Religious School Parent Bulletin November 22, 2013
Since the end of the High Holy Days Appeal, we have collected $109.85 for tzedakah. A matter of pennies separate the two grades with the most: First Grade collected $22.87 (and that’s with class only once a week!); and Fourth Grade collected $22.56.
We have collected $100.85 for MITZVAH 613! Combined with the money we raised last year, that puts us at $450.00! If we can have one last push to reach our goal of $700 (each student bringing in $3.50 between now and December 8) we will reach our goal!
There will be no bulletin next week on due to Thanksgivukkah … Wishing everyone a happy, healthy “double” holiday!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
"Turkey" Drive 2013, through Nov. 24
Every year, CAI collects money to purchase kosher turkeys and other support for Jewish Family & Children's Services to help enhance the Thanksgiving celebration of families in need. Food items may be dropped off in the marked box in the administrative office lobby. Monetary donations may be dropped off or mailed in. (Please make checks payable to CAI and note "Turkey Drive" on the check.) Let's help enhance someone's Thanksgiving dinner! We’ll have our Turkey Drive Assembly on Sunday, November 24 at 11:45am in the Library.
Friday, Nov. 22 – Kindergarten – 2nd Grade Friday Night Service & Dinner, Cantor Falkow Lounge
Our youngest Religious School and THA students will lead parts of our Friday evening service (as well as some songs!) for a lively Shabbat experience. We’ll begin with dinner at 6:00pm, followed by the service at 7:15pm.
Tuesday, Dec. 3 – Hanukkah Family Workshop, 4:00-6:00pm
Join us for some fun learning stations, including hot wax candle making (for older students), learning about “The True Story of Hanukkah” and cookie decorating. This event is followed by our congregational Hanukkah Party!
Sunday, Dec. 8 – Mitzvah 613 Torah Siyum (Completion)
Religious School will be participating in this culminating event where we dedicate our new Torah! For all of 2013, we have been raising money so that each child will have a letter of the Torah in his/her name. Now we will get to see the fruits of our labors as the new Torah will be dedicated for us in our congregation (including at your child or grandchild’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah!) This event will also feature our Youth Choir (Grades 3-6). Please wear your Religious School t-shirts on this date!
Saturday, Dec. 14 – Shabbat Family Experience, 10:30am, Cantor Falkow Lounge
Share in this interactive, spirit-filled and participatory service led by children in the Religious School and Tucson Hebrew Academy, followed by a free lunch and singing led by Cantorial Soloist Nichole Chorny. Please RSVP for the lunch to Kim by Dec. 11.
Sunday, Dec. 15, Religious School Assembly & Talent Show, 10:30am, Cantor Falkow Lounge
Parents: See what your children have been learning in their electives including Israeli dance, creative arts, drama, music & band/orchestra. Refreshments served.
TEACHERS' CLASSROOM RECAPS:
Kindergarten – Renee Hulsey
We learned two new letters: “kaf” as in kippah and “lamed” as in lulav (and Liana!). We also went to the chapel and looked at a Torah with Rabbi Herman, and we sang some songs with Morah Nichole. Looking forward to seeing you on tonight when the K-2 graders lead Shabbat services!
1st Grade – Nancy Auslander
This week we finished our challot for our Shabbat boxes. The final step will be creating the boxes themselves …we're almost there! In Tefillah with Nichole, we practiced the prayers we'll be leading at services tonight; and, since we had music with Nichole as well, we were able to rehearse the niggunim (wordless chants). The children really know their stuff and are excited about sharing with their families and the congregation! Finally, we learned a new Hebrew letter, chav. It is similar to kav, but you have to sound like you're clearing your throat to pronouce it right. Looking forward to seeing everybody tonight!
2nd Grade – Bryan Gordon
This week, the students spent more time figuring out verb conjugations and the different meanings, spellings and pronunciations of three different verbs: lekadesh "to sanctify," levarekh "to bless," and lishmoa "to hear." They are also starting to memorize small parts of prayers that use these different verb conjugations, to help aid memory of meaning. With skill at writing more than half the alef bet in script letters, they are spending more time writing down lessons in their machberot and looking more like advanced talmidim each day!
3rd Grade – Laura Olesen
Third grade continued its study of Israel.
4th Grade – Elana Israel
This week, students focused on the value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. They discussed their past actions and future plans, as well as acts of Tikkun Olam. We also began to discuss the story of Hanukkah, and how it relates to, and empowers us today. In Hebrew, we went on a scavenger hunt to find and read new letters tzadi and final tzadi, resulting in an excellent and very close competition! Everyone is working hard and doing great.
5th Grade – Courtney DeYoung & Sarah Artzi
This week we wrapped up our discussion on the teenage years, giving everyone extra time to finish their life-size drawings of their future selves. It was wonderful to watch each student contemplate how he/she might look and dress; what activities and interests he/she might have; and most importantly, what kinds of choices he/she will make that convey the Jewish values we've been discussing. On Tuesday, we introduced our next stop on our life-cycle journey: marriage. As we've been asking all along, please allow time for your child to interview you about your own wedding or that of another family member or friend. This topic will bring about many questions about personal choices and different levels of religious observance; sharing your own wedding stories will give your students a valuable point of reference.
6th Grade – MeMe Aguila
Sixth grade continued its study of American Jewish history.
7th – 8th Grade – Sivan Shahmoon
Seventh and eighth grade continued its study of Jewish ethics.