Religious School Parent Bulletin September 13, 2013
Shalom! We are having a blast in Religious School. It was great to see so many of you at Tashlich in the Park on Tuesday and I look forward to seeing you at upcoming Religious School events. A special Yasher Koach to Sarah Artzi and MeMe Aguila for their “Sukkah Challenge” as part of Tashlich. They helped us construct model Sukkot out of cardboard boxes, construction paper and items from nature.
Remember to please bring Tzedakah to Religious School. From now through Sukkot, the money you bring will go directly towards enhancing Religious School Programming as part of our congregational High Holy Days Appeal. The total collected so far is approximately $65.00, with the highest amounts coming from 2nd Grade and 7th/8th Grade!
There is no class this Sunday, but we hope you will join us at Golf n’ Stuff from 10am to 12pm!
There will be no parent bulletin the next two weeks due to Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret. The next bulletin will be sent on October 4.
Wishing everyone a Tzom Kal (easy fast) and a meaningful Yom Kippur.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Sunday, Sept. 15 – “Tee Off” at Golf n’ Stuff from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Enjoy unlimited miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats and laser tag. The cost is $18 per person.
Sunday, Sept. 22 – Religious School students will enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by the Men’s Club and engage in a variety of fun learning stations. The program begins promptly at 9:00 a.m., so please be on time and go straight to the Sukkah!
Thursday, Sept. 26 – “Triple Bar in the Midbar” Simhat Torah dinner at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy salad, pasta and ice cream bars! CAI Members: adults $10; children $6 (ages 3-11). Afterward dinner, join us for Hakafot (circling the Torah) to include Israeli singing, dancing, refreshments and a Torah roll.
Sunday, Oct. 13 – Join Rabbis Eisen and Herman for “Parents are Teachers, Too” to learn about the laws of Kashrut and where Kashrut fits in the Religious School curriculum. Then we’ll meet Max, CAI’s mashgiach, in the kitchen to make some tasty treats.
Sunday, Oct. 27 – Congregation Anshei Israel Religious School students will meet at Congregation Or Chadash (3939 N. Alvernon) to participate in “The Festival of Giving,” joint social action/service projects to improve our community. This is in part because Heshvan (the Jewish month we will be in) is Jewish Social Action Month. Our students are encouraged to wear their new Religious School shirts on this date. Parents are encouraged to join with their children in the fun activities!
Teachers’ Classroom Recaps:
Kindergarten – Renee Hulsey
Kindergarten is so much fun at CAI Religious School! This week we reviewed the letter Alef and learned a new letter, Bet. We also learned that on Yom Kippur we say “I’m sorry.” Music with Nichole Chorny was also great fun! Please join us on Sunday at Golf n’ Stuff for a FUN-raiser and don’t forget to bring Tzedakah each week!
1st Grade – Nancy Auslander
This week we read K'tonton's Yom Kippur Kitten, which we used to discuss what we can do in the coming year to be more helpful. The children then painted what they plan to do to help at home and school. The pictures will go home soon; they were still drying at the end of class. We got to spend two classes with Nichole Chorny: for Minyan and Music, where we learned a niggun (wordless chant). Finally, we worked on our Hebrew alphabet, adding tav and shin to bet, along with the first vowels, so we could spell Shabbat! We went on a treasure hunt for the letters in a bucket of foam letters and then used chalk on black paper to practice our writing. Finally, our next class will be held on September 22 for which the students will have a substitute teacher. Don't forget to check your calendars for more events. See you in shul!
2nd Grade – Bryan Gordon
The 2nd Graders reviewed the blessing for apples and honey. We also discussed why we observe Tashlich and made “bread crumbs” out of colored construction paper, focusing on things we want to “let go of” in the new year.
3rd Grade – Laura Olesen
The 3rd Graders had a good week in class. They learned about Yom Kippur and developed their own Ashamnu (confessional) prayer. They also continued learning and practicing blessings from Chapter 2, and learning prayers in Tefillah. Please encourage your child to practice at home!
4th Grade – Elana Israel
This week, the 4th Graders focused on some wonderful September holidays. We discussed the importance of Rosh Hashanah, and making note of the good and bad things we did in the past year. We also explored Yom Kippur, where we acted out the story of Jonah, and discussed the importance of atoning for our sins. In Hebrew, we have been learning new vocabulary words and incorporating them into stories, as well as practicing our Hebrew handwriting.
5th Grade – Sarah Artzi & Courtney DeYoung
On Sunday, we continued in the life-cycle book, covering events that happen in one’s life. We discussed how not all families are the same and that everyone's life will be different. The kids engaged in all topics and their openness is really remarkable! We also covered Yom Kippur and the significance behind why we apologize.
6th Grade – MeMe Aguila
The 6th Grade class has learned about the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. We also had a wonderful discussion, "What is a ‘Just War’”? We begin learning about World War I and Jewish American response. In Hebrew, we continued to play Hebrew word games to develop our vocabulary as Hebrew testing continued for placement. Please remember our Tzedakah challenge is still going on. I am looking for 100% participation from my students!
7th – 8th Grade – Sivan Shahmoon
7th and 8th Grade did not meet this week. See everyone next Tuesday!
Rabbi Ben Herman