Highlights from 9/25

Today was the first 6^th grade family program. We answered questions about ourselves and played a Jewish board game with our families. The 5th grade Hebrew class completed the first chapter of our book, Kol Yisrael.  The students learned a little modern Hebrew as well when they welcomed each other using the proper form for masculine, feminine, singular and plural. In Judaic Studies we concluded our study of Talmud Torah by creating our very own review games. We're looking forward to staring our next unit, Hachnasat orchim, on Sunday. At the end of the day the entire 5th grade came together for a craft project--making Jewish

Wednesday was Great! 9/21

We had a great afternoon together. For our 4th-6th graders this was the first Wednesday tefilah where we got to use the Mishkan Tefilah prayerbook, the new screens in the sanctuary, and learn new songs with Benny! There was also plenty of class activity...here's what we did:

In 4th Grade the Tel Aviv group had Judaic Studies and licked honey on a plate as they pretended to be living in the year 1850 in Poland and just starting to learn torah. The honey reminds us that the words of the Torah are sweet! The Jerusalem group reviewed all our letters, vowels, key words and played a reading game with our new letters and words. We sang Rosh Hashanah Hebrew songs and counted 1 - 10 in Hebrew.

In 5th Grade we had our first discussion of Tanakh (Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim). We reviewed the five books of Torah and then we talked about stories from Neviim and Ketuvim. Finally, the students wrote "Jewpardy" questions. Well have a great time playing on Sunday!  In Hebrew we focused on getting those pesky Hebrew vowels behind us! Mac and cheese and a game of Oy! helped solidify the task of learning the vowels.  We also reviewed the Barechu.  On Sunday we will be completing the Barechu and learning about blessings for Rosh Hashana.  Don't forget to practice for 10 minutes each day!!

Today in 6th grade Judaic studies, we used our Artzeinu books to learn about Israeli geography. We worked in groups to find the blanks on a map of Israel. In Hebrew we watched The New Beginning by Rita Rosen. The movie focuses on the symbols and traditions of the days of awe. It illustrated the rituals of the ten days of repentance. We discussed the meanings of the words connected to the High Holy Days: Tshuvah, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah

The 7th grade used the first hour of class in small groups - one group met with Rabbi Siegal and read a passage from the Talmud and another group met with Beth and talked about possible ideas for their Mitzvah project. In the second hour we joined together and did an Internet scavenger hunt on jchoice.org. We will be using this in class during the year.

Judea High's Elul Playlist

Alan Goodis led us in this awesome program! What music can help you get in the spirit of the High Holy Days?

Teen Pics:
Hakuna Matata (Lion King)
In My Life (Beatles)
Uncharted (Sara Bareilles)
Life's What You Make It
Born This Way (Lady Gaga)
Float Away (Modest Mouse)
Apologize (One Republic)
Stronger (Kanye West)
Where is the Love (Black Eyed Peas)
Don't Stop Believin' (Journey)
Need You Now (Lady Antebellum)
Hey You (Pink Floyd)
21 Questions (50cent)
Skyscraper (Demi Lovato)
Waving Flag (K'naan)
Bless the Broken Road (Rascal Flatts)
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)
I'll Be There (Jackson 5)
One Day (Matisyahu)

Staff Pics:
Coming Home (P. Diddy & Dirty Money)
Best Day Ever (Mac Miller)
Amazing (Christina Aguilera)
Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson)
I'm Not Afraid (Eminem)
I Should Have Known (Foo Fighters)
Seasons of Love (Rent)
Whatcha Say (Jason Derulo)
Firework (Katy Perry)

Sunday Sept. 18th - AMAZING Parent Open House

It was wonderful seeing so many parents today - in case you are wondering what the kids were up to - here are some of the highlights!

First Grade learned about Rosh Hashanah: its meaning, symbols and rituals. We also learned about the importance of community. Kindergarten focused on Rosh Hashanah and committing to good behavior towards others in the year ahead. We learned about Tashlich – the casting off of our bad behaviors. We threw bread crumbs into the water table on the playground to represent the things we have done wrong in the past year.  Our 2nd graders  learned the Hebrew letter “Bet” and spoke about why we should learn Hebrew and the importance of the language. The third grade began our study of Hebrew, exploring why we read from right to left. We also learned shin and the ah vowels. In Judaic studies we created our passports & did a word search. 4th Grade reviewed dalet, the o vowel and did a reading game with our new letters and words. In Judaic studies we took a tour of the torah museum & met the 5 main people who took us through each book. 6th Grade Judaic studies completed our final historic word splash. This word splash was about the Holocaust. Today we also continued learning the Birkot HaTorah. We are in the second part of our letters to God, and Today the students started their decorations. 5th Grade officially started our first Judaic Studies unit, Talmud Torah. We read various Brachot for inspiration and upon completing our discussion created and illustrated our very own prayers. The Hebrew class took a short quiz to see what they know really well and what they still need to learn. There are many students who are confused with the vowels. Please study the vowels for 10 minutes each day using your vowel pamphlet or the back of your blue machberet (notebook). Thank you to all the parents who were able to be at open house. It was wonderful seeing you!

Here's what happened Wednesday 9/14/11

4th Grade
Hebrew: On Wednesday we learned Ayin, Bet, Aleph. Our new words were Abba (dad), am (people). We played a Hebrew reading game with our new letters and words. We sang Rosh Hashanna songs and reviewed the highlights, customs & terms in Hebrew.
Judaic studies: The class read and recited the prayer that is recited before the study of Torah. Many students wrote their own meaningful prayers and we briefly spoke about the five books of Torah.

5th Grade
Hebrew: Student discussed why Hebrew is important to them. They reviewed vowels and the Barechu. Sunday we will have an assessment, so please study the vowel pamphlet given out! I look forward to seeing parents come to open house and sharing the goals for this year. Your support is essential to your child’s success.
Judaic studies: Today in class we discussed how to look up specific sentences in the torah. As a fun,

September 16, 2011

7th graders began our cohort program. Grouped by Bar/Bat Mitzvah dates, the students study concepts that are relevant to their lives and being active members of the Jewish community!

Professional Development

Jill Band, our Margaux School Director, and I are participating in a two day workshop on instructional mentoring at CAJE-Miami!

8th Grade - First Night at Judea High

8th grade is a "bridge" year - and Rabbi Siegal kicked off Judea High for our Tzofim group by talking about bridges! The group created a time line of life from birth to adulthood and talked about where the students see themselves in that timeline. We sang a song "The whole world is a narrow bridge, but the most important part is not to be afraid" and talked about why being on the bridge between birth and adulthood can be a scary place! The teens used legos to represent the bridge that they are on. It was a great first day!

First Sunday - Temple Judea was jumping!!

It was so exciting to welcome back all of our K-3rd grade students - and welcome so many new students to our religious school program! It was truly inspiring to look around the sanctuary during Family Tefilah and see that the place was STANDING ROOM ONLY!!! We hope this is a trend we can continue!
All K-6 students, led by Ali Gates, JTY Social Action Vice President, and Youth Director Sharon Israel, assembled over 1,000 emergency care kits that will be delivered to the homeless in Miami through the Lotus House Shelter, Camillus House, and the Miami Coalition for the Homeless. What a great way to start the year!
Wondering what the kids were doing all day? Look at these summary statements from this morning's classes!
Kindergarten: The focus of today's lesson was introducing children

September 11, 2011

Religious school students used their hands as helping hands, creating over 1000 emergency care kits to deliver to the homeless in Miami!

AWESOME First Wednesday!

It was great having all of the 4th-7th graders back at Temple Judea!! Here are some highlights from the first day:
4th graders met their Hebrew and Judaic Studies teachers! In Hebrew it was time to review the letters and vowels and start to get in the mood for Rosh Hashanah. In Judaic Studies we played a few games to get to know each other and created rules that will make for a happy environment.
5th graders had the chance to play Temple Judea bingo - asking each other all kinds of fun questions (and working on listening skills). In Hebrew, the class discussed their expectations and goals for the year.
6th graders spent the afternoon talking about what they would be learning this year, and what knowledge about Hebrew and Israel they are bringing to this year of study!
7th graders got into their class with a number of ice-breaker games - to reconnect with each other and the 7th grade teaching team. The group then reflected on what they have learned since they began school in preschool and ended with what they wanted to learn in the coming year.
We can already tell it is going to be a GREAT year!