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 * WELCOME TO JCORE KITA HEY 5776 **
 * Kita Hey bids a sad farewell to Morah Robyn Siegel and a very warm welcome to their new teacher Morah Vered Maoz**


 * KITA HEY HOMEWORK SCHEDULE:**

Feb 8th, 2016

Dear Kita Hey Parents,

Hope this letter finds you well.

In the last couple of weeks our class worked on the following topics:

1.Practicing the Amida - prayer of Avot v'Imahot. Hopefully at the end of this month we will start a new tefilah.

2. Saul and David - reading the bible stories, we have learned about the complexity of our ancient leaders. Emphasizing how their leadership traits such as modesty, mindfulness and caring for the other, led God to choose them. Nevertheless by taking advantage of their power they made some self-centered and very bad choices. In the story of David and Bat-Sheva for example, we witnessed how David did a terrible thing when sending Uriah Ha'Hittie - his soldier, to the front to get killed, in order to protect his honor and ego. It is was the fact that he took __responsibility__ on his action by admitting his crime, that made God forgive him. In class the students were asked to write and share their notes about situations in life when they took responsibility although they could have avoid doing so.

3. Jerusalem - Continuing from our last lesson, the students studied about Old Jerusalem - the four quarters (Armenian, Christian, Muslim and Jewish). We learned that Jerusalem is unique in many ways, carrying such a rich and fascinating history and also due to the fact that it is a holy place for various religions. Using art materials and play-dough, the students built a mini model of the four quarters including in it: The Western Wall, The Citadel, The Church of the Holy Sepluchre and The Temple Mount.

4. Words of the week - Regardless to the words learnt weekly, I'm encouraging the students to use Hebrew during our class conversation.  Due to some interference occurring in class, I have started implementing a new program which will provide each student the opportunity to express himself/herself. I find it important since I follow the idea that when students are engaged and feel bonded, they learn better and their experience of learning is mostly positive.

The program offers each student the option to share or present a topic that he/she chooses to bring and lead in class. <span style="color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">In our last lesson Andrew conducted an experiment with tangerines and a cup of water helping us understand the principals of //Buoyancy//. <span style="color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The class enjoyed it very much. Carmel volunteered to be our next presenter.

<span style="color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Homework assignment:

<span style="color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">__Due Feb 28th__ <span style="color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Following our readings about the Galilee, I've instructed the students to write a short paragraph (3-5 lines) about a kibbutz in the Galilee and its products (e.g. Kibbutz Yodfat - used to produce socks).

<span style="color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you and enjoy your vacation, <span style="color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Vered

Jan. 12th, 2015

Dear Parents,

Hope you are well all and that you enjoyed the holidays - I was happy to hear about your winter vacation activities from your children.

In our last Shabbat service we continued practicing the prayer of the Amidah - Avot v'Imahot, and studied the words of the week.

Towards Tu b'shevat we've read the book //"The Giving Tree"// by Shel Sylverstein. I read the Hebrew version and the students were asked to translate it to English. They did very well!!

I was also very proud to hear the discussion that had arisen following the book, and their interpretations to the story. We spoke about unconditional love - similar to the love of a parent to a child - the students remarked the child wasn't thankful enough and grateful for everything the tree had done for him. Relating to that we spoke about respect. Some students expressed frustration from the fact that the relationship between the tree and the child wasn't a mutual relationship, and that although the tree was full of giving, he was in some ways giving up on itself. We further spoke about the importance of loving one's self and of the need for mutuality in a relationship. We concluded by understanding that at the end of the day we're all seeking for connection and tranquility.

During Shabbat Service the students played "money cab" answering questions about this week's parasha and further more.

Next week, we are celebrating my daughter Bat-Mitzvah, so a substitute teacher will deliver the lesson plan and materials I have prepared for the class.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the week, Vered

Dec. 2015 Dear Kita Hey Parents,

It has been a pleasure meeting you and teaching your children in the last couple of weeks.

In our last lesson we worked together on the following topics:

- Words of the week, including marking the first eve of Hanukkah (Kislev 25th).

- Tefilah (prayer) - the students started practicing the prayer of the Amidah called “ Avot v'Imahot ”.

- Hanukkah quiz - the students completed a quiz about Hanukkah (the rededication of the Holy Temple, the rebellion of the Maccabees, the blessings including Sheheheyanu, symbols of the holiday and traditional customs). We learned the meaning of the words assimilation and persecution.

- The Story of Ruth - Ruth's dedication to Neomi, her mother in-law and to the people of Israel. We discussed Ruth's choice and actions that eventually led to the birth of king David.

- Jerusalem - the capital of Israel. We started learning about the 3 religions and the Knesset.

- Art - We ended our class preparing a hanukkah farewell card for Robyn. The students were offered to use the word //LIGHT// in their wishes.

I would like to add that I'll be focusing on 3 additional goals for our class this year:

//-// Encouraging the students to use a little bit more of conversational Hebrew as well as expanding their Hebrew vocabulary.

//-// Emphasizing the spiritual meaning of the Bible stories in terms of values and choices - e.g. when discussing Samson the Hero - we were speaking about his physical power vs. his spiritual strength, and noticing that it was only after he had lost his physical power that he was able to fully connect to God - pr a y for help and guid ance , and to sacrifice his life for Israel.

- Supporting the students with difficulties that may arise during class - e.g. reading aloud, participating, expressing one's own opinion even if different than the most, concerns and thoughts towards their Bat/Bar Mitzvah.

Most of the lessons will combine activities and experiential learning so that the students will enjoy a collaborative atmosphere and will engage with the topics.

Please feel free to contact me via email if you have any questions or concerns. I'm also available to speak over the phone Wednesdays after 9:15PM. 408-775-5854

I wish us all a fun and interesting year.

Thank you and Shavuah tov, Vered

Sept. 2015 Dear Kita Hey Families,

Welcome back to school! It was a real pleasure seeing you and your children on the first day. I missed everyone over the summer!

We got our school year off to a great start and dove right into our review of the prayers and discussion about //Teshuva// and the New Year. This year we will also be focusing some of our time on gaining an understanding of the prayer, //Shalom Rav//, as we begin our //Thank God It's Shabbat// program. It was fun to translate the beautiful prayer word by word and get a better understanding of what it is about.

I also wanted to take a minute to let you know that my family does have some news... After a great deal of thinking and discussion, we have decided to temporarily relocate to Austin, Texas. Many of you know that my husband travels a great deal and by moving to Austin we will be able to regain some of our family structure that we have missed this past year since he has been away so much. We will be moving over the winter break so I will get to be with your wonderful children for a few more months.

I hope to see many of you on Rosh Hashanah at Beth David.

//Shana Tova// to everyone!

Best, Robyn