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SHABBAT ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT

 

Students in grades Gimel (3rd) through Zayin (7th) receive  credit for attending Shabbat services throughout the school year.

 

Kitah Dalet (4th): 8 Shabbat services

 

 

March 17, 2024


Judaic Studies:

Today we continued with our study of Tel Aviv. Ask your child about the founding of modern day Tel Aviv and how the land was originally divided.  What plot of land were they awarded and what are they going to do with it? We then discussed the importance of having a dream–and working to be sure that dream comes true.--you have to do more than wish, you have to have the will to make it come true. Have your child share with you “Im tirtzu ein zo agada”--”if you will it it is not a dream” and how it relates to modern day Israel. If you’d like to listen to the song Im Tirtzu (we did in class) , you can follow this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifxDMPzMemw&list=OLAK5uy_nuyT2fXDUfMTcez5atDFt429MLMAvPP7I&index=22 

 

February 25, 2024

Today we explored life on a kibbutz.  We watched a film that told us about the origin of the kibbutzim and how they have changed and adapted to life in the 21st century.  Ask your child about the features of the kibbutz they liked and which they would never want to do?  What did they notice in the other pictures of kibbutzim we viewed?  Are they ready to pick grapes or drive a tractor?  What kibbutz will your child join?

February 11, 2024

Thanks to those of you that were able to join us for the special prayers and songs in celebration of World Wide Wrap. When we returned to our classroom we continued a discussion of the Wrap by viewing a video, The Tefillin Challenge.  Ask your child about the boys in the video and what they convinced their teacher to do.  What tradition would they like to teach someone? Ask about the ideas we came up with in class.

February 4, 2024

Judaic Studies: In our continuing study of Israel we viewed two  videos about the desert nomadic people–the Bedouin.  Ask your child to describe to you the Bedouin lifestyle. What surprised them?  What do they envy about the lifestyle?  What would they miss from this lifestyle if they were to try and live as the Bedouins?  Have  you have visited Israel and witnessed the Bedouin?  Tell your child about what you saw.

 

Yasher Koach Dalet Class

 

Yasher Koach to the class for doing an outstanding job at our class Shabbat on February 2.  They did an outstanding job sharing their learning and leading services.  You will find the poem that the students created for the occasion and read that night below.

 

Next to each stanza you will find the names of the authors and the readers. Students put so much thought into what they wrote as they reflected on the meaning of Hatikvah to them and to Israel. What great Israel scholars. 

Question - Why is 2004 mentioned as when Hatikvah was “born”?

Answer: The original Hatikavah poem was written in the 1800s by one of the very active Zionists who were fighting for a Jewish homeland.  Later the poem was cut down and set to an old Jewish folk tune.  The Zionists used it as a motivational song in their work to form what became modern day Israel.  It was used, among other songs, in celebration of the newly formed state beginning in 1948 and has been taught as a part of Jewish culture since.

It was not until 2004 though that the State of Israel officially named Hatikvah the National Anthem of Israel.  

 

Reflections on Hatikvah

                                                          A Poem by the Dalet Class of 5784

 

Mason            The music is very good

And                 The anthem was born in 2004

Louis              That was called The Hope

 

Olivia              There is still hope

And                 Cause we believe in our hearts

Noa                 We still have hope in ourselves

People should NOT be enslaved,

They should be able to be themselves

 

Ashleigh        The Jewish soul sings

And                 Our hope is strong

Emma             It is 2000 years old

Stored in our hearts

So we can be free,

And have freedom

Hope is freedom

 

Kyla                To be a free person in our land

NO people controlling other people

We wish for free people

In the land of Zion and Jerusalem

 

Scarlett           After the fights

And                 We did unite

Ellie                We became free

Because of you and me

 

2000 years and we haven’t lost hope

But that’s because we would never mope

We would keep on singing until we would be free

Israel is now its own country

 

Miles               For Israel to be free is 

And                 What we’re hoping for

Alex                Our hope is 2000 years old

For Israel to be free

 

Julian             The anthem was born in 2004

And                 But they had the land for 2000 years

Ryan              The hope that you know as Hatikvah

And it's about freeing the people and the country.

 

Asher             Hatikvah, meaning the hope

And                 Is about the country Israel

Rami               Freedom of the people

To live in a free country

 

Everett            Our hope is not yet lost

And                 For peace and freedom

Ezra                Hope is the key 

For the people of Israel follow God like you and me

 

Avery              As long as within our hearts

The hope is strong and powerful

Our hope is still here

And not lost

 

Magnolia       East, That’s why it says

As long as forward to the east

Jerusalem we reach

That makes me feel that Jewish hope is not lost

 

Jack                Our hope shall not be lost

And                 Cause it is 2000 years of age

Judah             Hope is what Hatikvah means

Hope is what we need to believe, together

 

Lizzy               When I hear Hatikvah

I feel loved and feel

Like I belong here

In my Jewish life

 

January 28, 2024

Dalet spent the day today practicing their songs and poems that they will present at our Class Shabbat this upcoming Friday night, February 2.  You will hear, in traditional songs, and in poetry written in their own words, some of the meaning our home land Israel has for these students.  The students have worked hard to prepare for this so we hope all families will attend.

 

Please have your child to the Temple Israel lobby by 5:15 as we want to take a class picture before Shabbat comes in and will run a quick rehearsal of our songs and prayers.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Update this content.

January 21, 2024

Judaic Studies - Students studied the Israeli National Anthem, Hatikvah, and wrote poems which will be shared at their Class Shabbat Celebration on Friday, February 2. 

Hebrew - Students continued working through their Mitkadem binders, learning blessings and tefillot. 

January 7, 2024

Today our focus was on the flag of Israel.  We discussed the choice of the two blue bands (ask your child what those represent) and then the use of the Magen David.  We know it is named for Israel’s King David–have your child tell you how he used it and then why it was adopted by the Israeli people as a symbol.  We then created our own designs of the Israeli flag and recorded the facts we learned on them.

December 10

Judaic Studies:

Today was our Chanukah celebration.  In the Judaic Studies classroom students played Chanukah Bingo using some great critical thinking skills (thanks to our madrich Dylan) and made beaded Magen David (or as close as the students wanted to get) decoration (with our very patient madrich Elliot).  There were sufganiyot for snack (thanks to TIRS PTO) and gelt involved as well. It was a fun and fully enjoyable day.  I hope all the Dalet families have had a joyous Festival of Lights.

December 3, 2023

Judaic Studies:

Today we continued our study of Israel by taking a closer look at some of the animals that live in the desert portion of the country.  Small groups researched and produced posters on the desert dwellers:  camel, ibex, red-necked ostrich, caracal, and arabian leopard.  Ask your child which animal they reported on and which ones they think might be close to extinction.  We will talk more about animals native to Israel after Chanukah.  Enjoy the lights of Chanukah with your family.

November 12

Judaic Studies -

Thank you to all the parents that were able to join us for our Family Education program.  We enjoyed exploring facts about Israel and especially about Jerusalem with you. Everyone did such a great job with the Jerusalem paintings – I hope they will always help you think of Jerusalem – the city built of Jerusalem stone. May we all be together one day in Yerushalayim.

Hebrew -

In Hebrew, students played some Hebrew games, practicing and honing their Hebrew reading skills.

November 5

We began our study of Jerusalem today with a video showcasing three families living in the Old City–1 Jewish, 1 Muslim, and 1 Christian.  Ask your child about the one thing that brings all three of these groups together (One God–monotheistic–and all come from Abraham) and how each family feels about their religion and place in Jerusalem (all three religions had important events happen in the city). We introduced Jerusalem’s various names (City of David, Lion of God, Oasis of Justice, etc.). In class on November 19 we will work to create Midrash to help us understand why Jerusalem might be called by each of these names.

We also toook a trip to the Chanukah Boutique.

Reminder-our Family Education Program is next Sunday, November 12.  We hope you will be able to join us as we further explore Jerusalem and other aspects of life in Israel.

 

October 29

Two Hours of Judaic Studies

Today we examined the reasons behind the location of modern day Israel.  How did the Zionists know exactly where to place the borders and what should be included in a new modern nation?  We turned to the Books of the Torah to find answers.  We discussed the books of the Torah–can you and your child name them?--and their divisions into chapter and verse. Review with your child what the notation Genesis 15:18–21 means.  If you want to explore more of the references to Israel that we found review these passages:

Genesis 21: 25-32 (Beersheba)
Genesis 26: 23-25 (Beersheba)

Exodus 23:31 (Borders–Red Sea to Med Sea–Desert to Great River)
Numbers 34:1–15


 

We then began work on a large wall map of Israel that we will continue to use throughout our study.  We had team “create the outline of the map”, team “create the sand for the desert, and team “create the bodies of water”. Ask your child about how they served.  We then all worked together to add the sand to the map to create the Negev and the water to represent the seas, Lake Kinneret, and Jordan River. Discuss with your child the fact that 60% of Israel is made up of desert. In future lessons we’ll discuss how Israelis are able to make things grow and flourish in the dry desert conditions.  Be sure your calendars are marked for Sunday, November 12–that’s our Dalet Family Education Day and we’d love to see everyone here.

 

 

October 15, 2023

The Dalet class spent time talking with Rabbi Kornsgold and Morah Limor about the situation in Israel. Students had a chance to share their feelings and ask questions. Afterwards, they made beautiful cards for the soldiers to help lift up their spirits.

May 7, 2023

Judaic Studies:

We concluded our study of Israel today with a review of facts and trivia.  The students did a great job recalling many of the things we learned throughout the year and learned a few new pieces of information.  Ask your child about the surprising kind of restaurant that is popular in Tel Aviv (sushi) and what a sabra is (someone born in Israel).

Hebrew:

Students completed the end of year Hebrew assessments and worked to finish the current Ramah (level) they are working on in Mitkadem.

April 30, 2023

Today we explored life on a kibbutz.  We watched a film that told us about the origin of the kibbutzim and how they have changed and adapted to life in the 21st century.  Ask your child about the features of the kibbutz they liked and which they would never want to do?  What did they notice in the other pictures of kibbutzim we viewed?  Are they ready to pick grapes or drive a tractor?  What kibbutz will your child join?

April 23, 2023

Today as a part of our study of Israel we prepared for Yom Ha’atzmaut which we will celebrate this Wednesday, April 26.  We recalled the celebrations in 1948 when modern Israel became official and how we celebrate it today. Compare with your child how Israel celebrates their Independence Day and how we celebrate ours. Then, ask your child about the design they created for Israel’s Independence Day. 

March 26, 2023

Today we continued with our study of Tel Aviv. Ask your child about the founding of modern day Tel Aviv and how the land was originally divided.  We then discussed the importance of having a dream–and working to be sure that dream comes true.  Have your child share with you “Im tirtzu ein zo agada”--”if you will it it is not a dream” and how it relates to modern day Israel. If you’d like to listen to the song Im Tirtzu (we did in class) , you can follow this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifxDMPzMemw&list=OLAK5uy_nuyT2fXDUfMTcez5atDFt429MLMAvPP7I&index=22 

March 19, 2023

Judaic Studies:

Today in our study of Israel we explored information about the modern day city of Tel Aviv.  Discuss with your child all that makes this city modern and exciting.  What did they like best about what they learned or what they did when they visited there?  What would they like to do if they went to Tel Aviv (again)?  We then compared Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.  Ask your child about the similarities and differences.   Was there something new they saw about Jerusalem that they didn’t learn when we first studied the city?   What is now most interesting to them about Jerusalem?  About all of Israel?

 

Hebrew:

Students went over the parts of the seder in Hebrew (there are 14 parts), and acted out the various plagues while classmates tried to guess the plagues. Students also talked about their favorite Passover traditions, foods and songs.

March 12, 2023

 

Judaic Studies:

Today we finished work on our Magan David designs as a part of studying Israel’s flag.  Ask your child to tell you about the tessellation technique we used.  We also studied Israel’s seal.  Discuss with your child the significance of the 7 branch menorah, how is it different from another kind of menorah we use at another time of year.  And what is the significance of the olive branch? The next time you are at Temple Israel have your child point out to you the symbols that appear on Israel’s seal.

Hebrew: 

The kids did amazing work on the Ramot , putting extra focus on reading, practicing prefixes  in (ב)  , and (ו) , to(ל)

So proud of the students.  They are dedicated and work hard.  

 

February 26, 2023

Judaic Studies:

Today our focus was on the flag of Israel.  We discussed the choice of the two blue bands (ask your child what those represent) and then the use of the Magen David.  We know it is named for Israel’s King David–have your child tell you how he used it and then why it was adopted by the Israeli people as a symbol.  We then started creating our own interpretation of the Magen David using tessellation.  We will finish up our designs when we return to regular class schedule, the week after Purim.

Hebrew:Students took a break from Mitkadem and learning different words and phrases associated with the Purim, including the 4 mitzvot of Purim.

February 12, 2023

Today in our study of Israel we reminded ourselves why the Zionists located modern day Israel where it sits today.  Then we talked about how the Israelites governed themselves when they first returned to the land after the Exodus.  We learned that first they had judges.  Discuss with your child what some of the decisions the judges had to make were. Then the Israelites decided they needed a King like other countries had.  Ask your child about the first kings and what they can tell you about them. We’ll be learning more about them in coming weeks. 

February 5, 2023

Judaic Studies:

Thank you to all that were able to make it to our Dalet Class Shabbat on Friday night.  The students all did a fantastic job–wasn’t their poetry amazing?  They are truly displaying their learning about and love for Israel every week.

Today we picked up again our study of the Bedouin people that inhabit the deserts in Israel.  A couple of weeks ago we viewed two videos of their lives and today students used a viewing guide that they completed while watching to shape our discussion of these interesting people.  Some of the points we discussed were–1) the roles of men and women in that society and how they are different from what we see around us, 2) how their daily routines are like and different from ours, 3) what students would like about living that lifestyle, and 4) what they would miss most from their current life were they to live the life of the Bedouins. Ask your child how they answered these and other questions we discussed.  Then ask what they recorded as their two most significant facts about the Bedouin people in Israel.

Hebrew:

 

Students learned the different blessings we say over food and how to read these blessings, some of them contain difficult Hebrew words. The students are doing a great job working on their decoding skills. They also used flashcards to help them learn new Hebrew words.😁

I wish you all a blessed weekend

See you unday 

January 29, 2023

JUDAIC STUDIES

The class spent the day practicing their songs and poems that they will present at our Class Shabbat this upcoming Friday night, February 3.  You will hear, in traditional songs, and in poetry, written in their own words, some of the meaning our home land Israel has for these students.  The students have worked hard to prepare for this so we hope all families will attend.

Please have your child to the Temple Israel lobby by 5:20pm as we will run a quick rehearsal of our songs with the piano and once again check our seating and standing spots.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

HEBREW

Students spent the Hebrew period rehearsing with Cantor Lissek and Rabbi Kornsgold for their Class Shabbat.

January 22, 2023

Today in our study of Israel and in preparation for our Class Shabbat on February 3, we concentrated on Hatikvah, the national anthem of Israel.  We talked about the significance of an anthem, what it means to citizens of a country, and how we use it to honor a country.  We then examined specifically the words in Hatikvah and why they are so  appropriate to our homeland.  The students worked on composing a poem that will help us teach others about Hatikvah and Israel.  Be sure you have February 3 on your calendar for our Class Shabbat so you hear their great work.

January 8, 2023

Judaic Studies

In our continuing study of Israel we viewed two videos about the desert nomadic people–the Bedouin.  Ask your child to describe to you the Bedouin lifestyle. What surprised them?  What do they envy about the lifestyle?  What would they miss from this lifestyle if they were to try and live as the Bedouins?  How many of you have visited Israel and witnessed the Bedouin?  Tell your child about what you saw.

Hebrew

Students are working their way through the different Mitkadem levels. This week a number of students completed Ramah 3 where they worked on learning about root words, prefixes and suffixes. A few students completed ramah 4, where they were learning the blessings over food, candle lighting and different holiday blessings.

 

December 11, 2022

Judaic Studies:

Today we continued  our study of the Israeli desert. Picking up from where we left off last week students completed posters about the animals that inhabit the Israeli desert, including those that are near to extinction and under protection of the Israeli government.  Ask your child about those animals and how the animals are being protected.  They did an absolutely fantastic job creating the posters and sharing them with the class–they were very impressive with their hard work and team cooperation.

Hebrew:

 

-I wanted to take a moment  to rave about your wonderful children who did an amazing job this week in the find the word game for Chanukah and matching the holidays symbols to the words in Hebrew and writing them. In addition. They are all doing a great job in their different ramot in Mitkadem. Wishing you a great week and Happy Chanukah.

 

 

December 4, 2022

Judaic Studies:

Today we continued our study of Israel by taking a closer look at some of the animals that live in the desert portion of the country.  Small groups researched and produced posters on the desert dwellers:  camel, ibex, red-necked ostrich, caracal, and arabian leopard.  Ask your child which animal they reported on and which ones they think might be close to extinction.  We will be following up with that next week.

 

Hebrew:

November 20, 2022

Judaic Studies:

Today we continued with both our study of Jerusalem and writing midrash. We completed the video about the three families/religions living in Jerusalem, what they share, and how they differ.  Ask your student what else they  now remember from the video and the families/religions represented.  The students then worked in groups to write midrash about how Jerusalem came to have its various names (City of David, Lion of God, Oasis of Justice, etc.) Ask your child which group they worked with, what name for Jerusalem they were assigned, and how the resulting midrash they wrote was expressed.  Which of the other names for the city do they remember from the groups’ presentations?

Hebrew:

Students continued working through their Mitkadem binders. Some students are working on mastering Hebrew vocabulary related to the Friday evening kiddush, while others are working on reading skills.

 

November 13, 2022

We extended out study of Jerusalem today with a video showcasing three families living in the Old City–1 Jewish, 1 Muslim, and 1 Christian.  Ask your child about the one thing that brings all three of these groups together (One God–monotheistic–and all come from Abraham) and how each family feels about their religion and place in Jerusalem (all three religions had important events happen in the city). We also began to explore the concept of midrash–ask your child about the example of midrash we read in class (one version of how Abram came to smash the idols in his father’s shop). We will continue next week with both Jerusalem and midrash as the students will work to write midrash about how Jerusalem came to have its various names (City of David, Lion of God, Oasis of Justice, etc.)

 

Mon, December 9 2024 8 Kislev 5785