Prayers for Peace

After studying Tefillah for a year together, it's obvious that the Kitah Dalet students are deep thinkers who are ready for peace in our busy ever changing world.   

Here are their words from our Tefillah journal Sunday May 3rd.

Dear GOD,
I hope that there is peace in the world and no war will happen because they need to end soon.  That there are no fights in my family like with my brother and sister and that we find a way not to argue.

Blessed are you ADONAI our GOD.  Please grant everybody living in Baltimore to get rid of the riots and come together to be safe and pray.

Dear ADONAI our GOD.  Let there be no more riots so that we can have baseball games.  Let there not be hunger.  Let there be freedom to be who we want to be.

Blessed are you ADONAI to please stop world hunger and make the world a place of peace.   Stop the riots and stop people from trying to take over the world.

Please GOD, 
Grant peace for all people in the United States and the world.  Mae it so we can be peaceful.  This is because if people started fightingd affect me in negative ways. 

To take a deep breath.  Close your eyes.  Understand where you are.  Look at the world around you.  If it is not peaceful, make it. If it is peaceful, keep it like that.  You make the world what it is.

Blessed are you ADONAI our GOD. Let there be peace throughout the world my GOD, my ruler, who brings me to this Earth and the people Israel.  We can all contribute and have the power of control in all of us.  May there be peace in Israel and the world.

Praise Hashem, our GOD, ruler of the world who tries to make peace in Kenya Africa.

And for that...we say.....

April 19th -- My Jewish Holiday! Please join us!

Holiday projects are due on Tuesday so that we may rehearse for our special event, next Sunday at 10:30, My Jewish Holiday.  Each student will present his or her holiday poster or power point and presentation (maximum 5 minutes).  Then we'll enjoy some of the special foods associated with these unique new holidays.  Please join us!

RSVP to ceh1492@hotmail.com if you can, so we will have enough chairs and snacks to go around.

Although the Holiday presentation will be the highlight of our year, classes will continue and there is still much to learn.  We will be diving into the modern Jewish holidays of the month of Iyar and working on at least one more portion of Tanakh.

It is very, VERY important that students continue to work on Hebrew now and hopefully during the summer.  They have learned so much, but must continue to use it to keep it.

Thanks for all your support for your students and for us!
Morah Elisheva (and Morah Alli!)

Hamantaschen and homework

The recipe for Morah Betsy's Hamantaschen will be going home Tuesday, and post to our blog Wednesday along with Morah Elisheva's recipe.  The dough is the hardest part.  You can use a store-bought sugar cookie dough or pie crust dough in place of homemade if you are short on time.  The chocolate used by Morah Betsy was a kosher chocolate spread from Israel mixed with chocolate chips.  Kosher canned pie fillings or jelly make quick fillings.  Or fresh fruit dusted with corn starch and sugar....

All students should have the assignment for "My Jewish Holiday".  They are ready to begin work on either a poster or power point.  If they, or you, have questions - email Morah Elisheva at ceh1492@hotmail.com   The most difficult part remaining for most students is finding an appropriate special reading from Tanakh -- Torah, Prophets or Writings.  I can help if students are stuck, but students should make an effort to find something first.  Parents can absolutely help.  START NOW!!!

During the break it would be A GREAT MITZVAH for studens to practice Hebrew.  They can practice writing Hebrew letters or words, practice reading, practice prayers, with or without Berman House.  We'll be recognizing STARS whose Hebrew decoding skills are excellent or have made great improvement.  Our focus is on reading fluently with correct vowel sounds.

Shalom!

Purim fun

Shalom!  Kitah Dalet has created a Purim program which we will video on Sunday.  The video will be shown at the Purim Seuda, and perhaps posted online.  The script for the program is at right, under homework.   (Note - some students chose to create art or to run sound effects or to do other off-camera work.  It is truly a class project, however, with everyone having input.)

March 1st is our Purim carnival from 11:30 to 1:30.  Please encourage costumes.  I'll be offering prizes for best costumes.  And I'd hate to be the only one dressed up.....

We have scheduled hamantaschen baking as well!  That is scheduled for March 3rd.  We hope you will also try to bake some at home.

An early Happy Purim to you all.  Then onwards to Pesach....
Shalom,   Morah Elisehva

Coming soon......

Shalom!  On Tuesday we'll be running a Tu B'Shevat Seder for the 2nd and 3rd grades.  If your family would like to use our seder booklet, please email me and I will send you a copy.  (The copy is our generic seder, not quite the personalized one we'll be presenting.)

Very soon we will be assigning our end-of-year project, My Jewish Holiday.  I have posted it under homework at right in case you wish to get a jump on the project.  I know there will be questions, so feel free to email me or to leave comments below.

Hopefully all of you have had a chance to share g-dcast.com videos of Yitro and Tu B'Shevat (Honi's story).  I hope you will choose to view other g-dcast videos as well.  They are a great way to  discuss Torah themes, even though they sometimes veer from the Torah text.  Let me know if you are aware of other online Jewish resources you enjoy with your families.

Our Tzedaka cause is now the Israeli Cancer Research Fund, which has financed many scientific breakthroughs and treatments.  Cancer has touched most all our lives.  This is a chance to do something to save lives.

Shalom for now,
Morah Elisheva

Back in action....

Yikes!  Sorry to be late with the new post.  I (Morah Elishva) was out for weeks with bronchitis and Morah Alli was snowed under working for two.  (Morah Gayle helped out a lot!)  We hope to be back to weekly or bi-weekly posts now.

With the new calendar year Kitah Dalet will begin studying special sections of Torah and Tanakh.  We will still be studying holidays, and will prepare a special Tu B'Shevat celebration for the younger grades to enjoy. But more of our class time will be spent on our holy books.  In March students will begin working on their end of year project, My Jewish Holiday.

Our study of Hebrew and T'fillot is ongoing.  Students need to practice at home with Berman House.  It would also be VERY helpful if students practiced Hebrew reading and writing.  Morah Alli will be sending more information shortly.

Our new Tzedaka cause is the Israeli Cancer Research Fund.  The Fund provides money directly to Israeli researchers. Here is their website:  http://www.icrfonline.org/  They have helped fund discoveries including Doxil, Gleevec, and the RAD 51 breast cancer gene.  Please encourage your students to donate, and feel free to send in donations of your own.

Please email us or comment if you have any questions/comments/suggestions.....
Shalom!

Challah & Chanukah

Shalom!  It's been a great month.  The posters were wonderful -- the students worked hard and learned a lot. Fell free to stop in and see.  And our Challah baking was wonderful.  A big thanks to our kitchen magician Morah Betsy.  Her recipe is at right if your students want to try it again (and again!  mmmm)  Our next two classes will cover Chanukah, and will include an all-school celebration.

I hope that your family will consider sending in an extra Tzedaka donation for Sunday for our Tzedaka cause, Mazon.  Hunger is a real problem in our country, but we can make a difference.

Morah Alli and I are hoping students can keep up their Hebrew practice over the break.  It doesn't take long for new skills to erode.  The new Berman House website has learning games to keep skills sharp.  You can challenge your students to a game - if you're brave.  (Ask how the challenge Morah Elisheva to Hebrew went.  I WILL be practicing and preparing for a rematch.)

Two more packed classes to winter break.
Shalom!

Hebrew homework, Poster homework and Shabbaton

Shalom!
Emails were sent with login information for the Behrman House Hebrew practice website.  Before students return to class on Dec. 2nd, Morah Alli has challenged students to complete some activities on the site. (Their choice, should be fun)  Students need to login to allow us to follow student progress.  Morah Alli and Morah Elisheva have copies of the emails if you misplace them.

The months posters are DUE on Dec. 2nd.  Instructions for the posters, which were assigned a month ago, are at right under the homework tab.  There are 3 pages of information, so be sure to scroll down.  The last 2 pages are specific information for individual months.  Each student's month is listed in the prior post.  Feel free to email Morah Elisheva with questions.  Note, however, that Morah Elisheva will be out of town with limited to no internet over some of Thanksgiving break.

Look forward to seeing everyone at the Shabbaton this weekend!  And Happy Thanksgiving a little early,
Morah Elisheva (and Morah Alli)

CORRECTED HOMEWORK due DEC 2nd!

At right there are instructions for the Month Poster Project due on Dec. 2nd.
Here are the months which each student represents:  corrected for the Sams.  Sorry for problem
Tishri   Jonah  (Rosh HaShonnah & Yom Kippur)
Tishri    Liam  (Other holidays)
Cheshevan   Ariela
Kislev    Samuel A
Teveth   Zach
Shevat   Aaron
Adar     Evan
Nisan   Sam H
Iyar    Madison
Sivan    Sam D
Tammuz    Rylie
Av    Claire
Elul     Adli

Note - students already brought home instructions and poster board, and many have chosen to check out books to study.  Please email me if there are any questions.
Thanks,  Morah Elisheva

Kristallnacht class Tuesday Nov. 4th

Our class will be studying Kristallnacht, The Night of Broken Glass, on Tuesday Nov. 4th.  We will discuss events of the night, which many date as the start of the Shoah (Holocaust).  We will not discuss the Holocaust itself, but later in the year we will light candles and discuss the observance of Yom HaShoah.  At right is a link to information we will share with students, including 3 survivor videos.  It is our experience that many students will come home with questions after class.  Feel free to email us if you'd like information or resources to answer their specific questions.  The material we share is sad, but not explicit or scary.  We believe it is age appropriate, and we will adjust our material or switch our discussion if it is necessary.

IN OTHER NEWS --  our school has begun collecting Tzedaka for Mazon, a national charity which is devoted to fighting hunger and poverty. We hope you will encourage students to support our cause.

SHABBATON -- save the date!  Nov 21st and 22nd will be our Shabbaton.  It is a fun educational event (think a camp Shabbat).  We hope everyone can come!

Homework:  All students should be working on their poster projects.  The instructions are at right if they've misplaced them.  Email us with any questions.

No school for students next Sunday, as the teachers have classes of our own.  It's a great time to work on the homework posters....

Shalom,
Morah Elisheva

What do you hear in the V'ahvta??

 

Did you know that V'ahva is found in the Torah??

 We often sing prayers...but do we know what we are singing?  What do we hear?  V'ahvta is full of "things" we are supposed to do.  

Answer the following questions to show your understanding.

1.  Why are we commanded to teach our children?

2.  What do we call the item that goes on our hand and forhead?

3. What is the item that we are to put on our doorpost?

4.  How can demonstrate your understanding of kindness related to V'ahvta?

Looking for those answers in the comments.

Bonus: What are the four types of Torah interpretation and what do each of them mean. (Hint Pardes) If 5 people can post answers, we can earn a special snack and extended recess next Sunday.

Tishri holiday rush continues....

Shalom!  Hag Sukkot Sameach!
We are getting back to a more normal schedule, and already looking forward to our Shabbaton on Nov. 21st to the 22nd.

We will begin Torah interpretation shortly in Judaics class.  I'd like students to review the calendar vocabulary we've been using before we move on.  I've attached a vocabulary sheet under homework tab on the right.  It is available for their review throughout the year.  Students can earn a prize by posting a paragraph using some of the vocabulary in the comment section below.  Be sure to include student name so we can give credit where credit is due!

I also want to support Morah Alli's request that students practice their Hebrew cursive writing.  My own experience shows that it is vital to review and practice at least weekly to retain skill, much less to expand it.  It takes less than 3 minutes to copy down the letters and can be done during carpool or most any other time.

Hag Sameach!
Morah Elisheva

Coming Together As a Community!

It's hard to believe that Rosh Hashanah is here!  We hope that you take this time to enjoy some apples and honey along with round raisin challah to start the year off sweet.

Let's make it even sweeter!  Let's see if you can answer the following questions.

1. Who in our class chose a delicious Hebrew nick name?

2. Describe a miracle regarding the Akeidah.

3.  What is the brand name of the pretzels we had on Tuesday and more importantly,  how do we say pretzel in Hebrew?

4.  Name a Jewish Marine that will not be coming home to celebrating Rosh Hashanah with his familly. (hint...we did a service mitzvah project last year)


5. What is the upcoming numerical Jewish year?  Hint...it's not 2015.

6.  In class, we discussed making one change for the new year....What's your change???

Give your answers in the comments.  Make sure we know that it's your responding (initials or a first name only is great!

Holidays, T'fillot, and Teamwork!

Shalom!  Please read the prior blog entry if you missed it. It was important.

We just had our first music class with Rabbi Ari, and are working on team posters. Thank you for sharing your family Shabbat thoughts and photos!  Shabbat is the most basic, most representative, and perhaps most experiential of our holidays.  As we move into the holiday packed month of Tishri we'll be comparing every holiday to Shabbat.

In addition to our holiday studies, we're learning about the Jewish concepts of time and our calendar.  We're also beginning our Torah studies, with discussion of the holiday portions and of the concept of Midrash (Torah commentary).  If your student misses all or part of a class, you may get an email with information we'd like him or her to review.  There's a lot to learn!  If you or your student have questions, please email us so we can help.

Our T'fillot and Hebrew study continues with Modeh Ani and Kiddish.  PLEASE let your student practice reading the short homework assignments to you.  Practice is the only way to gain fluency and confidence.  And your participation will validate the importance of the work.

High Holiday request: please discuss the Torah portions and/or Haftarot with your student.  Ideas to discuss: What do you think it means to us?  Did you like it?  Did it surprise you?  Was there something that confused you or made you wonder?  Share your own thoughts with your student too.

An early Shanah tova!
Morah Elisheva

Using the web to learn Hebrew and Tefillot?

Let's face it, learning Hebrew is difficult.  On top of learning to decode Hebrew, we are asking students to learn prayers.  While having a catchy tune can help, it's still difficult.

I'm continually amazed when students learn Hebrew.  They start to recognize the letters, write the letters, put the sounds together, add some vowels....and then they are reading!  My hope is that during this year, we foster a love of Hebrew and some understandings of the prayers that are a part being Jewish. 

One strategy for helping the process of learning Hebrew is using technology.  As part of the Kol Yisrael series, Behrman House, the publisher has created an Online Learning Center....better known as the OLC.  Many students used this online resource last year.  We would like to continue the process.  Please click the Berman House link at right or go to www.behrmanhouse.com and use your log in and password from last year.  If you are unable to log in, please let Morah Alli know asap so we can work to resolve the issue.

There are also great resources right her at www.bnaiamoona.com!  Cantor Sharon Nathanson has posted audio of parts of the service online.  The link is at right, or on the bnaiamoona.com site, under the Klei Kodesh tab, click on Cantor Sharon Nathanson link.  There are tabs for listening to many different parts of the service.  You can even download the prayers!  This has been incredibly helpful for my family in learning the prayers and could be the same for your family.

Ok Kitah Dalet...here is the double secret challenge:  Can you find a really cool website to help our class learn Hebrew?  If so, send me the link.  We can share it in class, download to an Ipad and so much more.  Ready...go!

Kitah Dalet welcomes you!

Kitah Dalet welcomes you to our blog!
Morah Alli's Hebrew and T'fillot lessons & Morah Elisheva's Holidays and Tanakh lessons have begun. Look here to find links to homework sheets, holiday recipes and other interesting information.  Links will be on the right side of the page.  Homework assignments, special events and other class news will be posted in weekly blog posts.  We will also post some photos -- so you'll want to check in weekly.

Need more or have comments?  Please let us know.  This blog is for you.

Look forward to seeing you at our class open house.
Shalom,  Morah Elisheva & Morah Alli