaac. Rebecca said she would marry Isaac, and she did.
 * We did some activities with stickers.
 * We discussed what made Abraham’s servant decide that Rebecca would be a good wife for Isaac. Rebecca offered water to the servant right away. She also took care of the animals without being asked. Rebecca showed that she was more than just polite, she was kind. We discussed how we could show kindness.

God
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God – Thanking God__
 * Gifts make us feel good. We say “thank you” when we receive them.
 * God’s gifts to us are many, sun, rain, fruit, food. God’s giving never stops.
 * When we say a blessing it is our way of saying, “Thank you, God.”
 * If we receive a birthday present, we say thank you. When we see, taste, or hear one of God’s gifts, we thank God by reciting a blessing. For instance, seeing a colorful rainbow, smelling sweet flowers, eating watermelon.
 * There are many different blessings – over wine and Shabbat candles, bread and fruit and cookies, when we hear thunder, see a shooting star or a mountain covered in snow.
 * We learned the “recipe” for a blessing. It starts with “Blessed are You, Adonai…” Then you add something that you are thankful for, like fruit.
 * We did a word search for eight things we are thankful for.
 * Handouts: Learning at Home, Folder 4, for parents: Classroom Enrichment Worksheet – “Thank You” letter to God, for students. (Some students left the “Thanking God” pamphlet and these handouts in our classroom – I will return them when class resumes.)

Haverim Services
 * Kitah Alef students (along with K, 2nd and 3rd grades) attended the Haverim service, which was led by Morah Hemy, Morah Hindy, and me. (Iris is on her trip to Argentina with her family, where she attended the Bar Mitzvah of Adriel Levy, Hazzan Levy’s son.)
 * We sang the prayers with lots of ruach, heard about the Torah portion, Toldot (about the twins Jacob and Esau), and heard a story about Thanksgiving, called __Rivka’s First Thanksgiving__, by Elsa Okon Rael. Due to a lengthy service in the sanctuary and a Bat Mitzvah, we had extra time, so we read a second book, called __The Only One Club__, by Jane Naliboff, about a girl who is the only Jewish girl in her class, and who starts her own club.

Ruach Rally
 * The students joined in singing and dancing around the sanctuary. Following the concluding prayers, we did the Kiddush and Motzi, and for those who stayed, had lunch in the Social Hall.

Just as a reminder, we will resume our Kitah Alef class on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing you then.

Again, our best wishes for a fun and meaningful Thanksgiving. Have a Shabbat Shalom, and a restful break.

All the best.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 12, 2014

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I want to thank you very much for coming to the Parent Conferences on Sunday, Nov. 9. I enjoyed having a chance to talk to you and share my observations of your child. I hope the meetings were helpful. We have a wonderful class! As always, if you have any questions or concerns please contact me at adelbergfam@me.com.


 * Important Reminders:**


 * Regular JYEP class on Nov. 16.
 * Shabbat School on Saturday, Nov. 22.
 * NO SCHOOL on Sunday, Nov. 23.
 * Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Sunday, Nov. 30.
 * Resume JYEP after Thanksgiving: Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014

Wishing you a peaceful, restful, refreshing Shabbat, a Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children on Sunday, Nov. 16.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 6, 2014

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope you have all had a good week.

Just to let you know, tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 7, is the Jewish Youth Education Program’s first Shabbat Mishpacha Experience (SME) of the school year. This family-oriented Erev Shabbat service, which begins at 6:30 pm, is held once per month. Itis designed for families, and all children are invited to help lead the prayers. It is a fun, lively, interactive service, accompanied by rhythm instruments, and is a great way to feel the spirit of Shabbat.

At each of the Shabbat Mishpacha Experiences, one grade (or sometimes two grades), receives something special. Tomorrow evening, Kitah Gimel students will receive their very first siddurim, presented to them by their parents. The service is followed by a dairy potluck dinner. You are welcome to attend this and any other Shabbat Mishpacha Experience throughout the year.

Kitah Alef, along with Kitah Bet, will have their own SME in May, when the students will help lead the “Shema” prayer. They also will receive an item related to the Shema. More information will be sent closer to the event.

Following are the topics we covered during our last Kitah Alef class:


 * __Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014__**

Ot HaShavuah – zayin, zikaron, remembrance

Tefillot – Brachot HaShahar – morning blessings


 * We practiced this prayer, partly in Hebrew, partly in English.
 * We reviewed the meaning of the prayer. It mentions many everyday items we should not take for granted.
 * We say it in the morning, so it can help start our day off with appreciation.

Torah


 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – Noah__
 * People spread evil over the world. God said, “I wish I had never created them.”
 * One man, Noah, was good. Noah walked with God.
 * God told Noah to build an ark, and then to take his family and two of each animal onto the ark. He was told to take food for all.
 * Noah did all that God said. Then it began to rain. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Noah’s ark floated, and kept his family and the animals safe.
 * After the rain stopped, Noah sent out birds. They came back to the ark because there was no place to land. The third time Noah sent a bird out, the bird, a dove, did not come back, for it had found a place to live. The earth was finally dry.
 * God told Noah to come out of the ark. God then blessed Noah and his family. God said ,”You may kill animals for food. But do not kill people. They are created in the image of God.”
 * God said God would never again destroy the earth with a flood. God said, “I have set a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of My promise.”
 * The students did some exercises.
 * We discussed what it means to walk with God. The Torah tells us that Noah was different from other people. The others did wicked things. Noah set out to do what God asked. By doing the right thing, and following God’s commands, Noah walked with God. We discussed how we could walk with God: sharing with others, tzedakah, being helpful, recycling, cleaning up the environment.

Torah


 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – The Tower of Babel__
 * Long ago the people of the earth had one language, but no home. They moved from place to place.
 * “Let us live together in one place,” they said. They baked hard bricks from clay and used the bricks to build houses.
 * “We will build a city. And a tower with its top in the heavens! We will be famous for it. We will live here always. People will remember us forever.”
 * God came down and saw the tower they were building. God said, “This is just the beginning of what they will try to do!” The people thought the tower was more important than anything else.
 * So God changed the one language into many languages. The builders could not talk to each other, nor could they make bricks together. They could not build the tower together. All the work stopped.
 * The tower was never finished. The people moved away. The empty city was called Babel. Even today, when people talk in a way no one can understand, we call it babble.
 * We did written exercises.
 * We discussed the reason God stopped the people from building. They were not humble people. They wanted to make themselves famous. They put themselves and the tower first. They forgot to think about others. They forgot to think about God. We discussed how putting someone else first can make you feel good.

Mitzvot


 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot – Guard Your Tongue__
 * We read a poem. It said words have tremendous power. They can hurt or they can heal. How we choose to use them can affect how others feel. We need to use our words wisely.
 * Shmirat HaLashon is using your words wisely, guarding your tongue.
 * A scraped knee hurts on the outside, but mean words hurt on the inside.
 * Words can hurt or words can heal. We drew lines, placing hurtful words in a trash can, and placing encouraging words in a heart shape.
 * We read a short story called “Feathers Everywhere.” In the story a woman loved to talk, but she often said mean things. No one in the village wanted to talk to her anymore, so she went to the rabbi for help. He told her to go home and find a pillow with feathers. He instructed her to rip the pillow open and bring it back to him. When she took the torn pillow outside, the wind blew all the feathers away. The rabbi then told her to pick up all the feathers. She said, “I’ll never find them all.” The rabbi explained, “The feathers are just like your mean words. Once the words come out of your mouth, you can never get your words back. But you can watch what you say.”
 * In a written exercise, we circled the right thing to say. If we stop before we speak, and think how others will feel, we can find a way to say the right thing.
 * Shmirat HaLashon means “guard your tongue.” There are many funny sayings that mean the same thing:
 * Hold your tongue.
 * A fly can’t get into a closed mouth!
 * Bite your tongue.
 * We reviewed how to play the game on the back of the pamphlet.
 * Watching what you say is not just a nice thing to do. It’s a mitzvah.
 * Handout: Family Activity for “Guard Your Tongue,” finding nice things to say to a family member, writing a list, and placing it in an accessible place or on the front of the refrigerator.

Story


 * I read the delightful book, __In Our Image, God’s First Creatures__, by Nancy Sohn Swartz.
 * Here is a synopsis:


 * “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth...But something was missing...” **

“Before creating humans, God said, ‘Let us make humans in Our image, after Our likeness.’ In this playful new twist to the Genesis story, God asks all of nature to offer gifts to humankind—with the promise that the humans would care for creation in return.

Then, woman and man were formed from the dust of the earth, in the image of God and in the image of all of nature. And it was very good, indeed. Whether you’re large like the whale, small like the ant, lazy like the lizard, or busy like the bee, this spirited story with its lively illustrations celebrates the interconnectedness of nature and the harmony of all living things.”

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to see all parents this Sunday, Nov. 9, for Parent Conference Day, while children are at the special program.

L’hitraot, see you soon, and Shabbat Shalom to all!

L’Shalom,

Morah Davida

October 30, 2014 Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Greetings. I hope you all have had a Shavuah Tov, a good week.

As a reminder, please calendar Parent Conference Day, which is coming up on Sunday, Nov. 9. Parents will meet with the teachers, and students will have a special program that day.

The following topics were covered in our class on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014.

Ot HaShavuah – vav, v’ahavta, and you shall love (God, others, etc….)

Tefillah
 * We sang the Mah Tovu prayer.
 * We reviewed its meaning.
 * We discussed that it is a prayer we sing in Haverim services on Shabbat morning.

Holidays
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate, Shabbat__
 * We learned that God created the world, working for 6 days and resting on the 7th.
 * First, we are like God because we have the right to rest on the 7th day. Second, by resting on the 7th day, we can become more like God. When we rest, we are renewed, re-created.
 * On Friday afternoon, we clean our house in preparation for Shabbat.
 * We bake hallah, shine the candlesticks, pour the wine or juice for the Kiddush - the blessing said over the wine.
 * The students drew Shabbat items to “finish setting a Shabbat table” – wine cup, challot, candlesticks.
 * We do a short service to welcome Shabbat. It involves blessing the Shabbat candles, blessing the children, saying Kiddush, and making Motzi. I set up a little table in our classroom with a nice tablecloth and a bouquet of flowers, and Shabbat items from my home. Then, we did the service, saying the blessings together in Hebrew. First, I lit the Shabbat candles, I did the blessings over children - both sons and daughters, then we did a brief Kiddush, I “washed” my hands for the ritual handwashing, and together we sang the Motzi, the blessing for the challah.
 * We go to services at the synagogue on Shabbat. There, we pray, and meet our friends.
 * The Torah is read aloud every Shabbat. It teaches us the stories and rules of the Jewish people.
 * In the afternoons on Shabbat, a family might take a walk together.
 * In the evening on Saturday, the family looks for three stars in the sky. Shabbat ends when it is dark enough to see three stars.
 * We say special blessings at the end of Shabbat, called Havdalah. Bessings are said over wine or juice, spices, and the flame. This short service divides Shabbat from the rest of the week.
 * The spices remind us to keep the sweetness of Shabbat with us for a whole week.

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah, Adam and Eve__.
 * Adam, the first man, and Eve, the first woman, lived in a garden called Eden.
 * Fruit trees of all kinds grew in Eden. God told them they may eat any fruit in the garden except one. “Do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. If you do, you will die.”
 * A snake told Eve that she will not die. She will know good from evil, just like God.
 * Eve took a bite of the apple, then offered a bite to Adam. He also took a bite.
 * Then Adam and Eve heard God calling to them. They hid behind the trees.
 * God asks them, “Why did you hide? Did you eat the fruit I told you not to eat?”
 * Adam said, “Eve gave it to me.” Eve said, “The snake tricked me.”
 * God spoke to the snake. “Because you have done this, you will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life!”
 * God spoke to Adam and Eve. “You will face hardship and pain.”
 * Then God dressed Adam and Eve in clothing made from animal skins, and sent them out of the Garden of Eden forever.
 * We did a written exercise about what changed once Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.
 * We discussed why God punished Adam and Eve, and not just the snake. The snake did not force Eve to eat the fruit. Eve had a choice. Eve gave Adam fruit. She did not make him eat it. Adam had a choice, too. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. They tried to blame others for their own mistakes.

Values
 * Text: __Let’s Discover Mitzvot, Tzedakah__
 * We read a poem about the Torah’s lesson about fairness – that it is only fair that we share with those who do not have as much as we do.
 * To share and think of others is to be a mensch, a good person.
 * Tzedakah is sharing with others, whether clothing, food, toys, or even money. Sharing helps those who have less feel better than before.
 * Jews from all around the world should lend a helping hand.
 * We discussed the idea of fairness, that it is not fair that some people have a lot while others have only a little. To make things fair, we have to share.
 * We talked about what we need, such as food, clothing, and shelter, and tried to think of other things we need to be healthy and happy.
 * We did a matching exercise, matching a person who needed something with the item needed.
 * Putting coins in a tzedakah box can help save money, which can then be donated to those in need.
 * We circled some items we thought cost one dollar.
 * We learned that if each of us gives a little, together we can give a lot.
 * Giving tzedakah is not just something nice to do. It is a mitzvah – a commandment.
 * Our tradition teaches us to give tzedakah cheerfully. But it is not always easy to share.
 * Handouts were given to take home with this pamphlet: For Parents: Parent Letter. Students: Enrichment Sheet – Make a Tzedakah Box.

Dance for Kitah Alef - Kitah Alef had dance with our new dance instructor, Donna Frankel.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children this Sunday, November 2. Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

October 23, 2014

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope you are all doing well.

As a reminder, there is a Parent Education Hour this coming Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, called “It’s a Mitzvah.” It is for parents new to the JYEP program at Beth David, however all parents are welcome.

This letter will catch you up on our last class.


 * __ Shabbat School, on Saturday, October 18, 2014. __**

Ot HaShavuah – hey, hoda-ah, gratitude

Torah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah – God and Creation__
 * We read through creation:
 * Day 1 – Light/Dark
 * Day 2 – Sky
 * Day 3 – Dry Land/Sea
 * Day 4 – Sun, Moon, Stars
 * Day 5 – Fish/Birds
 * Day 6 – Animals, People
 * God blessed the 7th day and made it holy. It was the day God rested after creating the world.
 * We did a sticker exercise to show the order of creation.
 * We discussed a picture of 4 different-colored hands around the world, representing the diversity of people in the world, and how all must care for the world.
 * We discussed what it means to “rule over the earth.” We learned that a good ruler can be like a parent, taking care of all members of the family. By taking care of the world the way parents take care of a family, people can rule the earth.
 * We discussed ways that we could take care of the world. Some answers included giving tzedakah, providing for others – such as food, clothing, shelter, toys, remembering to recycle, and cleaning up the environment.
 * We used stickers to “help” a family take care of the world.

God > For students: Classroom Enrichment Worksheet, Enjoy God’s Gifts. > Additional Items
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God – God’s Gift of Shabbat__
 * We read a poem about how busy we are during the week, with work or school or activities. There is a lot of traffic and we get tired with the rush and hurry. But on Shabbat God tells us, “No more work, you’re done!”
 * Shabbat gives us time to rest, to hope and to dream.
 * Shabbat is a gift from God, a day to enjoy the world God created. We can appreciate the many wonderful things in God’s world – animals, insects, flower, trees.
 * On Shabbat we say “Shabbat Shalom,” “May you have a peaceful Shabbat.”
 * There are many things you can do to make Shabbat a peaceful day. We looked at several pictures, including taking a walk, singing songs, going to services, saying the blessings over the Shabbat candles, reading books, enjoying a nice Shabbat meal together.
 * We practiced the blessing for the candles, and reviewed its meaning.
 * Handouts: For parents: Learning at Home, God’s Gift of Shabbat.
 * Haverim: The students enjoyed the Haverim services (grades K – 3rd) with Morah Iris. It is an interactive fun service, with singing, movement, and stories.
 * Ruah Rally: The students danced around the sanctuary or tapped out the melodies of the songs at the reading table during the Ruah Rally. The singing was lead by Rabbi Ohriner, the dancing by Iris.
 * Lunch: Those who stayed enjoyed a delicious lunch. If you haven’t done so yet, I would like to encourage you to stay for adult services in the sanctuary while your child attends Shabbat School, and then you can join your child for lunch!

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children this Sunday, October 26, 2014, for our JYEP program, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.

L’hitraot, see you soon, and Shabbat Shalom!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

October 14, 2014

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope you have been enjoying Sukkot, and have had a chance to wave the lulav. Please note that our next class is SHABBAT SCHOOL, on Saturday, October 18, and there is NO SCHOOL on Sunday, October 19.

__Recent Events__ We have had a busy time at Beth David recently. I hope you have been able to attend some of the wonderful events over the past few days. Last Friday evening was a lovely Erev Shabbat dinner followed by Ma’ariv services with entertaining “ushpizin” skits. It was great to see some of our students and their parents participate! On Shabbat morning, during services, were Hallel, Kohelet, the inspiring installations of Rabbis Ohriner and Alexander, and Hoshanot. After services came a delicious, catered Kiddush Luncheon. Our shul has a bright and promising future with two such dedicated and knowledgeable rabbis to guide us.

__Upcoming Events – Come to Simhat Torah this Thursday night!__ We hope you and your children can attend Simhat Torah the evening of Thursday, October 16. Interactive and fun services begin at 7:30 pm, with hakafot, or parades, and dancing with the Torahs. There will be a special welcome for new students and surprises for all students. If you can also attend Simhat Torah services the morning of Friday, October 17, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, you will see the entire Torah unrolled – quite a memorable sight to see.


 * The following is an update on our last Kitah Alef class, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014.**

Ot HaShavuah – dalet, derech eretz, good manners

Mitzvah of the Month – tzedakah, charity

Tefillot – Modeh Ani
 * We practiced singing this prayer.
 * We discussed its meaning, which is thanking God for restoring us when we wake up to a new day. We thank God for giving us another day to live.

Holidays – Sukkot (Review) and Simhat Torah
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__
 * Quick Sukkot Review –
 * why we celebrate this holiday – Moses and the Israelites built huts when wandering in the dessert for 40 years; gifts of harvest brought to the Temple in Jerusalem
 * how we celebrate – build a sukkah, decorate it, eat and sleep in it, shake the lulav and etrog in all directions – to show God is everywhere; do hakafot or parades around the sanctuary
 * Shemini Atzeret- at the end of Sukkot; we pray for rain; we have the “Yizkor” services for those who have passed away.
 * Simhat Torah – celebrates the Torah
 * The Torah is filled with laws and stories which teach us how to be good Jews.
 * The Torah is our most important book.
 * We find many stories in the Torah, such as Creation, Noah and the Ark, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob’s Dreams, Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors, Escape from Egypt, Moses gets the 10 Commandments, Coming to the Holy Land.
 * A sofer is a person who writes a Torah scroll by hand. The Sefer Torah must be written by hand.
 * On Simhat Torah we read the last word in the Torah, and then we go back to the beginning and read the first words in the Torah. It takes a whole year to read the Torah.
 * Jews never stop studying the Torah.
 * On Simhat Torah we have special Torah parades called hakafot. We march and dance around the synagogue carrying the Torah scrolls.
 * Often we carry Simhat Torah flags. Carrying and waving Torah Flags is a way of showing that we love to study the Torah.

God – God’s Creations
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God – God’s Creations__
 * We read a poem about experiencing the world through our senses. This can remind us of all God has made. The students drew pictures of things that smell as sweet as a flower, and that taste as juicy as an apple.
 * We discussed where we can feel the sunshine and shade, and things that are fun to do in the snow.
 * We learned that the Torah tells us that God created the world in six days, and rested on the seventh. We discussed what were some things God made on each day.
 * We did an exercise to learn about things God created versus things that people made.
 * We discussed being God’s partner to help create new things. For example, God made the seeds from which wheat can grow – but we can take that wheat and make it into challah to eat on Shabbat. We went through the steps needed to make that happen. We practiced the blessing for challah.
 * Handouts given were: “Learning at Home: God’s Creations” for parents; and “Classroom Enrichment Worksheet: Be God’s Partner” for students, a matching game they can make at home.

Sukkah Story
 * I read the cute story __A Watermelon in the Sukkah__, by Sylvia A. Rouss and Shannon Rouss.
 * In the story, a boy’s class helps him figure out how to hang his favorite fruit, a watermelon, in the sukkah.

Additional Items for Sunday, Oct. 12
 * Students made a “sukkah snack” out of edible items during snack time in the shul’s sukkah. Very sticky, but very yummy.
 * The younger grades had a chance to shake the lulav and do hakafot (parades) with Rabbi Ohriner in the sanctuary after services.


 * Looking forward to see you and your children for Simhat Torah this Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:30 pm, which I hope you can attend. It will be a lot of fun!**


 * And…please remember to bring your child on Shabbat this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, 9:30 – 12:30 pm, for __Shabbat School__; this replaces Sunday school for this weekend, so __no school on Sunday, Oct. 19.__**


 * L’hitraot, see you soon, and Hag Sameach!**


 * L’Shalom,**
 * Morah Davida**

October 2, 2014

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope you and your families all had a good Rosh Hashanah and had a chance to eat apples and honey, and to hear the shofar blasts!

Thank you to all for helping your children bring in tzedakah money, do mitzvot at home and bring in mitzvah notes, and attend Haverim or other services (please email me when your child attends services). These are all great ways to earn stickers for our “M&M Ladder” and I want to encourage our class to keep up the good work.

Important reminders:


 * Sunday, October 5 No Kitah Alef class, but there is Sukkah Decorating for the Cong. Beth David sukkot in the courtyard, 10:30 am
 * Wed., October 8 Supper in the Sukkah, Morah Davida’s home; please RSVP to Davida at adelbergfam@me.com with number and names attending; siblings welcome, too!

Following are topics we covered in class on Sunday, September 28, 2014.

Ot HaShavuah – Gimel, Gemilut Hasadim, Deeds of Lovingkindness

Mitzvah of the Month – Tzedakah

Holiday – Sukkot
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__
 * We build a sukkah or hut, with a roof of branches. We can see the stars through the branches.
 * We decorate the sukkah with fruit, paper chains, and other decorations.
 * We learned that when the Jews were freed from Egypt, they wandered in the desert for 40 years, and built sukkot during this time.
 * Also, when the Jews lived in ancient Israel, they used to harvest their fields and lived in sukkot near the fields during that time.
 * Today, during sukkot, we eat and even sleep in the sukkah.
 * After services on Sukkot, there is an oneg or celebration in the synagogue’s sukkah.
 * In ancient Israel, Jewish families would come to Jerusalem 3 times a year. They would bring gifts from their harvests to the Temple. They did this on the holidays of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot.
 * On Sukkot we hold a lulav and etrog, say a blessing. The lulav is made of the branches of palm, willow, and myrtle. We shake the lulav east, south, west, north, up, and down. This shows that God is everywhere.
 * We counted the 7 days of Sukkot, and noticed that the holiday of Shemini Atzeret comes at the end of Sukkot. On this day we pray for rain. We saw that Simhat Torah is the day following Shemini Atzeret.
 * __ We will use this same pamphlet for Simhat Torah in two weeks, on Oct. 12, so the pamphlets did not go home with the students. __

God
 * Text: __Let’s Discover God, In God’s Image__
 * We read the poem, which tells us that though people are all quite different, we are all created in the image of one God. God has no hands or feet, no face. God’s image is the goodness inside each of us.
 * We discussed the picture on the front page. We talked about the similarities and the differences of the children, who are playing on a swing.
 * In Hebrew we say we are created “b’tzelem Elohim.” People are created in God’s image. This means we can act like God by being kind and helpful.
 * We discussed good things we can do to show that we are created in the image of God, for instance, when a friend is sick, when we find something that doesn’t belong to us, when guests visit.
 * We did an exercise tracing our hand, and writing on it the name of someone we would like to help.
 * Each child made a thumbprint from a stamp pad, and each child was invited to draw and color his or her own picture from that print. This demonstrated how everyone is unique and special, and each one of us has something special to offer.
 * We talked about tzedakah, an important way to help others. When we put our coins in a tzedakah box, we show that we are created in God’s image.
 * We discussed what things tzedakah money is used for – food, clothing, books, toiletries, shelter, transportation.
 * ** “In God’s Image” Handouts (put inside the pamphlet): Learning at Home, for parents; Classroom Enrichment – Make a Tzedakah Box, for students. **

Please note that we will not have class on Oct. 5 – though all students are invited to help decorate Beth David’s sukkot on that day. I hope all Kitah Alef families (along with Kitah Gimel families) can join my family and me for the 1st night of Sukkot on October 8th at our home.

Our next JYEP class will be on Sunday, October 12 – during which we will “wave the lulav” during services.

Morah Ora joins me in wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, a good Yom Kippur, and ‘”G’mar Hatimah Tovah.”

L’Shalom, Morah Davida September 24, 2014 Dear Kitah Alef Parents, I wanted to let you know what we covered in class on Sunday, Sept. 21 in Kitah Alef. Here is a brief outline:


 * Ot HaShavuah (letter or sign of the week) – bet, mitzvah: birkkur holim, visiting the sick; we discussed ways we could make a sick person feel better.


 * Rosh Hashanah
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__
 * No matter what has gone on before, we can always make a new beginning. While we have to take responsibility for what has already happened, we can always start again to make things better.
 * We say “L’Shanah Tovah,” or happy New Year. Some people send cards with a message for a good New Year. Students shared some of their wishes for the coming year.
 * We blow the shofar on Rosh HaShanah. It comes from a ram’s horn. We learned the sounds made by the shofar.
 * We pray from a special prayerbook on the High Holidays, called the mahzor. The prayers wish for peace, justice, food and shelter for all people.
 * We do a lot of thinking on Rosh Hashanah, such as what we can do to become an even better person.
 * Good things that people can do during the coming year are: honor parents, give tzedakah, being honest, being kind.
 * Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the world.
 * We eat apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year.
 * We eat round hallah. Some say it is like a crown, and reminds us that God is our Ruler. Others say it symbolizes the cycle of the seasons.
 * We do “teshuvah” or say we’re sorry for things we did that are wrong. We ask forgiveness of those we have harmed. We try to do better the next time. Teshuvah is hard work
 * We go to flowing water to throw in bread crumbs to symbolize we are getting rid of our bad actions. This is called “tashlich.”
 * We counted the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.


 * Yom Kippur
 * Text: __A Time to Celebrate__
 * The 10 days of repentance help us examine our past errors, give us time to ask for forgiveness, and help us decide we will not repeat the bad action.
 * The Hazzan sings the “Kol Nidre” prayer at the beginning of Yom Kippur. It releases us of all promises made throughout the past year.
 * Yom Kippur is a very holy day. It is a whole day for praying, thinking, studying and doing “teshuvah.”
 * The students tried hitting a target on the wall with a bean bag. We learned that we did not hit the target every time. We “missed the mark” sometimes, called “het,” just as we do not always behave the way we should. But we do not give up trying to hit the target, or do the right thing!
 * It is a tradition for adults to fast on Yom Kippur.
 * We wear white on Yom Kippur to have a fresh, clean start to the New Year. It is also a tradition to not wear leather, so many people wear sneakers or tennis shoes.
 * At the end of Yom Kippur those people with a shofar come to the bimah to give the final blow, the “tekiah gedolah.”
 * We hope that all our wishes for peace, justice, food and shelter will come true, and that all of us will become the best people we can be.

3 T’s song
 * 3 T’s Song – Tefillah, Teshuvah, Tzedakah: we practiced singing this song with hand motions – stretching upward, turning to our friends, giving people something

Tour
 * We walked through the synagogue, and saw the location of certain areas: the Religious School office, other classrooms, the library, rest rooms, drinking fountain, synagogue office, Rabbi Ohriner’s office, the main lobby, sanctuary, social hall, courtyard.

Story of Jonah
 * Text: __Teach Me Torah Jonah__
 * Jonah ran away from God, but in the end did as God asked him to.
 * He went to the city of Nineveh, and told the people to repent. They did repent, and God saved their city and all the people.
 * This made Jonah upset. He was not happy that his prediction didn’t come true. He cared more about being right than about saving the people of Nineveh.
 * The Book of Jonah teaches us that God wants to forgive us so that we can improve our behavior. When we forgive people who apologize to us, we give them a chance to do teshuvah and improve their behavior.
 * We did some written exercises in the pamphlet. One was about caring for others, and we identified how an older child was helping a younger one.
 * The Ask at Home section can be done as a family: Jonah did not want to be a prophet. The question you can ask is: What helps you do a job you might not want to do?

Looking forward to seeing you at Rosh Hashanah services – and next Sunday, Sept 28, for our next Kitah Alef class.

We wish you and your families a Shanah Tovah u’Metukah, a good and sweet New Year. May you enjoy the blessings of peace and happiness now and always.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora September 18, 2014

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

It was a pleasure meeting your children and you at our “Back to School” morning on Sunday, Sept. 14. Thank you for coming in! I hope you had a good introduction to the Jewish Youth Education Program and to our Judaica and Hebrew subjects for Kitah Alef.

Morah Ora and I hope you all had an opportunity to read through the Welcome Letter dated Sept. 12, 2014. If you did not, it is on the wiki at cbdshulschool.org under “Alef.” I would like to emphasize a few items from that letter:


 * Supplies for each Kitah Alef student: a pocket folder, pencil pouch, 2 sharpened pencils with erasers, kippah to wear while in school. If you did not receive a blue book bag last Sunday, please be sure to let me know.


 * M&M Ladder: ways to earn stickers include donating tzedakah, reading Jewish books, Mitzvah notes, attending Haverim or other services. Please help your child advance up the ladder.

In our classtime on Sept. 14, we did an apple “Puzzle Match” to introduce ourselves to one another, reviewed the school’s “Kavod Code” for good behavior, heard a story called “The Apple Tree’s Discovery” (the apple tree finds it has its very own star within its apples, and it understands it is very special and has its own special gifts to offer), and heard a song and talked about the 3 T’s – tefillah, teshuvah, and tzedakah, themes for the upcoming High Holidays.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us:
 * Davida Adelberg, adelbergfam@me.com, or (408) 892**-**3691 (cell)
 * Ora Avidan-Antonir, oraaa@hotmail.com or __ (408) 530-0384 __ (home).

Looking forward to seeing your children this Sunday, Sept. 21 in Room 5.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, and an enriching evening during Selichot, on Sept. 20.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

September 12, 2014 Dear Kitah Alef Parents, Greetings and welcome to the new school year at Congregation Beth David’s Jewish Youth Education Program (JYEP). We are excited about teaching your children and having an inspiring year of learning and growing together. We are also very much looking forward to meeting you and your children at our “Back to School” event this coming Sunday, September 14, 2014, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Children and parents will have separate times to meet the teachers, and we will be all together towards the end of the morning.

We want to give you a little information before school starts. Morah Davida will teach the Judaica topics including Torah, God, Mitzvot, Israel, holidays, prayers, blessings, and Morah Ora will teach Hebrew. Judaica will have very little homework; however, we do ask that you help your child keep up with the Hebrew homework, which will be invaluable on the journey to becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah!

We request that you please reinforce our “Kavod Code” (good behavior rules) during school hours and at home. We encourage students to climb our “M&M Ladder” by doing “middot and mitzvot.” A middah is a virtue or characteristic (being honest, patient, compassionate, etc.). A mitzvah is a commandment. Ways to earn stickers for the M&M Ladder include:
 * Donating tzedakah or charity (any amount is fine!)
 * Attending 10 tefillot or prayer services (five from Haverim services for grades K – 3rd, five from other services; tracked also on Haverim Chart)
 * Reading Jewish books (complete a sifriya tloosh, library ticket, and turn it in to Morah Davida; tracked also on the Library Chart)
 * Performing middot or mitzvot in class or at home (exhibiting good behavior or doing chores above and beyond the normal expectations; complete “Mitzvah Note” and turn it in to Morah Davida)
 * Adding and continuing a new Shabbat or holiday ritual (email or send in note)

We are most fortunate that our instruction will be enriched weekly by the creativity of Morah Leslie Drori in art, monthly by the energy of Morah Rachel Tischler in dance, and occasionally by the ruach (spirit) of Morah Barbara Biran in singing. Our year includes a lively and fun Zimrikudiya, or Song and Dance Festival, and an opportunity for family involvement in our Family Education Days and Mishpacha Programs. We hope you will join us for these events.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To help keep your child organized will you please supply him or her with the following: a pocket folder, pencil pouch with 2 pencils with erasers, and a kippah to wear during school. Please bring all supplies in the blue book bag (will be provided by our school). Thank you!

And… if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us:
 * Davida Adelberg, adelbergfam@me.com, or (408) 892‐3691 (cell)
 * Ora Avidan-Antonir, oraaa@hotmail.com or (408) 530-0384 (home).

Shabbat Shalom & l’hitraot, see you soon! Morah Davida and Morah Ora

Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

I hope you enjoyed Rosh Hashanah, and still have the sweet taste of apples and honey with you as we begin our New Year. Please let me know if your child attended services, or went to tashlikh, so I can award her or him a sticker for our M&M Chart!


 * REMINDER: Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, before services, Please remember to bring in a bag of food (non-perishable) for the Second Harvest Food Bank, and place in the bins provided.**


 * REMINDER: Sunday, October 9, 2011, 11 am – 1 pm, Sukkot Decorating Event at Beth David (no regular Religious School – but please come help make and put up decorations with your children!)**


 * REMINDER: Sunday, October 16, 2011 – We do have Religious School.**

Here is an update on our recent Kitah Alef learning:


 * Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011**

Learning with the Rabbi

In addition to all the learning listed in my Parent Update letter of Sept. 27, we also had a learning session with Rabbi Pressman on Sept. 25, which I accidentally forgot to include (my apologies!). We joined Morah Hindy and Kitah Gan in their classroom. We were very fortunate to have the Rabbi discuss the topic, “What is a rabbi?” Some highlights of his talk follow:


 * Teaches children, teens in Hebrew High, adults
 * Presents special learning sessions to the congregation
 * Leads services
 * Blows the shofar at the High Holidays
 * Leads life cycle events like bar/bar mitzvahs, weddings, funerals
 * Attends rabbinical conferences
 * Visits people in the hospital
 * Writes articles
 * Consults personally for people with problems

Rabbi Pressman also mentioned that he likes to read, works out 3 times/week, has three children and one granddaughter. Rabbi asked each child to say his or her name, and mentioned if he’d officiated at the wedding of their parents. There were quite a few in the room! We thanked the Rabbi for coming in and sharing what he does with us.


 * Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011**

Ot Hashavua: Dalet, for Derekh Eretz, or Good Manners

Holidays: ((Text: “A Time to Celeberate”)

Sukkkot:


 * Sukkah is a booth or hut, has a roof made of branches
 * We decorate the sukkah with fruit, fall harvest items like pumpkins and gourds, paper chains, pictures, etc.
 * Sukkot is a harvest holiday
 * We eat and can even sleep in the sukkah
 * Synagogues today build a sukkah, and after services have an oneg there
 * Reminds us that when the Jews left Egypt, and spent 40 years in the wilderness, they lived in sukkot during their wandering
 * Reminds us that in ancient Israel, Jewish families would come to Jerusalem 3x/year, bringing gifts from their harvests to the Temple
 * The people did this on the holidays of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot
 * Have a lulav and etrog on Sukkot: lulav, made of 3 kinds of branches – palm, willow, and myrtle – and etrog, like a bumpy lemon with a “pitam” or tip
 * We shake the lulav east, south, west, and north, and up and down; this shows that God is everywhere
 * Sukkot lasts for 7 days, Shemini Azteret is celebrated on what would be the 8th day of Sukkot; on Shemini Atzeret we pray for rain

Simhat Torah:


 * Simhat Torah is celebrated after Shemini Atzeret
 * On Simhat Torah we read from the Torah, which is filled with the laws and stories which teach us how to be good Jews
 * The Torah is our most important book
 * In the Torah we find many stories. Some are Creation of the World, Noah and the Ark, Abraham and Sarah come to Canaan, Jacob’s Dream, Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors, Escape from Egypt, Moses Gets the Ten Commandments, and Coming to Israel.
 * The Torah Scroll is called a Sefer Torah
 * The person who writes the Sefer Torah is a Sofer
 * Each Torah is handwritten
 * On Simhat Torah we read the last part of the Torah and without stopping we go back to the beginning and read the first part. It takes a whole year to read the Torah.
 * The last word in the Torah is Yisrael, or Israel.
 * The first word in the Torah is Beresheet; it means “In the beginning.”
 * The last Hebrew letter in the Torah is “lamed” and the first Hebrew letter in the Torah is “vet.” Together they spell the Hebrew word “Lev,” which means heart. We love the Torah!
 * We have special parades on Simhat Torah, called hakkafot; we march around the synagogue carrying the Torah scrolls, singing and dancing
 * We wave flags on Simhat Torah. It can show that we love to study the Torah.
 * We can learn much from the Torah; we can always keep learning from the Torah.

In God’s Image (text: “Let’s Discover God”)


 * God’s image is the goodness inside us
 * “B’zelem Elohim” is the Hebrew phrase
 * We are in God’s image when we act like God – being kind and helpful
 * Examples of actions you can do are feeding the hungry, providing clothing or toys, visiting the sick
 * We can also put tzedakah in the box
 * Handout for Parents: Learning at Home, Tzedakah box instructions

Handouts related to Aseret Yemay Teshuvah, the 10 Days of Repentance


 * Song, “Turning, turning, turning”
 * Teshuvah Train, with three cars: Reflection (for what we want to change), Apology/Repair (for making amends for what we did), and Changed (for not doing the behavior again). This is to complete if the student would like to, either writing words or drawing pictures, to help them understand the idea of changing our behavior. It does not need to be turned in.

I wish you a good fast and a “Gamar __h__atima tovah” – that you be sealed in the Book of Life.

B’Shalom, Morah Davida Dear Kitah Alef Parents,

Welcome to a new school year at Beth David! Thank you to all parents who were able to attend the Back to School on Sept. 11.

We are off to a wonderful start with our Kitah Alef class this year.

In our first class, we began with our "kehilla kedosha" circle. We sit in a circle on the floor, take turns greeting one another with a handshake, and a "Shalom, how are you?," and share events of the past week. Each student is a wonderful addition to our class, and it is exciting to get to know everyone. We reviewed our "Kavod Code," our classroom rules, and the ways to earn stickers for our M&M Chart. We had a quick look at the "Mitzvah of the Month" bulletin board, all about "teshuvah" or repentance. We also discussed our first "Teach Me Torah" pamphlet, called "God and Creation," about the 6 days of creation and God resting on the 7th day, Shabbat. We had a brief discussion about people being rulers over the earth, and how we need to take care of the earth. This pamphlet went home with the children.

I hope you enjoyed the presentations the children gave by groups (all grades mixed together in each group), about learning at Religious School, and the lunch afterwards. It was a very full morning!

I am attaching to this email the Parent Letter (from Morah Racheli and me), which I handed out on Sept. 11. Please note especially the items I've asked you to bring in: a pocket folder, 2 pencils, a pencil pouch, and a kippah.

Please, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact either me, for Judaica, at adelbergfam@me.com or (408) 892-3691, or Racheli, for Hebrew, at Lracheli@gmail.com or (408) 981-5614.

If there are any changes in the email addresses that I have, please let me know.

B'Shalom, Morah Davida