January 8, 2023
Judaic Studies
We had another great week in Kitah Zayin!
This week we started to learn about some of the ghettos that Jews were forced to live in during the Shoah (Holocaust). We started class with students having 5 minutes to write down what they would bring with them if they had to leave home to go to an undisclosed location. Students learned that most Jews would only have a short amount of time to pack everything of importance to them before going to a ghetto. Next, we watched a short video that was an overview of what life was like during this time. We discussed how even in some of the worst situations, we found three different ways to rebel. One is to continue living as Jewishly as possible by attending underground schools, having youth organizations, continuing to have services, etc. Another way to go around laws by smuggling in food and medicine, setting up makeshift hospitals, and getting valuable information from the outside. The last is physical rebellion such as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising which was the first large-scale resistance against the Nazis.
Jewish Life and Culture
HI all,
Kitah Zayin shared how Jewish Life and culture was a part of their lives the last three weeks. Many students shared their better understanding of how to place the candles and light the chanukiyah, while others highlighted making latkes with family or attending Shabbat services. Two students who visited Israel told their classmates about praying at the Western Wall and being with family in their homeland. During class we focused on Shabbat and how we recognize it each week by resting. Resting was the key word students analyzed and what is truly considered work according to conservative Judaism. We discussed how gentiles have historically played an important role in Jews celebration of Shabbat, including organ playing in medieval synagogues and is one persons work, another persons rest. Can you draw on Shabbat if that is pleasure for you while for artists it is work. Many more questions were asked than answered, our commitment to learning is always ongoing.
