Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Sunday, April 10 Highlights

Our fourth graders started off the day with their parents as they enjoyed the 4th Grade Family Program, A Personal Passover. Each family was challenged to create a portion of the Passover story by using only construction paper and butcher paper. It turned out to be beautiful!
In Kindergarten, the children learned

Sunday, April 10, 2011

4th Grade Parent Program

4th grade parents study the art of midrash. After exploring two different ways the rabbis resolved the conflict that the angels went "up and down," we discussed our own explanations - everything from this being a language idiom to a psycho-analytic analysis of Jacob's dreams. This guy definitely had some mommy issues!

Highlights from Wednesday, April 6

As we get closer to the Passover holiday, our focus this evening was apparent as the fourth grade was tested on the Four Questions, sang songs from the Haggadah and played a game with Passover terms in Hebrew and English.
Fifth grade Hebrew students finished learning the G'vurot, and everyone worked with a partner to make sure they were reading the prayer correctly. In Judaic Studies, fifth graders continued their discussjon of marriage. Everyone made a list of questions they had about what a Jewish marriage is so they can ask the Rabbis at a later date.
Sixth graders watched a video about Israeli Mitzvah heroes in Judaic Studies, and learned about how even an average citizen can do his or her part to save the world. In Hebrew, the students watched a video that focused on the first parsha in the Book of Exodus, and discussed how Moses needed to overcome his disabilities to fulfill his mission.
Finally, our seventh graders continued their study of ways in which they can get involved by looking at the world. With tikkun olam (fixing the world) in mind, they looked at advocacy as an option, and they explored how advocacy is different from direct action. Everyone had the opportunity to think about how they could use advocacy to apply it to an issue they care about.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

NATE Accreditation Welcome

We look forward to welcoming Robin Eisenberg, RJE and Marlene Myerson, RJE to Temple Judea. These educators are coming as the last phase in our NATE Accreditation process. They will be meeting with lay leaders, staff members, students, parents, and teachers. They will also be observing classes on Sunday morning. B'ruchim Habaim - we are excited to show off our school!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sunday Highlights - April 3, 2011

If you had a chance to visit us today, you would have had a chance to see many of our budding artists at work. Our first through sixth graders showed their talent as they made beautiful matzah plates for Passover - don't forget to put it on the table as an addition to your Seder decor!
Kindergarteners also reviewed those important Four Questions with Ms. Meredith. They had a discussion about the questions and some of the symbolism of Passover, including why we recline on this holiday. Everyone decorated cushion covers for the families to use for their special reclining at their Seder.
First graders also had a chance to talk about symbolism while discussing the Seder plate and some of the traditions of Passover. They discussed the ten plagues using masks and volunteers. Everyone joined in as they played a fun riddle game called "Who am I?" to show off their Passover knowledge as well!
In second grade, after the Art project and a review of some Passover prayers, everyone enjoyed learning special Hebrew words and playing games with their new vocabulary. Students in Ms. Miriam's class played Mazoret and the winners received prizes!
Our third graders learned

Friday, April 1, 2011

Highlights from Wednesday, 3/30!

Everyone enjoyed a quiet Wednesday this evening as our seventh graders resumed their unit on social entrepreneurship by looking at how students can get involved in making a difference through direct service. Sixth grade dove deeper into learning about the four quarters of Israel, particularly focusing on the Armenian Quarter. On Sunday they will examine the Museum Quarter. In Hebrew, the sixth graders completed their thank you letters to God and reviewed their Passover prayers.
Our fifth graders continued their work on the G'vurot, and have finished half the prayer. Taking a step back and looking at all they have learned to date, they recapped and were impressed to see how many prayers they have memorized! In Judaic Studies, they talked about conversion and Judaism. By reading the story of Ruth - the story of the first conversion - the students were able to recognize the positive manner in which conversion is viewed by Jews from all over.
Fourth Grade continued studying their Passover prep, including the Four Questions, and retold the Passover story using key Hebrew words. The also played a fun game related to the V'ahavta. See you on Sunday!