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

June 1, 2016
 * GIMEL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:**

Dear Kitah Gimel 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 Gimel 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


 * Torah – V’zot Habrachah**
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * We read this portion on May 14, but we reviewed it again. In it, Moses gives each tribe its own blessing. From the top of the mountain God shows Moses the whole land of Israel – the place God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses dies, and God buries him. The people of Israel mourn Moses for 30 days. Joshua becomes the new leader. Moses was a special prophet. No other Jewish leader will ever be able to do all the things Moses did.
 * The students completed the My Comment: I think it is important to read the Torah over and over again because ___.__
 * __When we finish reading a book of the Torah, we sing “Hazak, hazak, v’nithazeik,” be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another. We did this for this book, Devarim, or Deuternomy.__
 * __The students had been asked to color and cut out the “V’zot Habrachah” wheel, which has five wedges, each with the name and a picture for each of the five books of the Torah. Then, they were asked to glue the pieces onto a sheet of construction paper in the correct order. Everyone did this very well.__
 * __This concluded the__ My Weekly Sidrah__ book, used for two years, in the Kitah Bet and Kitah Gimel years at Religious School. This book went home with each child.


 * Holidays**
 * We completed reading __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__, and this book, too, was sent home with the students.
 * At the back of the book is a “Certificate,” which states that the child has completed reading the book and has put the correct sticker for each holiday on the treasure trail.


 * Story**
 * I read a wonderful story called “The Weaver of Yzad,” in the book __Journeys with Elijah, Eight Tales of the Prophet__, by Barbara Diamond Goldin.
 * In this story a weaver is destitute since he can’t pay his bills. He leaves his home, wife and children, and ends up spending the night in a building that is in ruins. An old man joins him, and tells him what to do.
 * The weaver feels hopeful and optimistic and the next morning returns to his home and loom to begin weaving.
 * Miraculously the threads continue under the cloth he has placed over his loom.
 * When his wife enters and hears his story, she pulls the cover off the loom, and they behold a beautiful, shimmering cloth.
 * This they sell in the marketplace for a lot of money, and can then pay their bills.
 * The weaver is so grateful that he builds a synagogue where the ruins were, naming it after Elijah.
 * We briefly discussed the story, realizing that problems can be solved. It may take time, creativity, and courage, but there is a way to solve them. It can be done!

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 Gimel 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 Gimel did a very good job earning stickers this year. I applaud all the parents for your efforts in helping your children succeed in 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 teaching Kitah Gimel. We had a terrific group of children! They showed keen interest in learning, and participated in class discussions with thoughtful and perceptive insights. They really gained in intellect and understanding.

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 Gimel!

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

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

May 16, 2016

Dear Kitah Gimel 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.

On Wednesday, May 18, Kitah Gimel has Hebrew with Morah Ora and then their final JEM class for this year.


 * Next Sunday, May 22, will be our last JCore 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.

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.

This letter will give you an update on our last class.

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: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * We read this chapter in detail, since we had only a cursory review during the previous class. Following are the points covered.
 * The Bible teaches that the Israelites wandered through the Sinai after they were freed from slavery in Egypt. It also teaches that Moses went up Mount Sinai to learn the Torah from God. Daniel’s rabbi said, “The Torah is God’s gift to us. It teaches us how to live as a free and strong people. We are strong when we follow the instructions of the Torah by performing mitzvot, like reciting blessings or visiting people who are ill. Shavuot is sometimes called Zeman Matan Torataynu, Time of the Giving of our Torah.
 * The holiday is also an early-summer harvest holiday. When the Israelites entered the Land of Israel, they became farmers. They knew that seven weeks after the beginning of Passover, their wheat and fruit would be ready to harvest. They counted the 49 days from the second day of Passover and ending on Shavuot. This custom is called counting the omer.
 * Like Sukkot and Passover, Shavuot is a pilgrimage holiday. The Israelite farmers went to the Temple in Jerusalem. They brought loaves of bread made with their new wheat, and they brought baskets of the first fruits, such as figs dates, grapes, and honey – as offerings to God. This holiday is also called Hag Hakatzir, Festival of the Grain Harvest, and Hag Habikkurim, Festival of the First Fruits.
 * Rivkah explains that in Israel they celebrate the holiday with services in synagogue, and by decorating their homes with flowers. Some towns have parades. Children carry baskets of fruit as a reminder of the first fruits of summer that were brought to the ancient Temple.
 * Daniel adds that at home he lights holiday candles, makes Kiddush, and recites the blessing over challah. His family eats dairy foods. At services, they thank God for all the good in their lives. They read the Ten Commandments from the Torah, and they read the Book of Ruth. Teenagers in his congregation celebrate all that they have learned about Jewish tradition and values with a Confirmation ceremony. Some grown-ups stay up late – or even all night – to study Torah.
 * On Shavuot, we enjoy dairy foods, such as cheesecake and cheese blintzes. They remind us that the Bible describes Eretz Yisrael as “a land flowing with milk and honey.”
 * 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.
 * Riddle: What must our people honor and do to treasure God’s gift and forever be true?
 * We read the story, describing God’s presenting the Ten Commandments. There was thunder and lightning, and the blast of a shofar. Then, suddenly, all was silent. The people then received the Ten Commandments.
 * Daniel says to Rivkah, “The Bible says that after our people received the Ten Commandments, Moses learned the other mitzvot from God. Then Moses taught them to the Israelites. The answer to the riddle is that the Jewish people must honor the Torah and God by doing mitzvot, like observing the Jewish holidays and helping others.” Daniel and Rivkah were transported home for the last time. This concluded the cycle of Jewish holidays, but it was comforting to know that the cycle of Jewish holidays repeats itself each year.
 * The students put the sticker for Shavuot on the holiday treasure trail.
 * I had asked for students to turn in the Elijahrocks.net Word Puzzle for Shavuot and JHIPS-Shavuot at this class. Some did, however, for those who did not, you may wish to have your child complete them before Shavuot – which this year is on June 12 and 13.

Torah – V’Zot Habrachah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Moses blesses the family of Israel. He gives each tribe its own blessing.
 * From the top of the mountain God shows Moses the whole land of Israel. He sees the place God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 * Moses dies. God buries him. The people of Israel spend 30 days crying for Moses.
 * Joshua becomes the new leader.
 * Moses was a special prophet. No other Jewish leader will ever be able to do all the things Moses did.
 * The students had completed the V’Zot Habrachah “wheel,” which was to color, cut out, and glue in the correct order, the 5 books of the Torah.
 * The students completed the My Comment orally, as it was Shabbat, and we do not write on Shabbat. My Comment: I think it is important to read the Torah over and over again because ___.
 * The class sang, “Hazak, Hazak, V’Nitzhazeik!” Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another. We sing this at the conclusion of each of the five books of the Torah.

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 with the Wigon family, whose daughter, Rachel, became Bat Mitzvah.
 * All who stayed enjoyed the Kiddush luncheon.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children next Sunday, May 22, for our last class and all of you as well at the Rewards Ceremony and Lag B’Omer picnic.

We wish you a Shavuah Tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

May 11, 2016

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Greetings to all! I hope you had a good Shabbat and weekend, and all the mothers enjoyed a fun Mother’s Day with your families. I hope you had a chance to observe Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Day of Remembrance, and, starting tonight, Yom HaAtzma’ut, Israel’s Independence Day.

This letter will give you Important Reminders and bring you up to date on our last two classes, on May 1 and May 4.


 * __Important Reminders:__**
 * Saturday, May 14, 2016, SHABBAT SCHOOL, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
 * Sunday, May 15, 2016, NO SCHOOL
 * Wednesday, May 18, 2016, Hebrew with Morah Ora; last JEM class
 * Sunday, May 22, 2016, Last Day of School!, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, includes Awards Ceremony, parents invited to attend.


 * __Update on Classes:__**

Ot HaShavuah – zayin, zikaron, remembrance
 * __Sunday, May 1, 2016__**

Torah – Va’Yelekh
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Moses is 120 years old. Soon he will die. Joshua will lead the Jewish people into the Promised Land.
 * Moses finishes writing down all of his teachings. Moses gives all his teachings to the Kohanim. They put the writings in the Ark.
 * God tells Joshua to be strong and not to give up. God says, “You will lead the Jewish people into the Promised Land. I will be with you.”
 * Moses lived a long life and was a great leader.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * My Comment: Moses told Joshua not to be afraid to be the new leader. A new thing that was scary for me to do was __.

Torah - Ha’azinu
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Moses recites a poem. The poem is about God and Israel. God protects and takes care of Israel. Israel isn’t always good. Even when Israel does wrong God still protects them.
 * After the poem Moses goes up to the top of Mount Nebo. From the top of this mountain Moses can see the Promised Land. He can look at the land in the distance, but God will not let him go there.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * My Comment: One thing I learned from listening to my parents and grandparents was that _.

Holocaust Museum Visit
 * Kitah Gimel went through the Museum by stations, at times joined by Iris. They saw that life was good for the Jews in Germany at first. Then rights began to be stripped away – right to be a citizen, right to vote, jobs were taken away, stores shut. There was propaganda, which fueled anti-semitism. The class saw scenes of the aftermath of Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass, Nov. 9 – 10, 1938. People were moved to ghettos. Deportations started. The class learned of the Warsaw ghetto and the uprising when the Jews tried to fight the Germans. We learned how the War escalated, and the “final solution” was put into place.
 * While the class did not see the worst pictures, they did learn about the camps and that many Jews and others were killed. They saw the striped uniforms the inmates had to wear. Iris explained about the uniforms. Prisoners were identified by a number printed on their clothing and also an inverted triangle with lettering to signify the reason for imprisonment. Criminals were marked with a green triangle, political prisoners with red. In some camps, Jews were usually marked by a yellow triangle over a red triangle to form the Star of David . However, in others a yellow star identified them as being Jewish.
 * There was a station devoted to resistance and the partisans, and to non-Jews who showed great courage in helping the Jews. I mentioned 3 righteous gentiles in particular, since Beth David has named three small streets in its parking lot for them: Raoul Wallenberg, Chiune Sugihara, and Aristedes de Sousa Mendes. After we left the Museum, I walked with the class to look at the signs in the parking lot, which have photographs of the men, and a brief explanation of their work. (Raoul’s sign is down now due to the shul’s construction.)
 * Another name I brought to the class’ attention was Alicia Appleman, who is a survivor, and a member of Beth David. Her book was on display at the Museum.
 * We learned about the liberation of the camps by the Allies, and the shock of the liberators to see the conditions the inmates lived in. There was information on the Displaced Persons camps, the struggle to get to Palestine, the United States, and other locations, and the effort to find lost family members. There was a station on Justice, and the trials that happened later to those who perpetrated the genocide. Iris had a display of the art produced related to the Holocaust, poems students had written, and last was a section on genocide today, and how we can be “upstanders” today and speak out if we see discrimination.
 * Iris showed the class a large chart with her family tree. It shows who among the family members left in time, and who did not. There was a photo of her father as a baby in his mother’s arms.

Ot HaShavuah – zayin, zikaron, remembrance
 * __Wednesday, May 4, 2016__**

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 walking stand still, vehicles come to a standstill. 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
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * This holiday celebrates Israel’s Independence Day, which was May 14, 1948. It is the 5th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. It is a national holiday.
 * Long ago, in the time of the Bible, the Jews lived in one land – Eretz Yisrael. Abraham and Sarah were the first Jews to live in Eretz Yisrael. Their family grew and became the nation of Israel. Kings, like David and Solomon, ruled. The Holy Temple was built in Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish nation.
 * Then, about 2,000 years ago, foreigners conquered the land and destroyed the Temple. While some Jews remained in Eretz Yisrael, many moved to faraway places around the world. More and more Jews began to live outside Eretz Yisrael, but we never forgot our homeland. It was always in our prayers.
 * For centuries many Jews lived in countries where they were not welcome. A man named Theodor Herzl believed that, as in ancient times, there should be a Jewish country, a place where Jews could live in freedom and peace. The belief that Eretz Yisrael should be a Jewish country is known as Zionism.
 * In the 1800’s a group of Russian Jews moved to Eretz Yisrael, which was then called Palestine. There they found many Arab villages. Much of the land was filled with muddy swamps, or dry, hot deserts. There were many diseases, like malaria, and there was not much food or water.
 * The newcomers worked very hard to make the land fertile. They planted trees, drained the swamps, and learned to farm. More and more Jews moved to Palestine. They built farms, kibbutzim – where they lived and worked together. Others settled in cities like Jerusalem and Haifa, and they lived alongside the Arabs. Yet others built new cities, like Tel Aviv. They built roads, houses, schools, libraries, and hospitals.
 * After the Holocaust, many of the Jews who had survived wanted to leave Europe. They wanted to help build the Jewish homeland. But Palestine did not belong to the Jews. So it was hard to get permission to move there. Finally, in 1947, the United Nations voted to create a Jewish state in the Land of Israel.
 * On May 14, 1948, the Jews in Eretz Yisrael declared independence. They named their country the State of Israel, or Medinat Yisrael. Jews around the world celebrated by dancing in the stsreets and singing “Hatikvah,” which later became Israel’s nation anthem.
 * But the Arabs in Palestine and the surrounding countries did not want a Jewish state in Palestine. So on May 15, Israel was attacked by nearby Arab counties. With only a small army and a few airplanes, the Jews defended their new country. They won the war.
 * For the first time in almost 2,000 years, there was a Jewish state, a place where every Jew was welcome. Jews moved to Israel from many countries. Some came from places where they had been mistreated, like North Africa and Europe. In Israel, they were free to live as Jews.
 * Daniel and Rivka went to Elijahrocks, where they met Elijah. They share their holiday plans with him. Rivkah says that in Israel there will be parades, fireworks, carnivals, street fairs, barbecues, and block parties where people sing songs. They also recite prayers for peace and thank God for the Jewish state.
 * Daniel explains that there will be a Yom HaAtzma’ut fair at his synagogue. There will be a party in his religious school, they will eat Israeli foods, like hummous and falafel, and sing Israeli songs, including “Hatikvah.” There will also be a parade.
 * When you visit Israel, you can take a camel ride. They have been around since ancient times.
 * In Israel, Hebrew is the language of prayer and daily life. About 125 years ago, a man named Eliezer Ben Yehuda created new Hebrew words to describe things that didn’t exist in the time of the Bible, such as telephones, trains, and clocks. Sometimes Ben Yehuda had to create new words.
 * Israel’s flag is white with blue stripes, like the stripes on a prayer shawl. It has a blue star of David, or Magen David, in the center.
 * Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people. People of many other religions, such as the Muslims and Christians, also live there. A photo is shown which includes the kotel, the Western Wall, and the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim holy place in Jerusalem.
 * Riddle: What says “up” and invites us to rise? It’s something we value, something I will hold on to.
 * Daniel and Rivkah visit Shuk Hacarmel, Tel Aviv’s open-air market, where there are hundreds of stalls, selling everything – pots and pans, T-shirts, video games, and, best of all, food. Around them, the crowds are shopping, and people are speaking in many different languages – Hebrew, French, Russian, English, Arabic and Yiddish.
 * Rivkah answers the riddle: “Shuk Hacarmel is filled with Jews from around the world. To move to Israel is to make aliyah, meaning ‘to go up.’”
 * The students found the correct sticker (Israeli flag) for the treasure trail, and put it on the month of Iyar.
 * The class completed the Elijahrocks.net World Puzzle. They were given handouts for Yom HaAtzma’ut of a Dictionary, and the song “HaTikvah,”
 * **HOMEWORK: JHIPS for Yom HaAtzma’ut. Due May 14.**

Holidays – Shavuot
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * We did a brief review of the holiday of Shavuot. The holiday is called Zeman Matan Torataynu, Time of the Giving of our Torah, when Moses receives the Torah from God on Mt. Sinai. The Torah teaches us right from wrong, and it teaches us how to live as a free and strong people. We are strong when we follow the instructions of the Torah by performing mitzvot, such as reciting blessings or visiting people who are ill.
 * The holiday is also an early-summer harvest holiday. When the Israelites entered the Land of Israel, they became farmers. Seven weeks after the beginning of Passover, their wheat and fruits would be ready to harvest. They counted 49 days from the second day of Passover and ending on Shavuot. This custom is called counting the omer.
 * Like Sukkot and Passover, Shavuot s a pilgrimage holiday. The Israelite farmers went to the Temple in Jerusalem. They brought loaves of bread made with their new wheat, and they brought baskets of the first fruits, such as figs dates, grapes, and honey – as offerings to God. This holiday is also called Hag Hakatzir, Festival of the Grain Harvest, and Hag Habikkurim, Festival of the First Fruits.
 * Rivkah explains that in Israel they celebrate the holiday with services in synagogue, and by decorating their homes with flowers. Some towns have parades. Children carry baskets of fruit as a reminder of the first fruits of summer that were brought to the ancient Temple.
 * Daniel adds that at home he lights holiday candles, makes Kiddush, and recites the blessing over challah. His family eats dairy foods. At services, they thank God for all the good in their lives. They read the Ten Commandments from the Torah, and they read the Book of Ruth. Teenaagers in his congregation celebrate all that they have learned about Jewish tradition and values with a Confirmation ceremony. Some grown-ups stay up late – or even all night – to study Torah.
 * On Shavuot, we enjoy dairy foods, such as cheesecake and cheese blintzes. They remind us that the Bible describes Eretz Yisrael as “a land flowing with milk and honey.”
 * We reviewed the Ten Commandments.
 * Handouts given: Shavuot Blessings, Shavuot Dictionary.
 * **HOMEWORK: Shavuot Word Puzzle, JHIPS for Shavuot. All due on May 14.**

V’zot ha-Brakhah Color Wheel
 * The class finished coloring in the Vzot HaBrakhah “wheel” with the 5 Books of the Torah, if it hadn’t been done already.
 * Then, they cut out the 5 sections, and glued them on in the correct order onto colored paper. This is the final project for the Torah textbook.

Morah Ora and I look forward to seeing your children on Saturday, May 14, for SHABBAT SCHOOL. Please make sure they bring the completed homework assignments with them. Wishing you a Shavuah Tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

April 29 - 30, 2016

Dear Kitah Gimel 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 third-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 Gimel will visit the Holocaust Museum, but only selected portions of it.
 * Wednesday, May 4, 2016, 4:00 – 6:15 pm, JCore classes with Morah Ora
 * Friday, May 6, 2016 – TGIShabbat, 6:30 pm, Services, 7:30 pm Potluck – RSVP needed!
 * 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
 * Wednesday, May 18, 2016 – JEM classes
 * Sunday, May 22, 2016 – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL, REWARDS DAY!
 * HOMEWORK: All Passover assignments should be turned in by May 1 (if not done so already). These are: Elijahrocks.net Passover Word Puzzle; JHIPS for Passover, and reading and written work as needed in our holiday textbook. Thank you!


 * __Sunday, April 17, 2016__**

Ot Hashavua – hey, herut, freedom

Torah – Ki Tavo
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Moses is coming to the end of his long review lesson. He teaches the people that after they enter the Land that God is giving to them they must give their first fruits to God as a gift-offering. When they give the offering they should repeat the history of Israel.
 * This is the same passage we say on Pesach: “My father was a wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt with a small family. He stayed there and became a great nation. The Egyptians hurt us, picked on us, and made us work for them. We cried to the Eternal, the God of our parents. God heard our cry and saw us suffering. The Eternal freed us from Egypt and brought us to this land and gave it to us. It is a land flowing in milk and honey.”
 * Moses reminds the people that God will curse those who break the Torah’s rules and bless those who follow them.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * My Comment: I feel part of a special people when ___.

Torah – Nitzavim
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Moses gathers together all of Israel’s family. He tells them, “You are standing here today, all of you, before the Eternal your God. Today you will make a covenant with God. God will keep the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and you will become the Chosen People. This covenant is for everyone standing here today, and for all of the Jews who will be born in the future.”
 * Moses teaches, “The law is not too hard nor too difficult to understand. It is not way up in the sky, nor far away across the sea. The Torah is very close to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart.”
 * Moses commands the people to “choose life and follow the Torah.”
 * The students completed written exercises
 * My Comment: I choose life when I choose to ___.

Holidays – Yom HaShoah
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * Most Jewish holidays are happy times. But some Jewish holidays help us remember sad times so that they can teach us important lessons about how to live better lives.
 * Awhile ago, in the 20th century, a great tragedy happened to our people. An evil man named Adolf Hitler ruled Germany. Hitler wanted to kill all the Jews.
 * Some Jews escaped to other countries, some went into hiding, some were able to fight back. But many Jewish men, women, and children in Europe were murdered by Hitler and his followers. Other innocent people were also murdered. This happened during World War II.
 * Every year, we set aside a day to remember the millions who died in what we call Holocaust Memorial Day, or, in Hebrew, Yom HaShoah. The full name is Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day. We remember that many brave Jews and non-Jews fought back and saved lives.
 * On this holy day, there are prayer services in synagogues. We light a yarzheit candle in memory of the Jews who were killed. We also recite the mourner’s prayer, the Kaddish, for them.
 * We must never forget that people can choose to be cruel or kind. Remembering can help us prevent such a terrible thing from happening again.
 * We discussed the question, “What can you do if you see a bully being mean to someone?”
 * The students chose the correct sticker of a yellow yarzheit candle for the holiday treasure trail.
 * Story: I read the book __The Number on My Grandfather’s Arm__, by David A. Adler. In this story, a grandfather tells his granddaughter about Hitler’s plan to take over all of Europe and to kill every Jew in Europe. She sees the numbered tattoo on his arm, and he explains that he got the number printed on his arm during his time in Auschwitz. The people in the camp were no longer people to the Nazis. They were numbers. This difficult subject is told in a very moving way, and the photographs are carefully chosen.
 * I showed the children a yellow yarzheit candle. I pointed out the picture on the candle’s container of the “March of the Living,” and explained that the March recreates the death march the camp inmates were forced to take near the end of the war. The March that adults and teens do today is to affirm that the Jewish people are alive and strong, that we will never forget, and that we will always remember.
 * I also mentioned the South Bay Jewish community’s service that is to held on Yom Hashoah, and which is coming up soon – this Wednesday, May 4, at Congregation Sinai.

Passover
 * We reviewed Passover, discussing hametz and matzah, the seder plate, the Exodus story, and highlights of the seder.
 * 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 Gimel 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
 * JEM classes: April 20 and April 27
 * Regular JYEP class on Sunday, May 1
 * TGIShabbat, Friday, May 6
 * 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 Gimel classes, on March 20, March 27, and April 3.


 * __Sunday, March 20, 2016__**

Ot Hashavuah – ayin, Aseret Dibrot, the Ten Commandments

Torah – Ekev and Re’eh.
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * The students completed the written exercises for these portions (since we were not writing during Shabbat School on March 12, when we discussed them.)
 * The students completed the My Comment section for the two portions.

Holiday – Purim
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * Mishloa’ah Manot – baskets of hamantashen, fruit, candy, given to family and friends to wish them a happy Purim. The Yiddish name is Shalah Manos.
 * We eat hamantashen on Purim, triangle-shaped pastries filled with jam or poppy seeds or chocolate. “Hamantash” is Yiddish for haman’s pocket. In Yiddish they are called “Oznei Haman,” meaning Haman’s ears.
 * We dress up in costumes on Purim. Often synagogues have a Purim carnival, and in Israel there are Purim parades.
 * The story of Purim takes place in Shushan, in the country of Persia. The king, King Ahasuerus, had a beautiful queen, Queen Esther. The king did not know that Esther was Jewish. The king had an evil chief officer Haman. Haman made people bow down to him. But Esther’s cousin Mordechai would not bow down to him because Jews bow only to God. That made Haman so angry that he decided to have Mordechai and all the Jews in Persia killed. Haman cast lots, called “purim,” to decide the day on which the Jews would be killed. It fell on the 13th day of Adar. Haman went to Ahasuerus to arrange for a royal order decreeing that all the Jews should be killed on the 13th of Adar. Mordechai told Esther she must plead for the Jews, even if it meant risking her life to do so. Esther invites the king and Haman to two feasts. At the second feast, she reveals Haman’s plot, and asks the king to save her and all her people. King Ahasuerus quickly takes action. Haman is hanged instead of Mordechai, and Mordechai replaces Haman as the king’s chief officer. Esther declares that there will henceforth be a celebration on the 14th day of Adar, to commemorate this victory, which meant the survival of the Jewish people.
 * We read the Purim story in a book from the Bible called the Scroll of Esther, or Megillat Esther. It has only one wooden roller, unlike the Torah scroll, which has two wooden rollers.
 * We show that we are thankful for the goodness in our lives by giving gifts of food not only to friends and family but also to those in need.
 * During the megillah reading, we drown out Haman’s name when it is read aloud. We often use a gragger, twirling noisemakers, to drown out the name. This reminds us to use our voices to speak out louder than the voices of evil. Jewish tradition teaches us to be brave, to speak up about fairness and peace.
 * The Purim Riddle was: How do we turn a wrong into a right? What must we do with all our might? The answer is to speak out if something is not right. One must find the courage to stand up and speak out.
 * The students found the correct sticker for Purim and placed it on the Jewish holiday treasure trail.
 * The students completed the Elijahrocks.net world puzzle in class. They were given handouts of Purim dictionary words, and JHIPS for Purim, which was homework they were asked to complete by April 3.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 6, “Does God Care Which Team Wins The World Series or The Super Bowl? Story 1, “The Red Sox Blow the Pennant on Simhat Torah,” by Rabbi Joshua Hammerman.
 * Summary: God does care. Young Joshua Hammerman always looked forward to both the family seder and Red Sox baseball games. The Red Sox lose a big game, and Joshua cries. Then he realizes that his Judaism is more important. In the end, he feels that sports are valuable in that they can bring people together and teach lessons about life – two things that God also does.
 * The Big Idea: Sports can teach many important lessons about life such as patience, how to care, what being a good loser (and winner) means, how to have compassion when others make mistakes.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation questions.
 * Exercise 2, “Your Body.”
 * Summary: First we read the blessing about waking up and our body starting to work. Then we listed some amazing things about out bodies. Finally, we studied a small quote from Philo: “The body is the house for the soul. Therefore, take care of your house so it does not fall into ruin.”
 * Big Idea: Our body is a gift from God. A wonderful creation. Our body is the container for our soul.

Kotel Notes
 * The students were given slips of paper on which to write or draw prayers or wishes.
 * I told them I would place them in the cracks of the Kotel for them.


 * __Sunday, March 27, 2016 - taught by Irene Swedroe__**

Ot Hashavuah – tzadi, tzedek tirdof, pursue justice

Torah – Shoftim
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Moses teaches about courts. He tells the people that they must pick judges and leaders.
 * All judges must be fair. He says, “Justice, you must seek justice.”
 * Moses then teaches about kings. He says, “When you move inyo the land you can pick a king if you want one.” The king, he says, must write his own copy of the Torah and follow every law in it.
 * Moses then prepares the people to fight for the land. He gives them rules for fighting a just war.
 * One rule is that they must try to offer peace before they fight.
 * Another rule is that they cannot cut down fruit trees. Even if it is the best way to take over a city, they cannot cut down trees that give food.
 * In this sidrah Moses teaches about Jewish leaders. There have been many kinds of Jewish leaders: prophets, such as Moses, who taught the words of God to Israel’s family; judges, such as Deborah, who showed the way to make fair decisions; and kings, such as David, who ruled over the land of Israel, and wrote and sang psalms, songs that praised God.
 * The students completed written exercises.
 * They completed the My Comment: People have to seek justice. They have to find the right things to do. One way I can seek justice is ___.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 6, “Does God Care Which Team Wins The World Series or The Super Bowl? Story 2, “God Cares About Values,” by Rabbi Brad Artson.
 * Summary: God doesn’t really care who wins, just about how people play the game. Justice, kindness, and being fair are all Jewish values that baseball can teach. Maybe God is pleased when we exercise these skills when we play ball.
 * The Big Idea: Choosing to play, playing fairly, and being honest are very important in both baseball and being a Jew.

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

Torah –Ki Teitze
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Moses is still teaching. He talks about the family. There are many rules. Parents must be fair to all their children. Children must obey their parents.
 * Then Moses talks about being a good neighbor. He teaches that a person must return a sheep or an ox that has gotten lost. A person must help a hurt animal.
 * A person must put a wall around a flat roof to keep people from falling off.
 * Finally Moses talks about how one person should help another. It is a rule that if you lend money and the person cannot pay it back, you must be kind to him. You also must be fair to everyone who works for you. And you must leave part of your fields unharvested so that people who are hungry can come and gather the food that they need.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * They completed the My Comment: One good way to make sure that no one cheats is _.

Holiday – Passover
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * Passover comes at springtime, on the 15th of Nisan.
 * The Passover seder is a holiday meal celebrating the Exodus, our freedom from slavery in Egypt.
 * Families clean out the hametz from ther homes. Hametz is food that is made with an ingredient that causes the food to rise, such as yeast. For example, foods like bread, cakes, and cookies, are made with yeast, which causes dough to rise – so they are hametz.
 * Hametz is not eaten or kept in the house on Passover. Instead we eat matzah and other holiday foods that are kosher for Passover.
 * At Passover, we light candles, drink 4 cups of wine, and use a haggadah, the book with the story of Passover and the holiday blessings and songs.
 * Each of the four cups of wine reminds us of a promise God made in the Torah:
 * “I will free you from Egypt.”
 * “I will free you from slavery.”
 * “I will lead you home.”
 * “You will be my people.”
 * We eat matzah because when our people were freed from slavery, they left Egypt so quickly that they had no time to let their dough rise. They put the dough on their backs and the sun baked it into hard, flat loaves. On Passover, we eat matzah to remind ourselves of our ancestors’ hardship.
 * A plate with 3 sheets of matzah are placed on the seder table. During the seder, we break off a piece from the middle matzah and hide it. It is called the afikoman. It is hidden, either by the children, or by the adults. A prize is given to the one who finds it. Everyone eats a piece of the afikoman at dessert time.
 * We tell the story of Passover as if God had freed each of us personally from slavery in Egypt. The youngest child asks the Four Questions. They remind us that we are now free people. Only free people can ask questions.
 * On Passover we tell the story of the Exodus. More than 3,000 years ago, our people lived in the land of Egypt. We were called Israelites and were ruled by a king called the Pharaoh. The Torah tells us that Pharaoh made us slaves. He forced us to work hard making bricks of clay. The taskmasters in charge of us beat us. Still, Pharaoh feared that we would grow in numbers and join his enemies. So he ordered his servants to drown our baby boys in the Nile River.
 * One boy was saved. His mother put him in a basket and set it among the reeds of the Nile River. His sister, Miriam, watched over him from a distance. Pharaoh’s daughter found the baby and took pity on him. She named him Moses and reared him as her son.
 * When Moses grew up, he left Egypt. One day, he saw a burning bush in the desert, but the flames did not destroy it! Suddenly, he heard God’s voice coming out of the burning bush. Moses heard God command him to help free the Israelites from slavery.
 * Moses obeyed God and went to Pharaoh saying, “Let my people go!” But Pharaoh was stubborn, and he said no.
 * Because of his stubbornness, God sent ten terrible punishments, the Ten Plagues. After each of the first nine plagues, Moses asked Pharaoh to free the Israelites. But Pharaoh had a hard heart, and he refused. So God sent another plague. Finally, the tenth plague – the most terrible of all – came. It was the plague of death.
 * At the center of the seder table is the seder plate. These are the foods we put on it:
 * Karpas, green vegetable, like parsley or celery, to remind us of spring.
 * Beit’zah, roasted egg, a reminder of the festival sacrifice in the Temple in Jerusalem.
 * Maror, a bitter herb, like horseradish, to remind us of the bitterness of slavery.
 * Zeroa, a roasted bone (vegetarians use a red beet) to remind us of the Passover sacrifice that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem.
 * Haroset, a mixture of fruit, wine, and nuts to remind us of the bricks that Pharaoh forced the Israelites to make.
 * Hazeret, an additional bitter herb, like romaine lettuce.
 * When the plague of death came, every firstborn child in Egypt died, even Pharaoh’s son. But the Israelite children lived. The plague passed over their homes. That is why the holiday is called Passover.
 * The last plague broke Pharaoh’s hard heart. “Go!” he cried. “Take your people from this land. So Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt.
 * The Passover Riddle is: What must we do now that we’re free? It’s why God helped us cross the sea.”
 * The final story in the chapter describes the Israelites, with Pharaoh and his army chasing after them, and the Israelites facing the Sea of Reeds with no way to escape. Pharaoh had changed his mind! Moses raises his arm over the sea and a great wind comes from God. It pushes apart the waters, creating a path of dry land. When the Egyptian army follows them into the sea, the waters came together, drowning all of Pharaoh’s soldiers. Now the Israelites are free to worship God.
 * One way to worship God is to help others who are not yet free or who are hungry. It is an important reason why we were given freedom. That was the answer to the riddle.
 * We fill a special cup, the Cup of Elijah, with wine at the seder. Toward the end of the seder, we stand and open the door, as if we were welcoming Elijah into our home. Jewish tradition teaches that Elijah will bring the time of peace. Each year, we hope that our wish for peace will come true soon.
 * Some families also put the Cup of Miriam on their seder table. Miriam’s cup is filled with spring water. It reminds us of the ancient teaching the Miriam’s well followed the Israelites through the desert. Just as Miriam’s watching over Moses had helped keep him safe and alive, the well gave the Israelites the water that helped keep them alive.
 * At the seder, we drink wine to celebrate the gift of freedom. But sadly, others lost their lives as we gained our freedom. So we remove ten drops of wine from our cup of joy when we say the names of the plagues. This teaches us that Judaism values all human life.
 * The students found the correct sticker and placed in on the Treasure Trail.
 * The students completed the Elijarocks.net word puzzle. Handouts were given of Passover blessings, Passover dictionary, Passover Seder Plate dictionary, the Four Questions.
 * **__HOMEWORK: JHIPS for Passover, due on April 17, 2016.__**
 * **__Please note: If your child was not present for class on April 3, I will send home the holiday textbook and all the handouts. Reading of the Passover chapter, and completion of the Elijahrocks.net word puzzle, and the JHIPS – Passover will be due on Wednesday, April 20. Your child should give all materials to Morah Ora, who will give them to me. If your child cannot complete the work by April 20, then please have him or her turn it in no later than Wednesday, April 27. Thank you for your help with this.__**

Morah Ora joins me in wishing you a Shabbat Shalom, and a Shavuah Tov, a good week for the coming week. We look forward to seeing your children next on Sunday, April 17, 2016.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

March 18, 2016

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

I hope you are all doing well, and have had a good week. I wish you a Shabbat Shalom and a restful weekend. This letter will give you Important Reminders and a Class Update for our last class, on March 12.


 * __Important Reminders:__**


 * Sunday, March 20, 2016, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, JYEP classes
 * Wednesday, March 23, 2016, beginning at 5:30 pm - Purim. Family Megillah reading, spaghetti dinner, Purimspiel, Gantze Megillah. Be sure to RSVP. No School that day. Wear a costume or crazy clothes!
 * Saturday, March 26, 2016, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Haverim Services, K – 3rd
 * Sunday, March 27, 2016, 9:30 – 11:30 am, JYEP classes meet; 11:30 am – 12:00 pm, All-school rehearsal; __12:00 – 12:30 pm, ZmiRikudiyah, Song and Dance Festival, all grades perform.__ Wear tie-dyed school tee shirt or costume.
 * Sunday, March 27, 2016, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm Purim Carnival Purim. Note to Parents: Purchase tickets between 11:30 – 12:00 to save time.
 * March 23 – April 3, 2016, Davida’s trip to Israel. There will be a substitute for Judaica.
 * **Please note: Since I will be visiting Jerusalem, __I would like to offer to put your child’s (or your family’s) prayer in the cracks of the Kotel__. Please write it down on a small piece of paper, and I will be honored to deliver it. Please have your child bring it to school this Sunday, March 20, as that will be my last teaching day before my trip!**
 * **Please note: Since I will be visiting Jerusalem, __I would like to offer to put your child’s (or your family’s) prayer in the cracks of the Kotel__. Please write it down on a small piece of paper, and I will be honored to deliver it. Please have your child bring it to school this Sunday, March 20, as that will be my last teaching day before my trip!**


 * __Class Update for Saturday, March 12, 2016, Shabbat School__ (the class had only Judaica this day as Morah Ora was still in Israel):**

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

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Ekev
 * Moses goes on with his final lessons.
 * He goes over how important it is to follow God’s rules. He says, “Remember, the Eternal your God is bringing you to a good land. It is a land with streams and springs and lakes coming from the plains and hills. It is a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and of honey.”
 * Moses remembers going up Mt. Sinai and getting the Ten Commandments. He reminds the people that he had to make a second set of tablets.
 * Over and over he reminds the people that following the rules in the Torah will lead them to a good life.
 * We discussed the exercises and the My Comment: One way I can walk in God’s path is by ___.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Re’eh
 * Moses explains that everyone has a choice – to do good or do bad. Choosing to do good and following the rules of the Torah will bring a blessing. We can also choose to do what is wrong. We can choose the curse.
 * Moses says that the people have to be very careful not to worship the god of the people of Canaan. They must be true to the One real God. They must be different.
 * He reminds the people of the rules about the kinds of food they can eat.
 * He again teaches that they must share part of their harvest with the tribe of Levi.
 * They must share part of their harvest with those who need food. Moses reminds them that Israel’s family must take care of those who are in need.
 * Again Moses goes over the holidays of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. These are times to thank God.
 * We discussed the exercises and the My Comment: My family helps those in need by __.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 9, The Kotel
 * Ezra was an important leader of ancient Israel. He led B’nai Yisrael back to the Land of Israel after being in exile in Babylonia.
 * Ezra was a scribe. The Torah was very important to him. He was sad that many of the people had never heard of the Torah. So he brought them all together at a gate in Jerusalem and read to them the entire Torah.
 * When Ezra brought the people back to Jerusalem the Holy Temple was in ruins. B’nai Yisrael began a project of building the Second Temple on Mt. Moriah – the same place where we remember that Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac.
 * The Temple was the center of the lives of the Jewish people. There, they brought sacrifices and other gifts for God. The Temple was seen as God’s home on Earth. The Temple was so special and holy that people felt God’s presence there.
 * The Temple was destroyed first by the Babylonians. It was rebuilt, and then destroyed again by the Romans. All that is left is one wall that held up the hill on which the Temple stood. Over time, that wall has had many names: the Wailing Wall, the Western Wall, and Ha-Kotel (“the Wall”). Most people stopped called it the Wailing Wall in 1967. In that year Israel reunited the whole city of Jerusalem and, for the first time in a long while, the Jews were allowed to visit the Kotel.
 * Today: Jews all around the world dreamed for thousands of years of being able to visit the Kotel, and now we can.
 * In front of the wall is a giant plaza. In the back of the plaza are lots of Israeli flags. But as you walk towards the front of the plaza, all you see is the giant wall of the Temple in front of you. The stones are huge. Some of them weigh thousands of pounds.
 * One Jewish tradition is to place prayers inside the cracks in the Kotel. Jews from all over the world come to Israel and write down prayers to God on pieces of paper that they stuff in between the giant stones. Sometimes the wall is overflowing with people’s prayers!

Purim story – I read a short book called __Purim__, by Miriam Nerlove, which explains the story of Purim in simple terms, and has nice illustrations.

Attending my Torah reading
 * Kitah Gimel had an opportunity to stand at the reading table as I read my Torah reading at Tal Volinsky’s Bat Mitzvah.
 * We briefly discussed it:
 * how a person was called up by a “calling gabbai” to do the blessings
 * how that person said the blessings before and after my reading
 * how I held a “yad” to keep my place
 * how a “pointing gabbai” followed my chanting in a “tikkun” – a special book with the words of the Torah in it – to make sure I said them right
 * I don’t know if the children have seen a Torah reading “in action” before, but I hope they have a good idea of what happens now, and that it was a meaningful learning experience for them!

Haverim Services – led by Iris. She did the following:
 * led child-friendly prayers
 * discussed the Torah portion - about building the Mishkan, the temporary Tabernacle in the wilderness
 * 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 and, unbeknownst to the girl in the story, to her 7th birthday party as well
 * Iris also reviewed the songs for the ZmiRikudiyah with the students.

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.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children this coming Sunday, March 20, 2016.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom, and a good weekend.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida March 11, 2016

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Greetings. I hope you are all well. I am sending you some reminders and an update on our last two classes.


 * __Important Reminders__**
 * March 12, 2016, SHABBAT SCHOOL, no school on Sunday, March 13. If the timing works out, I plan to take Kitah Gimel into the main sanctuary during the services. I have a Torah reading, and I thought it would be a good learning opportunity for the students to follow along. Please have your children dress nicely to honor Shabbat. Thank you!
 * March 23, 2016, Purim! Come for the Family Megillah reading, spaghetti dinner and Purimspiel. Be sure to RSVP. No School that day.
 * March 27, 2016, 9:30 – 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
 * Please note: I will be on a trip to Israel March 23 – April 3, so there will be a substitute for the Judaica classes.


 * __Update on Classes__**

__Sunday February 28, 2016__

Ot Hashavuah – shin, shmirat lashon, shmirat haguf, guard – the tongue, care for the body

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Devarim
 * This parshah begins the last book of the Torah.
 * Israel is camped across the river from the Promised Land. God has said that Moses cannot cross.
 * Forty years have passed since Israel’s family left Egypt.
 * All the people who left Egypt except for Moses and Joshua have died. Everyone else was born in the wilderness. Moses gathers the people of Israel for his final lessons.
 * Moses begins with history. He reminds them of all the times they complained and made God angry.
 * He reviews the wars they have fought and won. He also reminds the tribes of Gad and Reuben that they promised to fight alongside their brothers.
 * Moses again tells the people that Joshua will be their leader and that God will help them win the land.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * My Comment: In this sidrah Moses begins to re-teach the Torah. I think the most important thing I’ve learned in the Torah so far is __.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 5, “Can Praying Make Someone Well?”
 * Story 1: “The Way to Paradise,” by Rabbi Ed Feinstein
 * Summary: A man gives up on life and prays for Paradise. His walking journey takes him right back to his own village. Thinking this “new” place is Paradise, he experiences everything in a joyous manner.
 * Big Idea: One Jewish view is that prayer is not about curing the body. Prayer can provide comfort, courage, and strength by changing a person’s perspective about his or her situation.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation Questions.
 * Exercise 1, “A Prayer for Healing”
 * Big Ideas: Jews pray a prayer called Mi-she-barach” It is a request for healing.

Song Practice for ZmiRikudiyah on March 27.
 * We practiced our three songs: Yom Tov Lanu, You Can Change the World (Chorus), and Adama v’Shamayim.
 * If you want to practice at home with your child, all the songs are on the Religious School wiki.

Dance Practice for ZmiRikudiyah on March 27
 * Morah Donna reviewed the dances for Kitah Gimel and Kitah Bet.
 * The dances are coming along.

__Sunday, March 6, 2016__

Ot Hashavuah – Tav, Tikkun Olam, Repair of the World

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Va-Ethannan
 * Moses goes on teaching. He tells the people how he begged God to let him go into the Promised Land. God said no.
 * Moses warns the people to be very careful to obey God’s rules. He then repeats the Ten Commandments.
 * Moses warns the people not to worship the stars or idols but to remember the One God.
 * Her reminds them that they are a holy people and have a special friendship with God. God took them out of Egypt and gave them the Torah.
 * It is very important to following the Torah’s rules.
 * The class did some written exercises.
 * We practiced the Shema prayer, and discussed why some people say it at night.
 * My Comment: One way my family shows that we love God is by _.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 5, “Can Praying Make Someone Well?”
 * Story 2: “God Lights the Fire,” by Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
 * Summary/Big Idea: Praying brings God into our thoughts and actions. It can also bring a “sense of healing.”
 * I asked some Comprehension and Interpretation Questions.
 * Story 3: “Praying With our Feet,” by Rabbi Elyse Frishman
 * Summary/Big Idea: This answer is different from the first two because it focuses more, but not solely, on how one person’s prayer can help another person’s. Praying with your feet means going out and helping people in need. This kind of praying des not have magical power to effect cures. But when we show people that we care for them and take care of them, it is a way of bringing God to them.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation questions.
 * Exercise 2: “Visiting the Sick”:
 * This exercise introduced the mitzvah of bikkkur holim (visiting the sick), told a story about Rabbi Akiva visiting a sick student, and then asked the students to come up with their own rules for visiting the sick.
 * Big Ideas: Visiting the sick is a mitzvah called “bikkur holim.” Visits can help a person get well.

Song Practice for ZmiRikudiyah on March 27.
 * We practiced our three songs: Yom Tov Lanu, You Can Change the World (Chorus), and Adama v’Shamayim.

The Ten Commandments
 * We reviewed the Top Ten.

Morah Ora is on a trip to Israel now.

I look forward to seeing your children tomorrow for Shabbat School.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

February 14, 2016

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Greetings! I hope you and your families are doing well, and enjoying this long Presidents’ Day weekend.

This letter will have Important Reminders, and give you an update on our last two classes, Feb. 3 and Feb. 7.


 * __Important Reminders__**:
 * **JHIPS Tu B’Shevat and JHIPS Shabbat were due on Sunday, Feb. 7.** If your child has not turned them in, please have him/her do so on Sunday, Feb. 28.
 * **Your child should be coloring in four specific sections on our “Vzot Habrachah” wheel.** These four are the first four books of the Torah, which we have completed in our Torah textbook. The sections should be colored in very neatly, but should NOT be cut out yet – we will do that in school once we have completed the 5th and last book of the Torah**. NOTE:** **Though I have handed this sheet out several times, there are still some students saying they never received it. Therefore, I am __attaching this handout__, and ask that you please print it out and __make sure your child colors in the first four books: Breisheet, Shemot, Vayikra, and Bemidbar__. Please have them do this assignment by Sunday, Feb. 28. Thank you.**
 * **The students should be learning the Ten Commandments. I __am attaching the handout for this as well__, to be sure everyone has a copy.**
 * There is __NO SCHOOL__ on Feb. 14, Feb. 17, and Feb. 21.
 * Classes resume for the JEM classes, on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
 * There are Haverim Services, for grades K – 3rd, on Saturday, Feb. 27. So please do bring your child to this educational and fun service! Please let me know if your child attends, and I can award him or her a sticker for our M&M Chart.
 * Classes resume for the JCore classes on Sunday, Feb. 28.
 * TGISHabbat, Friday, March 4 - Kitah Vav Humash Ceremony & Potluck. Theme: A Trip to Persia. All students welcome!
 * __ Please note that there will be SHABBAT SCHOOL on Saturday, March 12 __, so NO SCHOOL on Sunday, March 13.
 * Wednesday, March 23, is Purim – come for the Family Megillah reading, dinner and Purimspiel! Need to RSVP. There is __NO SCHOOL__ on March 23.
 * Sunday, March 27, Zmirkudiya, Song and Dance Festival, and Purim Carnival


 * __Update on Classes:__**


 * __Wednesday, February 3, 2016__**

Ot HaShavuah –kuf, kehilla kedoshah, holy community

Torah - Mattot
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * The nation of Israel goes to war with the the Midianites and win the war.
 * Israel’s family camps just across the Jordan River from the Land of Canaan.
 * The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask Moses if they can have land on this side of the Jordan River.
 * This makes Moses angry. He says, “Do you want to stay here while your brothers go to war to take the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?”
 * They say they will go and fight alongside their brothers.
 * Moses says, “If you keep this promise, God will give your families this land.”
 * We discussed what was it like to spend 40 years in the desert.
 * My Comment: The tribes of Reuben and Gad had to go ahead and help the other tribes even though they wanted to stay on the other side of the Jordan River. One time I helped someone when I wanted to do something else was __.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 4, “Does God Know What I Am Thinking or What I Will Do?”
 * Answer 2, “God’s Voice is Inside Us,” by Rabbi Ed Feinstein
 * Summary: A rabbinic commentary - When Moshe confronts the burning bush, the voice that speaks to him is his own. God is there when you hear your own voice telling you the right thing to do.
 * Big Idea: God is not separate and apart from us. Rather, God is part of how we think and make decisions.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Answer 3, “God Lights the Spark,” by Rabbi Joshua Hammerman.
 * Summary/Big Idea: God inspires new ideas and moves a person to do good. Implanted in every person is “God DNA” that creates the potential for choosing good.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Exercise 1, “How Do We Know What God Is Thinking?”
 * Summary: This exercise flips the question from “Does God know our thoughts?” to “Can we know God’s thoughts?” Students think about different ways of being Jewish as ways to better understand God.
 * Big Ideas: There are accessible Jewish ways for trying to learn what God wants and for getting closer to God. Torah study and mitzvot are on the top of this list. Other ways are praying in synagogue, meditating, talking to God, reading a book, studying with a friend, giving tzedakah, dancing, singing, creating art.

Values
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__, part 2, “Making Mensch Choices.”
 * Mensch-wise – An example was presented of someone dropping her books and papers, pens, pencils, and a bag of marbles. Suppose it’s someone you don’t like, maybe someone who doesn’t like you. What would you do & why? Students were asked to think about this scenario and decide what they would do.
 * Answers, Answers! Our ancestors collected many good choices of every kind which they preserved for future generations. Some of the most important are:
 * o Tanach, the Hebrew Bible: Torah’s five books, Prophets, Writings.
 * o Talmud, the great rabbis good choices and their arguments about those choices. Talmud means “learning.”
 * o Midrashim, written stories to better understand why people made the choices they did. People continue to create midrashim every day. There are too many for a single volume. They are in many places, in magazines, in sermons, on the Internet.
 * New Kid Dilemma, Part 2 – Judaism’s choice on how to treat guests and strangers, including new children in our school, is clear. In the Torah, we learn of the three guests who arrived at Abraham and Sarah’s doorstep. Abraham and Sarah sprang into action – they brought water so the guests could wash their feet, invited them to relax under a shady tree, prepared a meal for them. They opened their home and hearts to the strangers, who were soon no longer strangers. We learn from this that we are to welcome those who are new, and make them feel included.
 * The students were invited to share a time when they welcomed guests, and how they felt about that, and how the visitors reacted.

Prayers – we sang these prayers and reviewed their meaning.
 * Mi Chamocha
 * Romemu


 * __Sunday, February 7, 2016__**

Ot Hashavuah – raysh, rahamim, mercy, compassion

Torah - Masei
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Israel’s family is almost ready to enter the land of Canaan.
 * The Torah tells about all the places they have been since they left Egypt. God teaches them more about living in the Promised Land.
 * God has Moses teach the people about the borders of the Land of Israel.
 * Moses describes the part of the land that will be given to each family.
 * Then God teaches Moses more rules that will help the people live together in peace.
 * This is the last sidrah in the book of Bemidbar. It shows how Israel’s family traveled to many places in the wilderness and had many adventures.
 * It lists the places on the journey: Rameses, Sukkot, Sea of Reeds, Rephidim, Sinai, Mount Hor, Jordan River.
 * My Comment: Israel spent forty years in the wilderness and had many adventures. I think the most exciting part was __.

Values Israel
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__, part 2, “Making Mensch Choices.”
 * “Wisdom from the Old Country” – Yiddish proverbs provide good choices and timeless Jewish advice. Here are some which we discussed:
 * o If you seek, you will find.
 * o Too much of anything is unhealthy.
 * o After a good cry, your heart is lighter.
 * o If you understand your foolishness, you are clever.
 * o Seek advice from everyone, but speak with your own mind.
 * o In a quarrel, leave the door open for forgiveness.
 * o Don’t leave until for tomorrow what you can do today.
 * o One always thinks that others are happy.
 * Some Yiddish proverbs are like riddles – they don’t mean exactly what they say. For example, “If you don’t eat garlic, you won’t smell bad.” In other words, don’t do something that you know is harmful.
 * The students were asked to describe what this proverb means: “Don’t rub salt into a wound.” Many understood that it means, don’t make things worse than they already are!
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 8, “The Old City of Jerusalem.”
 * Moshe Dayan was a military leader of Israel. He was best recognized by the patch he wore over his left eye.
 * He led Israel in many of its wars. During the Six Day War of 1967, Moshe Dayan led the capture of the Old City of Jerusalem. For the first time in 2,000 years, Jerusalem was the united capital of the Jewish people. Jews from all over Israel rushed to Jerusalem to come to the Old City for the first time in 20 years. Jews could finally come back to the Old City and the Kotel.
 * The Old City is divided into four quarters: Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Armenian.
 * The Jewish Quarter is where the Kotel is. Many Jews live in the Jewish Quarter, and there are many yeshivot there, too, where people study. There is a giant square with a park and many restaurants and shops. It’s a good place to eat falafel!
 * The Muslim Quarter is very important to the Muslims around the world. In the place where the Temple once stood, on the Temple Mount, are two giant mosques.
 * One mosque, called the Dome of the Rock, is a beautiful building with a giant golden dome. It is built on top of the spot where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac.
 * The second mosque, called Al Aqsa, is on the spot where the Muslims believe that their prophet, Mohammed, ascended to heaven. It is a very holy and important place to Muslims, and thousands of Muslims come to the Temple Mount to pray every day.
 * Nearby, in the Christian Quarter, is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is one of the most important churches in Christianity. It is a very old place. The church is very dark, and filled with candles that visitors can light.
 * Jerusalem was an important place to these three different religions. Sometimes Jerusalem has been seen as the very center of the world. Old maps often were drawn with Jerusalem at the middle. I showed the class a picture of one such map.
 * Even though the city is unified as part of the capital of Israel, Jerusalem is special to billions of people around the world. Israel works hard to make sure that all religions and religious sites are protected in the city so that everyone can pray in the place that is special to him or her.
 * The students did a written exercise, identifying where certain monuments or sites are located within the four quarters.

Kitah Gimel students had their first JEM class on Wednesday, Feb. 10. I think they enjoyed the variety!

Morah Ora joins me in wishing you a relaxing and fun Presidents’ Day week. The teachers are looking forward to welcoming your children back on Wednesday, Feb. 24 for the second JEM class of the 4th Session, and on Sunday, February 28 for our regular JYEP classes.

L’hitraot!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

Attachments: Vzot Habrachah Wheel The Ten Commandments

February 1, 2016

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Greetings. I hope you all had a Shabbat Shalom and a good weekend. This letter will cover JEM selection sheets, important reminders, Tzedakah Day, and recent class updates.


 * __JEM Selections__**
 * Most students in Kitah Gimel took home the JEM Selection sheet on Sunday, Jan. 31. The students need to complete their choices, two for each session (in case choice 1 is filled up!), and then please RETURN THE FORM THIS WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, and hand it to me.
 * There are two remaining JEM Sessions, Session 4 and Session 5, for which Kitah Gimel is signing up. Session 4 begins on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Following this class, we have two weeks with no school due to Presidents’ Day and school breaks. The remaining 4 dates for Session 4 are Feb. 24, Mar. 2, Mar. 9, and Mar. 16.
 * Please note that the JEM classes available to Kitah Gimel students are open to students in grades 3 – 7, so there likely will be mixed grade-level students taking the class. All JEM classes your child signs up for will be age appropriate.
 * When Kitah Gimel students begin the JEM classes, I will no longer be teaching them Judaica on Wednesdays, only on Sunday mornings.


 * __Important Reminders__**
 * HOMEWORK DUE: JHIPS Tu B’Shevat and JHIPS Shabbat. You may help your child complete the JHIPS assignments. Please have your child turn them in by Feb. 7.
 * TGIShabbat: Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, services, 6:30 pm, potluck, 7:30 pm. Kitah Hey (5th grade) will have Torah Reader’s Club Induction; all students invited to help lead the service; RSVP needed for potluck – Israel theme for food.
 * There will be JYEP classes on Feb. 3, Feb. 7, and Feb. 10.
 * No School for two weeks due to Presidents’ Day and school breaks, including the dates Feb. 14, Feb. 17, and Feb. 21.
 * Classes resume on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016.


 * __Tzedakah Day, Sunday, January 24, 2016__**
 * Morah Ora and I were assigned to a different group, however I believe Andrea and Morah Leslie ran the 3rd and 4th grade group.
 * Thank you to all parents who were able to bring your children to Tzedakah Day. 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.
 * 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 creating Purim greetings for a video to thank Israel Defense soldiers
 * o creating Passover matzah covers for seniors
 * o sorting and bagging toiletries
 * o doing composting.
 * There was a discussion of 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 planting plants and flowers in decorated pots for seniors for Tu B’Shevat
 * 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. They enjoyed this opportunity!


 * __Recent Class Updates__**

Ot Hashavuah – tzadi, tzedek tirdof, pursue justice
 * __Wednesday, January 27, 2016__**

Torah - Hukkat
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * God teaches about the Head Kohein’s job. The instructions are given for a special offering made with an all-red cow. There are also teachings about what to do when a person dies.
 * Miriam is Moses’ sister. She dies and is buried at Kadesh.
 * Yet again the people complain. They want water. They want to go back to Egypt.
 * This time God tells Moses to take his staff and talk to a rock. The people yell. Moses takes the staff and hits the rock. God is angry. God tells Moses that he will not lead the Jewish people into the Land that will become Israel.
 * The people of Israel want to walk through the country of Edom. Their king says no. Edom has a very strong army. The people of Israel walk another way.
 * Aaron dies, and his son Eliezar becomes the Head Kohein.
 * The King of Arad tries to stop Israel with his army but Israel wins.
 * Israel’s family wants to walk through the country of the Amorites. The King of the Amorites tries to stop them. Again Israel wins.
 * They also beat the King of Bashan.
 * The students completed written exercises.
 * My Comment: Some people always find things to complain about. One thing I complain about too much is.

Torah – Balak
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Balak is the King of Moab. He is scared of the Nation of Israel. He knows what they did to the Amorites and the others. He hires Balaam. Balaam is a wizard. Balaam promises to stop Israel’s family with a curse.
 * Balaam picks a mountain as the place to say the curse. He rides a donkey to the place. Three times God makes the donkey go the wrong way.
 * Balaam is angry. He yells at the donkey. God makes the donkey yell back. God then tells Balaam that he will bless Israel and not curse the them.
 * When Balaam looks down on Israel’s camp, he blesses them: “Your tents are beautiful, Jacob. So is your Mishkan, Israel.”
 * The students completed some written exercises.
 * My Comment: When Balaam saw the place where the Jewish people worshipped he blessed them. When we, the Jewish people, get together to pray today, we begin with the same words Balaam used. When Jews get together to pray, one beautiful thing is ___.

Holidays - Shabbat
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * Every week we have a holiday – Shabbat!
 * The Ten Commandments tell us to observe Shabbat. In the book of Genesis, it says that in six days God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. Then, on the seventh day, God rested. So Shabbat became a day of rest for people and for animals, too.
 * Many Jews put money in a tzedakah box before lighting the Shabbat candles. Sharing with people who are in need is a way to thank God for all the good in our lives.
 * We begin Shabbat by lighting at least two candles and saying the blessing over them. The children receive a blessing, in which parents ask God to watch over their children and bless their lives with peace.
 * Then it’s time for the blessing over wine, or Kiddush, which means “make holy.” God blessed the seventh day and made it a holy day of rest.
 * Wine is a symbol of joy. When our people were slaves in Egypt, they could not celebrate Shabbat. They didn’t get any days off. When we say the Kiddush, we remember that a long time ago we were slaves. We thank God that we are now free.
 * Next is the blessing over the challah, the Motzi. Then we have a Shabbat meal, which can be soup, chicken, noodle pudding. After dessert, we sing songs and recite the Birkat HaMazon, the Grace after Meals, to thank God for our lives, our food, and Jerusalem.
 * Synagogue prayer services are on Friday night. We sing Lecha Dodi, which says that Shabbat is like a bride who visits us. There is usually an Oneg Shabbat following services, with sweets and fruit.
 * Services are also held on Shabbat morning. Prayers are recited, and the Torah is taken out of the Ark and the weekly portion is read. There is a light meal called a Kiddush, which includes wine and challah.
 * On Shabbat we greet one another with the expression, “Shabbat Shalom,” or May you have a peaceful Shabbat. Spending a peaceful time with one’s family is a wonderful way to spend Shabbat afternoon. Taking a walk, reading, playing a game, are ways to be together.
 * When we add peace to our home by being kind and respectful to our family, we perform the mitzvah of “shalom bayit.”
 * In synagogue, it is an honor to be called up to recite the blessing over the Torah, to read from the Torah, or to dress the Torah scroll or return it to the Ark. This tells us how much the Jewish people respect the Torah.
 * Reciting Havdalah is how we say good buy to Shabbat until the next week. Many Jews wait until they see three stars in the sky before saying the Havdalah blessings.
 * Havdalah separates the end of Shabbat from the beginning of the new week. We light the braided candle, which has at least two wicks. We smell the spice box, which is filled with spices such as cinnamon or cloves. Then we take a sip of wine. We conclude by singing “Eliyahu Hanavi.” We pray that one day Elijah the Prophet will help bring peace to the world so that every day will be like Shabbat.
 * Following Havdalah, we say “Shavua Tov,” or have a good week.
 * The riddle is “When you honor the seventh day what is sure to come your way?”
 * The students heard the story of the Shabbat Spice. In this story a king has lunch at a rabbi’s home on Shabbat. The meal was so good that the king ordered the rabbi to give him the recipes. Back at his own home, his chefs recreated the food he had eaten at the rabbi’s home. Rivkah and Daniel join in the cooking. When they finish, and after they place their last platter on the table, they hide behind a curtain, to see how the king will react.
 * The king gets very angry, saying the food does not taste like the rabbi’s food. The chef assured the king that he had followed the recipes very carefully. So the king summons the rabbi.
 * He asks the rabbi, “What was in your food that was not in the recipes?” “Shabbat spice,” the rabbi replied. The kings asks, “Where can I buy it?” The rabbi shook his head, saying that the king could not buy it: Shabbat spice is a gift to all who celebrate Shabbat. It is like a pinch of extra flavor that adds peace and delight to the day.”
 * This was the answer to the riddle: “The peace and delight of Shabbat are the answers to the riddle.”
 * I brought items to do the Shabbat rituals, with my personal candlesticks, wine cup, bread board and challah cover. I lit the candles. As a class, we sang the blessings for the candles, then the grape juice, and then the challah. Everyone had a drink of grape juice, and everyone had a piece of challah.
 * The students placed the correct sticker on the Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail.
 * The students were given handouts of Elijahrocks.net: Shabbat Dictionary Words, Shabbat Blessings, and Havdalah Blessings.
 * **HOMEWORK: JHIPS for Shabbat. DUE: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.**

Sunday, January 31, 2016 Ot Hashavuah – kuf, kehilla kedosha,, holy community

Holidays - Shabbat
 * The class completed the Elijahrocks.net Word Puzzle for Shabbat.

Torah - Pinchas
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Pinchas is one of Aaron’s sons. He teaches Israel’s family that some things are wrong. God blesses him.
 * God asks Moses to count the number of people in Israel’s family again. Eliezar, another son of Aaron helps him.
 * After the counting, God explains that each man will be given a piece of the Promised Land for his family. Two women complain. They say, “We are the daughters of Zelophehad. Our father is dead. We have no brothers. Our family should have a piece of land, too.” God agrees.
 * God asks Moses to climb to the top of a hill. God shows him the Promised Land. God reminds him that he will not cross into the land of Canaan.
 * God tells him to make Joshua the next leader of Israel’s family. God reminds Moses about Shabbat, Pesah, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * My Comment: If I had to pick a leader I would look for a person who ___.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 4, “Does God Know What I Am Thinking or What I Will Do?”
 * Story 1, “Adam and Eve Were Not Robots,” by Rabbi Elyse Frishman.
 * Summary: This is a telling of the Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden story. The special focus is on what God chooses to know. It also focuses on how the first couple responds upon becoming aware of God’s omnipresence – they hide.
 * Big Ideas:
 * o God could know what people are thinking, and about the future. But God chooses not to peek.
 * o Real human freedom means that God can’t know what people will choose to do. God let us have freedom and allowed us to think for ourselves. For us to have freedom, God can’t know exactly what’s going to happen next.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation Questions.
 * Exercise 2, “Jewish Laws of Privacy.”
 * Summary: This is the Torah story wherein Balaam, hired to put a curse on the Israelites, blesses them instead with the words of the “Ma Tovu” prayer, “Your tents are really good Jacob; so are the places you live, Israel.” One midrash explains that the reason Balaam blessed Israel’s tents is because each was positioned to respect the privacy of its neighbors.
 * Jews have many rules about privacy. Some are: A person should knock before opening a closed door, even in his or her own house. You may not put a window in the wall of your house if it looks in on someone else’s house. No one may open or read anyone else’s mail.
 * The students were asked to come up with some of their own privacy rules.
 * We discussed that respecting privacy is a way of getting closer to God, because respecting privacy is respecting that person. There is a part in each of us that wants to peek or pry, but when we resist that and say “no” to that urge because it can hurt another person, then we are getting closer to God. God created people “b’tzelem Elohim,” in the image of God. If God chooses to respect our privacy, then we should respect the privacy of others, too.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 4, Beersheva
 * Ilan Ramon was Israel’s first astronaut, and one of only a few Jewish astronauts ever. He joined NASA in 2003 to fly in the Columbia Space Shuttle. He blasted into space for two weeks.
 * It was really important to Ilan to bring some things into space with him that would celebrate his Jewishness. Both his mother and grandmother were Holocaust survivors.
 * He brought a drawing by a 14-year-old boy named Petr Ginz who had died in the //Shoah//. The drawing was a picture of the earth from the view of someone standing on the moon. Ilan also brought with him a miniature copy of the Torah.
 * When the Space Shuttle Columbia was returning to earth on Feb. 1, 2003, a tragedy happened. It overheated and crashed over Texas, killing all the astronauts onboard.
 * Ilan Ramon was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He is remembered as a hero and role model to Israelis and Jews everywhere.
 * Being in space created lots of questions for Ilan Ramon about how to be Jewish in space. He spoke with some rabbis to figure out how to be Jewish while in the space shuttle.
 * Ilan Ramon lived in the Israeli city of Beersheva.
 * In the Torah, Beersheva is mentioned many times. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all went there. It is at the very north of the Negev Desert, so it has always been a place that people pass through on their way into the wilderness. It is called the “Gateway to the Negev.”
 * Today, Beersheva is one of Israel’s largest cities. There are many things to do in Beersheva. It is probably best known for the Ben Gurion University. This University is very large. People come to study at Ben Gurion from all around Israel and all over the world.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 7, Ein Gedi
 * Ein Gedi is a place King David visited.
 * Just at the edge of Jerusalem, the hills slope steeply towards the desert. Jerusalem is thousands of feet above sea level, but if you go only a few miles to the east you will find the lowest place on Earth, more than 1,000 feet below sea level.
 * The Judean Desert gets almost no rain. Nothing grows there, and all you can see is lots of bare earth and stones. But there, in the middle of the desert, in between two hills, you can find the oasis Ein Gedi.
 * When David was a boy, he defeated Goliath with his sling. He became the harpist for King Saul, the first king of Israel. He grew up to be a great general. Saul grew jealous of David and tried to kill him. David ran away. He went to Ein Gedi. Saul chased him there. David hid in a cave and escaped. After Saul was killed in battle, David became the next king of Israel. The Bible tells us that David used his harp to write the Psalms.
 * Many people visit Ein Gedi every day. You can take a small hike into the oasis. Soon you are surrounded by lots of plants and flowers and birds. At the end of the hike is a giant waterfall and pool of water. It is fun to splash around in the water to cool off.
 * An oasis is a place in the middle of the desert where trees grow and animals live. But animals and plants need water to live. Where does the water come from?
 * When rain falls in the Judean hills around Jerusalem, some of it goes into the ground. Gravity makes the water fall through the rocks. Some of it finds its way underground into the desert, where it comes back out of the rocks in the form of small rivers and waterfalls.
 * This is what happens at Ein Gedi. Even though it almost never rains there, Ein Gedi’s water source flows constantly. The spring gives life to birds and ibex as well as lots of plants. Ein Gedi is an important nature reserve in Israel.
 * King David was the first person to unite B’nai Yisrael into one large kingdom. King David brought together the 12 tribes, and built his capital in Jerusalem.
 * Before King David each of the 12 tribes lived in a different part of Israel. The map of Israel was divided, based on which tribe lived in each area.
 * Today, Israel’s map is divided by the different cities around the country. In the north are Haifa Tzfat, and T’veria. In the middle are Tel Aviv, Zikhron Ya’akov and Jerusalem. In the south are Beersheva and Eilat. The students labeled these cities on a map of Israel.

Morah Ora and I look forward to seeing your students on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. It will be their __last Wednesday Judaica JCore class with me__. **__Please have your child bring in the JEM selection sheet tomorrow. Thank you!__**

L’hitraot, see you soon, and Shavuah Tov, have a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida February 1, 2016

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Greetings. I hope you all had a Shabbat Shalom and a good weekend. This letter will cover JEM selection sheets, important reminders, Tzedakah Day, and recent class updates.


 * __JEM Selections__**
 * Most students in Kitah Gimel took home the JEM Selection sheet on Sunday, Jan. 31. The students need to complete their choices, two for each session (in case choice 1 is filled up!), and then please RETURN THE FORM THIS WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, and hand it to me.
 * There are two remaining JEM Sessions, Session 4 and Session 5, for which Kitah Gimel is signing up. Session 4 begins on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Following this class, we have two weeks with no school due to Presidents’ Day and school breaks. The remaining 4 dates for Session 4 are Feb. 24, Mar. 2, Mar. 9, and Mar. 16.
 * Please note that the JEM classes available to Kitah Gimel students are open to students in grades 3 – 7, so there likely will be mixed grade-level students taking the class. All JEM classes your child signs up for will be age appropriate.
 * When Kitah Gimel students begin the JEM classes, I will no longer be teaching them Judaica on Wednesdays, only on Sunday mornings.


 * __Important Reminders__**
 * HOMEWORK DUE: JHIPS Tu B’Shevat and JHIPS Shabbat. You may help your child complete the JHIPS assignments. Please turn them in by Feb. 7.
 * TGIShabbat: Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, services, 6:30 pm, potluck, 7:30 pm. Kitah Hey (5th grade) will have Torah Reader’s Club Induction; all students invited to help lead the service; RSVP needed for potluck – Israel theme for food.
 * There will be JYEP classes on Feb. 3, Feb. 7, and Feb. 10.
 * No School for two weeks due to Presidents’ Day and school breaks, including the dates Feb. 14, Feb. 17, and Feb. 21.
 * Classes resume on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016.


 * __Tzedakah Day, Sunday, January 24, 2016__**
 * Morah Ora and I were assigned to a different group, however I believe Andrea and Morah Leslie ran the 3rd and 4th grade group.
 * Thank you to all parents who were able to bring your children to Tzedakah Day. 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.
 * 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 creating Purim greetings for a video to thank Israel Defense soldiers
 * o creating Passover matzah covers for seniors
 * o sorting and bagging toiletries
 * o doing composting.
 * There was a discussion of 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 planting plants and flowers in decorated pots for seniors for Tu B’Shevat
 * 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. They enjoyed this opportunity!


 * __Recent Class Updates__**

Ot Hashavuah – tzadi, tzedek tirdof, pursue justice
 * __Wednesday, January 27, 2016__**

Torah - Hukkat
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * God teaches about the Head Kohein’s job. The instructions are given for a special offering made with an all-red cow. There are also teachings about what to do when a person dies.
 * Miriam is Moses’ sister. She dies and is buried at Kadesh.
 * Yet again the people complain. They want water. They want to go back to Egypt.
 * This time God tells Moses to take his staff and talk to a rock. The people yell. Moses takes the staff and hits the rock. God is angry. God tells Moses that he will not lead the Jewish people into the Land that will become Israel.
 * The people of Israel want to walk through the country of Edom. Their king says no. Edom has a very strong army. The people of Israel walk another way.
 * Aaron dies, and his son Eliezar becomes the Head Kohein.
 * The King of Arad tries to stop Israel with his army but Israel wins.
 * Israel’s family wants to walk through the country of the Amorites. The King of the Amorites tries to stop them. Again Israel wins.
 * They also beat the King of Bashan.
 * The students completed written exercises.
 * My Comment: Some people always find things to complain about. One thing I complain about too much is.

Torah – Balak
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Balak is the King of Moab. He is scared of the Nation of Israel. He knows what they did to the Amorites and the others. He hires Balaam. Balaam is a wizard. Balaam promises to stop Israel’s family with a curse.
 * Balaam picks a mountain as the place to say the curse. He rides a donkey to the place. Three times God makes the donkey go the wrong way.
 * Balaam is angry. He yells at the donkey. God makes the donkey yell back. God then tells Balaam that he will bless Israel and not curse the them.
 * When Balaam looks down on Israel’s camp, he blesses them: “Your tents are beautiful, Jacob. So is your Mishkan, Israel.”
 * The students completed some written exercises.
 * My Comment: When Balaam saw the place where the Jewish people worshipped he blessed them. When we, the Jewish people, get together to pray today, we begin with the same words Balaam used. When Jews get together to pray, one beautiful thing is ___.

Holidays - Shabbat
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * Every week we have a holiday – Shabbat!
 * The Ten Commandments tell us to observe Shabbat. In the book of Genesis, it says that in six days God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. Then, on the seventh day, God rested. So Shabbat became a day of rest for people and for animals, too.
 * Many Jews put money in a tzedakah box before lighting the Shabbat candles. Sharing with people who are in need is a way to thank God for all the good in our lives.
 * We begin Shabbat by lighting at least two candles and saying the blessing over them. The children receive a blessing, in which parents ask God to watch over their children and bless their lives with peace.
 * Then it’s time for the blessing over wine, or Kiddush, which means “make holy.” God blessed the seventh day and made it a holy day of rest.
 * Wine is a symbol of joy. When our people were slaves in Egypt, they could not celebrate Shabbat. They didn’t get any days off. When we say the Kiddush, we remember that a long time ago we were slaves. We thank God that we are now free.
 * Next is the blessing over the challah, the Motzi. Then we have a Shabbat meal, which can be soup, chicken, noodle pudding. After dessert, we sing songs and recite the Birkat HaMazon, the Grace after Meals, to thank God for our lives, our food, and Jerusalem.
 * Synagogue prayer services are on Friday night. We sing Lecha Dodi, which says that Shabbat is like a bride who visits us. There is usually an Oneg Shabbat following services, with sweets and fruit.
 * Services are also held on Shabbat morning. Prayers are recited, and the Torah is taken out of the Ark and the weekly portion is read. There is a light meal called a Kiddush, which includes wine and challah.
 * On Shabbat we greet one another with the expression, “Shabbat Shalom,” or May you have a peaceful Shabbat. Spending a peaceful time with one’s family is a wonderful way to spend Shabbat afternoon. Taking a walk, reading, playing a game, are ways to be together.
 * When we add peace to our home by being kind and respectful to our family, we perform the mitzvah of “shalom bayit.”
 * In synagogue, it is an honor to be called up to recite the blessing over the Torah, to read from the Torah, or to dress the Torah scroll or return it to the Ark. This tells us how much the Jewish people respect the Torah.
 * Reciting Havdalah is how we say good buy to Shabbat until the next week. Many Jews wait until they see three stars in the sky before saying the Havdalah blessings.
 * Havdalah separates the end of Shabbat from the beginning of the new week. We light the braided candle, which has at least two wicks. We smell the spice box, which is filled with spices such as cinnamon or cloves. Then we take a sip of wine. We conclude by singing “Eliyahu Hanavi.” We pray that one day Elijah the Prophet will help bring peace to the world so that every day will be like Shabbat.
 * Following Havdalah, we say “Shavua Tov,” or have a good week.
 * The riddle is “When you honor the seventh day what is sure to come your way?”
 * The students heard the story of the Shabbat Spice. In this story a king has lunch at a rabbi’s home on Shabbat. The meal was so good that the king ordered the rabbi to give him the recipes. Back at his own home, his chefs recreated the food he had eaten at the rabbi’s home. Rivkah and Daniel join in the cooking. When they finish, and after they place their last platter on the table, they hide behind a curtain, to see how the king will react.
 * The king gets very angry, saying the food does not taste like the rabbi’s food. The chef assured the king that he had followed the recipes very carefully. So the king summons the rabbi.
 * He asks the rabbi, “What was in your food that was not in the recipes?” “Shabbat spice,” the rabbi replied. The kings asks, “Where can I buy it?” The rabbi shook his head, saying that the king could not buy it: Shabbat spice is a gift to all who celebrate Shabbat. It is like a pinch of extra flavor that adds peace and delight to the day.”
 * This was the answer to the riddle: “The peace and delight of Shabbat are the answers to the riddle.”
 * I brought items to do the Shabbat rituals, with my personal candlesticks, wine cup, bread board and challah cover. I lit the candles. As a class, we sang the blessings for the candles, then the grape juice, and then the challah. Everyone had a drink of grape juice, and everyone had a piece of challah.
 * The students placed the correct sticker on the Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail.
 * The students were given handouts of Elijahrocks.net: Shabbat Dictionary Words, Shabbat Blessings, and Havdalah Blessings.
 * **HOMEWORK: JHIPS for Shabbat. DUE: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.**

Sunday, January 31, 2016 Ot Hashavuah – kuf, kehilla kedosha,, holy community

Torah - Pinchas
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Pinchas is one of Aaron’s sons. He teaches Israel’s family that some things are wrong. God blesses him.
 * God asks Moses to count the number of people in Israel’s family again. Eliezar, another son of Aaron helps him.
 * After the counting, God explains that each man will be given a piece of the Promised Land for his family. Two women complain. They say, “We are the daughters of Zelophehad. Our father is dead. We have no brothers. Our family should have a piece of land, too.” God agrees.
 * God asks Moses to climb to the top of a hill. God shows him the Promised Land. God reminds him that he will not cross into the land of Canaan.
 * God tells him to make Joshua the next leader of Israel’s family. God reminds Moses about Shabbat, Pesah, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * My Comment: If I had to pick a leader I would look for a person who ___.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 4, “Does God Know What I Am Thinking or What I Will Do?”
 * Story 1, “Adam and Eve Were Not Robots,” by Rabbi Elyse Frishman.
 * Summary: This is a telling of the Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden story. The special focus is on what God chooses to know. It also focuses on how the first couple responds upon becoming aware of God’s omnipresence – they hide.
 * Big Ideas:
 * o God could know what people are thinking, and about the future. But God chooses not to peek.
 * o Real human freedom means that God can’t know what people will choose to do. God let us have freedom and allowed us to think for ourselves. For us to have freedom, God can’t know exactly what’s going to happen next.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation Questions.
 * Exercise 2, “Jewish Laws of Privacy.”
 * Summary: This is the Torah story wherein Balaam, hired to put a curse on the Israelites, blesses them instead with the words of the “Ma Tovu” prayer, “Your tents are really good Jacob; so are the places you live, Israel.” One midrash explains that the reason Balaam blessed Israel’s tents is because each was positioned to respect the privacy of its neighbors.
 * Jews have many rules about privacy. Some are: A person should knock before opening a closed door, even in his or her own house. You may not put a window in the wall of your house if it looks in on someone else’s house. No one may open or read anyone else’s mail.
 * The students were asked to come up with some of their own privacy rules.
 * We discussed that respecting privacy is a way of getting closer to God, because respecting privacy is respecting that person. There is a part in each of us that wants to peek or pry, but when we resist that and say “no” to that urge because it can hurt another person, then we are getting closer to God. God created people “b’tzelem Elohim,” in the image of God. If God chooses to respect our privacy, then we should respect the privacy of others, too.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 4, Beersheva
 * Ilan Ramon was Israel’s first astronaut, and one of only a few Jewish astronauts ever. He joined NASA in 2003 to fly in the Columbia Space Shuttle. He blasted into space for two weeks.
 * It was really important to Ilan to bring some things into space with him that would celebrate his Jewishness. Both his mother and grandmother were Holocaust survivors.
 * He brought a drawing by a 14-year-old boy named Petr Ginz who had died in the //Shoah//. The drawing was a picture of the earth from the view of someone standing on the moon. Ilan also brought with him a miniature copy of the Torah.
 * When the Space Shuttle Columbia was returning to earth on Feb. 1, 2003, a tragedy happened. It overheated and crashed over Texas, killing all the astronauts onboard.
 * Ilan Ramon was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He is remembered as a hero and role model to Israelis and Jews everywhere.
 * Being in space created lots of questions for Ilan Ramon about how to be Jewish in space. He spoke with some rabbis to figure out how to be Jewish while in the space shuttle.
 * Ilan Ramon lived in the Israeli city of Beersheva.
 * In the Torah, Beersheva is mentioned many times. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all went there. It is at the very north of the Negev Desert, so it has always been a place that people pass through on their way into the wilderness. It is called the “Gateway to the Negev.”
 * Today, Beersheva is one of Israel’s largest cities. There are many things to do in Beersheva. It is probably best known for the Ben Gurion University. This University is very large. People come to study at Ben Gurion from all around Israel and all over the world.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 7, Ein Gedi
 * Ein Gedi is a place King David visited.
 * Just at the edge of Jerusalem, the hills slope steeply towards the desert. Jerusalem is thousands of feet above sea level, but if you go only a few miles to the east you will find the lowest place on Earth, more than 1,000 feet below sea level.
 * The Judean Desert gets almost no rain. Nothing grows there, and all you can see is lots of bare earth and stones. But there, in the middle of the desert, in between two hills, you can find the oasis Ein Gedi.
 * When David was a boy, he defeated Goliath with his sling. He became the harpist for King Saul, the first king of Israel. He grew up to be a great general. Saul grew jealous of David and tried to kill him. David ran away. He went to Ein Gedi. Saul chased him there. David hid in a cave and escaped. After Saul was killed in battle, David became the next king of Israel. The Bible tells us that David used his harp to write the Psalms.
 * Many people visit Ein Gedi every day. You can take a small hike into the oasis. Soon you are surrounded by lots of plants and flowers and birds. At the end of the hike is a giant waterfall and pool of water. It is fun to splash around in the water to cool off.
 * An oasis is a place in the middle of the desert where trees grow and animals live. But animals and plants need water to live. Where does the water come from?
 * When rain falls in the Judean hills around Jerusalem, some of it goes into the ground. Gravity makes the water fall through the rocks. Some of it finds its way underground into the desert, where it comes back out of the rocks in the form of small rivers and waterfalls.
 * This is what happens at Ein Gedi. Even though it almost never rains there, Ein Gedi’s water source flows constantly. The spring gives life to birds and ibex as well as lots of plants. Ein Gedi is an important nature reserve in Israel.
 * King David was the first person to unite B’nai Yisrael into one large kingdom. King David brought together the 12 tribes, and built his capital in Jerusalem.
 * Before King David each of the 12 tribes lived in a different part of Israel. The map of Israel was divided, based on which tribe lived in each area.
 * Today, Israel’s map is divided by the different cities around the country. In the north are Haifa Tzfat, and T’veria. In the middle are Tel Aviv, Zikhron Ya’akov and Jerusalem. In the south are Beersheva and Eilat. The students labeled these cities on a map of Israel.

Morah Ora and I look forward to seeing your students on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. It will be their __last Wednesday Judaica JCore class with me__. **__Please have your child bring in the JEM selection sheet tomorrow. Thank you!__**

L’hitraot, see you soon, and Shavuah Tov, have a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

January 23, 2016 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Hello. I hope you and your families are well, and had a Shabbat Shalom.

Sunday, January 24, 2015 Tzedakah Day, students will be doing various tzedakah projects, so there will be no regular classes this day. Homework Assignments: a. JHIPS Tu B’Shevat, due Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 b. V’zot Habrachah Wheel to color – first 3 books of the Torah: Breisheet, Shemot, Vayikra Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016: Junior Kadima: This is a new social group for 3rd – 5th graders. Kick-off party is Feb. 6, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, at the home of Erin Handelsman. Please RSVP to Erin’s Dad, Nathan at: Nathan.Handelsman@gmail.com. Coming soon: There are two more Wednesday Kitah Gimel Judaica JCore classes with me (Jan. 27 and Feb. 3). After that, your children will be attending JEM classes on Wednesdays during the hour they would have had with me. Soon information will be sent to you about our JEWEL program, so that you and your child can decide what JEM classes he or she would like to take for Sessions 4 and 5 of the JEWEL program.
 * __Important Reminders__**


 * __Thank You for Attending Family Education Hour on Values on Jan. 17, 2016__**
 * Thank you to all parents who attended the Family Education Hour for Kitah Gimel parents and children on Sunday, January 17, 2016.
 * We discussed the meaning of values, beliefs that we hold, that guide us to being better people and to helping make the world better.
 * I read the book __As Good As Anybody__, by Richard Michelson, which covers the formation of the values of both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, from boyhood on up.
 * Both of them had parents who helped them recognize that to be judged by outward signs is unjust and unfair. While Martin saw “Whites only” signs, the Rabbi saw “Jews not allowed” signs.
 * The Rabbi joined King on one of his marches for equal pay, from Selma to Montgomery. The Rabbi remarked, “I felt as if my legs were praying.”
 * We discussed ideas presented in the book, such as freedom, equality, and fairness.
 * I also mentioned Lois Shenker’s seven Jewish values, a list of the “7 T’s,” which we reviewed: The Ten Commandments, Torah, Tefillah, Tzedakah, Teshuvah, Tikkun Olam, and Talking about the importance of mitzvot.
 * The art project for the Family Education Hour, entitled “Hand in Hand” or “Yad b’Yad,” was to illustrate the theme of values. Parent(s) and child were to create a picture using hand cut-outs (tracing first around each person’s own hand and cutting it out), gluing them onto a backing sheet, and writing out important values parent and child decided on together. The two hands when glued onto the backing sheet could lean together – as if helping each other out. The families wrote around and between the fingers of the hands, writing down the values that they felt were particularly important or meaningful.
 * These projects are now on our bulletin board in our classroom. They are quite impressive!

This letter will catch you up with our last 5 classes.

__Wednesday, January 6, 2016__

Ot Hashavuah – ayin, aseret hadibrot, the Ten Commandments

Torah – Be’Midbar
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * This portion tells us the names and numbers of Israel’s family, just like a phone book.
 * Jacob’s other name was Israel; he had 12 sons. Each of those sons had children, and the family grew and grew. Each of the son’s families became a tribe. The nation of Israel is made up of 12 tribes.
 * God orders Moses to count all of the members of Israel’s family who are older than 20 years. God names one leader in each tribe to help. With their help Aaron and Moses make a list of the whole Jewish people.
 * God gives Moses a map of how the camp should look. The Mishkan is to be in the middle. Each tribe is to have its own place to camp around it.
 * My Comment: If had my own tribe, on my flag there would be a ___.

Prayer – Shema, V’Ahavta
 * We practiced these prayers.
 * We reviewed their meaning.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__
 * Chapter 3: “If There is One God, Why are there so many Religions?” Story 1, “The Blindfolded Children and the Elephant,” by Rabbi Sybil Sheridan
 * Summary: Blindfolded children feel different parts of an elephant and imagine very different creatures. The point here is that God is so vast and amazing that each of us only grasps a different part and projects a different understanding of the Whole. Different religions grow out of partial understandings of God.
 * Big Ideas:
 * o Metaphors help us talk about God.
 * o God is well beyond our understanding. We only get pieces of the total reality of God.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation Questions.
 * Exercise 1: “Finding Your Torah.”
 * Summary: This exercise takes the idea of “each of us knows part of the elephant” from the story and gives it a Jewish context, the idea that each of us has his or her own Torah.
 * Big Ideas:
 * o The rabbis teach us we each have a personal Torah – a piece of God’s truth that we capture in our own life.
 * o Torah means” teaching” or “instruction” - it is not aways words in a book.
 * o The more “Torah” we gather from other people, the greater our understanding of the world.
 * Every person has his or her own piece of the total wisdom that there is for people to learn. The S’fat Emet, Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter, taught that the entire Torah was given to the Jewish people as a whole. However, each person has his or own particular teaching, a specific goal for his or her life. Our job is to gather from everyone we meet – and make the whole Torah larger and larger.
 * Two examples are the author’s Uncle Seymour - who, even with cerebral palsy – became a lawyer and found ways of doing things that seemed impossible. The second example is his neighbor Mary, who loves plants. She grows them in her apartment, and she puts them on the balconies and the outside staircases. Mary taught him that God gives us the wisdom to make life grow almost everywhere.
 * The students were asked to come up with some people who have taught them a piece of wisdom, and to state what that person’ s Torah was.

V’zot HaBrachah Wheel The students were asked to color in the V’zot Habrachah wheel, but just the first 3 books of the Torah: Breisheet, Shemot, Vayikra. The students all have a copy of this handout. As we finish the other books of the Torah, they will be colored in, too. (At the end of the year, the students cut out each wedge and place each one in the correct order in the wheel.)

__Saturday, January 9, 2015 – Shabbat School, class taught by Morah Hemy__

Ot Hashavuah – ayin, aseret hadibrot, the Ten Commandments

Torah – Naso
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * The nation of Israel camped at Mt. Sinai for a long time. They heard the Ten Commandments and were taught many laws. They built the Mishkan and learned all about the job of being a Kohein. God taught that the Kohanim were to be holy and that all of Israel’s family was also to be holy.
 * The Jewish people are ready to move. God teaches that the tribe of Levi will take apart and move the Mishkan. Each family has its own job. For 12 days gifts are brought to the Mishkan. Each day a different tribe brings gifts.
 * God teaches the Kohanim the special words to use to bless the Jewish people.
 * When God spoke with Moses, Moses would hear a voice coming from on top of the covering. It would always be in the spot right over the ark.
 * The Head Kohein would bless the Jewish people with the words that follow, still used today by parents who bless their children on Shabbat:
 * o May God bless you and protect you.
 * o May God’s face shine on you and make things wonderful for you.
 * o May God’s face turn toward you and give you peace.
 * My Comment: Parents use these words to bless their children. If I could write a blessing for my parents, I would ask God to bless them with _.

The Ten Commandments
 * The class reviewed the Ten Commandments
 * They discussed the 5th Commandment in particular, honoring one’s parents.

Haverim Services
 * Iris lead the Haverim Services
 * Afterward, the students attended the Ruach Rally, lead by Rabbi Ohriner, and stayed for lunch after services.

__Wednesday, January 13, 2016__

Ot Hashavuah – pey, pikuach nefesh, saving a life

Torah – Be-Ha’alotekha
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * The nation of Israel is almost ready to move. God repeats some teachings. God reviews the plans for the menorah, the job of the tribe of Levi to help the Kohanim, and laws for Passover.
 * God asks Moses to make two silver horns to call the people. (When it is time for the people to move, they should blow short blasts, and when it is time for the people to come together, they should blow long blasts.) When these horns are ready God tells the tribes where to stand in the line. The people are ready to move. The ark is at the front of the line.
 * Again the people complain about the food. They want to have fish, cucumbers, melons, onions and garlic. These were the foods they ate in Egypt. Even though they have the special food manna, they want meat. Moses is angry at the people. God sends them a flock of birds to capture and eat.
 * My Comment: These are the words we say when we take the Torah out of the ark: “Move forward, Eternal! Let your enemies be scattered. And let your foes run away from You.” When I see the Torah it makes me think of.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, Chapter 3: “If There is One God, Why are there so many Religions?”
 * Story 2, “Finding God is Like Climbing a Mountain,” by Rabbi Jeff Salkin.
 * Summary: This is the metaphor: “There are many paths up the mountain.” Different paths lead to the same place. Many different religions can lead to the same God.
 * Big Ideas:
 * o Many different religions can be true at the same time.
 * o It is possible to learn something about God from a religion that is not yours.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation Questions.
 * Story 3, “In the Beginning There Was One Religion,” by Joel Lurie Grishaver.
 * Summary: God learned that people needed a religion to help them earn self-control. God made a deal with the Jewish people to be “the experimental religion” that helped God learn how to help all people.
 * Big Ideas:
 * o People need religion as a way of letting God help them control their behavior. People often let “the things they want to do” control their actions rather than “the things that they know they should do.”
 * o God is like a parent trying to get children to grow up to be responsible. God tries different plans and then picks the Jewish people to be an experiment.
 * o The Jewish people “chose” to be part of this experiment. It is like a student who volunteers to stay after class and help the teacher.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation Questions.
 * Exercise 2: Noah’s Family’s Seven Commandments
 * This exercise is about the seven commandments which were given to Noah to form the basis of all religions. First, students get to write down their own ideas of what those seven principles ought to be. Second they compare their lists with the actual list. Here is a list of the seven commandments the Midrash tells us were given to Noah’s family:
 * 1) There must be rules and judges to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
 * 2) Everyone must know that one God created all people and all things.
 * 3) No one should worship idols or think that a thing made by a person could be considered a god.
 * 4) No one can murder or intentionally injure anyone else.
 * 5) Families must be protected and considered holy.
 * 6) No one can steal.
 * 7) No one one should be cruel to animals.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli,__ ch. 6, Masada
 * Josephus was a Jewish governor in the Galilee during Roman times. In the year 66 C.E., the Jews revolted against the Romans. When Josephus was captured by the Romans, he decided to join them.
 * Josephus became a historian and wrote many books. One book recounts the story of the Jewish revolt against the Romans.
 * Masada was a fortress built in the Judean Desert, above the Dead Sea. After destroying Jerusalem in 70 C.E., the Romans chased some zealots to Masada. The zealots took over the fortress and defended it as the last place in Israel not conquered by Rome.
 * The Roman army arrived in 72 C.E. The fortress is located on top of very steep cliffs, so the zealots were able to defend themselves against the huge Roman army for a whole year.
 * The Romans built a ramp up to the top of Masada so that they could conquer the mountain. The zealots knew that they could not win a fight and that when the Romans captured them, they would be sent into slavery.
 * On the night before the approaching Roman invasion, they chose to take their own lives instead of being captured.
 * When the Roman soldiers finally got inside Masada, not a single person was left alive. We discussed how important freedom was to the zealots, and considered what Jewish things are worth protecting.
 * When you visit Masada, there are lots of things to see and learn. There are baths, parts of a palace, even a synagogue.
 * There are even great spots where you can look out and see down to the Dead Sea.

__Sunday, January 17, 2016__

Ot Hashavua – pey, pikuach nefesh, saving a life

Torah – Shelach Lekha
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * God tells Moses to send 12 spies into the land of Canaan. God picks the leader of each tribe to go. Joshua is one of the spies.
 * They spend 40 days scouting out the land. When they come back they are carrying a giant bunch of grapes. They tell the people that Canaan is a land flowing with milk and honey. They also tell them that the people who live in Canaan are giants. The spies are scared.
 * The People of Israel are scared, too. Again they complain. They say, “We want to go back to Egypt.”
 * Joshua was the one spy who believed in God. He said, “If God is happy with us, we will have that land.”
 * God is very angry with the people. Moses asks God to forgive the people. In the end, the people are ready to enter the land.
 * God teaches Moses some new rules to be taught to the people. These rules are all about how to live when they have their own land.
 * The rule to make fringes on the corner of a tallit is the last rule.
 * The students did an exercise matching ritual items with what they help us remember, including a mezuzah, matzah, and a tallit. We discussed some important things for Jews to remember.
 * My Comment: Joshua thought of the Land of Israel as “a land flowing with milk and honey.” I think of Israel as.

Prayer – Or Zarua
 * We practiced this prayer, which is part of the Kabbalat service welcoming Shabbat on Friday evenings.
 * We reviewed its meaning.

Values
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__
 * Choices are important. They affect who we are, how others see us, and how we see ourselves. They affect our families, friends, communities, the whole word.
 * Choices lead to action.
 * When it comes to making tough choices, you are not alone. For generations, our ancestors have wrestled with tough choices and have asked the same questions. Sometimes they made good choices, sometimes bad ones.
 * Sometimes the choices made by our ancestors were written down and passed on to their children, and to future generations.
 * “Days are scrolls; write on them what you choose.”
 * How do we make good choices? Sometimes we stumble upon them, based on observation or experience or prior mistakes.
 * Sometimes choices are made after a great deal of thought and reflection. An example is the “eye for an eye” rule. According to the Torah, the punishment for a person who hurts someone should be “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
 * The rabbis of the Talmud determined that it doesn’t mean you should put out the eye of someone who poked out your eye. Instead, they decided that the guilty person should pay a fine based on the seriousness of the injury. If we took “an eye for an eye” literally, then two people would end up blind – and that would solve nothing.
 * Some choices are still up in the air, and we don’t really know what the best answers are. Those choices vary from community to community and from person to person. Some “hot debate” topics include: What is the best way to achieve peace in Israel? Should prayers be recited n Hebrew only, or are other languages acceptable?

__Wednesday, January 20, 2016__

Ot Hashavua – pey, pikuach nefesh, saving a life

Hand in Hand – I explained about schools established in Israel where both Arab and Israeli children attend. This is to foster understanding of one another’s traditions and cultures. I showed the class some literature and pictures of these schools, which are for elementary school-aged children. There are four “Hand in Hand” schools in Israel.

Torah - Korah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Korah is a member of the tribe of Levi. He doesn’t think that it is fair that Moses and Aaron are the bosses. He says that all Jews are holy and that no one person should be in charge.
 * Korah wants to be the boss of the Mishkan instead of Aaron. Some people are on his sde. Moses says, “God will pick.” Then the earth opens up and swallows Korah and the people on his side. They are gone.
 * Many of the people are angry that Korah and his friends are gone. They yell at Moses and Aaron.
 * God tells Moses what to do. Moses asks the leader of each tribe to write his name on his staff and put it in the Mishkan. Aaron does the same thing. The net day Aaron’s staff turns into a tree. It has leaves, flowers and almonds. This is a sign that God has picked Aaron and his family.
 * God teaches more about what a Kohein does. When Israel moves into Canaan the tribe of Levi will be given no land. Instead they will work for God. God teaches a rule: Al Jewish farmers must share part of their harvest with the tribe of Levi.
 * My Comment: Korah and his followers didn’t understand that God picked Moses and Aaron to be leaders because they were the best people for the job. One thing I don’t understand about God is.

Holidays – Tu B’Shevat
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * The Torah teaches us to respect all life, including plant life and trees. Our ancestors were commanded not to eat the fruit of a tree for 3 years. In the 4th year, they had to give the fruit as an offering to God. In the 5th year, they could eat the fruit.
 * It would be hard to remember exactly when each tree was planted. So the years of a tree’s life are counted from one Tu BShevat to the next. Tu B’Shevat is the new year – and the birthday – of the trees.
 * At a Tu B’Shevat seder, we thank God for the gifts of nature, especially for trees. We eat different kinds of fruit:
 * o Fruits that have peels or shells that need to be removed, such as oranges, grapefruits, and almonds.
 * o Fruits that have a pit, such as dates, peaches and olives.
 * o Fruits that have tiny seeds inside, that can be eaten whole, such as raisins, figs, and berries.
 * We drink four different kinds of wine or grape juice, white, white mixed with a little red, red mixed with a little white, and red. We recite the blessings over fruit and wine, and thank God for all the good things that trees give us.
 * The Bible teaches that there are seven types, or species, of fruits and grains – wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates – that are special crops of Israel. On Tu B’Shevat it is a tradition to eat fruit from Israel.
 * While in North America we are in winter time, in Israel at the time of Tu B’Shevat, the winter rains have mostly stopped by the end of January or in February. The weather is warmer and green buds have begun to appear.
 * Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet stands for a number. The name Tu B’Shevat comes from the letter “tet” which equals 9, and “vav” which equals 6. Together they make the sound “Tu” and add up to 15. Hence the name, “15th of Shevat” or “Tu B’Shevat.”
 * Many people donate money to plant trees in Israel. You can receive a certificate for the trees you plant that honor someone special to you, it is a mitzvah to plant a tree.
 * Since the 1970s, Tu B’Shevat has become a holiday on which we not only celebrate the gifts of nature but also renew our commitment to care for the environment. We make efforts to use water and energy – like gasoline and electricity – wisely, to plant trees, and to recycle paper, glass, and metal.
 * The story of an old woman was told. She is planting a tiny carob tree seedling. She is asked, if it takes 70 years for the carob tree to bear fruit, will she expect she will live long enough to eat of its fruit. The woman replies, “I found the world filled with carob trees because my parents and grandparents planted them for me. Now I am planting one for my children and grandchildren.”
 * Riddle: What do we owe to planet Earth and to each generation to which we give birth? The answer: We should plant trees and care for nature so that the next generation can share in the goodness that our parents passed on to us.
 * The students placed the correct sticker on the holiday treasure trail.
 * The students completed the Elijahrocks Word Puzzle for Tu B’Shevat in class. They received handouts of Elijahrocks Tu B’Shevat Dictionary Words and Blessings.
 * **HOMEWORK: JHIPS for Tu B’Shevat, due on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016.**

Ilan Ramon
 * He was the first Israeli astronaut.
 * He was among the crew of 7 astronauts aboard the Columbia spacecraft, which launched January 16, 2003. For the next 16 days in space, all went smoothly. Science experiments were carried out.
 * On February 1, 2003, a large crowd had gathered to welcome the crew safely home. The Columbia was headed back to Earth right on schedule.
 * Then, a few minutes bore the Columbia was to touch down, a problem was noticed. The temperatures had started to rise and none of the sensors were working. All communication was lost, and the shuttle blasted apart. There were no survivors. The world lost seven astronauts that day, one of whom was Ilan Ramon.
 * When Ilan Ramon was orbiting, he flew over Israel. It was around the time of Tu B’Shevat. He called upon every Jew in the world to plant a tree in the land of Israel.
 * Before Ilan went on this mission, he gathered Jewish items to take into space with him. He took a drawing by Petr Ginz, a 14-year-old boy who had died in the Holocaust. The drawing was a picture of the earth from the view of someone standing on the moon. Ilan also brought with him a miniature copy of the Torah, which had belonged to a scientist in Tel Aviv named Joachim Joseph. Mr. Joseph was in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp as a boy of 13 years old. In the same barracks was a rabbi, Rabbi Dasberg, who had been the chief rabbi of the Netherlands. While at the camp, the Rabbi trained Joachim Joseph how to read from the Torah – a tiny scroll the Rabbi had brought with him into the camp. So Joachim became a “Bar Mitzvah” at the camp. The rabbi gave the boy the tiny Torah as a gift, but asked him to tell its story.
 * When Ilan asked Mr. Joseph if he could take the Torah into space, the scientist said yes. The story of the Torah was told to the word on Jan. 21, 2003, when Ilan held the scroll up during a live teleconference from aboard the space shuttle Columbia.
 * The students received two handouts to take home and read: A Mercury News article from March 1, 2003 called “Torah’s flight fulfills promise,” by Debbi Wilgoren, and an activity sheet called “A New Leaf.”

I hope some of you were able to attend the Tu B’Shevat seder for youth on Saturday, Jan. 22 at Beth David. Please let me know if your child attended, and he or she will earn a sticker! And I hope you can celebrate a meaningful Tu B’Shevat with your families on Monday, January 25.

I also hope you are planning to attend our Tzedakah Day tomorrow, Sunday, January 24, 2016. Morah Ora and I are helping out, so we will see you there! (Our regular JYEP classes will resume on Wednesday, January 27, 2016.) L’hitraot, see you soon!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

December 31, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel 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!

Jan. 17, 2016: 11:15 am Kitah Gimel Parent FEH – Values 11:45 am All Parent Education – Values Jan. 31, 2016: 11:45 am All Parent Education - Israel
 * __Important Reminders:__**
 * Homework: JHIPS for Hanukkah was due on Dec. 6, 2015. If your child has not turned this in yet, please have him or her do so on January 6, 2016. You may help if needed.
 * Homework: Please have your child read through the Ten Commandments several times. (A copy is in each child’s binder.) We will be reviewing them regularly in class, with the goal of memorizing them by the end of the school year.
 * Class resumes on Wednesday, January 6, 2016.
 * The class following Wednesday’s class is a SHABBAT SCHOOL day – on Saturday, January 9, 2016.
 * Upcoming programs to add to your calendar:

This letter will bring you up to date on our last five classes. We have covered a lot of material, so I thank you in advance for reading this through!

Ot Hashavuah – lamed, limud, learning
 * __Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015__**

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Acharei Mot
 * The most important day in the Jewish year is Yom Kippur. On this day, the Kohanim have special duties to do, especially the worship services.
 * God teaches Aaron and his sons all the things they will have to do to help the Jewish people ask for forgiveness.
 * God teaches that Yom Kippur is to be like a special Shabbat. No one is to work. All Jews are to spend the day making up for the bad things they have done in the past year.
 * The class did written exercises, and we discussed what the word “atonement” means.
 * My Comment: Yom Kippur is the day when we try to become the best possible person we can be. One way I could become a better person is _.

Holidays
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ – Hanukkah
 * Daniel finds two dreidles for Hanukkah, one with a nun, gimmel, hay, and shin, for “Nes gadol hayah sham” or “A great miracle happened there.” The other, which his Israeli cousin Rivkah gave him, has the letters nun, gimmel, hay, and pay, for “Nes gadol hayah po” or “A great miracle happens here.” This is because the story of Hanukkah happened in Israel, so that is why the Israelis say “here.” Instructions are given for how to play the game of dreidle.
 * The hanukkiyah holds nine candles. Each night of Hanukkah we light an additional candle using the shammash or “helper” candle, until on the eighth night, all eight candles plus the shammash burn brightly. A hanukkiyah can be made of clay, metal, or glass.
 * Some children receive Hanukkah gelt - money that is made of chocolate.
 * Elijah welcomes Daniel and Rivkah to “ElijahRocks.” The prophet tells them the story of Hanukkah, how Israel was ruled by the Syrians more than 2,000 years ago. The Syrians followed Greek customs and traditions. Some Jews began to accept Greek ways, too. This worried and angered some Jews. They were afraid that Jews who behaved like Greeks would stop being Jewish.
 * Then Antiochus, the Syrian king, decided to force all the Jews to stop being Jewish. He said Jews could no longer study Torah, they had to stop celebrating Shabbat and Jewish festivals, and they had to start worshipping Greek gods.
 * On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Syrians entered the Temple in Jerusalem, the holiest place of the Jewish people. The Syrians put out the flame of the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light. This was the Menorah, or candlestick with seven branches, whose light had burned day and night as a sign of God’s constant presence. The Syrians then placed statues of the Greek gods in the Temple.
 * A brave man named Mattathias lived in Modi’in, not far from Jerusalem. He and his five sons led a revolt against the Syrians. Mattathias said, “Whoever is for God, follow me.” The rebels hid in the hills and other Jews joined them. Mattathias’s son Judah became their leader after his father died. He became known as Judah the Maccabee, or Judah the Hammer. His fighters were called the Maccabees.
 * The Syrians had a huge army and many weapons. The Maccabees were a small group with few weapons. But they knew the best places to hide and then attack the Syrians. They fought hard for three long years. Finaly, they drove Antiochus’s army out of Jerusalem.
 * When the Jews came back to the Temple, they destroyed the idols, cleaned the Temple, rebuilt the altar to God, and relit the Temple’s Menorah. On the 25th day of Kislev, three years after the Syrians had entered the Temple, the Jews rededicated the Temple to God.
 * The Hebrew word for dedication is Hanukkah, and that is how the holiday got its name. It is also called the Festival of Lights, or Hag Ha’urim. It is a holiday of light and hope. Elijah tells Daniel and Rivkah, “Our people’s victory over a large and powerful enemy was a miracle. The story teaches us to be proud and strong Jews.”
 * On Hanukkah, it is a custom to eat food that has been fried in oil, like latkes, or potato pancakes, or sufganiyot, or jelly donuts. This reminds us of the legend of the oil.
 * The Hanukkah riddle is “In the deepest dark of winter night, what shines big and bright?” Rivkah and Daniel are “transported” back to the time of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. They watch as the Jews destroy the Greek idols and scrub, patch, and polish the Temple. They overhear a man cry out, “What shall we do? There is just enough oil to keep the light of the Menorah burning for only one day. It will take a week before the fresh oil is ready.” A woman next to him suggests they use the oil they have, start to make more, and pray for a miracle. Daniel realizes the answer to the riddle is the legend of the Hanukkah miracle – it tells how enough oil for only one day lasted for eight days. The answer to the riddle is the light of the Hanukkah menorah. It reminds us that God is always present, even in the dark of winter. After this, the cousins are transported home, ready to celebrate the holiday.
 * The students put the correct sticker (a hanukkiyah) on the treasure trail. They completed the Elijahrocks Word Puzzle, and were given the blessings and dictionary words to take home.
 * We lit a hanukkiyah in class with beautiful Tzfat candles, and sang all the blessings and the song, “Maoz Tzur.” As we have 8 students in Kitah Gimel, each student got to light a candle. It added light and warmth to our room!
 * HOMEWORK: JHIPS for Hanukkah! Only a few students completed this homework, which was due on Dec. 2! Please have your child complete this and turn it in on January 6. You may help out if needed!

Values
 * I asked the students to take home a handout called “Too Many to Mention – Family Version.”
 * They were asked to complete this sheet with their family members. (These have since been turned in, so thank you for working on this assignment with your child.)

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

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Kedoshim
 * Being holy is being special and different. Being holy is being like God. God teaches all of the Jewish people, “You should be holy because I, the Eternal your God, am holy.
 * God teaches that being holy means honoring parents, not worshipping idols, observing Shabbat, leaving the corners of your fields for those who are hungry, not stealing, not taking advantage of the disabled, judging cases fairly, not hating people, and loving your neighbor as yourself.
 * God reminds us to treat strangers fairly because we were strangers in the land of Egypt.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * Different words come from the root for “holy” or “kodesh.” Some are Kedoshim, the name of the sidrah, and Kiddush, said over the wine.
 * My Comment: We have many chances to be holy every day. One way I will try to be holy is.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 15, Modi’in, Judah Maccabee
 * The Greeks made the Temple unholy and made rules to keep Jews from living a Jewish life.
 * The Jews could not study Torah, observe Shabbat or holidays, could not do their traditional practices.
 * Judah the Maccabee led the revolt to gain freedom, and successfully conquered the Syrian army.
 * When cleaning the Temple, the Jews found only enough oil to last one day, but, so the legend goes, it lasted for eight days – which gave them time to make new oil. This is why we celebrate the holiday for eight days.
 * The Maccabees lived in the town of Modi’in, at the base of the Judean hills, very close to Jerusalem. Today, there is a modern town of Modi’in, almost exactly between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, in the middle of Israel. It is a new city, with the first building built there in 1993. It has schools, houses, and lots of parks, and many Americans who have made aliyah settle in Modi’in.
 * A map shows different towns in Israel, and a bus schedule. The students completed an exercise to plan a route to travel by bus to see these cities located in the northern half of Israel. Bus is the easiest and cheapest way to get around Israel. There are many buses going between cities every day.

Story
 * I began reading the book __The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate__, by Janice Cohn.
 * Here is a summary of this story:

“ In Billings, Montana, a Menorah displayed in a boy's bedroom prompted someone to throw a rock through the window. The resulting true story of one town's fight against bigotry is the subject of this award-winning book….. Cohn's powerful narrative tells how two children, two families — one Jewish, one Christian — and a community resolve to stand together against the shameful actions that have been happening in their home town. Janice Cohn’s story is based on real events that happened in Billings, in 1993.”

Ot Hashavuah – nun, nedivut, generosity
 * __Wednesday, December 9, 2015__**

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 5, Eilat, King Solomon
 * King Solomon was the son of King David. He was known for being a very wise person. Jews from all over came to seek his advice.
 * The story was read of the two women, both claiming to be the baby’s mother. The King was asked to determine who is the real mother. He thought long and hard, then decided to cut the baby in half. The real mother screams, saying “No! I would rather she have my child than him being hurt!” And with that, the King knew that this was the baby’s true mother.
 * King Solomon helped to strengthen the Israelite Kingdom. He built the Temple in Jerusalem and unified B’nei Yisrael.
 * In the very south of Israel, on the coast of the Red Sea, King Solomon built a settlement named Eilat. Here he built fleets of ships to help defend his kingdom.
 * In the same area as King Solomon’s Eilat is the modern city of Eilat. It is in the Negev desert and very far from most other cities.
 * Eilat is the only place in Israel that is on the Red Sea. It has a big port for shipping things around the world. From Eilat you can see Jordan, Egypt, and even Saudi Arabia.
 * Eilat is best known as a fun place to go on vacation. It has beautiful beaches with big, fancy hotels up and down the coast.
 * The weather is always perfect in Eilat - if you like it hot. It is very hot in Eilat almost all year long. Tourists come to Eilat to sit on the beach and sunbathe. It is a good place to rest and relax. It is a good place to go snorkeling, because of its coral reefs and many colorful fish.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 2 – “Where Does God Come From?”
 * Story 1 – “A Lesson from Monique,” by Rabbi Brad Artson
 * Summary: Rabbi Artson’s daughter finds a doll that her father once owned. The doll is old and worn. She manages to love this old doll the way her father once did. Rabbi Artson makes the point that feelings can go on from one person to another because they come from God. People are finite. Feelings and God go on forever.
 * Big Ideas:
 * God doesn’t have a beginning or ending. God doesn’t come from anywhere. God always was and always will be.
 * Feelings, especially love, can help us understand that things can be eternal. Unlike people and rocks, they have no physical substance.
 * Feelings come from God.
 * When there is a special connection between people, God is part of that.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Web exercise – the students were given a picture of a web (spider, not wordwide), and asked to write their name in the middle, and then the names of those people they were closest to in the first ring, next closest in the second, and so on.
 * Then I drew a web on the board, and asked the students where they would put God, Shira, Abba, Mama, and Monique, all characters in the story that we had read. I asked who of the characters would they put at the center of the web, and does it matter who is at the center of this web.

Story
 * I finished reading __The Christmas Menorahs__.
 * We discussed the message of speaking up when there is injustice and discrimination. Another message is that many voices together builds unity and can have an impact. Joining together with others gives people courage to stand up to what is wrong.

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

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 2 – “Where Does God Come From?”
 * Exercise 1 – “The Letter Bet Teaches us a Lesson”
 * Big Ideas:
 * The shapes of Hebrew letters can teach us lessons (Hebrew is a holy language). Some interpretations were explained.
 * We cannot know what happened before creation – only what happened after creation. There is only one “open” side of the letter “bet” and it represents the future. We can help plan and create the future. We cannot plan and wonder about what came before the first “bet” – “bet” for “Breisheet” begins the Torah.
 * The Bet has a “foot” that is pointed back toward the Alef. Alef begins the Hebrew word for God, Elohim. This teaches that God was before creation - God was before anything else.
 * According to some rabbis, there is no point asking where God came from, but there is a point asking where we can go with God’s help.
 * Lamed is the last letter in the Torah. The students were asked to make up their own lesson about God, based on the shape of the lamed.
 * One rabbi taught that the lamed is the tallest letter in the Torah. He said it teaches that one who studies Torah is lifted up, made tall.
 * Lamed is the last letter in the Torah. Breisheet, the first word, begins with Bet. The rabbis put these two letters together and saw that they formed the word “lev,” which means heart.

Ten Commandments
 * We read through the Ten Commandments.
 * I asked the class to read them at home.

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 Gimel attended this service. Iris lead 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.

Ot Hashavuah – nun, nedivut, generosity
 * __Wednesday, December 16, 2015__**

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ - Emor
 * All Kohanim come from Aaron’s family. They must come from the Kohein family of the Tribe of Levi. Levi was one of Israel’s 12 sons. God teaches Moses more rules that help Aaron and his sons keep their family holy.
 * While Kohanim have special things to do every day, they do their most important work on holidays. God teaches Moses about Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot.
 * Shabbat is a holiday that comes every week. We rest after a week of work because God restsed after 6 days of creating.
 * Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot are all harvest holidays. They are times that people bring gift-offerings to thank God for the good harvest.
 * We discussed what holidays are for, and why we have Jewish holidays.
 * My Comment: In this sidrah we learn about many Jewish holidays. My favorite Jewish holiday is __. We discussed this rather than write, due to Shabbat.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Be-Har
 * Most holidays last a day. Some holidays, like Sukkot and Passover, last a whole week. God now teaches Moses the rules for two holidays that each last a whole year.
 * Shabbat comes once every seven days. We rest on every Shabbat.
 * God teaches Moses that every seven years there is to be a “Shabbat Year.” In the seventh year, the land should get to rest. During a “Shabbat Year” Jews do no farming.
 * After seven “Shabbat Years” have passed, which would be 49 years total, comes the “Jubilee Year,” which is the 50th year. It is a year-long holiday. In a “Jubilee Year,” everyone goes free. We forget about any money a person owes, and debts are forgiven. In a “Jubilee Year” we blow the shofar and say “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.” These words are written on the American Liberty bell.
 * The students did an exercise to understand the concepts of a “Shabbat Year” and a “Jubilee Year.”
 * We discussed why the founding parents of the United States used a sentence from the Torah to mark the liberty bell.
 * My Comment: This sentence from this sidrah is written on the Liberty Bell. It reminds me that freedom is _.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Be-Hukkotai
 * God has had Moses teach the Jewish people many laws and rules. God wants the Jewish people to follow these laws very carefully.
 * God promises Israel’s family five blessings if they obey all these teachings.
 * o God will make the Land of Israel a place where much food grows.
 * o Following the laws will bring peace to that land.
 * o If the laws are followed, the people will not have to be afraid of having enemies.
 * o The family of Israel will grow and be happy.
 * o If Israel’s family keeps all the laws, God will be with them. God says, “I will be your God and you will be My people.”
 * God warns that not following these rules will lead to very bad things.
 * This is the last sidrah in the book of Vayikra, Leviticus. This book contains many mitzvot that teach us the right things to do, such as honor your parents, be kind when someone needs help, make Shabbat a special day.
 * My Comment: The book of Vayikra is full of laws and rules. I think the most important rule to remember is.
 * We sing special words each time we complete a book of the Torah: “Hazak, hazak, v’nithazeik,” which means “Be strong, be strong, and let us grow stronger together.”

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 2, “Where Does God Come From?”
 * Stories 2 & 3 – “God is Forever,” by Rabbi Sybil Sheridan and Rabbi Jeff Salkin
 * Summary: Both rabbis give about the same answer. “God doesn’t work the way that other things do. It may be hard to understand, but God has no beginning or end. God didn’t come from anywhere.”
 * Big Ideas:
 * o Rabbi Sheridan “What matters is what God does for us and what we can do for God.” The Rabbi is saying, don’t worry about where God comes from – worry about the difference God makes in your life. What matters most is what God does for us and what we can do for God. That is, we learn our truth about God from the way we experience God. We have things for which we can thank God – and there are things we do because God wants us to do them.
 * o Rabbi Salkin: God doesn’t come from anywhere. It is hard to imagine but it is true. God doesn’t come //from// – because God just //is//.
 * Exercise 2 – “Where Did You Come From?”
 * The Talmud teaches that there were three partners in your creation: your mother, your father, and God. The students were asked to list some things from each source. These are not necessarily physical traits, but habits, interests, values, or pieces of wisdom.
 * Big Ideas:
 * o God is part of our family. God helped in making us who we are.
 * o One of our jobs is to be thankful and acknowledge gifts.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 4 – 6:15 pm.

Please note again that the class after that one will be a SHABBAT SCHOOL, on Saturday, January 9, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.

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

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 21, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

I hope you all had a good week, and a Shabbat Shalom!

I was glad to see several Kitah Gimel 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!**
 * **Classes Resume: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015**
 * **HOMEWORK: “Too Many to Menschen: Family Version” handout (if you haven’t done this yet with your child, please complete as a family for Wed., Dec. 2, 2015. Thank you.).**
 * **Hanukkah begins: Sunday evening, Dec. 6, 2015**

Here is an update on our last two classes, on Saturday, Nov. 14, and on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Ot Hashavuah – tet, hakarat haTov, recognizing the good
 * __Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, Shabbat School__**

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Torah__ – Tazria
 * Aaron and his sons work in the Mishkan and help with the offerings.
 * God teaches that they are the ones who should help the Jewish people with their health problems, just like today’s doctors.
 * God teaches them what to do for women who have given birth to children.
 * God also teaches them how to cure a very bad skin disease called leprosy.
 * The Kohanim helped many people who were sick. They did not have as many tools to help them as doctors have today.
 * We did a written exercise.
 * We discussed, Does believing help a sick person get better?
 * My Comment: Being sick is not much fun. The worst thing about being sick is _.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 1, “How Do We Know There Really is a God?”
 * Story 2, “I Just Have to Care,” by Rabbi Ed Feinstein
 * Summary: An angry man complains to a rabbi that there is too much pain and suffering in the world to believe in God. In the course of discussion the rabbi asks three times, Why do you care? Exasperated, the man responds, “I have to care!” In the end, the rabbi responds, “As long as you care, we know God is real.”
 * Big Idea: Human caring shows that God exists.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation questions.
 * Story 3, “Uh-Oh,” by Rabbi Jeff Salkin
 * Summary: The feeling that you get when you do something wrong is called “conscience.”
 * Big Idea: Conscience is another possible sign that there is a God.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation questions.

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.

Ot Hashavuah – lamud, limud, learning
 * __Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015__**

Torah
 * Text: __My Weeklly Sidrah__ – Metzora
 * God teaches Aaron and his sons more about leprosy, a disease that can be caught by touching a person who has it.
 * God shows the Kohanim how to help the lepers while keeping other people safe. Rules are given about how to know when the leprosy has been cured and when it is safe for those who are better to come back to the camp.
 * God also teaches Aaron and his sons how to fix a house that has stuff oozing from the walls. God calls it “house leprosy.”
 * Part of being a Kohein is taking care of other people.
 * The Kohanim had many special jobs to do. In addition to taking care of people who are sick, they helped women who had just given birth, they helped to maintain the always-burning light, they polished the menorah, they made gift-offerings to God.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * My Comment: Even houses can get sick if no one takes care of them. One way I can help take care of my house is by _.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 1, “How Do We Know There Really is a God?”
 * Story 4, “The Puppy,” by Aaron Roth
 * Summary: Aaron thought that science explained everything, including love. Love was just a chemical reaction in the brain. Then his family adopted a dog. His feelings for the dog were profound, and that led him to think that love was a gift from God.
 * Big Ideas: Love can be evidence that God exists. One can respect science and still believe in God.
 * I asked Comprehension and Interpretation questions.

The Ten Commandments
 * We read through the Ten Commandments.
 * The students started a game to help them learn all ten.

Story for Thanksgiving
 * I read the story, __Molly’s Pilgrim__, by Barbara Cohen.
 * A summary: “ Molly and her parents are a Jewish family who have emigrated from Russia to the United States to escape religious persecution. Molly is the only Jewish child in third grade. When Thanksgiving arrives, the teacher assigns a project to make a Pilgrim doll. Molly is embarrassed by her mother's attempts to help with her Thanksgiving project. She makes a pilgrim doll — but dresses it in Russian clothing. Soon, however, Molly learns that it takes all kinds of ‘pilgrims’ to make a Thanksgiving.”
 * We discussed this story, involving discrimination, appreciating others who are different than we are, and seeing everyone “b’tzelem Elohim,” in God’s image.

Morah Ora joins me in wishing you and your families a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving. As we will not see the children this Sunday, please especially wish your children a “Happy Thanksgiving” from both Morah Ora and me. We hope everyone has a good and restful break.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for Parent/Teacher Conferences in the Kitah Gimel classroom. The children will have their own special program, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.

L’hitraot, see you soon!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 12, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Greetings. I hope you have had a good week, and wish you and your families a Shabbat Shalom.

Kitah Gimel gave awesome Siddur speeches at the Siddur Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 6. I was proud and pleased by their decorum and by their presentations. I hope all of you enjoyed the Ceremony, too. You all created lovely bookmarks. Thank you once again for taking the time, effort, and energy to make them. They will be treasured!


 * Important Reminders:**
 * **__This Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, SHABBAT SCHOOL.__**
 * **__The JYEP students will not be attending the Ruach Rally. Please collect your children at the Tent, where they will have Kiddush and Motzi.__**
 * **NO SCHOOL on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015.**
 * **Don’t forget to RSVP for Jewish Time Travel, Saturday night, Nov. 14, 7 – 9:30 pm at San Jose History Park.**
 * **Regular JYEP classes, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, 4 – 6:15 pm.**
 * **Parent Conferences, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. Students have a special program, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.**
 * **Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 25 – 29, 2015**

Following is a summary of our last two classes.


 * __Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015__**

Exhibit on Yitzhak Rabin, a display by the Dror Israel Movement.
 * o The students heard a talk by a representative from the Dror Israel Movement. Through posters, he explained the life of Yitzhak Rabin, how he initially wanted to be a water engineer, was in the military and served for 25 years in the army, finally reaching the Chief of Staff position. Later, when he entered politics, he came to realize that seeking peace for Israel was a top value. To that end, he was willing to exchange land for peace. Some Israelis agreed with him, some did not. There was a picture of Rabin shaking hands with Yasser Arafat, with Bill Clinton behind them, arms outstretched around both. The students were asked what they thought Rabin and Arafat were thinking as they were shaking hands, and their body language was studied. Some think that Rabin showed hesitation, or a feeling of distrust. Yigal Amir, an Israeli religious extremist, assassinated Yitzhak Rabin on November 4, 1995 at the conclusion of a rally in Tel Aviv. (The Beth David students were seeing this exhibit exactly 20 years later.) The Dror Movement opens a dialogue with its audiences about ways of resolving conflict without violence.
 * o Dror Israel is a “pioneering educational movement whose mission is to establish and create long-term and meaningful educational and social change in Israeli society.” The Movement encourages solidarity, social activism, democracy and equality. It creates “educators’ kibbutzim” where people are educated and trained to promote these ideas.
 * o Dror Israel’s programming reaches 100,000 participants:
 * o Programs for Jewish youth from the diaspora.
 * o Groups of immigrant youth from the former Soviet Union.
 * o Professional assistance for working youth on employment issues.
 * o Schools and after-school programs for at-risk youth.
 * o LGBT youth groups.
 * o Jewish learning groups.
 * o Educational workshops with the IDF and the border police.
 * o Daily workshops in schools all across the country.
 * o Journeys to Poland.
 * o Co-existence activities for Jewish and Arab youth and educators.

Ot Hashavua – Het, Herut, Freedom

Siddur Practice We practiced one last time in the Sanctuary with the microphone. Some students had a hard time concentrating, and being patient while others read their speeches.

Song Practice We practiced the prayer “L’chu Neranena” one last time, too.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Vayikra
 * God teaches about the worship services in the Mishkan.
 * People are to give gift-offerings, or sacrifices, to God in the Mishkan.
 * The regular offering is to be made every day. It can be cooked cow, sheep or goat, or it can be a cooked bird. It can be made of flour and oil.
 * Another kind of offering is for expressing hope for peace.
 * Other offerings are ways of saying “I am sorry that I did something wrong.”
 * My Comment: In this part of the Torah God teaches many rules. One important rule I will always remember is _.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Tzav
 * God teaches that there is to be an always-burning flame on the altar, a “ner tamid.”
 * Aaron and his sons always have to be ready to make an offering. There is to be a morning offering, an afternoon offering, and an offering made in the evening.
 * People also make offerings when they want to say “thank you” or when they want to say “I am sorry.”
 * God reviews all the rules for how to make an offering, and teaches everything that the Kohanim are supposed to do.
 * God orders Jews not to eat any blood, nor to eat meat from an animal that was killed by a wild animal.
 * My Comment: God ordered the Jewish people to keep an always-burning light. One thing I think should last forever is __.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 3, Sde Boker
 * David Ben Gurion is called the “father of Israel.”
 * He was Israel’s first Prime Minister, and the leader who helped Israel gain independence in 1948.
 * He loved the desert and thought it was really important for Jews to move there and make the desert bloom.
 * Israelis made parks, schools, and even farms in the middle of the desert.
 * David Ben Gurion moved there with his wife. They lived on a kibbutz called Sde Boker, in the middle of the desert.
 * It overlooks a huge crater. There are ibex and other animals there. It is hot.
 * David Ben Gurion and his wife are buried there and his grave is a national monument. Many people visit it every year to learn about this great Jewish hero and the things he did in his life.
 * David Ben Gurion was born David Green. He changed his name to sound more Jewish and more Israeli.


 * __Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – tet, Hakarat HaTov, Recognizing the Good in People

Blessing – We practiced the blessing for studying from the Torah:

// Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu la’asok b’divrei torah //.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to study words of Torah.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Shemini
 * The special service to celebrate Aaron’s turn as Head Kohein comes to an end.
 * Moses and Aaron bless the people.
 * God sends a fire down that burns the offering, and the people cheer.
 * Nadav and Abihu, two of Aaron’s son,s sneak into the Mishkan, and do something with the incense altar. They are burnt by a strange fire.
 * Later God has Moses warn Aaron and his sons to be careful about drinking wine or strong drinks before they work in the Mishkan.
 * God teaches all the rules about what kinds of foods Jews should or should not eat.
 * God teaches that animals that may be eaten must have split hooves and chew their cud.
 * Birds that can be eaten must not be hunters.
 * Edible fish must have both fins and scales.
 * Today many foods that are kosher have a special sign on the label. All of these signs show that a food is kosher.
 * My Comment: One of the jobs of the Kohanim was to teach the people the right thing to do. Someone who teaches me the right thing to do is.
 * I brought in several cans and boxes of foods and asked the students to find the kosher symbol on them.
 * We discussed how the laws of kashrut are intended to help the Jews think about what they are eating, and to help bring them closer to holiness.
 * We talked about some basic rules: no pork, no shellfish, not mixing dairy with meat.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 1, “How Do We Know There Really is a God?”
 * Story 1: “The Garden in the Middle of the Forest”
 * Summary: Two explorers come across a beautiful garden in the middle of a forest. One sees it as a miracle, the other doesn’t. They do experimental observations in order to find the gardener or ruler responsible for the garden, but none of them work. In the end they are left only with a garden and different opinions about its origin.
 * Big Ideas:
 * o Some people see evidence of God in the beauty and complexity of everything in the world. This is called “argument from design.”
 * o Other people don’t buy that argument. They look at the world and believe that it could have evolved through accident and coincidence.
 * I placed 3 objects on the table for the students to examine: a shofar, a leaf, and a baby picture. I explained that we can’t know and we don’t know for certain if there really is a God – but we can use our senses to find out if there is evidence of God’s presence. Looking at the 3 objects, I asked the students how might one of them provide a clue that God is in the world.
 * Exercise 1: Hide and Seek
 * There is a traditional Hasidic story where a grandfather explained to a grandchild that God often feels like someone who is hiding when those looking have given up seeking. This story invites students to find the Godly in ordinary experiences.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your students tomorrow. And I hope you can attend the Jewish Time Travel event tomorrow night.

L’hitraot, see you soon! Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

Nov. 3, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Our class is very excited about Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 Kabbalat Shabbat Services, and the Siddur Ceremony, when the students will each receive their own Siddur, and your beautiful bookmarks! **Thank you to all parents who came in on Sunday, November 1, to work on those bookmarks. Each message is so creative and thoughtful, and I know will be treasured by your child.**


 * Thank you also to those who were able to attend the Parent Education Hour with Rabbi Ohriner on the Siddur.** I hope the information will enable you to help your child navigate the Siddur. There is much to learn from it!


 * A Request: For our Siddur Ceremony and Kabbalat Shabbat services, would you please have your child dress nicely, in Shabbat clothes?** Nice pants and shirt for the boys, nice skirt or dress or slacks/top for the girls. This will help preserve the sanctity of Shabbat, and make it an extra special day. **Also, please try to arrive a little early, by 6:25 pm.** Services begin at 6:30 pm and will last about one hour. Following services we will have the potluck dinner, starting at about 7:30 pm. **If you haven’t done so yet, please do RSVP for the dinner as soon as possible to Andrea at JYEP@beth-david.org.**

It has been awhile since I’ve written, and I want to catch you up with our classes. Here is an update for our last 6 classes, held on Oct. 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, and Nov. 1. Please note that I was absent on October 25, due to a visit from my grandson and his parents, and Irene Swedroe covered my classes for me.

__Ot Hashavuah__ – Hey, hoda’ah, gratitude
 * __Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015__**

__Siddur Paragraphs__ Students were given time to think about and begin writing out their thoughts for the Siddur Ceremony speeches.

__Song Practice__ We rehearsed our Kabbalat Shabbat prayer, L’chu Neranena.

__Genesis Stories__ We reviewed the story of the brothers Cain and Abel. Cain, a farmer, becomes incensed when Abel, who is a shepherd, has his offering to God accepted, while Cain’s offer is not. Cain ends up killing his brother. When God asks him, What have you done? Cain replies, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” We discussed this question, and why we all are most definitely our brother’s keeper.

__Israel__ __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 1, Israel We learned the following:
 * Abraham and Sarah were the first Jews
 * They lived in Ur, to the northeast of the Land of Israel.
 * Abraham was like everyone else, but one day, something special happened..
 * God spoke to him, and said, “Go from your land…from your father’s house…and go to the land that I will show you.”
 * God promised Abraham that God would make Abraham a great nation. God would bless him, make his name great, and Abraham will be a blessing.
 * Abraham agreed to leave his home in Ur. God led Abraham and Sarah to the Land of Israel.
 * The Land of Israel has many different areas: the north, green with plants, is the Galil; the south, with a very big desert, is the Negev; the middle of Israel - the eastern part is very hilly and the western part is flat; most Israelis live along the coast, which is called the Coastal Plain; and the area between Israel’s two large lakes – the Kinneret in the north and the Dead Sea in the south – is called the Jordan River Valley, since the Jordan River connects the two lakes.

__Ot Hashavuah__ – Hey, Hoda’ah, Gratitude
 * __Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015__**

__Siddur Paragraphs/Backing Sheets__ Students were given a lot of time to continue writing their Siddur Ceremony speeches. They also began coloring in the backing sheets for their speeches. Some students practiced reading the speeches in class.

__Song Practice__ We rehearsed our Kabbalat Shabbat prayer, L’chu Neranena.

__Ot Hashavuah__ – Vav, V’ahavta, And you shall love…. God, your neighbor as yourself
 * __Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015__**

__Siddur Paragraphs/Backing Sheets__ Students were given time to work on their speeches, and if ready, to start writing the final draft. They also continued coloring in the backing sheets for their speeches.

When they completed the speech and the backing sheet, the students were asked to glue them to either side of a piece of colorful construction paper.

We were able to practice reading the speeches in the Sanctuary, using a microphone.

__Genesis Stories__ We discussed the story of Noah and the Flood.
 * People were acting badly; the earth was filled with evil and with violence. God was sorry God had created the world, and decided to destroy the people and the animals God created with a great flood.
 * But Adonai saw that Noah was a righteous man, a good man in his time. Noah walked with God.
 * God instructed Noah to build an ark. God made a covenant with Noah. So Noah did everything that God commanded him.
 * After Noah built the ark, he took his family into it. Every animal came into the ark, two by two, male and female.
 * When the flood came, the sky burst open and it poured rain for 40 days and 40 nights. It continued until every hill and mountain of the earth was covered with water. Every living being on the earth was destroyed. Only Noah and those with him in the ark lived. The waters continued for 150 days.
 * God remembered Noah and all the animals in the ark. God sent a wind across the earth, and the waters went down. The ark came to rest on Mount Ararat.
 * Noah opened the window of the ark. He sent out a dove, to see if the waters had dried up from the earth, but the dove found no place to land and returned to the ark.
 * After 7 more days Noah again sent out the dove. This time the dove brought back an olive leaf. Then Noah knew that the waters had lowered from the earth.
 * After 7 more days Noah again sent out the dove. This time it did not return to him anymore, and Noah came out from the ark. He built an altar and made offerings to God.
 * God blessed Noah and his family and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. All the animals of the earth are given into your hand. You shall be responsible for them. You may eat the meat of the animals, but you may not eat the animals live or eat their blood. You shall also be responsible for other people. You must not kill any person. All people are created in God’s image.
 * God makes God’s Covenant with Noah, all of Noah’s children, and all living things, that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood. God puts a rainbow in the clouds, a sign and a reminder of the Covenant between God and all people and animals that live on the earth.

__Prayer Practice__ We practiced the prayer, Yismechu Hashamayim, which is sung at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday night. We discussed its meaning.

We practiced the prayer, L’chu Neranena, also part of the Friday evening service, which Kitah Gimel will be leading during the Siddur Ceremony on Nov. 6.

__Ideas for Student Bookmark Prayer__ We discussed ideas for prayer. Some ideas were for food, shelter, clothing, items in nature, health, and sports. We read through a pamphlet called “Let’s Discover God – Thanking God.” Some points mentioned in it are: The students completed a short worksheet, called “Thank You.” They completed the following letter: Dear God, Thank you for creating __.__ __It is my favorite__ __.__ __What I like most about it is__ ___.__ __And thank you for__ ___.__ __Love,__
 * When we receive gifts, we should say “thank you.”
 * God’s gifts to us are many, such as warm sun and rain for crops.
 * When we say a blessing, such as for food, it is our way of saying, “Thank you God so much!”
 * When we see, taste, or hear one of God’s gifts, we thank God by reciting a blessing.
 * There are many different blessings, for instance over wine and Shabbat candles, over bread and fruit and cookies, when we hear thunder, when we see an usual sight like a shooting star or a snow-covered mountain.
 * A blessing is like a recipe – a recipe for thanking God. There are two steps:
 * o 1. Blessed are You, Adonai…
 * o 2. Add something you are thankful for, like fruit

__Substitute for my class: Irene Swedroe__
 * Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015**

Ot Hashavuah __– Vav, V’ahavta, And you shall love…. God, your neighbor as yourself__

Siddur Paragraphs/Backing Sheets __Students who needed to finish, were asked to continue writing their final drafts of their speeches, and to finish coloring the backing sheets.__

Genesis Stories - Review __Irene reviewed the story of Abraham and the idols, covering the midrash of when “Abram” was asked to look after his father’s idol shop. Abraham realized a very important idea – that the clay statues cannot be gods. He realizes that there is only one God, and people couldn’t see or touch God, the way they could see and touch statues. They couldn’t own God. So Abraham picks up a big stick and smashes all the idols but one in his father’s shop. The shop was a mess, with only one large idol standing in the middle. When Abraham’s father returned, his father asked him what had happened. He explained that the idols had begun to argue about which one was the strongest. The big one smashed all the little idols. Abraham’s father was very angry and said that it was just a statue, he had made it himself, and it couldn’t have smashed anything. Then Abraham asks his father, “Then why do people worship idols?” This begins the idea of only one God, upon which Judaism is based.__

Israel __Text:__ Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 2, The Negev The class covered the following:
 * Jacob was the grandson of Abraham, the son of Isaac and Rebekkah.
 * One night, Jacob encounters an angel. The two wrestle all night.
 * The angel asked Jacob to let him go, but Jacob said he would not let the angel go unless the angel gave him a blessing.
 * The angel gave Jacob a special blessing – a new name.
 * The angel named Jacob: “Israel.” This name means “one who struggles with God.” It is also why Jews are sometimes called “B’nai Yisrael,” the children of Israel. Jews are the families of Israel.
 * The area of Israel that is desert is called “the Negev,” which means dry.
 * For most of his life, Jacob lived in the Land of Israel, in places near the north of the Negev Desert, such as Beersheva.
 * The Negev Desert is very dry. It gets almost no rain ever.
 * Most of the Negev is filled with rocks, and lots of sand.
 * There are very few plants and some camels.
 * Even though it is a really dry place, Israelis have found ways to grow plants and food in the desert.
 * They work hard to make the desert bloom.
 * Makhtesh Ramon is a giant crater, formed over millions of years as watter carved out the crater. There is an amazing view of the Negev from the top of the crater.
 * The students completed a picture of pipes, to help them understand the Israeli invention of taking salt out of seawater. Israel leads the world in desalination technology - taking salt out of sea water.

__Values__ Text: __Kid’s Mensch Handbook__, part 1, “The Ripple Effect” The children read through several definitions of the word “mensch.” Some of them were: a person who is honest and fair, a person of integrity, a person who shows respect for himself or herself and for others, a good person, someone who understands that he or she has the power to affect the world in amazing ways.

They completed a chart called “Too Many to Menschen.” The students had to think of three people whom they considered to be “menschen” - someone at school, someone at home, and someone who is famous. They had to write in the names of the people, and then explain why each one is a mensch.

__Ot Hashavuah__ – het, herut, freedom
 * __Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015__**

__Siddur Practice__ The class practiced their speeches. They each read their speeches very well, but they had difficulty waiting patiently for their turn.

__Song Practice__ – Kitah Gimel practiced “L’chu Neranena” for the Kabbalat Shabbat service.

__Ideas for Student Bookmark Prayer__ We worked on more ideas for the bookmark prayer. We read through another pamphlet, called “Let’s Discover God – Talking to God.” Some ideas mentioned in this booklet are:
 * God will always listen to what is in your heart.
 * You may be feeling lonely or sad, and that no one hears what you say. But God will always listen.
 * You can speak out loud, or you may whisper; you may choose to be alone, or in a noisy crowd; you may be in a park, or you may be in a synagogue. God will always listen to your prayer.
 * We may pray to God using the prayers from a prayer book, or, we may use our own words, whenever we want to.
 * Where you talk, God will listen.
 * We can say just about anything to God. We can thank God for everyday things, such as the sights around us, wonderful smells, and hearing sounds, such as birds.
 * The students had an opportunity to list other everyday things that we thank God for.
 * They learned that the Hebrew word “tefillah” means prayer, and that a “Beit Tefillah” is a House of Prayer.
 * People pray for many reasons. They can say “I’m sorry” and try to do better; they thank God for Shabbat; they feel lonely at night and say the Shema before they go to sleep; and they thank God that their family and friends are healthy.
 * The students practiced saying “Modeh Ani” or “Modah Ani.” This prayer is said upon waking up in the morning, and thanks God for the new day that is starting. After you recite “Modeh Ani” (for a boy) or “Modah Ani” (for a girl), you can add what you are thankful for. For instance, someone might say, “Modeh Ani” – and then add, “for being healthy and strong.”
 * The students each received a “Classroom Enrichment” worksheet, giving samples of various prayers.

__Student Bookmark Prayers__ The students had time to write out their prayers in draft form on small pieces of paper. They could illustrate them if they wished.

__Ot Hashavuah__ – het, herut, freedom
 * __Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015__**

__Siddur Practice__ The class practiced in the sanctuary with a microphone. They each read their speeches very well, and should be in good shape for Friday.

__Student Bookmark Prayer__ The students wrote out their final version of the bookmark prayer, and then decorated them creatively with stickers, markers, or drawings. Each prayer really represents the child, showing thoughtfulness and creativity. This is the first year we have done these bookmarks, so I am excited to see how both parents and children respond to the other’s prayer!

__Song practice__ The class practiced “L’chu Neranena.”

__Genesis Stories - Review__ We briefly discussed two more of our patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob. Isaac was Abraham’s son. Isaac was much beloved by his parents. They had waited a long time to have him. After the Akedah, when Abraham binds Isaac in order to sacrifice him, and then slays a ram instead, Isaac does not say much. While we do not know much about Isaac, we do know that Abraham wanted to find a wife for him to marry. He sends his servant Eliezer to look for a wife in the country Abraham came from. Rebecca comes to the well, and offers a drink to Eliezer and to all his camels. Eliezer realizes this is the wife for Isaac, and he takes her back to be with Isaac.

Isaac and Rebecca eventually have children. Rebecca gives birth to the twins, Esau and Jacob. Esau, being the firstborn, is due the blessing bestowed on the firstborn son, and the birthright – inheritance of much of the property. Isaac secures the birthright from Esau, who would rather have a bowl of soup, than maintain his birthright. And, Rebecca encourages Jacob to trick Isaac so that HE receives the blessing from Isaac instead of his brother Esau. So Rebecca makes food, puts hairy skins on Jacob’s arms and neck, and Isaac is fooled, and does give the blessing to Jacob. Esau is enraged when he finds out, threatening to kill Jacob. Rebecca hears of this and encourages Jacob to flee. He runs away to Haran, where Rebecca’s brother Laban lives.

On his way there Jacob has a dream of angels going up and down a ladder. God is standing next to him. God says God will give the land to him and his descendants. They will be as many as the dust of the earth. God says that all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by Jacob and his descendants. Upon awakening, Jacob realizes he is in a holy place. Jacob marries both Leah and Rachel, and has 13 children all together. Jacob is tricked into marrying Leah (the older daughter is usually married first), but still gets to marry Rachel. Jacob is tricked by Laban just as he tricks his father Isaac! Jacob finally leaves Laban’s home, taking his family and flocks with him. Jacob learns that Esau is going to meet with him. On his way to this meeting, Jacob encounters an angel, or perhaps a messenger from God, who wrestles with him. Jacob refuses to let this person go, until he is given a blessing. The angel gives him a new name – Israel, meaning one who struggles with God. Jacob then meets Esau, now 20 years after he first fled from him. Instead of fighting one another, the two brothers reconcile, and part peacefully. Jacob has a favorite son, the firstborn child of Rachel, who is Joseph. He gives him a coat of many colors. The 12 sons of Jacob become known as the 12 sons of Israel, and are the 12 tribes from which the Jews descend.

__Israel__ Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 27, Kikar Rabin I wanted to go over the life of Yitzhak Rabin briefly before we see the exhibit about him on Wednesday in the Social Hall. Some points covered in the chapter in our Israel textbook include:
 * Yitzhak Rabin was elected to be the Prime Minister of Israel in 1992.
 * Most of his life he was a soldier and a military leader.
 * He wanted nothing more than to bring peace to Israel, and he tried as hard as he could to make peace with Israel’s Arab neighbors.
 * He offered to give land in exchange for peace.
 * Many Israelis supported his efforts, and many Jews around the world, too.
 * On Nov. 4, 1995, thousands of Israelis gathered in a big square in the center of Tel Aviv to show their support for peace. They waved flags, heard speeches, and sang songs.
 * However, not all Israelis liked what Yitzhak Rabin was doing.
 * On the night of that big rally, an Israeli tried to stop Yitzhak Rabin from making peace with the Arabs. His name was Yigal Amir. As Yitzhak Rabin was leaving the rally, Yigal Amir shot him in the chest. Rabin died that night.
 * At his funeral, leaders from all around the world came to pay their respects to Yitzhak Rabin. President Bill Clinton came and at the end of his speech he said, “Shalom, Haver,” goodbye friend.
 * The square where Yizhak Rabin was killed is in the middle of downtown Tel Aviv. Now it is called Kikar Rabin, which means Rabin Square. There is a big memorial to Rabin on the spot where he was killed.
 * People come to pay their respects to the fallen leader. They learn the history of his life and how he was killed.
 * Around the memorial wall is a lot of graffiti that people scribbled after Rabin’s death. Some wrote about how sad they were, others wrote, “Shalom, haver.”
 * Kikar Rabin is next to the municipal building of Tel Aviv, where all of the city’s important business gets done.
 * Kikar Rabin is surrounded by some of the busiest parts of downtown Tel Aviv. There are lots of shops and restaurants and even an American coffee shop.

Looking forward to seeing your children Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, and again on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 for our Siddur Ceremony. Morah Ora joins me in wishing you all a Shavuah Tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

October 12, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Greetings to all.

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

We have had many holidays! Now we will focus on other Judaica subjects. Foremost among them is the Siddur Ceremony, coming up in a few weeks, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, during Kabbalat Services at 6:30 pm. Please see the following important information about that event.


 * Important Reminders:**
 * **Oct. 25 Siddur Cover Workshop is CANCELLED.**
 * **__Instead, please reserve Sunday, Nov. 1, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Kitah Gimel Family Education Hour, for a Bookmark Creation Workshop.__**
 * o **The Bookmark will be your own personal prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of your child. (The dimensions will be about 8 ½ “ by 3 ¼”.)**
 * o **It can be any form of prayer…a poem, a note to your child, a note to God for expressing your gratitude…anything from the heart. (Note: it is good to come in with some ideas already thought out.)**
 * o **Do not let your child see any drafts of what you are writing or illustrating. (It is a surprise).**
 * o **When you come for the Bookmark Workshop you will be able to create your bookmark. You can illustrate it or add a photo or add stickers if you wish. And, if you want, you can holepunch one end and put in a tassle.**
 * o **Leslie will have some supplies, but feel free to bring in materials of your own for illustrating. Leslie will also be there for “creative support” if you need suggestions or help.**
 * o **Your child’s own private prayer will be created in class separately. It will be on the same-sized paper.**
 * o **After both parent and child prayers are completed, we will then put your parent prayer on the backside of your child’s personal prayer and will laminate them together as a bookmark (in time for the Nov. 6 services).**
 * o **This will be a precious, timeless and priceless gift to your child!**
 * **__Bookmarks will be presented Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 during the TGIShabbat service__, after the students give their Siddur speeches.**
 * **__Please note: Services begin at 6:30 pm. A dairy potluck dinner will follow, so please watch for the sign-up notice, which will come soon.__**

I would like to bring you up to date with our coursework in Kitah Gimel’s classes on Sept. 30, Oct. 4, and Oct. 7.

Ot Hashavuah – gimel, gemilut hasadim, deeds of lovingkindness
 * __Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015__**

Prayer – Avodah, in Hebrew. Prayer is the “work of the heart.”

Outline of Prayer Service – we reviewed the names of the 3 Jewish services prayed daily, Shacharit, Minha, and Ma’ariv. Each has a certain order or seder, that’s why a prayerbook is called a “siddur.” Diagrams were given out with the parts of these three services. We briefly went over the basics: opening prayers, Barchu, Shema and her blessings, Amidah, Torah service, Musaf, and Concluding prayers.

Prayer – We sang the Brachot HaShahar, or Morning Blessings, partly in Hebrew, partly in English. This prayer thanks God for many things, including the ability to tell day from night, making us in God’s image, making us free, giving the people of Israel strength, and much more.

“Meaning” of Siddur Speech The class brainstormed ideas for “Why the Siddur is Important to Me.” They came up with several ideas. They made a “wheel” diagram with spokes, and listed their ideas, to help them organize their thoughts.

Ot Hashavuah – hey, hoda’ah, gratitude
 * __Sunday, October 4, 2015__**

Song Practice We practiced “Lechu Neranena” for the Nov. 6 service.

Holiday – Simhat Torah
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * Simhat Torah falls on the 22nd and 23rd of Tishrei.
 * A sofer is a scribe who writes a Torah by hand on Torah scrolls using a quill pen from a turkey feather. A sofer writes in black ink, and writes slowly, so as not to make mistakes.
 * The Torah teaches the mitzvot, God’s instructions on how to live as Jews and become the best people we can be. The Torah also tells wonderful stories about our ancestors.
 * Some stories in the Torah are the Creation of the World, Adam and Eve, Noah and the Flood, and the story of Abraham and Sarah.
 * Tradition teaches us that the pomegranate has as many seeds as there are mitzvot in the Torah - 613! Some Torahs are dressed with “rimonim” – silver decorations, meaning pomegranates. The rimonim remind us of the Torah’s mitzvot.
 * One of the mitzvot is “tza-ar balalei hayim,” kindness to animals.
 * The Torah is the first five books of the Bible. Each book is divided into portions. We read one portion in the synagogue every Shabbat. It takes a year to read the entire Torah. Then we start again. Simhat Torah is the day we finish the last portion and begin again reading the first words of the Torah.
 * Simhat Torah means, “Joy of the Torah.”
 * We reviewed the Five Books of the Torah, in English and in Hebrew.
 * On Simhat Torah we take out all the Torah scrolls from the synagogue’s ark, and people march seven times around the sanctuary carrying the Torah Scrolls. The parades are called “hakkafot.”
 * At some synagogues new students are welcomed to Jewish learning, or “Talmud Torah,” in a Consecration ceremony.
 * Riddle “What teaches us the Jewish way? What gift from God guides us each day?”
 * The story in this chapter is about the man who approaches Hillel and asks him to teach him the entire Torah while standing on one foot. If Hillel does, the man will become a Jew. Hillel replies, “Do not do to other people what you don’t want them to do to you. That is the whole Torah. All the rest is explanation. Now, go and study it.” Torah is the answer to the riddle.
 * The students found the correct sticker for Simhat Torah at the back of the book, and placed it on the holiday treasure trail.
 * The students completed the Simhat Torah word puzzle. They received dictionary words for the holiday to take home.
 * **HOMEWORK: JHIPS for Simhat Torah. If your child has not turned in this JHIPS, please have him/her do so by Wednesday, Oct. 14. Feel free to help your child complete this handout. Thank you!**
 * **OPTIONAL HOMEWORK: Torah Lady picture, to color in.**

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!

Hoshanah Rabbah
 * 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!


 * __Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – hey, hoda’ah, gratitude

Siddur Paragraphs The students were given a lot of time to begin writing their Siddur Paragraphs. When completed, a very neat neatly written final version will be written.

Backing Sheets The students were given time to begin coloring their backing sheets for the Siddur Presentation.

Genesis Stories We began our review of Bible stories, from Genesis. We discussed Creation – what God made on each day, and that man and woman would have dominion over all the living things.

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

Genesis stories We reviewed Creation, the six days of work followed by Shabbat. We also reviewed the story of Adam and Eve, why they were banished from the Garden of Eden, and the consequences they and the snake received.

Story I read the book __In Our Image, God’s First Creatures,__ by Nancy Sohn Swartz. Nancy, as it turned out, was my roommate this summer at the Jewish educators’ conference. I showed the class where she autographed my book! Nancy’s book is a beautiful story based on a midrash, or interpretative story, that when God said of man and woman, “Let us made them in our image,” the animals thought God was speaking to THEM. They all give suggestions to God as to what gift they would give to humankind.
 * I asked the children several questions related to this story. I asked them to name some animals NOT listed, and to say what they would give to mankind.
 * I asked them why the animals were afraid when God said that humans would have dominion over all the creatures. Do you think the animals had a reason to be afraid?
 * Do you think we are doing our part to help take care of the world? What are some of the ways we can be partners with God?

Haverim & Ruach Rally The children attended the Haverim service lead by Iris. Iris read a book with 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 Gimel on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 for our regular JYE P class, 4 – 6:15 pm. L’hitraot, see you soon!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

September 20, 2015

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

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


 * Meaning of the Siddur** – the students brainstormed some ideas about the meaning of receiving their very own siddur, and wrote down the ideas


 * Song Practice** – We practiced our song for the Nov. 6, 2015 TGIShabbat service, “L’chu Neranena.”


 * Israel** – We began our textbook, __Yisrael Sheli__, going over the Introduction. We learned that Israel is located in the middle where three continents meet, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Many people who came through Israel were from countries that wanted to control Israel. We learned that Israel is quite small compared to the other countries of the world, and we located it on a world map.


 * Change of Plans** – You may have seen the email Iris sent about the new Siddurim for the Kitah Gimel class, which are still in the process of being published. It will not be our current Siddur, __Sim Shalom__, but a new one, called __Lev Shalem__. Because of this delay, we will ask parents to create a special bookmark for their children, rather than design a cover (the new book is a different size). We still would like to present the students with a Siddur (it will be a used one in good condition), and so will keep the TGIShabbat date, Friday, November 6, 2015, in place for Kitah Gimel. We will also keep Sunday, October 25, 2015 for working with Morah Leslie on the bookmarks. We apologize for this situation, but it is dependent upon a publication date that is out of our control. We will let you know more details soon on the creation of the bookmark, and about the TGIShabbat evening. Thank you for your understanding!

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 portable. 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 Alexander and Rabbi Ohriner led us in a short tashlich ceremony and blew the shofar.

Please calendar the sukkah-decorating event at Beth David next week on Sunday, September 27, beginning at !0:30 am. There will be no regularly scheduled JYEP class, but we do encourage your children to help decorate the sukkot at Beth David.
 * Upcoming Events** -

We will next meet as a class on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 4 – 6:15 pm. (Yes, this is the same day as the Invitation to my family’s sukkah!)

On Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, we will also have class. 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 Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 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.

Have a Shavuah Tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida,

September 15, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,
 * 5776 Class Updates **:
 * Best wishes for a Shanah Tovah u’Metukah, a good and sweet New Year, with health, happiness, peace, and abundant blessings.** We hope you had inspiring and meaningful Rosh Hashanah services, and had a chance to enjoy round challot and apples and honey!


 * Important Reminders:**
 * **Next class, tomorrow, Sept. 16, 4 – 6:15 pm.**
 * **Our JYEP time on Sunday, Sept. 20, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, will include a shortened classtime, a Singalong with Hazzan Levy, and a creative “tashlich” experience.**
 * **No School on Wednesday, Sept. 23 due to Yom Kippur!**
 * **Sukkah Decorating Event on Sunday, Sept. 27, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm - so no regular JYEP classes – but do come help decorate the shul’s sukkah!**
 * **__Mark the date: Sunday, October 25, Kitah Gimel Parents to attend special Siddur cover decorating workshop with Morah Leslie, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm__ - while your students are in regular JYEP class. __Please keep your cover design a surprise from your child!__**
 * **__Mark the date: Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, 6:30 pm – Kitah Gimel students receive their siddurs, and lead the prayer “L’chu Neranena” during services. A dairy potluck dinner follows the service.__**

This Parent Letter will bring you up to date with our last two classes, on Wednesday, Sept. 9 and on Sept. 12, our first Shabbat School.


 * __Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015__**


 * Ot Hashavuah – Hebrew letter, bet; mitzvah – bikkur holim, visiting the sick.** We discussed why this might be important for the person who is sick, and ways to cheer up a sick person, such as bringing a gift, a bouquet, or writing a get-well card.


 * Modeh Ani - 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.” It is part of the Haverim services.


 * Yom Kippur – We covered this chapter in our textbook.**
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * Ten Days of Repentance, Aseret Yemay Teshuvah, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. When we make or do teshuvah, we return to God’s kind and loving ways. Teshuvah opens the door for us to become our best selves. The steps are: 1. Apologize. 2. Make up for what we did wrong. 3. Find ways to do better in the future.
 * Adults fast on Yom Kippur. This helps them pray and think about how they can improve themselves. Young children, those who are sick, or for whom it would not be healthy to fast do not fast.
 * We light holiday candles. Some people also light a yahrzeit candle, a thick white candle in a container. It helps us remember the people we love who have died.
 * We spend most of Yom Kippur in the synagogue. We wear white, since that shows we want a fresh start.
 * Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement. Our prayers help us come closer to God and to be “at one” with God and God’s kind and loving ways.
 * Some prayers recited on Yom Kippur are: Kol Nidre, releasing us from our promises; Al Het, or missing the mark, or the target of good behavior; Avinu Malkaynu, asking God to forgive us for our mistakes the way a loving parent does.
 * Tzedakah is giving generously to those in need. Sharing is Tzedakah, such as giving away toys, food, clothing. Giving our time and our talent are also giving tzedakah.
 * We read the Book of Jonah from the Bible. It teaches 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 to improve their behavior.
 * We attend prayer services on Yom Kippur, and study the Torah’s lessons of goodness and kindness. At the end of the service, there is one long blast of the shofar. It wishes us a good New Year and reminds us of all that we have prayed for and promised.
 * We read the Riddle at the end of chapter: “On Yom Kippur, what word is key? What says, “I’ll come back to you if you return to Me?” Then we read a short story, in which a princess returns to her home, as her parents come out to welcome her. The answer to the riddle is Teshuvah. God is like a loving parent who will come to us if we take as many steps of teshuvah as we can.
 * The students placed the sticker for Yom Kippur, a shofar, on the correct place on the month of Tishre in their books.

**__Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, Shabbat School__** **Ot Hashavuah – Hebrew letter, bet; mitzvah – bikur holim, visiting the sick.**
 * Homework – Students were given two homework sheets, due tomorrow! or Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 at the latest.**
 * **JHIPS (Jewish Holiday Important Points) for Rosh Hashanah. The student needs to fill in the blanks. __Help from parents or siblings or friends, is allowed. All answers are listed at the end of the sheet.__**
 * **Yom Kippur World Puzzle, from elijahrokcks.net.**
 * **Both pages are due on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015. If that is not enough time, then please turn them in on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015.**
 * Mah Tovu – We practiced the prayer “Mah Tovu,” singing in both Hebrew and English, and reviewed its meaning** – how good it is to have a place of peace to pray, where we can be Jewish together.


 * The Humash – We learned that the Humash is a book with the 5 Books of Moses. We reviewed the names of the 5 Books, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuternomy.** We went over the names in English (from the Greek), and the names in Hebrew, and what the names mean. We also discussed the basic content of each book.


 * GELND acrostic – The students learned an acrostic to help them memorize the 5 books in English, which is “GE Lights Never Dim.”** They had a chance to say the 5 books individually.


 * Mensch book – We began reading our textbook, __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook,__ chapter 1, “The Ripple Effect.”** We discussed that our actions radiate far beyond us, like the ripples formed from a stone dropped into a lake. Judaism teaches that each of us affects the world in profound and extraordinary ways, and our actions do make a difference in people’s lives. Our challenge is to take action that is generous and kind, action that affects others in positive ways.


 * Song Practice – We practiced our song, L’chu Neranena, which is Kitah Gimel’s song for our TGIShabbat evening, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.**


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


 * __Reminders:__**
 * **__Please have your child bring his/her binder (with the 5 dividers for Homework, Torah, Holidays, Prayers, Blessings) to class every time, in the JYEP blue school bag. By now each student should have a binder, which will help organize the handouts. Thank you!__**
 * **__And 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)!__**

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 4 – 6:15 pm.

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

See you soon, l’hitraot! L’Shalom, Morah Davida __**September 4, 2015**__

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Greetings! I hope you and your families are well. We have made a good start to our JYEP year in Kitah Gimel.


 * If you have not yet done so, would you please provide your child by Wednesday, Sept. 9 with a 1 ½ inch binder for our class, with 5 dividers, labeled: Homework, Torah, Holidays, Prayers, Blessings. Please help your with the labels, if needed. Thank you!**

This email will bring you up to date on what we have covered in our last three classes, on Aug. 23, Aug. 30, and Sept. 2.

The class did some icebreakers, an apple-matching one and one called “Me to a Tee,” so our class could learn about one another. We went over the Kavod Code, our classroom rules, and each student was asked to sign a copy of the Code.

We discussed “What is the Torah?” - learning that it is many things – a collection of stories of our ancestors, laws and rules to follow, a scroll, a book called the Humash, 5 books of Moses, a “tree of life,” Jewish learning, a precious gift.

In the Introduction to our holiday textbook, __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__, we learn that an American boy named Daniel and his Israeli cousin, Rivkah, will learn about the Jewish holidays from Elijah the prophet! They have a “Virtual Plasma Interface” or VPI device, designed by Rivkah’s father, that can transport them places, such as to visit Elijah.

We read the first chapter, about Rosh Hashanah, covering the different names of the holiday, the birthday of the world, the shofar calls, teshuvah, saying we’re sorry and trying to improve, round challot, eating apples and honey for a sweet new year, enjoying a festive meal with candle-lighting, Kiddush, motzi, and saying the “schechiyanu” prayer, thanking God for enabling us to reach this joyous time. At the end of each chapter are a riddle and a story. The story contains the answer to the riddle and, once solved, the student finds a sticker representing that holiday at the end of the book and places it in the correct spot on the holiday treasure trail in the textbook.

Kitah Gimel students did some “hands-on” activities for Rosh Hashanah. Some students tried blowing a shofar, they aimed bean bags at a target – trying not to “miss the mark” – illustrating that we are not always on target with our behavior, and we threw breadcrumbs in a pretend flowing body of water, to discard our mistakes, our version of the “tashlich” ceremony done at a stream or river on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

There is a website associated with our textbook, www.elijahrocks.net, which is a good source for students to learn about the holidays in a fun way. There are games, blessings, and dictionary for each holiday.

We also reviewed a handout page of blessings for various foods, such as cookies, bread, fruit from a tree. And we heard, and began practicing, our TGIShabbat (Thank God It’s Shabbat) song, “L’chu Neranena,” which we will continue to practice for our Friday, Nov. 6 class participation in the Shabbat Evening Service. This is also the same evening Kitah Gimel students will receive their siddurim – so please mark your calendars now for this special event!

Last Sunday, Kitah Gimel did an art project of a New Year’s card. The class also had dance with Morah Donna in the Social Hall, where we learned two dances. We were fortunate to have Rabbi Ohriner come in at the end of our class and blow the shofar for us!

We have a great class, and we are looking forward to a wonderful year. Please note we do not have class next Sunday, Sept. 6 due to Labor Day, but will meet again on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 4 – 6:15 pm.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

__**August 22, 2015**__

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,


 * Greetings and welcome to the new school year at Congregation Beth David’s Jewish Youth Education Program (JYEP), which begins on Sunday, August 23, 2015.** 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, 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 then we will be all together in the Sanctuary towards the end of the morning.

We want to give you some information before school starts. **Morah Davida will be teaching the Judaica topics** including Torah, God, Mitzvot, Israel, holidays, prayers, and blessings. **Morah Ora will be teaching teach Hebrew.** **__We do want to emphasize the utmost importance of keeping up with the Hebrew homework, which will be invaluable on the journey to becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.__** Judaica homework will be kept to a minimum; it will include JHIPS (Jewish Holiday Important Points) worksheets, which you may help your child complete.

We request as well that you please **reinforce our “Kavod Code” (good behavior rules) during school hours and at home**. **At school, 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.), while a //mitzvah// is a commandment. Ways to earn stickers for our classroom M&M Ladder include the following:
 * • **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//, or 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 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 on Friday nights** (grade-specific, but open to all grades), **our Family Education Days** (by grade) and our **Mishpacha Programs** (all-school and community-wide). We hope you will join us for these informative and inspiring programs.


 * __IMPORTANT NOTE__****: To help keep your child organized for Judaica, will you please supply him or her with the following: a __3-ring binder (1½” thick); 5 dividers labeled Homework, Torah, Holidays, Blessings, Prayers; a pencil pouch with 2 sharpened pencils with erasers; and a kippah to wear during Religious School__. Please bring all supplies in the blue book bag (provided by the 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, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

May 26, 2015
 * 5775 Class Updates:**

Dear Kitah Gimel 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 Gimel classroom session was on Sunday, May 17. The following topics were covered:
 * __Sunday, May 17__**


 * Ot Hashavuah – dalet, derech eretz, good manners


 * Shavuot Word Puzzle – students completed the Elijahrocks.net word puzzle


 * Shavuot handouts given to take home –
 * Shavuot blessings
 * Shavuot dictionary
 * JHIPS for Shavuot (which they can complete at home!)


 * Textbooks completed this year and sent home -
 * __My Weekly Sidrah__, the Torah textbook
 * __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__, the holiday textbook
 * Note: the other books will be used next year in Kitah Dalet


 * Story read: “The Weaver of Yzad,” from __Journeys with Elijah__, by Barbara Diamond Goldin. In this story, a poor, destitute weaver in 12th century Persia leaves his home and family because he falls on hard times and cannot pay his debts. He meets up with an old, wise man, who gives him hope and encouragement. The weaver realizes it must have been Elijah. He goes home and is able to weave a fine cloth, which he is able to sell for a sizeable sum. He is able to pay off his debts, purchase new thread for his loom, and can again support his family. In gratitude he builds a synagogue in the ruins where he had met Elijah. This beautiful story is one of hope and faith and inspiration.


 * 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 areas!**
 * __Rewards Ceremony__**

Morah Ora and I enjoyed teaching your children this year in Kitah Gimel. They are quite a bright group of students and had many thoughtful insights to share.
 * __Farewell__**

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 prepare them to enter Kitah Dalet next year.

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 Gimel 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 do come back and visit us in Kitah Gimel next year!!

May 14, 2015

Dear Kitah Gimel 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, with innovative and thoughtful ideas and insights. Hopefully they enjoyed our Judaica class and learned meaningful lessons in all of our areas of study, including 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__**

During Shabbat 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 on Sunday, May 17, 2015.
 * __Black Hole Prevention Packet or BHPP – very important!!!__**


 * __BRINGING YOU UP TO DATE__**


 * Sunday, May 3, 2015**

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

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__, Ha’azinu
 * Moses recites a poem about God and Israel. Moses encourages the people to remember God’s laws, to be kind and good.
 * God protects and takes care of Israel.
 * Israel isn’t always good. Even when Israel does wrong, God still protects them.
 * Moses goes to the top of Mt. Nebo; he sees the Promised Land.
 * Moses can look at the land in the distance, but God will not let him go there.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * My Comment: One thing I learned from listening to my parents and grandparents was that.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__, V’Zot HaBrachah
 * Moses blesses the family of Israel. He gives each tribe its own blessing.
 * From the top of the mountain God shows Moses the whole land of Israel.
 * He sees the place God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 * Moses dies, God buries him. People cry for 30 days.
 * Joshua becomes the new leader.
 * Moses was a special prophet. No other Jewish leader will ever be able to do all the things Moses did.
 * This is the last sidrah in the Torah. As soon as we finish reading it we begin the Torah all over again. The circle never ends.
 * We sang “Hazak, hazak, v’nithazeik!” which means, “Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.” We sing this at the conclusion of the reading of each of the 5 books of the Torah, during the Shabbat morning service.
 * The students cut out their color wheel, and placed all five books in the correct order in the wheel.
 * My Comment: I think it is important to read the Torah over and over again because _.
 * With the completion of this Sidrah, we not only completed the book of Deuteronomy, the students, many of whom began this textbook in second grade, completed the entire book! Kol HaKavod!

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 8, Old City of Jerusalem
 * Moshe Dayan, military leader, led the capture of the Old City of Jerusalem during the 6-Day War of 1967.
 * For the 1st time in 2,000 years, Jerusalem was the united capital of the Jewish people. Jews from all over Israel rushed to Jerusalem to come to the Old City for the 1st time in 20 years.
 * Old city is divided into 4 quarters: Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Armenian.
 * The Jewish Quarter is where the “kotel” is. Lots of Jews live in the Jewish Quarter, and there are many “yeshivot” there.
 * In the middle is a giant square with a park and many restaurants and shops.
 * The Muslim Quarter is a very important place to Muslims around the world. Jerusalem is considered a holy city by Muslims.
 * In the same place where the Temple once stood, on the Temple Mount, there are two giant mosques. One is Dome of the Rock, with its golden dome. It is built on top of the spot where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac.
 * The second mosque is called Al Aqsa. Muslims believe this mosque stands on the spot where their prophet, Mohammed, ascended to heaven. It is a very holy and important place to Muslims. Many Muslims come to the Temple Mount to pray every day.
 * In the Christian Quarter is a site holy to Christians. It is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is very old. It is very dark, and filled with candles that visitors can light. You can smell incense as you walk through its halls.
 * Jerusalem is very important for all three religions. Jerusalem has sometimes been seen as the very center of the word. Old maps often were drawn with Jerusalem at the middle.
 * Israel works hard to make sure that all religions and religious sites are protected in the city so that everyone can pray in the place which is special to him or her.
 * The students completed an exercise identifying in which Quarter certain landmarks are located.

Kitah Gimel 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

Holidays
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__, Shavuot
 * Shavuot is observed on the 6th of Sivan.
 * The Bible teaches that the Israelites wandered through the Sinai after they were freed from slavery in Egypt. It also teaches that Moses went up Mount Sinai to learn the Torah from God.
 * Daniel’s Rabbi said, “The Torah is God’s gift to us. It teaches us how to live as a free and strong people. We are strong when we follow the instructions of the Torah by performing mitzvot, like reciting blessings or visiting people who are ill. Shavuot is sometimes called Zeman Matan Torataynu, Time of the Giving of Our Torah.”
 * Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah and the early-summer harvest. After crossing the Sinai Desert, the Israelites entered the Land of Israel and became farmers. They knew that 7 weeks after the beginning of Passover, their wheat and fruits would be ready to harvest.
 * They counted 49 days starting from the second day of Passover and ending on Shavuot. This custom is called counting the omer.
 * Like Sukkot and Passover, Shavuot is a pilgrimage holiday. The Israelite farmers went to the Temple in Jerusalem. They brought loaves of bread made with their new wheat, and they brought baskets of the first fruits of their harvest – figs, dates, grapes, and honey – as offerings to God. That’s why Shavuot is also called Hag Hakatzir, Festival of the Grain Harvest, and Hag Habikkurim, Festival of the First Fruits.
 * In Israel the holiday is celebrated by services in synagogue, homes decorated with flowers, parades, children carrying baskets of fruit. In the United States, there is a festive meal with holiday candles, Kiddush, blessing over challah, and dairy foods, such as blintzes and cheesecake.
 * We read the Ten Commandments from the Torah, and we also read the book of Ruth.
 * Teenagers celebrate with a Confirmation ceremony.
 * Some congregants stay up studying all night.
 * Rivkah and Daniel get transported to the time of the giving of the Ten Commandments. There is thunder, lighting, and a blast of a shofar. All is silent. Then the people receive the Ten Commandments.
 * Daniel says to Rivkah that after the people received the Commandments, Moses learned the other mitzvot from God. Then Moses taught them to the Israelites. Daniel realizes the answer to the riddle: What must our people honor and do to treasure God’s gift and forever be true?
 * The answer to the Riddle is that the Jewish people must honor the Torah and God by doing mitzvot, like observing the Jewish holidays and helping others.
 * Daniel and Rivkah are transported home for the last time. They have completed the Treasure Trail and their year of testing the VPI (Virtual Plasma Interface). They were happy to be home but sad that their adventure was over.
 * They were comforted to know that the cycle of the Jewish holidays repeats itself each year.
 * The students put the Shavuot sticker (the Ten Commandments) on the treasure trail. This is the last holiday in the textbook – so we finished the entire book! Yet another Kol HaKavod to Kitah Gimel!

Kitah Gimel 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 on 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 your child wear the JYEP tie-dyed tee shirt.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

April 26, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel 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 homework due, recent events, give you some reminders, and fill you in on our last three classes.
 * __Homework Due by May 3, 2015:__**
 * JHIPS Passover (if not done)
 * JHIPS Yom Hashoah
 * JHIPS Yom HaAtzma’ut
 * V’zot Habrachah Wheel – 1st four books colored in
 * __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 also for your attendance at 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:__**
 * **__Wednesday, April 29, 2015. JEM classes resume.__**
 * **__Friday, May 1, 2015, Shabbat Mishpacha Experience, 6:30 pm services, 7:30 pm dairy potluck dinner.__** At this service Kitot Alef and Bet will help lead the service, however //all// are invited to attend. Please be sure to RSVP if you can attend.
 * **__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__**

__**Topics covered in our last three Kitah Gimel classes:**__ Ot HaShavuah – tav, tikkun olam, repair the world Torah Holiday Holocaust Museum Visit Dance
 * __Sunday, April 19, 2015__**
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Ki Tetze
 * Moses is still teaching. This time he begins by talking about the family There are many rules: Parents should be fair to all their children. Children must obey their parents.
 * Then Moses talks about being a good neighbor. He teaches that a person much return a sheep or ox that has gotten lost. A person must help a hurt animal. A person must put a wall around a flat roof to keep people from falling off. A good Jew protects his or her neighors from things that might hurt them.
 * Finally Moses talks about how one person should help another. It is a rule that if you lend money and the person cannot pay it back, you must be kind to him. You also must be fair to everyone who works for you. And you must leave part of your fields unharvested so that people who are hungry can come and gather the food that they need.
 * The students completed written exercises showing protection for dangerous things, and for identifying rules about animals and people.
 * My Comment: One good way to make sure that no one cheats is___.
 * Text: __My Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ – Yom Hashoah
 * This day is on the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nissan.
 * Most Jewish holidays are happy times. But some Jewish holidays help us remember sad times so that they can teach us important lessons about how to live better lives.
 * During part of the last century, a great tragedy happened to our people. An evil man named Adolf Hitler ruled Germany. Hitler wanted to kill all the Jews.
 * Some Jews escaped to other countries; some went into hiding; some were able to fight back. But many, many Jewish men, women, and children in Europe were murdered by Hitler and his followers. Other innocent people were also murdered. This happened during World War II.
 * Every year, we set aside a day to remember the millions who died in what we call the Holocaust. That day is called Holocaust Memorial Day, or in Hebrew, Yom Hashoah. But the full name is Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day because we also remember that many brave Jews and non-Jews fought back and saved lives.
 * On this holy day, there are prayer services in synagogues. We light a memorial candle – which is often yellow – in memory of the Jews who were killed. We also recite the mourner’s prayer, the Kaddish, for them. I showed the class a candle, and a picture of the yellow star the Jews were forced to wear.
 * We must must never forget that people can choose to be cruel or kind Remembering can help us prevent such a terrible thing from happening again.
 * The students put the yellow candle sticker on the treasure trail.
 * Kitah Gimel visited the museum in an age-appropriate way.
 * We briefly stopped at the stations Iris created. The students learned how the Jews lived before the war, as regular citizens of Germany. However, resentment built against the Jews, because they were blamed for the economic and social ills of the time.
 * Adolf Hitler came into power and persuaded many people to follow his ideas to do away not only with Jews but also with others whom he thought were inferior.
 * We looked at some artwork created by the Kitah Zayin class about Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, when many Jewish shops and synagogues were destroyed.
 * The rights of Jews were taken away, such as going to school or working at certain jobs. Many restrictions were put on them, and they were forced to live in ghettos.
 * Jews were sent to concentration camps where the conditions were very bad and they had little food to eat. Many Jews lost their lives.
 * I showed the class Iris’ family tree on her father’s side; those in the family who left Russia before the war survived, but those who did not, died.
 * There were, however, Jews who resisted and fought back. These Jews were called partisans, and were very courageous.
 * There were also righteous gentiles who tried to help save Jewish lives. Three of these, with pictures from our own Beth David parking lot, were on display: Raoul Wallenberg, Chiune Sugihara, and Aristides de Sousa Mendes.
 * We learned that the Allies joined together to fight against the Nazis, and that they eventually liberated the camps.
 * After the war, there were displaced persons camps where the survivors stayed. Many wanted to go to Palestine to live, but were turned back due to the quotas set by the British. When the State of Israel was founded, many Jews went there to live.
 * Many books and works of art have described the Holocaust. I mentioned Elie Wiesel, and how he has dedicated himself to being a witness to what happened.
 * Unfortunately, there are still genocides going on in the world in our own day. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and to work to end them so that history does not repeat itself.
 * In the museum library area, I read the book, __The Number on my Grandfathers Arm__, by David A. Adler, to Kitot Bet and Gimel. Here is a summary: “The moving story of a young girl who learns about her grandfather's experience in Auschwitz and then helps him overcome his sensitivity about the number on his arm, this award-winning picture book gives young children just enough information about the Holocaust without overwhelming them.”
 * We discussed that the purpose of the museum and of learning about the Holocaust is to a) always remember and b) never forget. We discussed that it is very important to speak up when we see or experience something that is wrong. This includes bullying in school.
 * Kitah Gimel had dance with Morah Donna.
 * They practiced their class dance and the all-school dance.

Ot HaShavuah – tav, tikkun olam, repair the world Torah Torah Song Practice Holiday Song Practice
 * __Wednesday, April 22, 2015:__**
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Ki Tavo
 * Moses is ending his long review lesson. He teaches people that after they enter the Land the God is giving to them they must give their first fruits to God as a gift-offering.
 * When they give the offering they should repeat the history of Israel, saying the passage we read on Passover:
 * o “My father was wandering Aramean. He went down to Egypt with a small family. He stayed there and became a great nation. The Egyptians hurt us, picked on us, and made us work for them. We cried to the Eternal, the God of our parents. God heard our cry and saw us suffering. The Eternal freed us from Egypt and brought us to this land and gave it to us. It is a land flowing in milk and honey.”
 * Then Moses reminds the people that God will curse those who break the Torah’s rules and bless those who follow them.
 * The students completed written exercises regarding the story of the Jews in Egypt, and “first fruits” including the first day, the first people, the first Jew, and the first commandment.
 * My Comment: I feel part of a special people when.
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ - Nitzavim
 * Moses gathers together all of Israel’s family. He tells them “You are standing here today, all of you, before the Eternal your God. Today you will make a covenant with God. God will keep the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and you will become the Chosen People. This covenant is for everyone standing here today, and for all of the Jews who will be born in the future.”
 * Moses teaches, “The law is not too hard nor too difficult to understand. It is not way up in the sky, nor far away across the sea. The Torah is very close to you. It is in your mouth and in your heart.
 * Moses commands the people to “choose life and follow the Torah.”
 * The students completed written exercises about listening to Moses and choosing to do good or bad.
 * My Comment: I choose life when I choose to.
 * Kitah Gimel practiced songs for the ZmiRikudiyah.
 * The songs were “Oleh, Oleh,” their class song, and “Am Echad, Shir Echad,” the all-school song.
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ – Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, we completed a most of this chapter.
 * Yom Ha’Atzmaut is Israel’s Independence Day. It is like the Fourth of July in the United States.
 * This holiday celebrates the creation of the modern State of Israel in 1948. It comes on the 5th day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, which is usually in May. It is a national holiday, so the children have off from school.
 * Israel is the ancient Jewish homeland. Long ago, in biblical times, the Jews lived in one land, Eretz Yisrael. Abraham and Sarah were the first Jews to live in Eretz Yisrael. Their family grew and became the nation of Israel.
 * Mighty kings, like David and Solomon, ruled. The holy Temple was built in Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish nation.
 * Then, about 2,000 years ago, foreigners conquered the land and destroyed the Temple. While some Jews remained in the land, many moved to faraway places around the world.
 * More and more Jews began to live outside Eretz Yisrael. But we never forgot our homeland. It was always in our prayers, we faced Jerusalem when we prayed, longing to return to the home of our people.
 * For centuries, many Jews lived in countries where they were not welcome. A man named Theodor Herzl believed that, as in ancient times, there should be a Jewish country, a place where Jews could live in freedom and peace. The belief that Eretz Yisrael should be a Jewish country is called Zionism. Theodor Herzl is called the Father of Zionism.
 * About 120 years ago, a group of Russian Jews moved to Eretz Yisrael, which was then called Palestine. There they found many Arab villages. Much of the land the newcomers wanted to farm was filled with muddy swamps or hot, dry deserts. Also, there were many diseases, like malaria, and there was not much food or water.
 * The newcomers planted trees, drained the swamps and learned to farm. More and more Jews moved to Palestine. Some built large farms, called kibbuztim, were they lived and worked together. Others settled in cities like Jerusalem and Haifa, and lived alongside the Arabs. Others built new cities, like Tel Aviv. They built roads, houses, schools, libraries, and hospitals.
 * After the Holocaust, many Jews who had survived wanted to leave Europe. They wanted to help build the Jewish homeland. But Palestine did not belong to the Jews. It was hard to get permission to move there. Finally, in 1947, the United Nations voted to create a Jewish state in the Land of Israel.
 * On May 14, 1948, the Jews in Eretz Yisrael declared independence. They named their country the State of Israel, Medinat Israel. Jews around the world celebrated by dancing in the streets and singing “Hatikvah,” or The Hope,” which later became Israel’s national anthem.
 * After the State of Israel was declared, the Arabs in Palestine and surrounding countries were angered. They did not want a Jewish state in Palestine. So on May 15, 1948, Israel was attacked by nearby Arab countries. With only a small army and a few airplanes, the Jews defended their new country. They won the war.
 * For the first time in almost 2,000 years there was a Jewish state, a place where every Jew was welcome. Jews moved to Israel from many countries. Some came from places where they had been mistreated, such as North Africa and Europe. In Israel, they were free to live as Jews.
 * The Hebrew word “aliyah” means “rise” or “go up.” Moving to Israel is called making aliyah. This same word is used for the honor of being called to the Torah during synagogue services.
 * Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people. People of many other religions, such as Muslims and Christians, also live there. The Dome of the Rock is a mosque holy to the Muslims, in Jerusalem. The Kotel, or Western Wall, is a remnant of our Holy Temple. Located near the Dome in Jerusalem, is sacred to Jews everywhere.
 * In Israel, Hebrew is the language of prayer and daily life. About 125 years ago, a man named Eliezer Ben-Yehuda created new Hebrew words to describe things that didn’t exist in the time of the Bible, such as telephones, trains, and clocks. He often used older Herew words to create new words. For example, “rakevet,” meaning train, is built on the root of the ancient Hebrew word for chariot.
 * In Israel, Yom HaAtzma’ut is celebrated with parades, fireworks, carnivals, street fairs, barbecues, and block parties where people sing old Israeli songs. The people recite prayers for peace and thank God for the Jewish state.
 * In the United States, may synagogues celebrate the day. They have a party in their Religious Schools, they eat Israeli foods, such as hummus and falafel, and they sing Israeli songs, including “Hatikvah.” They also have parades.
 * Kitah Gimel practiced “Oleh, Oleh,” the class’ song for our festival.
 * We reviewed “Am Echad,” the all-school song.

Ot HaShavuah – zayin, zicharon, remembrance Torah Holiday Holiday Song Practice Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children next Sunday, May 3, 2015. Shavuah Tov, wishing you all a good week. L’Shalom, Morah Davida April 14, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,
 * __April 26, 2015__**
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Vayelech
 * Moses is 120 years old, and will die soon. Joshua will lead the Jewish people into the Promised Land.
 * Moses finishes writing down all of his teachings. Moses gives all his teachings to the Kohanim. They put the writings in the Ark.
 * God tells Joshua to be strong and not to give up. God says, You will lead the Jewish people into the Promised Land. I will be with you.
 * The written exercises covered key points in Moses’ life.
 * My Comment: Moses told Joshua not to be afraid to be the new leader. A new thing that was scary for me to do was ___.
 * Yom HaZikaron, Israel Remembrance Day
 * 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.
 * Text: __The Great Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ - Yom Ha’Atzma’ut; we completed this chapter.
 * We discussed Israeli food, including hummous, falafel, pita, and cucumber and tomato salad.
 * Riddle: What says “up” and invites us to rise? It’s something we value, something we prize.
 * We read the story and learned that the answer is “aliyah.” This word means “to go up,” which is what we say when someone moves to Israel, or it is the honor of being called to the Torah during synagogue services.
 * The students placed the holiday sticker, the flag of Israel, on the treasure trail in the month of Iyar.
 * Students completed and turned in to me the [|elijahrocks.net] Word Puzzle.
 * They received handouts of Hatikvah and the Yom HaAtzma’ut dictionary.
 * **HOMEWORK: JHIPS Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, due on May 3, 2015.**
 * Kitah Gimel practiced the song “Oleh, Oleh” for the ZmiRikudiyah.
 * The class also reviewed the dance and song, “Am Echad.”

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 Gimel 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.


 * Important Reminders:**

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, 2015 4 – 6:00 pm. Kitah Gimel has Judaica with me for the first period, then an all-school Yom Hazikaron observance, 5:30 pm (parents can come to this, too) Note: No JEM classes this day. Wednesday, April 22, 2015 All-school Yom HaAtzma’ut free barbecue dinner with families 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.**


 * Homework Reminder – please help your child complete these assignments:**


 * 1) **JHIPS – Passover, due Sunday, April 19, 2015.** You or anyone else may help your child with this. All answers are on the second page.
 * 2) **V’zot Habrachah Wheel** – The students have this sheet in their binders under Homework. **They should have colored in the first 4 books of this circle by now. The first four books are: Breisheet, Shemot, Vayikra, Bemidbar.** When we complete the fifth book, the students will color in Devarim.

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


 * __Sunday, March 29, 2015__**

Ot HaShavuah – Resh, rahamim, compassion

Shin, shmirat halashon, guard your tongue; shmirat haguf, guard your body

Torah – Shoftim
 * Text, __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Moses teaches about courts. He says the people must pick judges and leaders. All judges must be fair. He says, “Justice, you must seek justice.”
 * Moses then teaches about kings. He says that when they move into the land they can pick a king if they want one. He teaches that the king must write his own copy of the Torah and follow every law in it.
 * Moses prepares the people to fight for the land. He gives them rules for fighting a just war. One rule is that they must try to offer peace before they fight. Another is that they cannot cut down fruit trees. Even if it is the best way to take over a city, they cannot cut down trees that give food.
 * In this sidrah, Moses teaches about Jewish leaders. There have been many kinds of Jewish leaders. Three are prophets, judges, and kings.
 * Prophets, such as Moses, taught the words of God to Israel’s family. Deborah, a judge, showed the way to make fair decisions. She would sit under a palm tree and listen to people’s problems. David, a king, ruled over the land of Israel. He also wrote and sang psalms, songs that praised God.
 * Moses reminds the people that they must be fair. The Hebrew word for justice is “tzedek.”
 * My Comment: People have to seek justice. They have to find the right things to do. One way I can seek justice is __.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__
 * Ch. 5, “Can Praying Make Someone Well?”
 * Story 2, “God Lights the Fire,” by Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
 * Praying brings God into our thoughts and actions.
 * Once we ignite that spark and bring God into our lives, it can bring a “sense of healing.”
 * It does not always work, but we can stay in practice and keep the hope that the next time it will work.
 * Story 3, “Praying With Our Feet,” by Rabbi Elyse Frishman
 * Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once said that you can pray with your feet. He meant that when you walk to help someone in need, you are praying with your feet.
 * This kind of praying does not have magical power to effect cures. But when we show people that we care for them and take care of them, it is a way of bringing God to them.
 * When we are sad or lonely or hurt or scared and someone helps us, that is like God hugging us.
 * When we touch other people with loving hands, when we help people who are sad or hungry or lonely or scared, we are bringing God to them.
 * When sick people know you are praying for them, it makes them feel better. And our minds can help our bodies to get better, too.
 * Exercise 2, “Visiting the Sick”
 * Mitzvah of visiting the sick is bikkur holim. When we visit the sick we are being like God, helping people to get well.
 * Rabbi Akiva’s student was very sick, and no one came to see him. As soon as Rabbi Akiva heard, he went and visited the student.
 * When Rabbi Akiva got there he saw that the room was a mess. Rabbi Akiva cleaned as he visited. The student got well. Afterwards the student told everyone, “Rabbi Akiva’s visit saved my life.”
 * In this story, we learn that a visit to a sick person can help him get well.
 * We did written exercises: 1) how Rabbi Akiva saved his student’s life, and 2) writing three rules for visiting people who are sick.

Holiday
 * Text: __Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ - Passover
 * Students completed some written work in our chapter on Passover.
 * Students completed Elijahrocks.net Word Puzzle in class.

Passover Observance
 * Kitah Gimel and Kitah Bet joined together for our Passover program. Morah Leslie assisted with our program.
 * Morah Hemy and I briefly covered the following:
 * Hunt for hametz with feather, spoon, and candle prior to the holiday, to clean out the “leavening” in our homes and within ourselves.
 * Four names for the holiday: Hag HaPesach, festival of Passover; Hag HaMatzot, hoiday of matzah; Hag HaAviv, holiday of Spring; Hag HaHerut, holiday of liberation (freedom).
 * Order of the seder – the 15 steps
 * Seder plate items and their meaning: haroset, maror, hazeret, bone, egg, karpas (and salt water)
 * Wine – the four cups and their meaning: I will take you out of Egypt; I will rescue you from slavery; I will redeem you; I choose you to be my people.
 * Matzah – the 3 sheets, Kohanim, Levites, Israelites. Breaking the middle matzah, which becomes the afikoman.
 * Eating the Hillel sandwich, matzah with maror and haroset.
 * Symbols of Passover: zeroah (bone), matzah, maror.
 * Four children: wise, disrespectful, simple, one who does not know how to ask.
 * Four Tellings (Maggid) – We tell the story of our Exodus from slavery to freedom in four ways. Each begins with a question or series of questions, to which an answer in given, and for which we praise God.
 * Four Questions: eating only matzah, eating bitter herbs, dipping twice, reclining at the table.
 * Story of Exodus as related in the Torah - by exploring the meaning we understand the true meaning of our liberation. The climax is the 10 plagues which God brought upon Egypt, convincing Pharaoh to let the people go. We remove a drop of juice/wine from our cups for the loss of Egyptian life.
 * We praise God with many songs: Avadim hayinu, V’hee Sh’amdah, Dayenu!, Halleluyah!
 * Two special cups: Elijah’s cup, filled with wine. Elijah is to announce the coming of peace. Miriam’s cup, filled with water. To remind us of Miriam’s role in watching over Moses as he floated down the Nile River, and for providing wells of water to the Israelites on their journey through the desert.
 * The main “take-away” from the observance of Passover is that we were freed from Egypt so that we might worship God. Only seven weeks later, after our release from Egypt, God presented Moses with the Ten Commandments, our rules by which we live. Our freedom was of course important, but it was so that we might worship God.
 * Art projects: as we discussed the parts of Passover, the children worked on art projects. One was a seder plate, which they colored with markers and/or crayons; the other was either an afikoman or a matzah cover, decorated with fabric markers. These were beautiful, colorful, and creative works of art. We hope you enjoyed seeing them and using them at your seders!
 * Passover food: All children received a plate with many of the seder plate items: egg, parsley, romaine lettuce, maror (horseradish), haroset. They enjoyed matzah, and also grape juice - from which they removed the 10 drops for the 10 plagues as we recited them.
 * Finding the afikoman: At the end, each student searched for the afikoman, which had been hidden in the room. Eventually, it did get found, and all were given a piece of it to eat.
 * All left with a handout about the “Fours” theme in Passover, and each child received 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 Gimel is scheduled to visit the museum on April 19, in an age-appropriate way.

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 25, 2015 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

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

Important Reminders: Sunday, March 29, 2015 JYEP class, Passover program April 1 – April 18, 2015 Spring Break Sunday, April 19, 2015 Resume classes Sunday, April 26, 2015 ZmirRikudiyah – parents invited!

Homework:
 * 1) JHIPS – Passover, due Sunday, March 29, 2015. You may help your child with this. All answers are on the second page.
 * 2) V’zot Habrachah Wheel – The students have this sheet in their binders. They should have colored in the first 4 books of this circle, or wheel. The first four books are: Breisheet, Shemot, Vayikra, Bemidbar. When we complete the fifth book, the students will color in Devarim.

Family Education Hour Summary:

Thank you to all parents who came to our Family Education Hour for Kitot Bet and Gimel on Sunday, March 15. We hope you learned along with your children at the teachers’ portion of the session, and learned afterwards with Rabbi Ohriner with parents only in the sanctuary.

In case you did not make it to the Family Ed, here is a summary of what we did. Morah Hemy and I planned an activity around God and Creation. I read a short version of Creation, the work God created on the first 6 days and then rested: separating light from dark, creation of the heavens from the waters, creation of the land and vegetation, the sun, moon, and stars, the birds and the fish, animals and humans, then came Shabbat, a day of rest. I showed the children the bright, colorful, creative pictures from the book __The Beautiful World that God Made__, by Rhonda Gowler Greene, as an example of a thoughtful, artistic, innovative representation of the different days of creation.

Hemy explained the art project, which was the children’s rendition of any or all of the Creation days on a large sheet of paper. They could use markers, they could rip paper (Leslie supplied us with a large selection of wall-paper scraps) and glue them on, they could use pencil. The pictures were totally open to their own imaginations. I must say that these works of art were done very thoughtfully and creatively. I was quite impressed by the original art and carefully crafted products. I hope you enjoyed seeing them!

While I spoke about God’s part of Creation, I also emphasized that our part in manifesting God in our lives was to partner with God, by doing mitzvot, making the world better, and helping to repair it where it was broken. The students understood that, and gave several examples of ways they can help repair the world: through cleaning the environment, conservation, recycling. I explained that bringing God into the world can also involve bringing our own special and unique talents to the world, in order to help the world improve. In this way, we help improve ourselves as well as the world. We strive to be the best we can be.

As the children worked on their projects, I read a wonderful book called __God’s World__, by Sylvia Rouss, about a boy whose mother rode with him on a bicycle out of their congested, smoke-filled, industrial city to a beautiful park out of town, significantly called “Eden.” There the mother explains what God’s world is, about the days of Creation and Shabbat, and the boy learns that humans must care for our earth, as it is a special gift from God. She shows him what even a young child can do for Tikkun Olam, fixing up the world. In a special section of the book, the author outlines easy and fun ways that parents and children can work to clean up their neighborhood.

I would like to catch you up with our last two classes for Kitah Gimel.


 * __Sunday, March 15, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – kuf, kehilla kedosha, holy community

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Ekev
 * Moses continues his final lessons. He goes over how important it is to follow God’s rules. He says, “Remember, the Eternal your God is bringing you to a good land.”
 * The land has streams and springs and lakes coming from the plains and hills.
 * It is a land of wheat, barley, vine, figs, pomegranates, a land of olive oil and of honey.
 * Moses remembers going up Mt. Sinai and getting the Ten Commandments. He reminds the people that he had to make a second set of tablets.
 * Over and over he reminds the people that following the rules in the Torah will lead them to a good life.
 * The students did some written exercises.
 * My Comment: One way I can walk in God’s path is by ___.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Re’eh
 * Moses explains that everyone has a choice. Every person must decide if he or she will do good or do bad.
 * Choosing to do good and following the rules of the Torah will bring a blessing. Choosing to do what is wrong will bring a curse.
 * Moses says that the people have to be very careful not to worship the gods of the people of Canaan. They must be true to the One real God. They must be different.
 * He reminds the people of the rules about the kinds of food they can eat. They must share part of their harvest with the tribe of Levi, and share part of their harvest with those who need food. Moses reminds them that Israel’s family must take care of those who are in need.
 * Moses goes over the holidays of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. These are times to thank God.
 * The students did some written exercises.
 * My Comment: My family helps those in need by _.

Dance Kitah Gimel, along with Kitah Bet, had dance with Morah Donna. We reviewed our dance for our ZmiRikudiyah, which is on April 26. We also practiced “Am Echad Shir Echad” – another song and dance for this performance. Kitah Gimel also got to do “Yesh Lanu,” a fun line dance they like very much.


 * __Saturday, March 21, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – kuf, kehilla kedosha

Holiday
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ – Passover
 * Passover seder is the holiday meal celebrating the Exodus, our freedom from slavery in Egypt. Eighteen guests are coming to Daniel’s family seder.
 * This night the family was cleaning out the hametz from their home.
 * On Passover, hametz is not eaten or kept in the house. Instead, we eat matzah and other holiday foods that are kosher for Passover.
 * We eat matzah because when our people were freed from slavery, they had no time left to let their dough rise. They put the dough on their backs and the sun baked it into hard, flat loaves. We eat matzah to remind ourseves of our ancestors’ hardship. It reminds us not only to invite guests to our seder, but also to help people in need.
 * On Passover, we recite the blessing over wine, and we drink the wine four times at the seder. Each cup reminds us of promises God made in the Torah: “I will free you from Egypt.” “I will deliver you from slavery.” “I will lead you home.” “You will be my people.”
 * We put a plate with 3 sheets of matzah on the seder table. During the seder, we break off a piece from the middle matzah and hide it. It is called the afikoman. Sometimes the adults hide it and the children find it; sometimes the children hide it and the adults find it. A prize is given to the person who finds the afikoman. Everyone eats a piece of the afikoman at dessert time.
 * We use a special book with the story of Passover and the holiday blessings and songs, called a Haggadah. We set the table with candlesticks and a special wine glass.
 * We tell the story of Passover as if God had freed each of us personally from slavery in Egypt. The Four Questions remind us that we are now a free people. Only free people can ask questions.
 * The story of the Israelites is that more than 3,000 years ago, they lived in the land of Egypt, and were ruled by a king, called the Pharaoh. Pharaoh made them slaves, forcing them to work hard making bricks of clay. Pharaoh was afraid that they would grow in numbers and join his enemies. He ordered his servants to drown the baby boys in the Nile River.
 * One boy was saved. His mother put him in a basket and put it among the reeds of the Nile River. His sister watched over him from a distance. Pharaoh’s daughter found the baby and took pity on him. She named him Moses, and reared him as her son.
 * When Moses grew up, he left Egypt. One day, he saw a bush burning in the desert, but the flames did not destroy it. He heard God’s voice coming out of the burning bush, commanding him to help free the Israelites from slavery.
 * Moses obeyed God and went to Pharaoh saying, “Let my people go!” But Pharaoh was stubborn, and he said no.
 * Because of his stubbornness, God sent ten terrible punishments – the Ten Plagues. They were: blood, frogs, insects, wild beasts, cattle disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, death of the firstborn. After the tenth and final plague, when every firstborn child in Egypt died, even Pharaoh’s son, he let the Israelites go.
 * The Israelites left, however Pharaoh changed his mind, and he and his army pursued them. They came to the edge of the Sea of Reeds, and were trapped, with no way to escape.
 * Moses raised his arm over the sea and a great wind came from God. The wind pushed apart the waters, creating a path of dry land. The Israelites quickly crossed to the other side.
 * When the Egyptian army followed them into the sea, the waters came together, drowning his solders. This is why at the seder we remove one drop of wine or juice from our cups for each of the ten plagues – though we are glad to be free, we are saddened that the Egyptians lost their lives as we gained our freedom.
 * At our seder, we have a seder plate with special foods, each with a special meaning:
 * Karpas, parsley, to remind us of spring. We dip it in salt water to remember the tears our people cried in Egypt.
 * Roasted Egg: a reminder of the festival sacrifice in the Temple in Jerusalem.
 * Maror: a bitter herb, like horseradish, to remind us of the bitterness of slavery.
 * Zeroa: a roasted bone (vegetarians use a red beet) to remind us of the Passover sacrifice that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem.
 * Haroset: a mixture of fruit, wine and nuts to remind us of the bricks that Pharoah forced the Israelites to make.
 * Hazeret: an additional bitter herb, like romaine lettuce, that some people place on their seder plate.
 * We fill a special cup, the cup of Elijah, with wine at our seder. Towards the end of the seder, we stand and open the door as if we were welcoming Elijah into our home. Jewish tradition teaches that Elijah will bring the time of peace. Each year, we hope that our wish for peace will come true soon.
 * Some families also put the Cup of Miriam on their seder table. Miriam’s cup is filled with spring water. It reminds us of the ancient teaching that Miriam’s well followed the Israelites through the desert. Just as Miriam’s watching over Moses had helped keep him safe and alive, the well gave the Israelites the water that helped keep them alive.
 * It is important to remember that the reason we were freed from Egypt is that we were free to worship God. One way to worship God is to help others who are not yet free or who are hungry.
 * The students placed the seder plate sticker representing Passover onto the Jewish holiday treasure trail.
 * I handed out several sheets from Elijahrocks.net for Passover including Dictionary, Blessings, Four Questions, Seder Plate Dictionary.
 * **I also gave Homework: JHIPS – Passover, due Sunday, March 29, 2015.**

Kitah Gimel attended Haverim Services with Iris, went into the Sanctuary for the Ruah Rally with Rabbi Ohriner, and then 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 Gimel Parents,

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


 * On March 1, we welcomed a new student into Kitah Gimel, named Ari 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:**
 * We are having our Kitah Gimel and Kitah Bet Family Education tomorrow, Sunday, March 15, 2015, 11:15 am - 12:30 pm, and I hope to see you all there!** Parents and children will meet with Morah Hemy and me from 11:15 – 11:45 am for a special project. This will be followed by parents meeting alone with Rabbi Ohriner in the sanctuary and students meeting with their teachers in their respective classrooms. At the conclusion, at 12:30 pm, all will join together for refreshments.


 * 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 Gimel classes. Here are the topics we covered:


 * __Sunday, March 1, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – pey, pikuach nefesh, save a life

Holiday – Purim
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * Mishloach Manot – gift baskets of treats, such as hamantashen, fruit, candy, given to family and friends to wish them a Happy Purim
 * Hamantashen – triangle-shaped pastry filled with jam or poppy seeds or chocolate. The name comes from the Yiddish, meaning Haman’s pocket. In Hebrew the pastries are called oznei Haman, or “Haman’s ears.”
 * We dress up in costumes on Purim. Some synagogues have a Purim carnival.
 * We read the story of Purim, which teaches important lessons.
 * In towns and cities throughout Israel, there are Purim parades, called “Ad Lo Yada” where people dress in costumes and there are colorful floats, music, and dance performances.
 * The story of Purim takes place in Shushan, in the country of Persia. The king, Ahasuerus, had a beautiful queen, Esther. He did not know that she was Jewish. Ahasuerus had an evil chief officer, Haman. Haman made people bow down to him.
 * Esther’s cousin Mordechai had once saved the king’s life, but Haman didn’t know that. All he knew was that Mordechai would not bow down to him because Jews bow only to God. That made Haman so angry he decided to have Mordechai and all the Jews in the Land of Persia killed.
 * Haman cast lots to decide the day on which the Jews would be killed. The Hebrew word for lots is “purim.” The lot fell on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. Then, Hamaan went to Ahasuerus to arrange for a royal order decreeing that all the Jews be killed on the 13th of Adar.
 * The story of Purim is found in the Megillat Esther, a Scroll of Esther. Megillah means scroll. Unlike a Torah scroll, which has two wooden rollers, the Scroll of Esther has only one wooden roller.
 * During the megillah reading, we use twirling noisemakers, called graggers, to drown out Haman’s name when it is read aloud. This reminds us to use our voices to speak out louder than the voices of evil. Jewish tradition teaches us to be brave, to speak up about fairness and peace.
 * We show that we are thankful for the goodness in our lives by giving gifts of food not only to friends and family but also to those in need.
 * Purim Riddle, “How do we turn a wrong into a right? What must we do with all our might?
 * Story: Rivkah and Daniel were transported to the royal court where Ahasuerus sat on his throne. Esther entered the room. Everyone knew that it was forbidden to go uninvited before the king. Esther had not been invited. She was willing to risk her life to save her people.
 * As soon as Ahasuerus saw Esther he held out his golden scepter, or rod, to welcome her. Esther invited the king and Haman to two feasts. At the second feast, when the king asked her what wish he could grant her, Esther spoke out. “I am a Jew. Wicked Haman has plotted to kill me and all my people. Please save us!”
 * Ahasuerus quickly took action. Haman was hanged in place of Mordechai, and Mordechai replaced Haman as the king’s chief officer. Esther said, “There shall be light and celebration for all the Jews on the 14th day of Adar.”
 * The answer to the riddle: Speaking out with all your might is how we turn a wrong into a right.
 * Students found the Purim sticker, Queen Esther, and placed it on the holiday treasure trail.
 * Students completed the Elijahrocks.net word puzzle in class. They were given a page of Purim dictionary words, the four mitzvot of Purim, and JHIPS for Purim for their binders. Due to the forthcoming festivities for the holiday, I did not assign this JHIPS for homework; however, a sticker may be earned if your child completes the JHIPS and turns it in.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Mattot
 * The nation of Israel goes to war with the Midianites and wins the war.
 * Israel’s family camps just across the Jordan River from the land of Canaan.
 * The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask Moses if they can have land on this side of the Jordan River. Moses is angry and asks if they want to stay on this side while their brothers go to war to take the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 * The two tribes reply that they will go and fight alongside their brothers. Then they will come back to this side of the river.
 * Moses says, “If you keep this promise God will give your families this land.”
 * We discussed what it was like to spend 40 years in the desert.
 * My Comment: The tribes of Reuben and Gad had to go ahead and help the other tribes even though they wanted to stay on the other side of the Jordan River. One time I helped someone when I wanted to do something else was _.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Mas’ei
 * Israel’s family is almost ready to enter the land of Canaan. The Torah tells about all the places they have been since they left Egypt. God teaches them more about living in the Promised Land.
 * God has Moses teach the people about the borders of the Land of Israel. Moses describes the part of the land that will be given to each family.
 * Then God teaches Moses more rules that will help the people live together in peace.
 * This is the last sidrah in the Book of Bemidbar. It shows how Israel’s family traveled to many places in the wilderness and had many adventures.
 * They started out in Rameses, and went to Sukkot, where there were palm trees. They camped by the Sea of Reeds, they went to Rephidim, where there was no water. They went to Sinai, they camped out at Mount Hor, where Aaron died. They stopped by the Jordan River near Jericho.
 * My Comment: Israel spent forty years in the wilderness and had many adventures. I think the most exciting part was __.
 * At the conclusion of each book of the Torah, when we finish reading it, we recite: Hazak, hazak, v’nithazeik, be strong, be strong, let us strengthen one another.

Values
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__, ch. 2, “Making Mensch Choices”
 * We continued our discussion of “The New-Kid Dilemma.”
 * When it comes to how we should treat guests and strangers – including new kids in our school – Judaism’s choice is clear.
 * In the Torah, we learn of three guests who arrived at Abraham and Sarah’s home. The two hosts immediately spring into action, bringing water so the guests could wash their feet, inviting them to recline under a shady tree, and selecting a sheep to prepare for food. They opened their home and their hearts to the strangers, who were soon no longer strangers.
 * The next time a new person turns up in your class, you will know what you should do. Our Kitah Gimel students demonstrated their understanding of this directive in their warm welcome of our new student, Ari.
 * The commandment, hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests, teaches us the importance of welcoming strangers and visitors.
 * We learned some “wisdom from the old country,” some Yiddish proverbs, which provide more good choices. They included the following:
 * If you seek, you will find.
 * Too much of anything is uhealthy.
 * After a good cry, your heart is lighter.
 * If you understand your foolishness, you are clever.
 * In a quarrel, leave the door open for forgiveness.
 * Don’t leave until for tomorrow what you can do today.
 * One always thinks that others are happy.
 * Seek advice from everyone, but speak with your own mind.
 * If you don’t eat garlic, you won’t seall bad.
 * Don’t rub salt into a wound.


 * __Sunday, March 8, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – tzadi, tzedek tirdof, pursue justice

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Devarim
 * Israel camped across the river from the Promised Land. God has said that Moses cannot cross.
 * Forty years have passed since Israel’s family left Egypt. All the people who left Egypt except for Moses and Joshua have died. Everyone else was born in the wilderness. Moses gathers the people of Israel for his final lessons.
 * Moses begins with history. He reminds the people of all the times they complained and made God angry. He reviews the wars they have fought and won.
 * He also reminds the tribes of Gad and Reuben that they promised to fight alongside their brothers.
 * Moses again tells the people that Joshua will be their leader and that God will help them win the land.
 * We discussed why it is important to remember history.
 * My Comment: In this sidrah Moses begins to re-teach the Torah. I think the most important thing I’ve learned in the Torah so far is.

Torah
 * Text: __My weeky Sidrah__ – Va-Ethannan
 * Moses goes on teaching. He tells the people how he begged God to let him go into the Promised Land. God said no.
 * Moses warns the people to be very careful to obey God’s rules. He then repeats the Ten Commandments.
 * Moses warns the people not to worship the stars or idols but to remember the One God.
 * He reminds them they are a holy people and have a special friendship with God. God took them out of Egypt and gave them the Torah. It is very important to follow the Torah’s rules.
 * In this sidrah we find one of the most important Jewish prayers, the Shema. We practiced saying the Shema. We discussed why Jews say the Shema at night before going to sleep.
 * My Comment: One way my family shows that we love God is by _.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 5 “Can Praying Make Someone Well?”
 * Story 1, “The Way to Paradise,” by Rabbi Ed Feinstein
 * Summary: A man gives up on life and prays for Paradise. His walking journey takes him right back to his own village. Thinking this “new” place is Paradise, he experiences everything in a joyous manner.
 * Big Idea: One Jewish view is that prayer is not about curing a body. Prayer can provide comfort, courage, and strength by changing a person’s perspective about his or her situation.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Exercise 1, “A Prayer for Healing.”
 * Traditionally, during the Torah service we say a prayer, the prayer, “Mi she-Berakh,” that asks God to help the sick people we know to get well. We name or think of specific people as we sing this prayer.
 * We read the prayer, asking for God to strengthen and heal the person, and send a speedy recovery, in body and soul, along with all others who suffer illness.
 * The students were asked to write their own healing prayer, choosing words they would use to ask God to help someone they know or someone they love to get better.

Purim
 * I read a wonderful Purim book, __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 at 9:30 am, and Morah Hemy and I look forward to seeing you and your children at our Family Education, beginning at 11:15 am.

L’hitraot, see you soon!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

February 27, 2015

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

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

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

The Kitah Gimel students had their first JEM classes on Wednesday, Feb. 11 and on Wednesday, Feb. 25. From the comments I’ve been hearing, the children are enjoying their new classes. These classes are experiential and interactive, so the students learn in a “hands-on” approach. Our hope is that this way of learning will be both fun and educational, and will encourage our students to continue with lifelong Jewish learning.

Important Reminders: Sunday, March 1, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, next JYEP class Wednesday, March 4, 4:00 – 5:30, JEM classes followed by Purim activities: wear crazy clothes this day! Sunday, March 8, 9:30 am – 11:30 am, JYEP followed by Purim Carnival Wednesday, March 11, 4:00 – 6:15, JEM classes Sunday, March 15, 9:30 – 11:15 am, JYEP classes
 * Sunday, March 15, 11:15 – 12:30 pm, Kitah Gimel Family Education**

I would like to catch you up with the last two classes we had before break.


 * __Wednesday, February 4, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – samekh, slicha, forgiveness

Tefillah – Romemu
 * We practiced this prayer.
 * We reviewed its meaning.

Torah Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ - Korach
 * Korach is a member of the tribe of Levi. He doesn’t think it is fair that Moses and Aaron are the bosses. He believes that all Jews are holy and that no one person should be in charge. He wants to be the boss of the Mishkan instead of Aaron. Some people agree with him.
 * Moses says, “God will pick.” Then the earth opens up and swallows Korach and the people on his side.
 * Many people are angry that Korach and his friends are gone. They yell at Moses and Aaron.
 * God tells Moses what to do. Moses has the leader of each tribe write his name on his staff and put it in the Mishkan. Aaron does this, too.
 * The next day, Aaron’s staff turns into a tree, with leaves, flowers, and almonds. This is a sign that God has picked Aaron and his family.
 * God teaches more about what a Kohein does. When Israel moves into Canaan the tribe of Levi will be given no land. Instead they will work for God. God teaches a rule: All Jewish farmers must share part of their harvest with the tribe of Levi.
 * My Comment: Korach and his followers didn’t understand that God picked Moses and Aaron to be leaders because they were the best people for the job. One thing I don’t understand about God is ___.
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Hukkat
 * God teaches still more about the Head Kohein’s job. The instructions are given for a special offering made with an all-red cow. Also among the teachings are some rules about what to do when a person dies.
 * Miriam is Moses’ sister. She dies and is buried at Kadesh.
 * The people complain again. They want water. They want to go back to Egypt.
 * This time God tells Moses to take his staff and talk to a rock. The people yell. Moses takes the staff and hits the rock. God is angry. God tells Moses that he will not lead the Jewish people into the Land that will become Israel.
 * The people of Israel want to walk through the country of Edom. Their king says no. Edom has a very strong army. The people of Israel walk another way.
 * Aaron dies, and his son Eliezar becomes the Head Kohein.
 * The King of Arad tries to stop Israel with his army, but Israel wins. Israel’s family wants to walk through the country of the Amorites. The King of the Amorites tries to stop them. Again Israel wins. They also beat the King of Bashan.
 * My Comment: Some people always find things to complain about! One thing I complain about too much is ___.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__
 * Story 2: “God’s Voice is Inside Us,” by Rabbi Ed Feinstein
 * Big Idea: God is not separate and apart from us. Rather, God is part of how we think and make decisions.
 * Summary: A rabbinic commentary: When Moshe confronts the burning bush, the voice that speaks to him is his own. God is there when you hear your own voice telling you the right thing to do.
 * God is inside us, not like someone spying on our thoughts but like someone helping us decide the right thing to do. God can’t force us to do what’s right, but God can remind us to care.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Story 3: “God Lights the Spark,” by Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
 * First Big Idea: God inspires new ideas and moves a person to do good.
 * Second Big Idea: Implanted in every person is “God DNA” that creates the potential for choosing good.
 * It is God who inspires us. God is the spark that sets off the thought, but we are free to think in our own way and act as we wish. God doesn’t guide our every action, but in the big picture, God sets a direction for each of us.
 * Usually it is only after the fact that we reflect on something we’ve done or an idea we’ve had and we think “God must have wanted us to do it this way.”
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Exercise 1: “How Do We Know What God is Thinking?”
 * Big Ideas: There are accessible Jewish ways for trying to learn what God wants. Torah study and mitzvot are on the top of this list.
 * Summary: This exercise flips the question from “Does God know our thoughts?” to “Can we know God’s thoughts?” Students think about different ways of being Jewish as ways to better understand God. This is a challenging “stretching exercise.”
 * The categories are praying in synagogue, meditating, talking to God, studying Torah, reading a book, studying with a friend, giving charity, dancing, singing, creating art. The questions asked of each are: Have you done it? Has it helped you to understand God? Has it helped you to know what to do?
 * In Judaism, there are many ways of getting closer to God and knowing what God wants.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 7, Ein Gedi
 * Big Ideas: Knowing the history of King David makes him an exciting contributor to the Jewish story and connects us to Ein Gedi. David fled to Ein Gedi after King Saul became jealous of David.
 * Ein Gedi, an oasis in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea, is a great place to visit, hike and experience nature. It has waterfalls, pools you can swim in, and ibex.
 * Oases are one of the important resources for living in the desert. Living in the desert is a big part of Jewish history.
 * King David was the first person to unite B’nai Yisrael into one large kingdom. King David brought together the 12 tribes, and built his capital in Jerusalem. Before King David, each of the 12 tribes lived in a different part of Israel. The map of Israel was divided, based on which tribe lived in each area.
 * Today, Israel’s map is divided by the different cities around the country. Knowing where places are on the map of Israel builds a connection to the land of Israel. Students were asked to label the following: Tel Aviv, Be’ersheva, Tzfat, Zikhron Ya’akov, Haifa, T’veria, Eilat, Jerusalem.

Hafsaka (Break)
 * As this day was the actual holiday of Tu B’Shevat, Iris created a Tu B’Shevat “We Love Trees” Scavenger Hunt and Feast. It was created to help the students locate the new classrooms in the portables and to have them learn about products which come from trees in Israel.
 * Each student received a map and a puzzle with “Class Name” (such as Office, Zayin, Art, JGan, Lounge, Alef, Bet, Gimel, Tefilla, Vav, Dalet, Hey) and “Tree Product” (such as Orange, Rubber, Pomegranate, Plum, Lumber, Apricot, Persimmon, Almond, Cashew, Oxygen, Olive, Date, Apple). They traveled by grade to find the right answers, and then had to write in the class name and the tree product as they arrived at each location. In some cases, they could sample the fruit mentioned, thus providing them with delicious snacks!
 * A final acrostic was completed at the bottom of the form from the letters written in during the hunt. It said, “Trees give us life.”


 * __Sunday, February 8, 2015__**

Ot Hashavua – samekh, slicha, forgiveness

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Balak
 * Balak is the King of Moab. He is scared of the Nation of Israel, and knows what they did to the Amorites and the others.
 * He hires Balaam. Balaam is a wizard. Balaam promises to stop Israel’s family with a curse.
 * Balaam picks a mountain as the place to say the curse. He rides a donkey to the place. Three times God makes the donkey go the wrong way.
 * Balaam is angry. He yells at the donkey. God makes the donkey yell back. God then tells Balaam that he will bless Israel and not curse them.
 * When Balaam looks down on Israel’s camp, he blesses them: “Your tents are beautiful, Jacob. So is your Mishkan, Israel.” These are words to the prayer “Mah Tovu.”
 * My Comment: When Balaam saw the place where the Jewish people worshipped he blessed them. When we, the Jewish people, get together to pray today, we begin with the same words Balaam used. When Jews get together to pray, one beautiful thing is __.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Pinhas
 * Pinhas is one of Aaron’s sons. He teaches Israel’s family that some things are wrong. God blesses him. Again God asks Moses to count the number of people in Israel’s family. Eliezar, another son of Aaron, helps him.
 * After the counting God explains that each man will be given a piece of the Promised Land for his family.
 * Two women complain. They say, “We are the daughters of Zelophehad. Our father is dead. We have no brothers. Our family should have a piece of land, too.” And God agrees.
 * God asks Moses to climb to the top of a hill. God shows him the Promised Land. God reminds him that he will not cross into the land of Canaan.
 * God tells him to make Joshua the next leader of Israel’s family.
 * God reminds Moses about Shabbat, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
 * My Comment: If I had to pick a leader, I would look for a person who __.

Values
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__, ch. 2, Making Mensch Choices
 * Three Cheers, Three Jeers – students were asked to list three good choices they made this year, and three not-so-good choices.
 * Choices we make are important. They are often difficult. They may be right for one person but not for another.
 * We make good choices in different ways. Sometimes we stumble on the right choice, based on observation, experience, even mistakes we’ve made.
 * The ancient rabbis collected this wisdom, these good choices, and passed it from one generation to the next. The goal was to help their children, their children’s children, and us, live happier, safer, more meaningful lives.
 * Some choices we arrive at after a great deal of thought and reflection.
 * There is a famous “eye for an eye” rule. The Torah states that the punishment for a person who hurts someone should be “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” The rabbis of the Talmud explained that this does not mean that if someone pokes your eye out, you should poke out theirs. They determined that that was not what the Torah meant. Instead, they decided that the guilty person should pay a fine based on the seriousness of the injury.
 * If we took “an eye for an eye” literally, then two people would end up blind – and that would solve nothing.
 * Some choices are still up in the air, and we don’t know what the best answers are. Those choices vary from community to community and from person to person. Some are: What is the best way to achieve peace in Israel? Should prayers be recited in Hebrew only, or are other languages acceptable?
 * There are several important sources of good Jewish choices:
 * Tanach – the Hebrew Bible, which includes the five books of the Torah, the books of the Prophets, and books of Writings. It has laws to help us make tough choices, and stories about how our ancestors made their tough choices.
 * Talmud – later, great rabbis studied the Tanach to learn how best to live their lives. Their choices and their arguments about those choices were recorded in a set of volumes called the Talmud. Talmud means learning. It records what these great rabbis learned from one another.
 * Midrashim – for centuries, people have written stories to better understand why people like Moses and Rebecca and Joseph made the choices they did. These stories and the lessons they teach us are called midrashim. People continue to create midrashim every day. Some are in magazines, some in sermons, and some on the Internet.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children this Sunday, March 1.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat Shalom.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

February 2, 2015

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Hello, all. I hope you and your families are doing well. As we are close to our next Jewish holiday, I want to wish everyone a Happy Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the trees, which is this 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 Gimel students participated nicely singing the song “Am Echad Shir Echad,” and our class representative, Sam Kass, 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 Reminders:**
 * **Wednesday, Feb. 4**, **last JYEP class for Kitah Gimel, 4 – 6:15 pm**. This class will be held in Room 4, as usual, and NOT in the portables.
 * **Sunday, Feb. 8, JYEP, 9:30 – 12:30 pm.** All being well, this class should be in the portables. **__The portable for Kitah Gimel will be #3C.__**
 * **Wednesday, Feb. 11, Kitah Gimel begins the JEM program.** The students chose first and second choices for their classes for Sessions 4 and 5. They will find out their class for Session 4 on Feb. 11.
 * **Kitah Gimel Family Education Hour, Sunday, March 15, 11:15 – 12:30 pm.** First half hour is with parents, students and teacher, last 45 minutes is with parents and Rabbi Ohriner. Please mark your calendars. The topic is “God.”
 * **Homework: JHIPS Shabbat and Tu B'Shevat both are due. Please complete by Feb. 8.**

Here is an update of our last 4 classes for Kitah Gimel.


 * __Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – nun, nedivut, generosity

Tefillah – Shema v’ahavta
 * We practiced reciting these prayers.
 * We reviewed their meanings.

Torah Values
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Be’Midbar
 * This sidrah is like a biblical telephone book. It has the names and numbers of Israel’s family.
 * Jacob’s other name was Israel. He had 12 sons, and each of them had children. The family grew and grew. Each of the son’s families became a tribe. The nation of Israel is made up of 12 tribes.
 * God orders Moses to count all of the members of Israel’s family who have lived longer than 20 years. God names one leader in each tribe to help. With their help, Aaron and Moses make a list of the whole Jewish people.
 * Then God gives Moses a map of how the camp should look. The Mishkan is to be in the middle. Each tribe had its own special place around the Mishkan, and each flag, showing where they should camp, has its own symbol.
 * My Comment: If I had my own tribe, on my flag there would be a.
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__, ch. 2 “Making Mensch Choices”
 * The Choice is Yours
 * Choices affect who we are, how others see us, how we see ourselves.
 * They can change the future. Choices lead to action.
 * Even our ancestors wrestled with tough choices. Sometimes they made good choices, sometimes they made bad ones – they were not so different from us.
 * Some choices made by our ancestors were worth remembering, writing down, and passing on to their children.
 * For generations, rabbis, parents, teachers, philosophers have passed on thoughts and suggestions that can help us, and future generations, make good choices.
 * “Days are scrolls; write on them what you choose.” Rabbi Bahya ibn Pakuda, Spanish writer.
 * Students were asked to list some good and some not-so-good choices they made this year.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 4, Masada
 * Josephus was a Jewish governor in the Galilee during Roman times. In 66 C.E., the Jews revolted against the Romans. When Josephus was captured he decided to join them.
 * Josephus became a historian and wrote many books. In one, he told the history of the Jewish people from the time of Creation. He also wrote about the war of the Jews, when the Jews rebelled against the Romans.
 * Masada was a fortress built in the Judean Desert above the Dead Sea.
 * The Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E. The Romans chased some zealots to Masada. It was the last place in Israel not conquered by Rome. The zealots took over the fortress. The Roman army arrived in 72 C.E. The fortress is on top of steep cliffs, so the zealots were able to defend themselves for a whole year.
 * The Romans built a ramp up to the top of Masada so that they could conquer the mountain. The Jewish zealots knew that they could not win a fight, and that the Romans would capture them and send them into slavery.
 * On the night before the approaching Roman invasion, they chose to take their own lives instead of being captured. When the Roman soldiers finally got inside Masada, not a single person was left alive.
 * The zealots cared so much about their freedom to be Jews and not become slaves that they would not give in to the Romans. Josephus wrote about Eliezer, the zealot leader, and Eliezer’s speech - stating how important Judaism was to him and his followers.
 * Today when you visit Masada there are lots of things to see and learn. The fortress is filled with fancy baths and other buildings. There is a synagogue and there are spots where you can look out and see down to the Dead Sea.
 * The students made a list of Jewish things that are worth protecting.

Song practice
 * The students practiced the song “Am Echad Shir Echad” for the Groundbreaking.
 * They sang the chorus in both English and Hebrew.

Coloring Project (can do at home)
 * All students received a sheet called “Vzot Habrakha” which has a wheel divided into 5 sections. Each has one of the 5 Books of the Torah.
 * I asked the students to start coloring in this wheel, specifically the first 3 books of the Torah, Breisheet, Exodus, Leviticus – which we have covered so far. As we finish the last two books, they may color those in, too.


 * __Sunday, January 25, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – nun, nedvut, generosity

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Naso
 * The nation of Israel camped at Mt. Sinai for a log time. They heard the 10 Commandments and were taught many laws.
 * They built the Mishkan and learned all about the job of being a Kohein. God taught that the Kohanim were to be holy and that all of Israel’s family was also to be holy.
 * The people are ready to move. God teaches that the tribe of Levi will take apart and move the Mishkan. Each family has its own job. For 12 days gifts are brought to the Mishkan. Each day a different tribe brings gifts.
 * God teaches the Kohanim the special words to use to bless the Jewish people.
 * We learn that when God spoke to Moses, Moses would hear a voice coming from on top of the covering. It would always be in the spot right over the ark.
 * In Torah times the Head Kohein would use special words to bless the Jewish people. Today parents use these words to bless their children on Shabbat:
 * May the Eternal bless you and project you.
 * May the Eternal’s face shine on you and make things wonderful for you.
 * May the Eternal’s face turn toward you and give you peace.
 * My Comment: Parents use these words to bless their children (on Shabbat). If I could write a blessing for my parents, I would ask God to bless them with.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Be’Ha’alotekha
 * The nation of Israel is almost ready to move. God repeats some teachings so that everyone understands. God reviews the plans for the menorah, the job of the tribe of Levi to help the Kohanim, and the laws for Passover.
 * God then asks Moses to make two silver horns to call the people. When these are ready, God tells the tribes where to stand in the line. The people are now ready to move. The ark is at the front of the line.
 * Once again the people complain about the food. They want to have fish, cucumbers, melons, onions and garlic, foods which they ate in Egypt. Even though they have special food, manna, they want meat. Moses is angry with them; however, God sends them a flock of birds to capture and eat.
 * When it is time for the people to move, Aaron’s sons blow the silver horns. When the people are to come together, the blasts are long blasts. When the people are to move, the blasts are short blasts.
 * The people carried the ark. Though it was very heavy, it was a special honor to carry it.
 * My Comment: These are the words we say when we take the Torah out of the ark. When I see the Torah, it makes me think of.

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


 * __Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015__**

Ot Hashavuah – samekh, slicha, forgiveness

Tefillah
 * Mi Chamocha prayer
 * We practiced this in Hebrew and reviewed its meaning.
 * We learned that it was said after the Israelites had crossed the Sea of Reeds.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Shelach Lekha
 * God tells Moses to send 12 spies into the land of Canaan. God picks the leader of each tribe to go. Joshua is one of the spies.
 * They spend 40 days scouting out the land.
 * When they come back they are carrying a giant bunch of grapes. They tell the people that Canaan is a land flowing with milk and honey.
 * They also tell them that the people who live in Canaan are giants. The spies are scared.
 * The people of Israel are scared, too.
 * Again they complain. They say they want to go back to Egypt.
 * Joshua was the one spy who believed in God. He said, “If the Eternal is happy with us, we will have that land.”
 * God is very angry with the people. Moses asks God to forgive the people.
 * In the end, the people are ready to enter the land. God then teaches Moses some new rules to be taught to the people. They are all about how to live when they have their own land.
 * The rule to make fringes on the corner of a tallit is the last rule.
 * My Comment: Joshua thought of the land of Israel as “a land flowing with milk and honey.” I think of Israel as ___.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 4, “Does God Know What I Am Thinking or What I Will Do?”
 * Story 1, “Adam and Eve Were Not Robots,” by Rabbi Elyse Frishman
 * Summary: This is a retelling of the Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden story. The special focus is on what God chooses to know. It also focuses on how the first couple responds upon becoming aware of God’s omnipresence – they hid.
 * Big Ideas:
 * God could know what people are thinking, and about the future. But God chooses not to peek.
 * Real human freedom means that God can’t know what people will choose to do.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Exercise 2, “The Jewish Laws of Privacy.”
 * Summary: The Torah story is described in which Balaam, hired to put a curse on the Israelites, instead blesses them with the words of the “Mah Tovu” prayer: “Your tents are really good Jacob; so are the places you live, Israel.” One midrash from this episode is that the reason Balaam blessed Israel’s tents is because each was positioned to respect the privacy of its neighbors. This ties in with Rabbi Frishman’s answer because both are about respecting privacy.
 * The students were asked to come up with ideas of their own about showing respect for privacy, such as knocking on a door that is closed, not building a window in one’s home that looks into another person’s home, and not opening or reading someone else’s mail. The students were asked to consider how respecting privacy might be a way of getting closer to God.

International Holocaust Memorial Day
 * Iris led an Assembly in the Sanctuary for grades 3 – 7, to honor Jan. 27, which was International Holocaust Day.
 * From the website of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum: “The UN General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of [|Auschwitz-Birkenau]—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this annual day of commemoration, the UN urges every member state to honor the victims of the Nazi era and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides.”
 * This is the day that Auschwitz-Birkenau camp was liberated.
 * Iris also mentioned the 27th of Nissan, which is Yom HaShoah, the date chosen to remember the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. She asked the students to recognize that Jan. 27 was when others freed the Jews, whereas the date of the 27th of Nissan recalled the time when the Jews tried to fight for their own freedom and liberate themselves.
 * Iris reviewed the importance of remembering the Holocaust.
 * She also stressed that the survivors of the Holocaust are ageing, and are passing away. That means that the students must remember the stories of the survivors and pass them on to their own children, so that the world will never forget what happened.


 * __Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015__**

Ot HaShavuah – samekh, slicha, forgiveness

Holidays
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ – Tu B’Shevat
 * Tu B’Shevat is the birthday, or new year, of the trees.
 * We thank God for the gifts of nature, especially for trees, and all they give us.
 * The Torah teaches us that God commanded our ancestors not to eat the fruit of a tree for 3 years after it was planted. In the 4th year, they had to give the fruit as an offering to God. Finally, they could eat the fruit once a tree became 5 years old. But it would be hard to remember exactly when each tree was planted, so the rabbis determined that the years of a tree’s life are counted from one Tu B’Shevat to the next.
 * At a Tu B’Shevat Seder, we thank God for the gifts of nature. We eat fruits that have peels or shells that need to be removed, we eat fruits that have a pit, and we eat fruits that have tiny seeds inside – fruits that can be eaten whole.
 * We also drink 4 cups of wine or grape juice – white (winter), white with a little red (spring), red with a little white (summer), and red (fall). We recite blessings over the fruit and wine, and we thank God for all the good things that trees give us.
 * The Bible teaches us that there are 7 types or species of fruits and grains that are special crops of Israel. They are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. On Tu B’Shevat it is a tradition to eat fruit from Israel.
 * Though it is cold in some places in the world at this time of year, in Israel the winter rains have mostly stopped and the weather is warmer. Green buds have begun to appear.
 * The name, “Tu,” comes from the Hebrew letters “tet” and “vav.” Put together they spell “Tu.” Each Hebrew letter has a numerical value, the vav is 6, and the tet is 9. Together they add up to 15, and make the sound “Tu.” That is how the holiday got its name.
 * Some people donate money to plant trees in Israel. You can receive a certificate for the trees you plant. They can be planted in honor of someone special to you, or in memory of someone. It is a mitzvah to plant a tree.
 * Trees can help people become strong by providing fruits that are full of vitamins and minerals.
 * Tu B’Shevat has become a holiday on which we not only celebrate the gifts of nature, but also renew our commitment to care for the environment. We make efforts to use water and energy wisely, to plant trees, and to recycle paper, glass, and metal.
 * Riddle: What do we owe to planet Earth and to each generation to which we give birth?”
 * We read the story, about a woman who was planting a carob tree. Rivkah asks her why she is planting a tree when it takes 70 years for a carob tree to bear fruit. The woman explains, “I found the world filled with carob trees because my parents and grandparents planted them for me. Now I am planting one for my children and grandchildren.”
 * The answer to the riddle is that we should plant trees and care for nature so that the next generation can share in the goodness that our parents passed on to us.
 * The students placed the correct sticker for Tu B’Shevat on the treasure trail.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli,__ ch. 4, Beersheva
 * Ilan Ramon was Israel’s first astronaut and one of only a few Jewish astronauts ever. In 2003, he joined NASA astronauts in the Space Shuttle Columbia and blasted into space for 2 weeks.
 * It was important to Ilan to bring some things into space with him that would celebrate his Jewishness. Both his mother and grandmother were survivors of the Holocaust.
 * He brought a drawing by a boy who had died in the Shoah - it was a picture of the earth from the view of someone standing on the moon. He also brought with him a miniature copy of the Torah.
 * When the Space Shuttle Columbia was returning to Earth on Feb. 1, 2003, a tragedy happened. It overheated and crashed over Texas, killing all of the astronauts onboard.
 * Ilan Ramon was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. He is remembered as a hero and role model to Israelis and Jews everywhere.
 * Being in space created lots of questions for Ilan Ramon about how to be Jewish. He spoke with some rabbis to figure out how to observe some of the rituals while in the space shuttle.
 * Ilan Ramon lived in the Israeli city of Beersheva.
 * In the Torah, Beersheva is mentioned many times. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all went there.
 * It is in the north of the Negev Desert. People pass through on their way into the wilderness. It is called the “Gateway to the Negev.”
 * Today Beersheva is one of Israel’s largest cities. There are many things to do in Beersheva. It is best known for the Ben Gurion University. Many people come to study there from all over the world.

Story
 * I read the book __Keeping the Promise: A Torah’s Journey__, by Tami Lehman-Wilzig, about the Torah that Ilan Ramon took into space with him on the Space Shuttle Columbia.
 * Here is a review of the story: “A Dutch rabbi named Simon Dasberg carried a tiny Torah scroll with him wherever he went. He even carried it with him to Bergen-Belsen. There, he carried out a Bar Mitzvah for a 13-year-old boy in the concentration camp. He gave the tiny Torah scroll to him as a gift, commanding him to keep it and always tell the story. It was this very scroll that was taken into space by Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon aboard the ill-fated //Columbia//. His inspiring words were "This little Sefer Torah in particular shows the ability of the Jewish people to survive everything, even the darkest of times, and to always look forward with hope and faith for the future." This book belongs on the shelves of Hebrew day schools and synagogue libraries nationwide…..It will give students insight into a true hero's journey as well as a lesson in history and humanity.”

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 pictures 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.”

Thank you for reading this update to the end.

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children this Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015.

We wish you a shavuah tov, a good week.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

January 19, 2015

Dear Kitah Gimel 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 are some important reminders:
 * Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 – regular JYEP class (location TBD)
 * 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.**
 * **JHIPS (Jewish Holiday Important Points) Shabbat homework – please have your student complete this handout and turn it in no later than Sunday, Jan. 25. Thank you.**

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 with our last three classes, and our Mitzvah Day, held yesterday.


 * __Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015__**

Ot HaShavuah – mem, middot & mitzvot, virtues and commandments

Song practice
 * Kitah Gimel students joined the upper grades in the sanctuary to practice singing our song for the Groundbreaking Ceremony on Jan. 25. The students are singing the chorus for “Am Echad Lev Echad” in Hebrew and in English.

Holidays
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ – Shabbat
 * Daniel and Rivkah visit Elijah. Elijah is just planning Shabbat dinner for his guests.
 * The 10 commandments tell us to observe Shabbat.
 * The Torah says that in six days God created the heavens and earth and everything in them. Then, on the seventh day, God rested. Shabbat became a day of rest for people, and for animas, too.
 * Some families put money in a tzedakah box before Shabbat begins.
 * Shabbat begins with the lighting of at least two candles, and saying the blessing over them. Then, parents say a blessing over their children, asking God to watch over them and bless them with peace.
 * Then it is time for the blessing over wine (or grape juice), or Kiddush, which means “make holy.” God blessed the seventh day and made it a holy day of rest.
 * Wine is a symbol of joy. When our people were slaves in Egypt, they could not celebrate Shabbat. When we say the Kiddush, we remember that a long time ago, we were slaves. We thank God that we are now free.
 * After Kiddush, we say the Motzi, the blessing over the challah. We eat our favorite Shabbat meal. We practiced the blessings for candles, wine, and challah in our class – with the real items! Everyone had grape juice and a small roll representing a challah!
 * After dessert, we sing Shabbat songs. Then we recite the Birkat Hamazon, the Grace After Meals, to thank God for our lives, our food, and Jerusalem.
 * The synagogue prayer services on Friday night include a prayer called “Lecha Dodi,” which says that Shabbat is like a bride who visits us.
 * At the Oneg Shabbat after services, there is a snack with fruit and cookies.
 * At the Saturday morning services, we recite Shabbat prayers, and we take the Torah out of the Ark and read the weekly portion. There is sometimes a special celebration, such as a baby naming or a bat or bar mitzvah.
 * After services is a light snack or meal, called a Kiddush, which includes wine and challah.
 * On Shabbat we wish one another a “Shabbat Shalom,” a Shabbat of peace. On Shabbaat afternoon, we can spend time with family; we can walk, read, or play board games together. We try to be kind and respectful to our family and when we add peace to our home, we perform the mitzvah of shalom bayit.
 * Being called up to recite the blessing over the Torah to read from the Torah (“aliyah”), or to dress the Torah scroll, or return it to the Ark, are all honors.
 * Havdalah is saying goodbye to Shabbat until the next week. It separates the end of Shabbat from the beginning of the new week. Many Jews wait until they see 3 stars in the sky before saying the havdalah blessings.
 * We light a braided candle with has at least two wicks. We smell the spice box, filled with cinnamon or cloves. We take a sip from a cup of wine or juice.
 * We sing “Eliahu Hanavi” or Elijah the Prophet. We pray that one day Elijah will help bring peace to the world so that every day will be like Shabbat.
 * After Havdalah, we say “shavuah tov,” a good week.
 * Riddle: When you honor the seventh day, what is sure to come your way?
 * We read a story about a king who has Shabbat dinner with a rabbi. The king tries to recreate the meal at his own home, but even though the chefs follow the recipes exactly, the food doesn’t taste as good. When the king goes to the rabbi to ask what makes the food so special at his home the rabbi replies, “Shabbat spice.” The king wants to buy it, but the rabbi explains and says, “You cannot buy it. Shabbat spice is a gift to all who celebrate Shabbat. It is like a pinch of extra flavor that adds peace and delight to the day.” The “peace and delight of Shabbat” are the answers to the riddle.”
 * The students found the correct sticker at the back of the book and placed it on the Jewish holiday treasure trail.


 * __Saturday, January 10, 2015, Shabbat School__**

Ot HaShavuah – mem, middot & mitzvot, virtues and commandments

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 3, “If There Is One God, Why Are There So Many Religions?”
 * __Story 1: “The Blindfolded Children and the Elephant,” by Rabbi Sybil Sheridan__
 * Summary: Blindfolded children feel different parts of an elephant and imagine very different creatures. The point here is that God is so vast and amazing that each of us only grasps a different part and projects a different understanding of the Whole. Different religions grow out of partial understandings of God.
 * The Rabbi explains: “This is our problem with God. No one has actually seen all of God, though many people have glimpsed little bits. We make up our whole picture of God from the little bits we know. That is why there are so many different religions, because all our pictures are so different. Probably not one of them is completely right, though like our elephant, there are bits of truth in them all.

Find God is like a treasure hunt: Everyone on the hunt will have a different way of going about it. We may even start from different places on the map. Some will look for clues to find God in the world around us, others in what has happened in our history, while still others look for clues in the sacred texts of our faith. Wherever we look, we are likely to find some of the answers but not all of them. Every religion has found some of the clues. They may be different than yours, but they all point to the same God, waiting to be found.”
 * Big Ideas:
 * Metaphors help us talk about God.
 * God is well beyond our understanding. We only get pieces of the total reality of God.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretative questions.
 * We completed Exercise 1, “Finding Your Torah.”
 * Big Ideas:
 * We each have a personal Torah – a piece of God’s truth that we capture in our own life.
 * Torah mean’s “teaching” or “instruction” – it is not always words in a book.
 * The more “Torah” we gather from other people, the greater our understanding of the world.
 * Summary: This exercise takes the idea of “each of us knows part of the elephant from the story and gives it a Jewish context, the idea that each of us has his/her own Torah.” Rabbi Yehudah Alter taught that the entire Torah was given to the Jewish people as a whole, but that each person has his or her own particular teaching, a specific goal for his or her life. For this rabbi, known as the S’fat Emet, the Torah is more than a scroll, it is more like a jigsaw puzzle. God gave one piece to each person, and our job is to gather Torah from everyone we meet – and make the whole Torah larger and larger.
 * We read two examples of “personal Torah” who gave wisdom to the author, Joel Grishaver.
 * Uncle Seymour, who, despite cerebral palsy, became a lawyer. Uncle Seymour’s Torah was that God gives us as much strength as we need.
 * Joel’s neighbor, Mary, who beautified their apartment building, made of brick and steel, by growing plants on the balconies and outside staircases. Her “Torah” message was that God gives us the wisdom to make life grow almost anywhere.
 * The students were asked to think of people from whom they have learned a piece of wisdom for our next class.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 5, Eilat
 * King Solomon was the son of King David. We was known for being very wise. People came from all over to seek his advice.
 * We read the story of the two women, both claiming to be the mother of a baby. King Solomon thought long and hard. Then he suggested that the baby should be cut in half, and each of them could have half. The real mother cried out, not to kill him – give him to the other woman! So the King knew from this outburst that SHE was the true mother.
 * King Solomon helped to strengthen the Israelite Kingdom. He built a Temple in Jerusalem and unified B’nai Yisrael.
 * Eilat is in the very south of Israel, on the coast of the Red Sea.
 * King Solomon built a settlement named Eilat, and he built fleets of ships to help defend his kingdom.
 * Today there is a modern city of Eilat in the same area. Eilat is in the Negev Desert and very far from most other cities.
 * Eilat is the only place in Israel that is on the Red Sea. It has a big port for shipping things around the world.
 * It is a fun place to go on vacation. Eilat has beautiful beaches with big, fancy hotels up and down the coast.
 * The weather is always perfect in Eilat – if you like it hot! Tourists come to Eilat to go to the beach and sunbathe. It is a good place to rest and relax. It is also well known as a place to go snorkeling. The sea near Eilat is filled with coral reefs and lots of colorful fish.

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.”


 * __Wednesday, January 14, 2015__**

Ot HaShavuah – nun, nedivut, generosity

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Behar
 * Most holidays last a day. Some, like Sukkot and Passover, last for a whole week. This time God teaches Moses the rules for two holidays that each last a whole year.
 * Shabbat comes once every seven days. We rest on every Shabbat. God teaches Moses that every seven years there is to be a “Shabbat Year.” The land should get to rest, the Jews do no farming.
 * If you add seven together seven times it comes to 49. The year after the seventh “Shabbat Year” is called a “Jubilee Year.” It is a year-long holiday.
 * In a Jubilee Year, everyone goes free. We forget about any money a person owes.
 * We blow the shofar in a Jubilee Year, and we say, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.” These are the same words that are written on the Liberty Bell.
 * We did a counting exercise to locate Shabbat Years, and Jubilee Years.
 * We discussed why the founding parents of the United States would use a sentence from the Torah to mark the Liberty Bell.
 * The students completed the My Comment: This sentence from this sidrah is written on the Liberty Bell. It reminds me that freedom is.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__ – Be’Hukkotai
 * God has had Moses teach the Jewish people many laws and rules. God wants the Jewish people to follow these laws very carefully.
 * Now God promises Israel’s family five blessings if they obey all these teachings.
 * God promises that the laws will make the Land of Israel into a place where much food grows, and that following the laws will bring peace to the land.
 * God explains that if they follow these laws they will not have to be afraid of having enemies and that the family will grow and be happy.
 * Finally, God promises that if Israel’s family keeps all the laws, God will be with them. God says, “I will be your God and you will be My people.”
 * Then God warns that not following these rules will lead to very bad things.
 * This is the last sidrah in the book of Va-Yikra. It contains many mitzvot that teach us the right things to do.
 * We did an exercise indicating right and wrong things to do.
 * We completed important sentences from the Torah:
 * You shall be holy because I the Eternal your God am holy.
 * Love your neighbor as yourself.
 * Proclaim liberty throughout the land.
 * The students complete the My Comment: The book of Va-Yikra is full of laws and rules. I think the most important rule to remember is.
 * We sang, “Hazak, hazak, v’nithazeik,” Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another. We sing this phrase at the conclusion of each book of the Torah.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__, ch. 3, “If There is One God, Why Are There So Many Religions?”
 * Exercise 1, “Finding Your Torah.” The students wrote the names of people who had taught them a piece of wisdom, and what it was they learned from them. We shared some of these in class.
 * __Story 2: “Finding God Is Like Climbing a Mountain, by Rabbi Jeff Salkin.__
 * Summary: This is the metaphor: “There are many paths up the mountain.” Different paths lead to the same place. Many different religions can lead to the same God.
 * Big Ideas:
 * Many different religions can be true at the same time.
 * It is possible to learn something about God from a religion that is not yours.
 * Rabbi Salkin writes: “God likes the idea that there are many different maps to get up the mountain. God wants the different groups of climbers to be kind to each other and sometimes even to learn from each other.”
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretative questions.
 * __Story 3: “In the Beginning There Was One Religion,” by Joel Lurie Grishaver.__
 * Joel’s story: In the beginning there were just two people, Adam and Eve, and one God. Adam and Eve talked to God. God gave them one mitzvah: do not touch the tree in the middle of the garden. However, they did, and from then on there was a distance between people and God. People’s feelings lead them to do what they wanted, rather than what God wanted.

Things got worse, until God sent a flood so that the world could start over. But God felt badly and promised, “No more floods.” God gave people seven rules that everyone had to follow. They were a contract between all people and God. These rules, Noah’s family’s seven commandments, are at the heart of every religion. But, these rules didn’t work well enough. People still did what they wanted and not what was right.

So God got frustrated and needed a new answer. So God picked Sarah and Abraham’s family and used them as an experiment. God gave them the Torah, with 613 mitzvot. God planned it so that once they learned how to control their behavior and live up to God’s expectations, God could then use their success to each everyone else. The Jewish people chose to be part of the experiment and follow the rules in the Torah. This commitment makes us the “choosing people.”
 * Summary: God learned that people needed a religion to help them learn self-control. God made a deal with the Jewish people to be “the experimental religion” that helped God learn how to help all people.
 * Big Ideas:
 * People need religion as a way of letting God help them control their behavior.
 * People often let the things they want to do control their actions rather than the things that they know they should do.
 * God is like a parent trying to get children to grow up to be responsible.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretative questions.
 * They completed Exercise 2, “Noah’s Family’s Seven Commandments.” They learned from this midrash that Noah and his family were given seven commandments. This was a foundational moral code that would apply to all people.
 * The students wrote down their own ideas for what those seven principles ought to be, then compared their lists with God’s list.
 * Noah’s family’s seven commandments are:
 * There must be rules and judges to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
 * Everyone must know that one God created all people and all things.
 * No one should worship idols or think that a thing made by a person could be considered a god.
 * No one can murder or intentionally injure anyone else.
 * Families must be protected and considered holy.
 * No one can steal.
 * No one should be cruel to animals.

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.
 * Each student was given a copy of Rev. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963.
 * Each student also was given a picture of the Selma Civil Rights March, showing Rev. King leading the March along with other leaders, including Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.
 * We discussed what Rabbi Heschel meant when he later wrote, “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.

__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 that 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

Thank you for reading this to the end!

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children on Wednesday, Jan. 21, for JYEP. The portables may not be ready in time for this class – please watch for signs for our location.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

January 1, 2015

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

I hope you all had a bright and fun Hanukkah! And… as we have started a new secular new 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 next Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, 4:00 pm, for our regular JYEP classes. Please note that as of now, we will not be moving into the portable classrooms until the 3rd week in January. Until then, Kitah Gimel will still be in Room 4. Also, the third graders will be selecting their classes for the JEM program later in the month, rather than the first day back.

Important Reminders:
 * Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015 JYEP resumes, 4:00 – 6:15 pm
 * ** Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 Shabbat School, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm **
 * Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 NO SCHOOL!

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

Ot HaShavuah – lamed, limud, learning
 * __ Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 __**

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Torah__, Parsha - Emor
 * All the Kohanim come from Aaron’s family. They must come from the Kohein family of the tribe of Levi. God teaches Moses rules that help Aaron and his sons keep their family holy.
 * The Kohanim have special things to do every day, but they do their most important work on holidays. God teaches Moses about Shabbat, Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot.
 * Shabbat is a holiday that comes every week. We rest after a week of work because God rested after six days of creating.
 * Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot are all harvest holidays. They are times when people bring gift-offerings to thank God for the good harvest.
 * The students did written exercises.
 * We discussed what holidays are for, and why we have Jewish holidays.
 * They completed the My Comment: In this sidrah we learn about many Jewish Holidays. My favorite Jewish holiday is __.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 15, Modi’in
 * The Land of Israel was conquered by the Greeks, who made the Temple unholy and made rules to keep Jews from living a Jewish life.
 * Judah Maccabee led a revolt to gain freedom for the Jews. The victory over the Greeks is celebrated every year at Hanukkah. The story told every year is that when the Maccabees took back the Temple in Jerusalem, they found only enough oil for the menorah to last one day.
 * We remember a great miracle where the oil lasted all eight days until new oil arrived. We celebrate this by lighting the hanukkiyah and eating latkes.
 * Judah Maccabee lived at the base of the Judean hills, close to Jerusalem. Today there is a modern town of Modi’in, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
 * Modi’in is a very new city. It is a big city, with schools, houses, and many parks. Many Americans who make aliyah choose to live in Modi’in.
 * We looked at a bus schedule, an easy and inexpensive way to get around Israel. We saw the bus route, passing through the cities of Tiberias, Rosh ha-Nikra, Haifa, Zikhron Ya’akov, Tel Aviv, Modi’in, and Jerusalem. We learned the importance of each of those cities.

Story “It’s Hanukkah and menorahs glow in the windows of the Schnitzer home in Billings, Montana. Then suddenly, a rock crashes through the window of Isaac Schnitzer’s bedroom. “But, why?” Isaac wants to know. “Because we are Jews,” his father tells him.
 * I read the book, __The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate__, by Janice Cohn.
 * Here is a synopsis:

Christmas lights shine in the Hanley home, where Isaac’s friend Teresa and her family decide to do something brave so that the Schnitzers can celebrate their holiday without fear.

Janice Cohn’s powerful narrative tells how two children, two families, and a community resolve to stand together against bigotry and acts of hatred. Her story is based on real events that happened in Billings in 1993. Bill Farnsworth’s beautiful oil paintings illuminate the message of the power of goodness.”
 * We discussed the message of speaking out against injustice, and standing up to bullies. A connection was made between the Maccabees in their quest for religious freedom against the Greeks, the citizens of Denmark uniting in solidarity with their Jewish population during World War II, and the people of Billings, Montana in sending a message against discrimination and acts of violence in their community.

Hanukkah Celebration
 * The entire Religious School gathered in the Social Hall for singing, candlelighting, and art projects.
 * We 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 was 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.


 * __ Wednesday, December 17, 2014 __**
 * The first stop on the Religious School’s field trip was Chai House, where the children sang songs for the seniors. They were accompanied by Phil Alexander on the piano and Mayer Adelberg on the guitar. The students sang quite well and with a lot of spirit. They looked cheerful in their JYEP tie-dyed T-shirts. The seniors were very appreciative of the lively Hanukkah songs. Thank you to the parents who met us there with younger siblings!


 * The second stop on the Religious School’s trip was Santana Row. After we found the community celebration (location changed due to rain), the students were invited to join others on the stage with Jewish singer Rick Recht. He sang many songs, with the crowd joining in. He sang the song we had practiced before we arrived; however, it was good the students were able to be there and be a part of a community-wide Hanukkah event. It really gave one the feeling of “k’lal Yisrael” – all Jews together in unity.


 * __ Other Events __**
 * 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, 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.

Moran Ora and I are ooking forward to seeing your children next Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015.

Best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom, and a “shavuah tov,” a good week, as school and work resume.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

December 12, 2014

Dear Kitah Gimel 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.

It is hard to believe we are already preparing for Hanukkah! However, Hanukkah is one of our more lively and fun holidays, so there is sparkle and excitement in the air. We have already started practicing songs for our field trip on Wednesday Dec. 17. **Please have your child wear his/her tie-dyed JYEP T-shirt that day!** We will board a bus at 3:30 pm that afternoon (please come on time!). We head first to Chai House to sing for the senior residents there, and then make our second stop at Santana Row to sing Hanukkah songs with acclaimed Jewish singer Rick Recht, and also to light a big hanukkiyah. We plan to have all students back to Beth David for our usual 6:15 pm pickup time.

I want to let you know that when we return in January, Kitah Gimel students will be choosing JEM (Jewish Experiential Module) classes they would like to take for Sessions 4 and 5 of our JEWEL program on Wednesday afternoons. Each Session runs for 5 one-hour classes. This Jewish experiential program allows students to choose classes they are interested in, based on Jewish categories, such as traditions, values, prayers, culture, history, etc. The third graders will be amongst 4th – 7th graders, who also will be choosing from among these class offerings, so they will be mixed together with students from other grades. More will be explained later about this, but I wanted to let you know that from February 11, 2015 on, your children will have a different format for their Wednesday afternoons.

Here are some important reminders:

Sun., Dec. 14, 2014 Hanukkah Celebration & classes 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Can wear pajamas to school!

Tues., Dec. 16, 2014 Hanukkah begins!

Wed., Dec. 17, 2014 Field trip to Chai House and Santana Row to sing Hanukkah songs. Your child needs to be at Beth David at 3:30 pm for the bus; we will return to Beth David by 6:15 pm.

Dec. 18, 2014 through Winter Break Jan. 6, 2014

Wed., Jan. 7, 2014 Resume JYEP classes; Kitah Gimel selects JEM classes

Here are the topics we covered during our last 3 Kitah Gimel classes:


 * __Wednesday, December 3, 2014__**

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

Tefillah
 * Yismechu Hashamayim
 * We practiced this prayer and went over its meaning.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__: Acharei Mot
 * Yom Kippur is the most important day in the Jewish year. The Kohanim have very special things to do. God teaches Aaron and his sons what they will have to do to help the Jewish people ask for forgiveness.
 * Yom Kippur is to be like a special Shabbat. No one is to work. All Jews are to spend the day making up for the bad things they have done in the past year. God lists some of the bad things that Jews should be very careful not to do.
 * We discussed what it means to make atonement.
 * The students completed the My Comment. Yom Kippur is the day when we try to become the best possible person we can be. One way I could become a better person is _.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__
 * Chapter 2, “Where Does God Come From?” Story 1, “A Lesson from Monique” by Rabbi Brad Artson
 * Summary: Rabbi Artson’s daughter finds a doll that her father once owned. The doll is old and worn. She manages to love this old doll the way her father once did. Rabbi Artson makes the point that feelings can go on from one person to another because they come from God. People are finite. Feelings and God go on forever.
 * Big Ideas:
 * God doesn’t have a beginning or ending. God doesn’t come from anywhere. God always was and always will be.
 * Feelings, especially love, can help us understand that things can be eternal. Unlike people and rocks, they have no physical substance.
 * Feelings come from God.
 * When there is a special connection between people, God is part of that.
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Exercise 1: “The Letter Bet Teaches Us a Lesson” Two lessons based on the shape of the Hebrew letter Bet are:
 * The letter Bet is closed on 3 sides. We will never know what is above us in heaven, we will never understand what is below us. We will never know what came before creation because the Bet is closed to the past too. The only open side is the future. We can help plan and create the future. (Zohar)
 * The Bet has a foot that is pointed back toward the Alef. That teaches us that God was before creation – God was before anything else. (Malbim)
 * The students were asked to create their own explanation for the letter Lamed, the last letter in the Torah. They were asked to make up their own lesson about God based on the shape of the Lamed.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 2, The Negev, students completed a picture of pipes, representing the desalination technology developed by Israel to remove salt from seawater.
 * Ch. 3, Sde Boker.
 * David Ben Gurion is considered the “father of Israel.” He was the first Prime Minister of Israel, and the leader who helped Israel gain independence in 1948.
 * Every morning he liked to go to the beach in Tel Aviv to swim and exercise. He liked to do headstands!
 * David Ben Gurion loved the desert He thought it was really important for the Jews to move there and make the desert bloom.
 * By working hard Israelis found ways to have parks, schools, and even farms in the middle of the desert.
 * David Ben Gurion moved there with his wife, leaving behind an apartment in Tel Aviv. They moved to a kibbutz in the Negev.
 * Today, David Ben Gurion and his wife are buried in Kibbutz Sde Boker. From his grave you can look out at the Negev Desert that Ben Gurion loved so much.
 * The kibbutz there is in the middle of the desert. It overlooks a huge crater down below, and you can go on hikes in the crater through dried up riverbeds. Sometimes you can see ibex and other animals.
 * David Ben Gurion was born as David Green; he wanted his name changed when he came to Israel that sounded more Jewish and more Israeli. He changed it to “Ben Gurion,” Ben (son of) Gurion.
 * The students were asked to write their Hebrew names. We learned that many people have Hebrew names that are very similar to their English names.

Zimrikudiya Practice
 * This is our song and dance festival, which will be in April, 2015.
 * Kitah Gimel started practicing our songs for this performance.


 * __Sunday, December 7, 2014__**

Ot HaShavuah – Lamed, Limud, Learning

Tefillah
 * Yismechu Hashamayim, Or Zarua.
 * We practiced these prayers and went over their meaning.
 * We located them in the Siddur.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__: Kedoshim
 * Being holy is being special and different. Being holy is being like God. God teaches the Jewish people, “You should be holy because I, the Eternal your God, am holy.”
 * God teaches that being holy means honoring parents, not worshiping idols, observing Shabbat, leaving the corners of your fields for those who are hungry, not stealing, not taking advantage of the disabled, judging cases fairly, not hating people, and loving your neighbor as yourself.
 * God reminds us to treat strangers fairly because we were strangers in the land of Egypt.
 * The Hebrew root for the word holy is comprised of the Hebrew letters kuf, dalet, shin. Some words based on the root letters for “holy” are kodesh, kedoshim, and Kiddush.
 * The students completed the My Comment: We have many chances to be holy every day. One way I will try to be holy is ___.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__
 * Ch. 2, “Where Does God Come From?” Stories 2 & 3: “God is Forever”
 * Story 2, by Rabbi Sybil Sheridan, Story 3, by Rabbi Jeff Salkin
 * Summary: Both rabbis give more or less the same answer: “God doesn’t work the way that other things do. It may be hard to understand, but God has no beginning or end. God didn’t come from anywhere.”
 * Big Ideas:
 * Rabbi Sheridan: “What matters is what God does for us and what we can do for God.”
 * Rabbi Salkin: “God doesn’t come from anywhere….it is hard to imagine but it is true.”
 * The students answered comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * Exercise 2: “Where Did You Come From?”
 * Summary: The Talmud teaches that there were three partners in your creation: Your mother, your father and God. This is more about gratitude than about origins.
 * Big Ideas:
 * God is part of our family. God helped in making us who we are.
 * One of our jobs is to be thankful and acknowledge gifts.
 * Students listed things they got from their mother, their father, and from God. These were not meant to be physical attributes but rather “middot” or qualities - or habits, interests, values, or pieces of wisdom.

Dance and Art


 * Kitah Gimel had dance with Morah Donna. We reviewed dances that we will be performing at the Zimrikudiya.
 * Kitah Gimel had art with Morah Leslie. The students made huannukiyot pictures with ripped paper. They were very creative!

Song Practice
 * Barbara Biran came in to our classroom with her Kitah Vav class to practice Hanukkah songs for the field trip.


 * __Wednesday, December 10, 2014__**

Kitah Gimel joined the 4th – 7th graders in the Sanctuary for 40 minutes. After Tefillah all the students practiced the Hanukkah songs they will be singing on the Dec. 17 field trip to Chai House and Santana Row.

Ot HaShavuah – lamed, limud, learning

Holidays
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ - Hanukkah
 * Daniel and his cousin Rivkah learn about Hanukkah.
 * Two dreidles found by Daniel have different expressions. One says, “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham” or a great miracle happened there. The other, made in Israel, says, “Nes Gadol Hayah Po” or a great miracle happened here – meaning in Israel. Instead of the 4 Hebrew letters, Nun, Gimel, Hay, Shin, the Israeli dreidle has Nun, Gimel, Hay, Pey.
 * When playing the game of dreidle, one tries to acquire the most tokens. These can be pennies or nuts or other tokens.
 * Each night of Hanukkah we light an additional candle using the shamash, or helper, candle. An additional candle is added each night so that on the eighth, and last, night, all eight candles plus the shamash are lit.
 * Daniel and Rivkah visit ElijahRocks, and learn more about the holiday from Elijah. More than 2,000 years ago, Israel was ruled by the Syrian-Greeks. The Syrians-Greeks spoke Greek, wore Greek clothing, played Greek games. This worried and angered some Jews. They were afraid that Jews who behaved like Greeks would stop being Jewish.
 * Antiochus, the Syrian-Greek king, decided to force all the Jews to stop being Jewish. He said Jews could no longer study Torah, they were not allowed to celebrate Shabbat and Jewish festivals, and the Jews had to start worshipping the Greek gods.
 * On the 25th day of Kislev, the Syrian-Greeks entered the Temple in Jerusalem, the holiest place of the Jewish people. The Syrian-Greeks put out the flame of the Temple’s Eternal Light, or Ner Tamid. The Eternal Light was the menorah, or candelabrum with seven branches, whose light had burned day and night as a sign of God’s constant presence. The Syrian Greeks placed statues of the Greek gods, or idols, in the Temple.
 * Mattathias was a brave man who lived in Modi’in, not far from Jerusalem. He and his 5 sons led a revolt against the Syrian-Greeks. He said, “Whoever is for God, follow me.” The rebels hid in the hills and other Jews joined them. Mattathias’ son Judah became their leader after his father died. He became known as Judah the Maccabee, or Judah the Hammer. His fighters were called the Maccabees.
 * The Syrian-Greeks had a huge army and many weapons. The Maccabees were a small group with a few weapons But they knew the best places to hide and then attack the Syrian-Greeks. They fought hard for 3 long years, and finally, they drove Antiochus’ army out of Jerusalem.
 * When the Jews came back to the Temple, they found it a mess. They destroyed the idols, cleaned the Temple, rebuilt the altar to God, and relit the Temple’s Menorah. On the 25th day of Kislev, 3 years after the Syrian-Greeks had entered the Temple, the Jews rededicated the Temple to God.
 * The Hebrew word for dedication is Hanukkah. It is also called “Hag Ha’urim” or Festival of Lights. It is a holiday of light and hope. The victory over a large and powerful enemy was a miracle.
 * On Hanukkah it is a custom to eat foods that have been fried in oil, like sufganiyot, jelly donuts, and latkes, potato pancakes. This reminds us of the legend of the oil.
 * The legend is that only a small container of oil was found, just enough to keep the Menorah lit for one day. It took a week to make new oil. However, they did use the oil they found, and, miraculously, it did last for 8 days. The light of the Hanukkah menorah reminds us that God is always present, even in the dark of winter.
 * I brought in a hanukkiyah and lit the candles. We sang the Hanukkah blessings together.
 * The Riddle: “In the deepest dark of winter night what shines big and bright?” The answer is the hanukkiyah.
 * The students found the correct sticker from the back of the book and placed it on the holiday treasure trail in the month of Kislev.
 * Students were given handouts from Elijahrocks.net: Dictionary words, Hanukkah blessings, and a word puzzle. They completed the word puzzle in class.
 * **HOMEWORK: Students were given the JHIPS – Hanukkah, the Jewish Holiday Important Points sheet, which is due on Wednesday, Dec. 17. All the answers are at the bottom – you or any other person may help the student answer the questions.**

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, and a Happy Hanukkah - beginning this Tuesday night.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 26, 2014

Dear Kitah Gimel 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 Gimel’s last three classes.


 * __Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014__**

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

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Parshah: Tazria
 * Aaron and his sons work in the Mishkan and help with the offerings.
 * God teaches that they are the ones who should help the Jewish people with their health problems, just like today’s doctors.
 * God teaches them what to do for women who have given birth to children.
 * God teaches them how to cure a very bad skin disease called leprosy.
 * We did written exercises.
 * We discussed if “believing” helped a sick person get better.
 * The students completed the My Comment. Being sick is not much fun. The worst thing about being sick is __.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__
 * Chapter 1, “How Do We Know There Really Is A God?” We read two more stories in answer to this question. We answered comprehension and interpretation questions, and completed written work.
 * Story 2, “I Just Have to Care,” by Rabbi Ed Feinstein
 * Summary: An angry man complains to a rabbi that there is too much pain and suffering in the world to believe in God. In the course of discussion the rabbi asks three times, “Why do you care?” Exasperated, the man responds, “I have to care!” In the end the rabbi responds, “As long as you care, we know God is real.”
 * Big Idea: Human caring shows that God exists.
 * Story 3, “Uh-Oh,” by Rabbi Jeff Salkin
 * Summary: One sign there is a God is the “Uh-oh!” feeling. If you have done something wrong, or something that you thought might be wrong, you can often hear that little voice inside you saying that it is wrong. We call that voice conscience. God is the source of the conscience.
 * Big Idea: The feeling you get when you do something wrong is called “conscience.” Conscience is another possible sign that there is a God.
 * Written exercise: Eli, Eli.
 * We read a poem by Hannah Szenes, who was a Jewish spy who tried to help Jews escape from Poland during World War II. She was not religious, but she wrote a poem, “Eli, Eli,” saying that she hoped some things never end: the sand, the sea, rush of the waters, thunder of heaven, human prayers.
 * Big Ideas: Many people have a sense of the Godly or the Divine in their lives even if they don’t believe in a personal or traditional God. As Jews we have many different spiritual heritages to draw on. Even the secular kibbutz movement offers us such resources.
 * Questions: Why would someone who did not go to services or observe religious customs write a poem about God? What else would you put on a list of things that you hope will never end?

Kitah Gimel students had art with Morah Leslie and dance with Morah Donna.


 * __Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014__**

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

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__
 * Parshah: Metzora
 * God teaches Aaron and his sons more about leprosy, which can be caught by touching a person who has it. Lepers must be kept away from others.
 * God shows the Kohanim how to help the lepers, while also keeping other people safe.
 * Rules are given about how to know when the leprosy has been cured and when it is safe for them to come back to the camp.
 * God also teaches Aaron and his sons how to fix a house that has stuff oozing from the walls. God calls it “house leprosy.”
 * Part of being a Kohein is taking care of other people.
 * We did written exercises.
 * We discussed when is a house well and when is a house sick? We also talked about how God wants the Jewish people to be a nation of kohanim and a holy people, and how we can be like the kohanim.
 * The students completed the My Comment. Even houses can get sick if no one takes care of them. One way I can help take care of my house is by.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__
 * Chapter 1, “How Do We Know There Really Is A God?” We read another answer to this question, answered comprehension and interpretation questions, and completed a written exercise.
 * Story 4, “The Puppy,” by Aaron Roth
 * Summary: Aaron thought that science explained everything, including love. Love was just a chemical reaction in the brain. Then his family adopted a dog. His feelings for the dog were profound, and that led him to think that love was a gift from God.
 * Big Ideas: Love can be evidence that God exists. One can respect science and still believe in God.
 * Written Exercise: Loving God Through Actions
 * We read a response by Rashi about a commandment in the first paragraph of the Shema (the v’ahavta), which asks us to “love the Eternal your God.” Rashi worried about the commandment “to love.” He feels that one cannot be commanded to have a feeling. He interprets this command as a responsibility to do other commandments as “acts of love.” (So, for example, while you cannot be commanded to have respect, you can be commanded to show respect.)
 * Big Ideas: The Torah commands us to “love God.” Rashi explains this commandment as “doing things that show love.” When we do mitzvot we make God real to us and to others.
 * Written work: The students were asked to explain in what way these mitzvot demonstrate love: saying the Shema at bedtime, eating matzah during Passover, helping a poor person, taking care of the environment, celebrating Shabbat, studying Torah, respecting the elderly, not cheating at business. They were asked to list other things you should do to show your love for God.

Values
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__, part 1, chapter 1, “Welcome….”
 * The book in a nutshell: helpful hints, good advice, timeless Jewish wisdom to help the student become a top-notch mensch.
 * The book has fun questions, quick quizzes, and sample situations.
 * We read about a legend from the Talmud: When a baby is born, an angel appears. The angel requires that the baby take an important oath, that the goal of his or her life will be to be a good person.
 * The book is divided into three parts: mensch basics (you’ve got to make good choices, then take action); be a mensch to yourself (all are created “b’tzelem Elohim” – in God’s image); and be a mensch to others (shift the focus from how you affect you to how you affect others – your family, your friends, the rest of the world.)
 * Questions of our Jewish heritage are also addressed, such as what does it mean to be Jewish and what makes me Jewish.

Kitah Zayin gave a presentation about Kristallnacht, or Night of Broken Glass, which took place on Nov. 9, 1938, in Germany. It marked the beginning of the Holocaust. The students read descriptions of how the Jews were held responsible for economic troubles in Germany and were the scapegoats for society’s problems.

Each student had completed artwork made of shards of old CD’s whose shiny surfaces resembled glass. The pieces were placed in shapes of Jewish objects, such as the Star of David, a shofar, a hamsa, or a dove. Beside each work of art was a piece of paper describing someone who perished on the night of Kristallnacht.

The class lit 6 yellow memorial candles, which illuminated the Sanctuary during their presentation. They reminded us of the 6 million Jewish lives lost in World War II. Any student who wished could respond or comment after the presentation. It was very well done, and conveyed the importance of remembering our history to our Religious School students.


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

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

Values
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__, part 1, chapter 2, “Making Mensch Choices”
 * We read “The New Kid Dilemma, Part 1.”
 * A new child, Alex, comes to your school. He is sitting alone at lunch. You are debating whether to approach him or not, to join you and your group of friends.
 * Choices are presented in the “New Kid Choice Chart,” tracking possible responses to your choosing to invite Alex to join you, or your choosing to do nothing. We shared what we would do in this situation.
 * The students shared what was one choice they made when becoming good friends with someone.

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__, ch. 2, The Negev
 * We learned about Jacob, grandson of Abraham.
 * One night, he encountered an angel, and the two wrestled all night.
 * Jacob insisted the angel give him a blessing.
 * The blessing the angel gave Jacob was a new name, Israel, meaning “one who struggles with God.”
 * This is why the Jews are sometimes called B’nai Yisrael. Jews are the families of Israel.
 * We learned that Jacob lived most of his life in places near the north of the Negev Desert, such as Beersheva.
 * We learned that the Negev Desert is very dry, and hardly ever gets rain.
 * It is filled with big and little rocks, and lots of sand. There are very few plants and some camels.
 * Even though it is a really dry place, Israelis have found ways to grow plants and food in the desert. They work hard to make the desert bloom.
 * Plants need freshwater. Saltwalter kills plants. Since there is not much water in the Negev, Israel has invented machines to take the salt out of seawater. This is called desalination.
 * Israel leads the world in desalination technology.

Story
 * I read the story, __Molly’s Pilgrim__, by Barbara Cohen.
 * Summary: A young immigrant girl from Russia is teased at school for being different, and being Jewish. She learns about Thanksgiving and what a Pilgrim is, and learns that she and her family are pilgrims, too, having left their home country in search of religious freedom. Her classmates learn this important lesson as well.

Haverim Services
 * Kitah Gimel students (along with K, 1st and 2nd 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 weread a second book, called __The Only One Club__, by Jane Naliboff about a girl who is the only Jewish girl in her class.

Ruach Rally
 * The students joined in singing and dancing around the sanctuary. Following the concluding prayers, we did the Kiddush and Motzi, and those still remaining attended lunch in the Social Hall.

Just as a reminder, we will resume our Kitah Gimel class on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 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.

See you next week!

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 12, 2014

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,


 * I thought all of the students in Kitah Gimel were awesome at the Siddur Ceremony last Friday, Nov. 7!** Your children participated with good energy in helping Iris lead the service, they were dressed very nicely for Shabbat, their speeches were well written and presented, plus the students behaved with decorum while on the bimah. Given their high enthusiasm, I wasn’t sure they could contain their excitement!


 * And to the parents, the Siddur covers were truly beautiful (thank you, everyone!), and they were greatly appreciated by your children.** Rabbi Ohriner spoke movingly about having the children now having their own Siddurim throughout their lives, and how it can be a source of guidance and comfort for them. Many thanks as well to you all for contributing food for the potluck dinner afterwards. It was all delicious! It was nice to have time as a class to sit with one another and to have some social time together. The evening was inspiring and moving, one that the children will remember always.


 * Thank you also so much to all those parents who came 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. If you were unable to come, or if you have any questions or concerns please contact me at adelbergfam@me.com.


 * Important Reminders:**


 * Regular JYEP classes on Nov. 16 and Nov. 19.
 * Shabbat School on Saturday, Nov. 22.
 * NO SCHOOL on Sunday, Nov. 23.
 * Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Sunday, Nov. 30.
 * Resume JYEP after Thanksgiving: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014
 * HOMEWORK: Too Many to Menschen, Family Version (if not yet turned in)

Please find below the subjects we covered on **Wednesday, Nov. 12.**

Ot HaShavuah – het, herut, freedom

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__, Shemini
 * Moses and Aaron bless the people.
 * Nadav and Abihu, two of Aaron’s sons, sneak into the Mishkan and do something with the incense altar. They are burnt by a strange fire.
 * Later God has Moses warn Aaron and his sons to be careful about drinking wine or strong drinks before they work in the Mishkan.
 * Next God teaches all the rules about what kinds of foods Jews should or should not eat. Animals that may be eaten must have split hooves and chew their cud. Birds that can be eaten must not be hunters. Edible fish must have both fins and scales.
 * We did written exercises identifying animals with cloven hooves and fish with fins and scales. We also located the kosher symbols on food packages which I brought in from home.
 * The students completed the My Comment: One of the jobs of the Kohanim was to teach the people the right thing to do. Someone who teaches me the right thing to do is _.

God
 * Text: __I Have Some Questions About God__
 * Introduction: Everyone has questions about God – if you believe in God, if you don’t believe in God and if you are not sure. The book is a collection of 12 questions about God collected from kids. Six rabbis in America and England were invited to answer the questions. Most of the time they have different answers.
 * We began Chapter 1, “How Do We Know There Really Is A God?” Story 1, “The Garden in the Middle of the Forest,” by Rabbi Sybil Sheridan.
 * Summary: Two explorers come across a beautiful garden in the middle of a forest. One perceives it as a miracle; the other doesn’t. They perform a series of experimental observations in order to find the gardener or ruler responsible for the garden, but none of them work. In the end they are left only with a garden and different opinions about its origin.
 * Big Ideas: Some people see evidence of God in the beauty and complexity of everything in the world. This is called an “argument from design.” Other people don’t buy that argument. They look at the world and believe that it could have evolved through accident and coincidence.
 * I asked comprehension and interpretation questions.
 * The students did a written exercise called “Hide and Seek.”
 * Summary: There is a traditional Hasidic story where a grandfather explains to a grandchild that God often feels like someone “who is hiding when those looking have given up seeking.” This story then invites students to find the Godly in ordinary experiences.
 * Big ideas: It often feels as if God is in hiding. It often feels as if our job is to search for God. The idea of God in hiding is a classic Jewish idea.
 * In the exercise the students answered the question, “Why do you think that God is hard to find? They also selected from a list of places and activities that could be places where you could get a glimpse that God is present.

Israel
 * Text__: Yisrael Sheli__, Ch. 1, Israel
 * Story of Israel starts with the story of Abraham and Sarah, the first Jews.
 * Abraham and Sara lived in the land of Ur. Abraham was like everyone else.
 * But one day, something special happened.
 * God spoke to Abraham, telling him to go from his land, from where he was born, and go to the land that God will show him.
 * Abraham agrees to leave his home. God leads Abraham and Sarah to the Land of Israel.
 * We discussed some questions, such as Why do you think Abraham decided to go? How do you think Abraham felt when God spoke to him? Why did Abraham leave his home?
 * We colored in a map of Israel, noting 4 sections: the Galil in the north where it is very green, the Negev in the south where there is a very big desert, and the middle of Israel with east and west sections – the east is very hilly and the west is very flat. Most Israelis live along the coast. It is the coastal plain.
 * Israel has 2 large lakes: The Kinneret is in the north and the Dead Sea is in the south. The Jordan River connects them. It is the Jordan River Valley.

Values
 * We read the names chosen by our Kitah Gimel families, from the Too Many To Menschen - Family Version form (from our __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__ textbook). For those who completed the form, thank you for working with your child on this! It was fun to read the responses aloud in class and learn why each person was chosen as a mensch.

Brachot, Blessings
 * I handed out a sheet with several different blessings to be said before eating. We located the one for snacks (cookies, cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts, etc.), and we said it all together before our break. This handout is filed under Brachot in your child’s binder.

Have a good remainder of the week. 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, 2014.

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

November 6, 2014

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,


 * Shalom! It is hard to believe that the Siddur Ceremony is finally here!** All of your children are really looking forward to this event. They have been working very hard preparing their presentations, and I can’t tell you how excited they are to be receiving their own siddurim! Their enthusiasm is overflowing!


 * Please come to the Sanctuary for Erev Shabbat Services tomorrow, Friday Nov. 7, by 6:30 pm**. Your children may sit with their families. This **Shabbat Mishpacha Experience**, held once per month, is 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.

During the service tomorrow, Kitah Gimel students will be invited to come up to the bimah to deliver their paragraphs on “Why the Siddur is Important to Me.” Following the speeches, parents will join their children on the bimah and present them with their siddurim. We will all recite the “Shechehiyanu” prayer together. It is a moving and inspiring ceremony!


 * Reminder for tomorrow: Would you please help us honor Shabbat by having your children __dress in Shabbat clothes__ - a nice shirt and pants for the boys; a nice blouse and skirt or pants, or a dress, for the girls. Thank you!**


 * Reminder for Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014: Parent Conference Day.** Parents will be meeting with teachers for 10-minute meetings. Students have a special program with different stations they will rotate through. Please note: I will be in Room 5, Morah Ora will be in Room 4.

Following is a summary of topics we covered in our last two classes:


 * __Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014__**

Ot HaShavuah – zayin, zikaron, remembrance

Siddur Ceremony
 * Finished writing the final version of paragraphs.
 * Worked on coloring the backing sheet, glued pages together.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah - Tsav__
 * God teaches that there is to be an always-burning flame on the altar.
 * Aaron and his sons always have to be ready to make an offering.
 * There are offerings in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
 * People can also make offerings when they want to say “thank you” or when they want to say “I am sorry.”
 * God reviews all the rules for how to make an offering, and God teaches everything the Kohanim are supposed to do.
 * God orders Jews not to eat any blood, nor to eat meat from an animal that was killed by a wild animal.
 * Three times a day Jews thank God for all we have. The first Jews prayed to God in their own way. Israel’s family gave thanks in the Mishkan and the Temple. Today we gather in the synagogue.
 * We did written exercises. One was to draw the sun in the right place in each picture, showing praying in the morning, shaharit, in the afternoon, minhah, and in the evening, ma’ariv.
 * Another exercise was to identify different kinds of Jewish lights: for Shabbat, for Hanukkah, and for the light that never goes out.
 * We discussed the lessons an always-burning light might teach us. One idea is that light represents understanding, and we never want the light or understanding we can learn from the Torah to go out.
 * The students completed the My Comment: God ordered the Jewish people to keep an always-burning light. One thing I think should last forever is __.__

Ot HaShavuah – zayin, zikaron, remembrance
 * Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014__**

Values
 * Text: __A Kid’s Mensch Handbook__
 * We began ch. 1, Welcome to A Kid’s Mensch Handbook.
 * Ripple Effect – when a stone is dropped into a lake, there are ripples. Our actions, like the ripples, radiate far beyond you, to places you can hardly see.
 * Some people affected by the ripples are the stone (you), your family, your friends and classmates, people you don’t even know.
 * Each of us affects the world in profound and extraordinary ways.
 * Our actions make a difference in people’s lives. “People are honored for their wisdom but loved for their kindness.”
 * Maimonides stated that even a single action could “tip the balance.” Our actions really do matter. The challenge is to take action that is generous and kind.
 * We discussed the word “mensch” (plural is “menschen”) and read some definitions.
 * Honest and fair – a person of integrity.
 * A person who shares the last piece of pizza, who cleans up without being asked, who recycles.
 * A person who shows respect for him/herself and others, and so is respected by others.
 * A good person.
 * Understands that he/she is like a stone in a lake and has the power to affect the world in amazing ways.
 * We did a written exercise, “Too Many to Menschen.” The students had to think of 3 people they consider “menschen” – someone at school, someone at home, and someone who is famous, and then explain why each one is a mensch. We shared some of these in class.
 * **HOMEWORK due Nov. 12: “Too Many to Menschen: Family Version.”** **Please complete this worksheet with your family.** It asks you to think of 3 people you consider menschen: a friend or neighbor, a teacher or community leader, and someone who is famous, and write reasons why each one is a mensch.

Siddur Ceremony
 * Practiced reciting the paragraphs in the Sanctuary.
 * A great deal of excitement accompanied this practice session!

Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing all families tomorrow evening at services, and to seeing parents on Sunday for the Parent Conferences while students are at the special program.

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

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

October 30, 2014 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

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

I must say that I was totally awed by the beautiful and creative Siddur covers being worked on in the art room last Sunday morning and Wednesday afternoon. You are all so talented and innovative! This Siddur will be a lifelong treasure for your child, and having you design the cover will carry deep significance for your child far beyond November 7th. Kol Havod (all honor) to you for your work, time, energy, and creative effort on this project. Thank you all for coming in and for working so diligently. Many thanks also to Morah Leslie for your help.

I also wish to thank all of you who have worked with your children on the Jewish Holiday Important Points, or JHIPS, sheets and have had them turn them in. If your child has not completed these, please try to turn them all in by our next class on Sunday, Nov. 2.

__Important Reminders:__

Sunday, Nov. 2, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Kitah Gimel Family Education Hour

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, 4:00 – 6:15 pm Regular JYEP classes

Friday, Nov. 7, 6:30 pm Services including Siddur Ceremony & potluck meal

Sunday, Nov. 9 Parent Conference Day (Parents meet with teacher; students will have a special program that day)

The following are the topics we covered in our last two classes.


 * __Sunday, October 26, 2014__**

Ot Hashavuah - vav, v’ahavta, and you shall love (God, others, etc.)

Mitzvah of Month – Tzedakah, Charity

Siddur Paragraphs – We continued writing our Siddur paragraphs.

Color Backing Sheets – We began coloring the backing sheets for our Siddur speeches.

Dance for Kitah Gimel - Kitah Gimel had dance with our new dance instructor, Donna Frankel. Donna taught the students a new dance, which the children learned quickly. Donna explains steps well, and has us practice many times over. We have dance together with Kitah Bet. It was fun and lively.


 * __Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014__**

Ot Hashavuah - vav, v’ahavta, and you shall love (God, others, etc.)

Siddur Paragraphs – I went over each student’s paragraph with him or her, so that the sentences flowed well and the words were spelled correctly. The students began writing their final drafts of the paragraphs. Some students practiced reading their speeches aloud.

Coloring Backing Sheets – The students continued coloring the backing sheets. I asked them to color neatly and carefully, which they did. They chose one colored construction paper sheet as a “frame” for their colored picture of two lions supporting the Ten Commandments.

Torah
 * Text: __My Weekly Sidrah__, Vayikra
 * We began our Torah text, beginning with the 3rd book of the Torah, Leviticus. (The students covered Genesis and Exodus last year with Morah Hemy.)
 * God teaches about the worship service.
 * The offerings are sacrifices, using various cooked animals, like birds, sheep, cows, and bulls.
 * There are different types of offerings, such as a regular offering, an afternoon offering, one expressing a hope for peace, and one saying “I am sorry that I did something wrong.”
 * Today we do not give sacrifices. We do not have a Mishkan with a Head Kohein. We did an exercise to show what we do have today: Prayers take the place of sacrifices, synagogues replace the Mishkan, and rabbis replace the Head Kohein (Priest).
 * In ancient times a gift-offering was a way of thanking God. We discussed some ways we can thank God, such as praying and treating others with kavod.
 * We completed the “My Comment” sentence: In this part of the Torah God teaches Moses many rules. One important rule I will always remember is.

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

L’Shalom, Morah Davida

October 23, 2014 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents, I hope you are all doing well. As a reminder, would you please check your child’s binder under “Homework.” I am missing some JHIPS, Jewish Holiday Important Points Sheets and would appreciate your help in having your child complete these and turn them in. Thank you! We are coming up quickly to our Siddur Ceremony, where each Kitah Gimel student receives his or her own Siddur. Please note the following important dates related to this exciting event: Come with your creative ideas to personalize this cover; Morah Leslie, our art teacher, has artistic supplies and knowledge and will be there to help you. Parents will learn with the Rabbi, students will be with the teacher, and all will come together at the end. This is Kitah Gimel’s SME, or Shabbat Mishpacha Experience. Erev Shabbat services begin at 6:30 pm. The students will help lead the service. During the service, they will give a short talk about “Why the Siddur is Important to Me.” Parents will then present their children with the Siddur. Following services, we will have a dairy potluck dinner in the Multipurpose Room. The following are topics we covered in our last two classes. Ot HaShavuah – hey, hoda-ah, gratitude Review of Genesis Stories (continued) Siddur Discussion Story “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.” Additional Items
 * **__ Sunday, October 26, 2014, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, Decorating the Siddur Cover Workshop – For parents only!! __**
 * **__ Sunday, November 2, 2014, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Kitah Gimel Family Education Hour, “About the Siddur. __**** ” **
 * **__ Friday, November 7, 2014, 6:30 pm, Siddur Ceremony during Services, Potluck Dairy Dinner to follow. Students should dress nicely for Shabbat __**__ – **white shirt, dark pants for boys; nice top and skirt or dress for girls.** __
 * __ Shabbat School, Saturday, October 18, 2014 __**
 * We continued our brief review of Genesis stories.
 * The stories included the 3 messengers bringing a message to Abraham (that Sarah will have a child), Sarah gives birth to Isaac, Isaac Marries Rebecca, the Twins Esau and Jacob, Jacob Gets Esau’s Birthright and Blessing, Jacob Leaves Home, Jacob’s Ladder Dream, Jacob Wrestles with a Messenger of God, Jacob’s Name Becomes Israel, Jacob Fathers 13 Children, Jacob’s favorite was Joseph.
 * We continued our discussion about the importance of prayer, and the reasons for praying.
 * Some ideas mentioned were that we can ask God for forgiveness, we can thank God, we can recognize God as Creator and be grateful for the land, water, even our lives, we pray as a community – a special group – where we can meet up with our friends, we can be inspired through prayer to help make the world better, to do “tikkun olam.”
 * 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...” **
 * 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 children attend Shabbat School, and then you can join your children for lunch!

Camp Ramah Presentation – all JYEP students attended a 30-minute talk by a Camp representative. He talked about the Camp, and answered questions. Ot HaShavuah – hey, hoda-ah, gratitude Review of Exodus Stories Siddur Paragraphs As a reminder for Sunday, October 26, 2014, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, all parents should go to the Multipurpose Room (art room) for the Decorating Workshop with Morah Leslie. And…Morah Ora and I are looking forward to seeing your children this Sunday, October 26, for our regular JYEP program 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. L’hitraot, see you soon, and Shabbat Shalom! L’Shalom, Morah Davida
 * __ Wednesday, October 22, 2014 __**
 * We reviewed how Joseph was sold to Midianites by his brothers, ended up in prison, and later, after interpreting Pharoah’s dreams, was put in a position to guide Egypt through famine. We talked about the Israelites becoming slaves in Egypt, the ascent of Moses, his appearing before the Burning Bush, the plagues, Pharoah releasing the Israelites, crossing the Sea of Reeds, the demise of the Egyptians. We covered the Revelation at Mt. Sinai, when God spoke the words of the Ten Commandments, and the people saw, heard, and felt them. Moses receives instructions from God to build a Tent of Meeting while the Israelites are wandering in the desert. However, the people rebelled. They lost faith in God’s presence. They built a golden calf, and worshiped this idol. God told Moses to hurry down to his people, and when he saw the calf and the dancing, he became very angry and threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them. This act threatened to break God’s covenant with the Israelites. Moses pleaded with God to forgive the Israelites, and the covenant was saved for future generations.
 * Moses asks God if Moses could see God. God answers, “I will let all My goodness pass before you. But you cannot see My face. For no human being may see My face and live.” After the original tablets were destroyed, Moses was instructed to carve two stone tablets like the first. God told Moses God would write on the tablets the same words that were on the first tablets. The next morning Moses went up on Mt. Sinai with the two newly carved tablets. Adonai came down in a cloud and stood with Moses. Adonai passed before Moses, and said, “Adonai, Adonai, a God full of compassion and graciousness, patient, full of kindness and trust, giving kindness to the thousandth generation; forgiving unfairness, lawbreaking, and sin.” These were God’s 13 attributes or characteristics. So Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, holding the two tablets. Moses was not aware that his face was glowing because he had spoken with God.
 * The students wrote down their ideas about receiving their own Siddur.
 * They began writing a first draft of their paragraphs for the Siddur Ceremony, called “Why the Siddur is Important to Me.”

October 14, 2014 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

I hope you have been enjoying Sukkot, and have had a chance to wave the lulav! I know this letter is lengthy, but I would appreciate your taking the time to read it through to the end. There are some very important dates coming up for Kitah Gimel, and I ask that you take a moment to calendar them. 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.

__Judaica Homework Assignments__ Please check the “Homework” section of your child’s Judaica binder. If you see handouts there, it means it is work to be done at home. For example, if you see uncompleted JHIPS (“Jewish Holiday Important Points”) handouts, they should be filled out and turned in to me. Each handout has all the answers listed at the end, from which he/she fills in the blanks. You may help your child do this!


 * __Important Reminders:__**

__No School__ on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, due to the holiday of Shemini Atzeret.

__Shabbat School, Saturday, October 18, 2014, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm__ (Note: __this takes the place of JYEP, Jewish Youth Education Program, on Sunday, October 19, 2014.)__

__Siddur Decorating Workshop, Sunday, October 26, 2014, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm__ (Note: for parents only – to work with Morah Leslie Drori, art teacher, in designing and making the Siddur (prayerbook) cover for your child’s Siddur.)

__Kitah Gimel Family Education Hour, Sunday, November 2, 2014__ (About the Siddur, parents come at 11:30 am for one hour)

__Kitah Gimel Siddur Ceremony, Friday, November 7, 2014__ (For all Kitah Gimel families. Your child will receive his/her Siddur in a special ceremony during Shabbat evening services – it is important that all parents and children attend. Following the ceremony is a dairy potluck dinner for everyone – so we request that each family please bring a dish to share.)


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

Ot HaShavuah – dalet, derech eretz, good manners

Mitzvah of the Month – tzedakah, charity

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.

Meaning of Prayer
 * We continued our discussion of the meaning of prayer.
 * Some ideas were that through prayer we talk to God, prayer can help make things better, we can ask God for forgiveness, we can thank God, when we come to pray we can see our friends, we remember God as Creator, giving us life, sustenance, water, and land.

Outline of Shabbat Services
 * We went over the outline of Erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning services.
 * We learned that the “Shema” is surrounded by blessings – 2 before and 1 after. They represent creation, revelation, and redemption.
 * We went through the outline of the service, including the opening psalms, Barchu, Shema and blessings, Amidah, Hallel, Half Kaddish, Torah reading, additional service, full Kaddish, Alaynu, Mourner’s Kaddish, Musaf, and concluding prayers.
 * Please bring your children to Haverim services, designed for K – 3rd grade. It is a fun, engaging service designed for children, and is a very good introduction to prayer and praying. Haverim is held about twice each month, and we encourage you to bring your child whenever the services are offered!

Review of Genesis stories
 * We began our review of the Genesis stories.
 * The stories discussed were Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Flood, Abraham’s New Direction, Abraham and Sarah.

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.
 * Mazal Tov to all students who completed the BHPP, Black Hole Prevention Packet, from this past summer. Sunday was the rewards day, with “Pizza and Prizes.”


 * As a reminder, please help keep your child’s binder in order, with handouts behind the correct divider.** Holiday handouts (holiday blessings, dictionary words, word puzzles, JHIPS handouts) should be under “Holidays,” prayers under “Tefillot,” Torah handouts under “Torah,” and so on. If you see items under “Homework,” that is Homework to be completed – as mentioned earlier. After I have read the homework, it will have a checkmark in the upper righthand corner. It should be placed in the appropriate section in the binder, either Holidays, Torah, Tefillot, or Brachot/Other. If you have any questions about this procedure, please do not hesitate to contact me.


 * __Homework Lapses:__** I have assigned some homework in the last few weeks related to the holidays. The homework handouts are the JHIPS, or Jewish Holiday Important Points, sheets. **Some students have not turned in any of the four holidays covered so far, and are falling behind. __Please, help your child complete the JHIPS – the answers are all at the end of the handouts.__** Each completed assignment, or attempt at doing the assignment, earns a sticker. Besides reviewing the class material covered, this is also another good way to climb our “M&M Ladder.” **I would appreciate your support in helping your child with this homework.**


 * 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.__**

October 2, 2014
 * L’hitraot, see you soon, and Hag Sameach!**
 * L’Shalom,**
 * Morah Davida**

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

I hope you all had a good Rosh Hashanah with your families, with apples and honey, and hearing the shofar blasts in services. Kitah Gimel has had a good workout blowing shofarot in class!

Thank you to all of you 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 encourage everyone to keep up the good work climbing the ladder.

Important Reminders:


 * Sunday, October 5 No Kitah Gimel class, but there is Sukkah Decorating at 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 are welcome, too!
 * Sunday, October 26 Siddur Cover Workshop, for PARENTS – save the date! You will be working with Morah Leslie to make your child’s Siddur cover. But shhhh….it will be a surprise!
 * Sunday, November 2 Kitah Gimel Family Education Hour, 11:30 – 12:30
 * Friday, November 7 Siddur Ceremony & Potluck Dinner at Cong. Beth David

We’ve been busy in Kitah Gimel, and I want to bring you up to date. Here are the topics covered in our last two classes:


 * __ Sunday, September 28, 2014 __**

Ot HaShavuah – Gimel, Gimelut Hasadim, Deeds of Lovingkindness

Mitzvah of the Month - Teshuvah, Returning

Holiday - Sukkot
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * 4 days from Yom Kippur to Sukkot; the holiday lasts for a week.
 * We put up a sukkah, or hut, and decorate it with autumn fruits & vegetables.
 * It has at least 3 walls and a roof made of branches, through which we can see the sky.
 * People eat and even sleep in the sukkah.
 * We invite guests to eat in our sukkah, hachnasat orchim – welcoming guests.
 * We build the sukkah for two reasons:
 * After being freed from slavery in Egypt, we wandered in the desert for 40 years, and slept in huts or sukkot.
 * Most of our ancestors were farmers in the Land of Israel. They harvested crops such as grapes, dates, and olives. They had to harvest before the rains came, so built their huts in the fields and slept in them.
 * The holiday is called “Zeman Simhataynu,” Time of our Happiness, and “Hag Ha’asif,” Harvest Festival.
 * In ancient times, Jews from all over Israel went up to the Temple in Jerusalem to thank God for the harvest. They brought their harvest, a goat or sheep, and some flour or wine as an offering of thanks to God.
 * The holiday of Thanksgiving is based on Sukkot – the early American settlers knew the Bible.
 * The Jews went to Jerusalem 3 times/year, on the festivals of Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot. The 3 pilgrimage festivals are called, “Shalosh Regalim.” Today, we go to our synagogue services and say prayers.
 * On erev Sukkot, we recite blessings over the candles, wine, and hallah. Whether we eat in a sukkah or in our home, we can recite these blessings. If we sit in a sukkah, we recite an additional blessing for that mitzvah. We practiced this blessing.
 * We still celebrate the holiday today, because we have a lot to be grateful for: good food, warm clothes, a place to live, our family and friends. We thank God for all the good in our lives. Another way we can show our thanks is by giving Tzedakah to those who are less fortunate.
 * On Sukkot, Jews bring a lulav and etrog to synagogue and recite the blessing over them. We shake them in all directions to show that God is everywhere.
 * We sing prayers of thanks, called “Hallel.” The word “halleluyah” is a Hebrew word that means “praise God.”
 * Shemini Atzeret comes at the end of Sukkot. On this day, we pray for rain.
 * We say “Hag Sameach” or “happy holiday” to one another.
 * Sukkot Riddle: “What makes the world more right and fair? What teaches us that we must share?”
 * We read the story, answered the riddle (Tzedakah), and placed the sticker on the treasure trail.
 * The students completed the Elijahrocks.net Sukkot Word Puzzle in class.
 * They received the Sukkot Blessings and Dictionary Words for their binders.
 * ** Homework: JHIPS, or Jewish Holiday Important Points, for Sukkot, due Oct. 12, if it has not been turned in yet. Parents or anyone else may assist with this assignment. **

Kitah Gimel had art with Morah Leslie and dance with Morah Rachel.


 * __ Wednesday, October 1, 2014 __**

Ot HaShavuah – Gimel, Gimelut Hasadim, Deeds of Lovingkindness

Mitzvah of the Month – Tzedakah, Charity

Tefillot, Prayers
 * We practiced singing the prayer “Mah Tovu”
 * We learned what the prayer meant.
 * We also discussed why prayer is important – some responses were: saying thank you, being with our friends, talking to God.

Holiday - Simhat Torah
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * A sofer is a scribe who writes the letters of the Torah by hand on Torah scrolls.
 * A Torah is written on many pieces of parchment made of sheepskin.
 * The Torah teaches us the mitzvot, God’s instructions on how to live as Jews and become the best people we can be. The Torah also tells wonderful stories about our ancestors.
 * Some stories in the Torah are the Creation of the world, Noah and the flood, Abraham and Sarah, their son Isaac and wife Rebecca, and their grandson Jacob and wives Rachel and Leah.
 * Our tradition teaches that pomegranates have as many seeds as there are mitzvot in the Torah – 613. Some Torahs are dressed with silver decorations called “rimonim,” meaning pomegranates.
 * The Torah is the first 5 Books of the Bible. We reviewed the names of the 5 books in English and in Hebrew.
 * On Simhat Torah we finish the last portion of the last book, and begin again by reading the first words of the Torah. The cycle keeps going and going.
 * “Simhat Torah” means “Joy of the Torah.”
 * The Torahs are taken out of the Ark on Simhat Torah and paraded around the sanctuary seven times. The parades are called hakafot. We sing and dance during the hakafot.
 * Many synagogues welcome new students to the mitzvah of Jewish learning, or “Talmud Torah,” by holding a Consecration ceremony.
 * Simhat Torah Riddle: What teaches us the Jewish way? What gift from God guides us each day?
 * We read the story, answered the riddle (Torah), and placed the sticker on the treasure trail.
 * The students completed the Elijarocks.net Simhat Torah World Puzzle in class.
 * They received the Simhat Torah Dictionary Words for their binders.
 * ** Homework: JHIPS, or Jewish Holiday Important Points, for Simhat Torah, due Oct. 12. Parents or anyone else may assist with this assignment. **

Patriarchs and Matriarchs
 * We reviewed the names of our Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac & Jacob
 * We reviewed the names of our Matriarchs, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah

Israel
 * Text: __Yisrael Sheli__
 * We began our Israel textbook with the introduction, Finding Israel.
 * We located different countries on a world map, and found Israel – so small the name of the country was written outside of its borders.
 * We learned Israel is in the middle where 3 continents meet: Africa, Asia, and Europe. Before airplanes, many travelers passed through Israel on their way from one place to another.
 * Many of the people who came through were from countries that wanted to control Israel for themselves. Some of them were the Greeks, Babylonians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Christians, and Ottomans.
 * On the map in our books, we drew lines to show the routes people traveled. All lines came close to each other right near Israel.

Please note that we do not have class on Oct. 5 (though students are invited to help decorate the shul’s sukkot on that day). Due to Sukkot, we also do not have class on Wednesday, Oct. 8 (though I hope to see you at my home for the first night of the holiday). Our next 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

Sept. 23, 2014

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

We had a lively class on Sunday, Sept. 21. We discussed the following:


 * Ot Hashavuah (letter or sign of the week) – bet, mitzvah: bikkur holim, visiting the sick, ways we could make someone feel better who was sick


 * Yom Kippur – the “why” and “how” of the holiday
 * Text: __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__
 * High Holy Days – important holidays
 * 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – called the 10 Days of Repentance, “Aseret Yemay Teshuvah.”
 * A time for “teshuvah” or “returning.” When we do teshuvah, we return to God’s kind and loving ways. Teshuvah opens the door for us to become our best selves. Each student had a turn walking across the room; when I said “teshuvah” he or she had to make a U-turn, to symbolize turning from doing a bad behavior and trying to do the right thing next time.
 * R.A.P. – Reflect, Apologize, Prevent
 * Yom Kippur is a fast day for adults – we use our time to pray and think about how we can improve ourselves. Children can give up dessert.
 * We light a yahrzeit candle to remember the people we love who have died.
 * We wear white clothing for a fresh start.
 * We use a special prayerbook called a mahzor.
 * Some prayers said: Kol Nidre, Al Het, Avinu Malkeinu
 * We don’t always hit the mark, like in archery. Sometimes our actions miss the target of good behavior. The students tried to hit a target with bean bags. We learned that not everyone hits the target every time!
 * One way we can do better is to be generous to those in need. This sharing is called tzedakah – we learned we can donate food, clothing, toys, we can visit sick people or the elderly.
 * 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 to improve their behavior.
 * On Yom Kippur, we are asked to pray and study the Torah’s lessons of goodness and kindness all day. At the end of the service, when it is dark, there is one long blast of the shofar, tekiah gedolah. It reminds us of all that we have prayed for and promised. The students practiced blowing shofarot – and we made a lot of noise!
 * At the end of Yom Kippur we share a break fast meal.
 * Riddle question: On Yom Kippur, what word is key? What says, “I’ll come back to you if you return to Me?”
 * I read the story about a princess who had run away from home. The king and queen send her a message, saying if she returns to them as far as she can, they will come the rest of the way to meet her. The answer to the riddle is “Return.” God is like a loving parent who will come to us if we take as many steps of teshuvah as we can.
 * The students found the appropriate sticker for Yom Kippur (a shofar) and put it in the correct place on the Treasure Trail.
 * In class wee completed the Elijahrocks.net Word Search for Yom Kippur.
 * Handouts were given of Yom Kippur Dictionary words and blessings.
 * ** HOMEWORK: Jewish Holiday Important Points, or JHIPS, for Yom Kippur. Due: Oct. 1, 2014. Note: Parents may help with this. **


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


 * Torah – We reviewed of the 5 names of the Books of the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

We look forward to seeing you at Rosh Hashanah services, and at our next Kitah Gimel class, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014.

We wish all of our Kitah Gimel students and their 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 Gimel Parents,

We are off to a good start in Kitah Gimel, and it is a pleasure having your children in class. Thank you to all parents who came in on Sunday, Sept. 14 for our “Back to School” morning. It was nice to see you. I hope you now have a good sense of our Judaica and Hebrew material for Kitah Gimel.

I want to thank you for your guidance and support in helping your child climb the “M&M Ladder” in our classroom. As a reminder, giving tzedakah, reading Jewish books, attending Haverim or other services, and performing mitzvot all earn stickers for our chart.


 * SUPPLIES – VERY IMPORTANT:**


 * If you have not already done so, please supply your child with a binder (1 ½ “ thick), along with 5 dividers. PLEASE HELP YOUR CHILD label the 5 dividers with the following categories:**


 * Homework**
 * Torah**
 * Holidays**
 * Tefillot**
 * Brachot/Other**


 * Please also supply your child with a pencil case with two sharpened pencils with erasers, and a kippah to wear while in school.**


 * HOMEWORK:**

The homework is “Jewish Holiday Important Points,” or “JHIPS” for Rosh Hashanah, which is a fill-in-the-blank worksheet. All the answers are listed at the end, so the students must choose from this list. PLEASE NOTE: your student may have help with this from you, a sibling, friend, etc. **DUE DATE FOR HOMEWORK: if possible, Sunday, Sept. 21, or if that is not enough time, your child may turn it in the following week, on Sunday, Sept. 28.**


 * REVIEW OF LAST 3 CLASSES:**


 * __On Wednesday, Sept. 10__**, we began with introductions with our “Me to a Tee” activity, reviewed the “Kavod Code” (our school and classroom rules), and discussed the ways to earn stickers for our M&M Ladder. We talked about what the Torah is, and learned that it has 5 Books. We went over the names in English and Hebrew and their meanings, and we practiced saying the 5 names in English using a fun acrostic, GELND, for “GE Lights Never Dim.” The students completed a crossword puzzle of the five English names.


 * __On Sunday, Sept. 14__**__,__ we did a short “Puzzle Match” icebreaker, learning what activity each child enjoys doing. We reviewed the Kavod Code again, and we went over our new holiday textbook, __The Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__. We learned that Daniel, an American, is learning about the Jewish holidays with his Israeli cousin Rivkah, from Elijah the Prophet. Each chapter ends with a story with a riddle. When the riddle is solved, students then select the appropriate sticker and place it on the Treasure Trail In the correct month. It is a fun book,, with much information and many activities.


 * __In class on September 17__**, we discussed the “Ot Hashavuah” or letter or sign of the week. This week’s letter is “Alef” for “Emet,” or truth. We read and discussed the first chapter in our __Jewish Holiday Treasure Trail__ book, which covers the “why” and “how” of Rosh Hashanah. We had fun blowing various shofarot, and hearing the sounds.

The [|www.elijahrocks.net] website is a website that can be used in conjunction with our holiday textbook. It has games and information related to the Jewish holidays, all of which will help reinforce our classroom learning. I highly recommend this website. In class I gave out handouts from this website, including Rosh Hashanah Blessings and Dictionary words and Word Puzzle. The class completed the Word Puzzle handout in class.

Visits to 2 hallway bulletin boards gave us more insight into the holiday: the hagim or holiday board was about “Teshuvah” and contained the R.A.P., Reflect, Apologize, and Prevent, a strategy for examining our behavior, saying we’re sorry, and correcting the behavior. The 2nd board, on Values, was about the 3 T’s: tefillah, teshuvah, tzedakah. We discussed the meaning of these three words.

We also recited the prayer “Modeh/Modah Ani” and learned its meaning. I read a story called “Thanks for Bread,” in which a boy searches for the right person to thank for his bread – ending with God!


 * ERROR IN PREVIOUS LETTER NOW CORRECTED:**

The first email communication to you unfortunately contained an incorrect link to our Kitah Gimel section on the wiki, which rendered my welcome letter inaccessible. It is on the wiki under September 10, 2014. In addition, in that letter I had an incorrect number for Morah Ora, which has now been corrected. I am sorry for these errors.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact either one of us. We are happy to help out.

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

L’Shalom, Morah Davida and Morah Ora

Contact Information:
 * Davida Adelberg, adelbergfam@me.com, or (408) 892 ** - ** 3691 (cell)
 * Ora Avidan-Antonir, oraaa@hotmail.com or __ (408) 530-0384 __ (home).

**TEACHER UPDATES:**

Sept. 10, 2014 Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,


 * Greetings and welcome to the new school year at Congregation Beth David’s Jewish Youth Education Program (JYEP), which begins today. ** 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, 2013, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.** Children and parents will have separate times to meet with the teachers, and then we will be all together towards the end of the morning.

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

We request as well that you please **reinforce our “Kavod Code” (good behavior rules) during school hours and at home**. **At school, 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.), while a //mitzvah// is a commandment. Ways to earn stickers for our classroom 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 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 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 & 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.


 * To help keep your child organized will you please supply him or her with the following: a 3-ring binder (about 1½” thick), 5 dividers, a pencil pouch with 2 sharpened pencils with erasers, and a kippah to wear during school. Please bring all supplies in the blue book bag (provided by the school). Thank you very much!*

And… if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us:

> (home).
 * Davida Adelberg, adelbergfam@me.com, or (408) 892 ** - ** 3691 (cell)
 * Ora Avidan-Antonir, oraaa@hotmail.com or 408-530 0384

We hope our deep love and enthusiasm for Judaism is conveyed to your children.

L’Shalom....and l’hitraot,

Morah Davida and Morah Ora

**L’hitraot – see you soon!**

**L’Shalom,** **Morah Davida**