Have you registered your child for religious school?  The early bird deadline is almost here (May 15). Please access the registration materials below and then mail (attn: Kim Miller), scan and e-mail, or personally bring them in to the synagogue office.

• Welcome Letter 2012-13 school year
• 2012-13 Registration Form
• 2012-13 Medical Form

End-of-the-Year Report Cards will be going out on May 15. Please look for them in your mail. We always welcome input and feedback from parents.

On Sunday, May 20, students and parents are encouraged to attend a special Teacher Appreciation Program at the end of religious school, when, in addition to recognizing our teachers, we will hold the raffle for the IPod for the Shabbat Incentive Program, and announce the names of those students who have attended services and turned in their attendance card 10 or more times this year. (The latter are invited to a Bowling and Pizza Party on May 31.)

This is the final Parent Bulletin of the school year. I wish everyone a wonderful, relaxing summer.

Rabbi Ben Herman

_________________________________________ 

Teachers' Classroom Recaps:

Kindergarten – Elana Weiner
This week we learned about the letter resh and the words rakevet (train) and rimonim. We went to look at the rimonim, the ornaments on top of the Torah, in the synagogue.

1st Grade – Renee Hulsey
The 1st graders learned the vowel sound "oo" and the letter zayin. They now can recognize by sight and sound all of the Hebrew letters and vowels! We also started learning about the holiday of Shavuot and about the Ten Commandments.

2nd Grade – Emily Riley-Saxton
This week we reviewed our vocabulary words, holidays, and started reading about the prophets. We will be having our party next week as well as a year-end review.

3rd Grade – Laura Olesen
The 3rd graders are beginning to learn about Shavuot and especially about the Book of Ruth. They will also be playing a rousing "Jewpardy" game to test their Shavuot knowledge.

4th Grade – Rebecca Grossberg
The 4th graders reviewed all that they have learned about Jewish history.

5th Grade – Jesse Muller
The 5th graders discussed the life-cycle ritual of acquiring a home and made "model homes" out of graham crackers.

6th Grade – Layni Direnfeld
This week in 6th grade we worked in stations to learn three new prophets. Students discussed the moral implications of Rahav, drew pictures inspired by the visual descriptions of Ezekiel, and wrote their own heartfelt prayers to God thanks to the inspiration of Hannah.

7th – 8th Grade – Joel Kanter & Jessica Cooper
The 7th and 8th graders planned their "Move-Up" event for the 6th graders who will be entering Junior USY next year.

Have you registered your child for religious school?  The early bird deadline is almost here (May 15th).  Please access the registration materials below and then mail (attn: Kim Miller), scan and e-mail, or personally bring them in to the synagogue office.

• Welcome Letter 2012-13 school year
• 2012-13 Registration Form
• 2012-13 Medical Form

Teachers' Classroom Recaps:

Kindergarten – Elana Weiner 

This week we learned the letter Koof. We learned the word Keshet (rainbow) and talked about the story of Noah's Ark, when God promised to never again destroy the world and shows God's renewed promise through a rainbow.    

1st Grade – Renee Hulsey 

This week the first graders learned the Hebrew letters sin and gimmel. They recognized that the sin looks very similar to a shin, and that the gimmel is similar to the nun. The students are doing a great job in remembering the names and sounds of all of the letters.  We have just one letter and two vowels left to learn!  We also discussed that synagogues are not only places to pray and learn, but also to celebrate holidays and special occasions.

2nd Grade – Emily Riley-Saxton

Rabbi Ben Herman

Registration material for religious school 2012-13 is available on the Anshei Israel website.  We have kept tuition the same but added a Registration/Snack Fee for the coming year. The fee is reduced depending on how early you register (the early bird deadline is May 15). It is important that you register early so that we have an idea of how many students to expect in a class and how many books to order (book ordering needs to be done in the early summer). You can access the registration materials here.

• Welcome Letter 2012-13 school year
• 2012-13 Registration Form
• 2012-13 Medical Form

On Saturday, May 5 at 6:00pm in the Epstein Chapel there will be a 7th/8th Grade Siyum celebrating the inaugural year of our 7th/8th Grade joint Religious School and USY Program. The 7th and 8th Graders will be leading much of the afternoon and evening service, and there will be a light dinner between the two services. Cost of the dinner is $8 per person. Please RSVP to Kim.

End-of-the-Year Report Cards will be going in the mail mid-May. We always welcome input and feedback from parents.

Yasher Koach 3^rd Graders on Siddur Dedication. You did an outstanding job!

Teachers’ Classroom Recaps:

Kindergarten – Elana Weiner and
1st Grade – Renee Hulsey
This week the kindergartners and 1st graders played "Around the World" with the Hebrew alphabet. We had a great time! We also discussed Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. In honor of Yom Ha'Atzmaut, we tasted whole wheat pita with hummus and tahini. Most of us preferred the hummus! In Creative Arts, we made Israeli flags, and some of us made windsocks, too.

2nd Grade – Emily Riley-Saxton
This week in religious school we studied the holidays Yom Ha’Aztmaut and Yom HaZikaron. In tefillah, we began learning the Hatikvah and the meaning behind it. In Judaics, we began our unit on Israel. In the coming weeks, we will continue learning about Israel and finish learning all the letters of the aleph-bet.

3rd Grade – Laura Olesen

Mazal Tov to all 3rd Graders! They were all wonderful at their consecration! This week we learned about Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut and worked in Hebrew with the vowel sound "oo." They took home practice sheets along with Yom Ha’Atzmaut posters they made. Please encourage your children to read their Hebrew practice sheets!

4th Grade – Rebecca Grossberg

The 4th Graders continued their Jewish History and are learning the Havdallah blessings.

5th Grade – Jesse Muller

The 5th Graders made tuxedos and wedding dresses for their paper dolls to symbolize the life-cycle ritual of marriage.

6th Grade – Layni Direnfeld

This week in 6^th Grade we continued our hard work on our prophet presentations. We also took time to celebrate Yom Ha'Atzmaut by watching a video that showed several popular locations in Israel. We also enjoyed a few popular foods from Israel, including Prigat juices and Bissli.

7th – 8th Grade – Joel Kanter & Jessica Cooper
The 7th and 8th Grade students began practicing for the 7th/8th Grade Siyum.

Rabbi Ben Herman

April 19, 2012

Registration material for religious school 2012-13 is available on the Anshei Israel website.  We have kept tuition the same but added a Registration/Snack Fee for the coming year. The fee is reduced depending on how early you register (the early bird deadline is May 15). It is important that you register early so that we have an idea of how many students to expect in a class and how many books to order (book ordering needs to be done in the early summer). You can access the registration materials here.

•  Welcome Letter 2012-13 school year
• 2012-13 Registration Form
• 2012-13 Medical Form

3rd Grade Consecration (Kabbalat Siddur) is upon us! It is tomorrow, Friday, April 20 at 5:45pm in the Sanctuary. The 3rd graders will lead the service and be presented with their own prayer books. 3rd grade parents: Please bring your children by 5:30pm!

The 7th and 8th graders led a meaningful Yom HaShoah service this past Tuesday. Yasher Koach 7th and 8th Grade! This coming Tuesday there will be a Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut Service for religious school from 5:45 – 6:00pm in the Library.

Teachers' Classroom Recaps:

Kindergarten – Elana Weiner

The kindergarten class learned the letter "tzade."

1st Grade – Renee Hulsey

This past Sunday, the first graders learned a different Hebrew vowel–the "sere," with the sound of "ey."  In Judaics, we learned that the synagogue is a place to learn and we made Jewish bookmarks. This coming Sunday, we will be learning two more Hebrew letters and about Yom Ha'Atzma'ut! I look forward to seeing all of the first graders!  

2nd Grade – Emily Riley-Saxton 

This week we discussed both Yom HaShoah and Yom Ha'Atzmaut and traditions and customs associated with both. We will be studying more about Israel in the coming weeks as we learn the national anthem, Hatikvah. Have a great week.

3rd Grade – Laura Olesen

It was great to see the 3rd graders back from break.  They focused this week on preparing for their 3rd grade consecration as well as moving on in Hebrew. They each took home a practice sheet. They are really excited for Friday! They were told to be there at 5:30!!! Looking forward to their special day!

The fourth grade learned about Yom HaShoah.

The fifth grade continued their life cycle unit.

This week in the sixth grade we began working on a project to prepare students for the task of delivering a D'var Torah during their Bar and Bat Mizvahs. Each student has been assigned a prophet to examine. I look forward to the presentations.

The 7th and 8th grades did their Yom HaShoah presentation for the religious school.

Rabbi Ben Herman

April 5, 2012

There will be no Parent Bulletin next week due to Passover vacation; the next bulletin will be sent Thursday, April 19^th.

Registration material for religious school 2012-13 is now available. We have kept tuition the same but added a Registration/Snack Fee for the coming year. The fee is reduced depending on how early you register (the early bird deadline is Tuesday, May 15). It is important that you register early so that we can get an idea of how many students to expect in a class and how many books to order (book ordering needs to be done in the early summer).

• Welcome Letter 2012-13 school year
• 2012-13 Registration Form
• 2012-13 Medical Form

Please note: There is no religious school Sunday, April 8 or Tuesday, April 10 due to observance of Passover. School resumes Sunday, April 15.

On Tuesday, April 17, the 7^th and 8^th Graders will be leading a Yom HaShoah service for the religious school from 5:45-6:00 p.m. in the Library. Parents are encouraged to attend.

Save the Date: 3^rd Grade Consecration (Kabbalat Siddur) is Friday, April 20 at 5:45 p.m.  The 3^rd Graders will be leading the service and will be presented with their own prayer books. This will be followed by a festive meal in Cantor Falkow Lounge. Flyers about the dinner will go home with your children on Tuesday.

TEACHERS’ CLASSROOM RECAPS:

Kindergarten – Elana Weiner

The kindergarten class reviewed The Four Questions and read a Passover story.

1st Grade – Renee Hulsey
This past week the first graders learned two new Hebrew letters: samech and fey. We also reviewed The Four Questions and learned more about Passover. I wish everyone a wonderful Pesach and I'll see you again on April 15.

2nd Grade – Emily Riley-Saxton

This week it was all things Passover. On Sunday, we watched Prince of Egypt and had an excellent discussion following the movie. On Tuesday, we made our afikomen bags and discussed the parts of the Seder and practiced the prayers.

3rd Grade – Laura Olesen
The 3rd graders have been working on their Consecration service this week! In addition, they have been studying about Passover and learning Passover songs. I hope you all have a wonderful Passover and that everyone will continue practicing both their solo and their Hebrew! We will have just one more week to prepare upon their return. Chag Sameach!

4th Grade – Rebecca Grossberg

The fourth graders played Passover trivia (questions about the Seder and the story of Passover) and learned the Birkat HaMazon (Grace after meals).

5th Grade – Jesse Muller

The fifth grade had a great trip to the zoo to learn about the Hebrew names of the animals and which animals are kosher.

6th Grade – Layni Direnfeld
The 6th graders were very busy this week prepping for Passover. We spent time as a class playing a match game that both taught and enforced Hebrew vocabulary relating to the holiday.  Some of the students took home flashcards so they could play with their families and reinforce their new knowledge of Passover terms at home. On Tuesday, we explored the story of the prophetess Miriam. The class concluded that while most of her prophetic influence is derived from Midrash (rabbinic stories about biblical verses), she still displayed several admirable qualities that prophets should have and that we should emulate. When we come back from break, we will continue learning about the prophets. Have a happy and a healthy Pesach break!

7th – 8th Grade – Joel Kanter & Jessica Cooper
The 7^th and 8^th Grades put their finishing touches on their Yom HaShoah presentation. We look forward to the service on Tuesday, April 17!

Rabbi Ben Herman

Registration material for religious school 2012-13 is now available. We have kept tuition the same but added a Registration/Snack Fee for the coming year. The fee is reduced depending on how early you register (the early bird deadline is Tuesday, May 15). It is important that you register early so that we can get an idea of how many students to expect in a class and how many books to order (book ordering needs to be done in the early summer).

• Welcome Letter 2012-13 school year
• 2012-13 Registration Form
• 2012-13 Medical Form

The 5^th grade class will be taking a field trip to the zoo on Sunday, April 1 to learn about kosher and non-kosher animals. Please send your children to religious school promptly at 9:00 a.m. so that we can leave on time.

Please note that there is religious school on Tuesday, April 3. It was left erroneously omitted from the calendar. There is no religious school Sunday, April 8 or Tuesday, April 10 in observance of Passover.

On Tuesday, April 17, the 7^th and 8^th Graders will be leading a Yom HaShoah service for the religious school from 5:45-6:00 p.m. in the Library. Parents are encouraged to attend.

Save the Date: 3^rd Grade Consecration (Kabbalat Siddur) is Friday, April 20 at 5:45 p.m.  The 3^rd Graders will be leading the service and will be presented with their own prayer books. This will be followed by a festive meal in Cantor Falkow Lounge. Flyers about the dinner will go home with your children on Tuesday.

Teachers’ Classroom Recaps:

Kindergarten – Elana Weiner

This week we had our very own chocolate seder! We went through the whole seder and learned The Four Questions. Don't forget to ask your kids to sing those at their seders next week; they are all very excited!

1st Grade – Renee Hulsey

It was wonderful to see everyone at Religious School this week. We continued learning about the upcoming holiday, Passover. It was a very busy day. The students practiced The Four Questions. They also learned a few Pesach songs including Dayenu. Ask your child if they remember the three things mentioned that "it was enough" in the song. Lastly, we started going through the seder: learning the order of what happens during our Passover meal. Have a wonderful week!

2nd Grade – Emily Riley-Saxton

This week we continued learning the story of Exodus and the symbolism and traditions of Passover. This coming Sunday we will be watching The Prince of Egypt in class. We will also be having our normal Sunday schedule including minyan and tefillah. The children are very excited about the movie, and I look forward to a good discussion afterwards.

3rd Grade – Laura Olesen

The Third graders have been learning this week about Passover: the history, preparations and the songs! In addition, they have been learning in Hebrew (prayer building blocks), of which they should also have a practice page that they brought home. We’ve also been focusing on preparing for their consecration and rehearsals. They all looked great for the photos! Keep up the good work!

4th Grade – Rebecca Grossberg

The 4th grade continued its study of Jewish History.

5th Grade – Jesse Muller

The 5th grade discussed the life-cycle event of becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. They are looking forward to their trip to the zoo on Sunday to learn about kosher and non-kosher animals as well as the Hebrew names of the animals.

6th Grade – Layni Direnfeld

This week we have been gearing up for Passover by learning prayers and songs associated with the holiday. We have also begun our prophets unit by learning about the two historical divisions between the prophets and the functions and characteristics that define each.

7th – 8th Grade – Joel Kanter & Jessica Cooper

The 7th & 8th grade continued working on their Yom Hashoah program that they are leading on Tuesday, April 17.

Rabbi Ben Herman

Registration material for religious school 2012-13 is now available. We have kept tuition the same but added a registration/snack fee for the coming year. The fee is reduced depending on how early you register (the early bird deadline is May 15).  It is important that you register early so that we can get a ballpark of how many students to expect in a class and how many books to order (book ordering needs to be done in the early summer).

• Welcome Letter 2012-13 school year
• 2012-13 Registration Form
• 2012-13 Medical Form 

Please donate matzah for our Matzah and More drive.  We need 500 boxes and are counting on your help. The "Matzah Machine" to take the matzah to JFCS will be here on Tuesday, March 27 from 5:45 – 6:00 pm.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the K-2 Friday night service and dinner on March 23.  Each student will be leading the following prayers by grade and alongside students from THA and from the Anshei Preschool Kindergarten.

Kindergarten: Oseh Shalom

1st Grade: Barechu

2nd Grade: Shema and V'Ahavta

Everyone: Lecha Dodi (Chorus), Adon Olam

Save the Date for 3rd Grade Consecration (Kabbalat Siddur) Friday, April 20 at 5:45 pm.  The 3rd graders will be leading the service and will be presented with their own prayerbooks. 

The 3rd Grade Consecration Photo will be on Tuesday, March 27 from 4:15 – 4:30 pm in the Sanctuary.  Please send your child with a set of dress clothes, as per the 

e-mail I sent you and the half sheet I sent home with your child.

The 5th grade class will be taking a field trip to the zoo on Sunday, April 1 to learn about kosher and non-kosher animals.  Please send your children to religious school promptly at 9:00 am. so that the students can leave on time.  If you are interested in being a driver, please contact Nancy Ozeri.

Please note that there are no classroom recaps in this bulletin due to its proximity to Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Classroom recaps will resume next week.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the K-2 grade Friday night service and dinner on March 23.  Please RSVP to Kim by March 19. Each student will be leading the following prayers by grade and alongside students from THA and from the Anshei Israel Preschool/Kindergarten.

Kindergarten: Oseh Shalom

1st Grade: Barechu

2nd Grade: Shema and V'Ahavta

Everyone: Lecha Dodi (Chorus), Adon Olam

As I am teaching the students about Passover during conferences (I will be teaching about the Seder Plate to K-2 grade and the Order of the Seder to 3-6 grade), I have cancelled the Passover Family Workshop for this year, which was originally going to be held on Sunday, April 1.  That will now be a regular day of religious school.

Save the Date for 3rd grade Consecration (Kabbalat Siddur) Friday, April 20 at 5:45 pm.  The 3rd graders will be leading the service and will be presented with their own prayerbooks.  If you are a 3rd grade parent, please join us for the Parent Meeting on Tuesday, March 20 from 5:30 – 6:00 pm. in the Library.  Please RSVP to Kim.

The 3rd Grade Consecration Photo will be on Tuesday, March 27 from 4:15-4:30 in the Sanctuary.  Please send your child with a set of dress clothes, as per the e-mail I sent you and the half sheet I sent home with your child.

The fifth grade class will be taking a field trip to the zoo on Sunday, April 1 to learn about kosher and non-kosher animals.  Please send your children to religious school promptly at 9:00 am., so that the students can leave on time.  If you are interested in being a driver, please contact Nancy Ozeri.

Please donate matzah for our Matzah and More drive.  We need 500 boxes and are counting on your help.  The "Matzah Machine" to take the matzah to JFCS will be here on Tuesday, March 27 from 5:45-6:00 p.m.

Please join us for Shabbat Family Experience on Saturday, March 10 at Handmaker at 9:30 am. See directions. Religious school students will be participating in services, acting out scenes from the Torah portion and joining Handmaker residents in an intergenerational activity. Please RSVP to Kim and let her know how many people will be attending, as it is important that we let Handmaker know how much food to prepare.

For the first time, religious school is doing Parent-Teacher Conferences on Sunday, March 18.  Each family can sign up for a 10-minute slot to meet with their teacher.  Slots will be between 9:00 and 10:30 am.  To sign up, please contact Rabbi Herman.  Please sign up by Friday, March 9.  I will let everyone know their slot by Monday, March 12.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the K-2 grade Friday night service and dinner on March 23.  Each student will be leading the following prayers by grade and alongside students from THA and from the Anshei Preschool Kindergarten.

Kindergarten: Oseh Shalom

1st Grade: Barechu

2nd Grade: Shema and V'Ahavta

Everyone: Lecha Dodi (Chorus), Adon Olam

Save the Date for the 3rd Grade Consecration (Kabbalat Siddur) Friday, April 20 at 5:45 pm.  The 3rd graders will be leading the service and will be presented with their own prayerbooks.  If you are a 3rd grade parent, please join us for the parent meeting on Tuesday, March 20 from 5:30-6:00 pm., in the Library.  Please RSVP to Kim.

Please note that there will be no classroom recaps in the next two parent bulletins (March 15 and 22) due to their proximity to Parent-Teacher Conferences.  I urge everyone to RSVP for a conference slot.

Happy Purim!

____________________________________________

Teachers' Classroom Recaps:

Kindergarten – Elana Weiner

This week we were lucky enough to play with the first grade class and learn all about Purim in the process! We made groggers that we are super excited to use when we go listen to the Megillah reading and we made hamentashen to start the holiday early! Happy Purim everyone! 

1st Grade – Renee Hulsey

This week the first graders joined with the kindergartners for a fun Purim experience!  First we decorated paper plates to make our very own groggers.  Then we read a wonderful story about Purim from Queen Esther's point of view, called Esther's Story.  We had a great time using our newly made groggers to drown out Haman's name while we read the story.  We also made and ate hamentashen (thank you to Mrs. Gail Mordka for helping us in the kitchen).  Don't forget to RSVP for our K-2nd grade Shabbat Service and Dinner on March 23.  We have been practicing some of the prayers and are very excited to be leading them for you!  

2nd Grade – Emily Riley-Saxton

The second graders played Purim Jewpardy and learned Purim vocabulary on Sunday.  On Tuesday they made delicious hamentashen.  The kids had a wonderful time!

This week the 3rd graders learned about Purim and the story of Esther! They enjoyed using and making groggers. They also are working very hard at preparing for their consecration. In addition to the prayers they are learning they did a great job on Lesson 19 in their Hebrew Books! Please encourage them to keep practicing and keep up the good work!  

4th Grade – Rebecca Grossberg  

In fourth grade, we are continuing our history lesson learning about King Saul and King David. In Hebrew, we have just begun the unit on Brachot (blessings). We are very excited for Purim! 

The fifth grade class discussed the life cycle ritual of kashrut.  We are very excited for our field trip to the zoo in April to discover which animals are kosher.

This week in the sixth grade we worked on our final history projects which will be presented in class on Sunday.  It will be a presentation of a famous Jew that inspires us. I look forward to the creative presentations.  

7th and 8th Grade divided into 3 areas to research for their Yom HaShoah Program (Kindertransport, Hiding and Personal Accounts).  They will be looking at accounts of children from the Holocaust.

Please join us for Shabbat Family Experience at Handmaker.  Religious school students will be participating in services, acting out scenes from the Torah portion and joining Handmaker residents in an intergenerational activity.  Please let Rabbi Herman know if you are coming. 

For the first time, religious school is doing Parent-Teacher Conferences on Sunday, March 18.  Each family can sign up for a 10-minute slot to meet with their teacher.  Slots will be between 9:00 and 10:30 am.  To sign up, please contact Rabbi Herman.  Please sign up by Thursday, March 8.  I will let everyone know their slot by Monday, March 12.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the K-2 grade Friday night service and dinner on March 23.  Each student will be leading the following prayers by grade and alongside students from THA and from the Anshei Israel Preschool/Kindergarten.

A reminder that we need your presence at Shabbat services for our Shabbat Incentive Program.  When you come to any Shabbat service, you can pull your card from above the Tallit Rack and give it to Rabbi Herman.  This puts you in contention for the raffle for an IPod at the end of the year.  In addition, if you attend 10 times throughout the year, you will be able to attend a bowling and pizza party at the end of the year.  So far there are only 4 students who have attended that many times (or who have given me their card that many times).  I hope that in the last 2 months I will receive more cards so that more people will be able to attend the party.

Classroom recaps will return next week 

(March, 8 bulletin).