Religious School Parent Bulletin – October 18, 2012
It is so nice to have a full week of religious school! I have enjoyed seeing your children's progress in Hebrew, as well as their insights in Judaics.
Elana Weiner has accepted a full-time job in Phoenix. We are sad to see her go, but are pleased that Sarah Artzi will now be teaching the class. We have combined Kindergarten and 1st Grade with two aides (Michael Artzi and Devin Hulsey) to ensure that students receive individual attention and can meet their appropriate Hebrew level.
Please make note of your child's grade level Shabbat dinner (Friday, October 26 for 6th – 8th; Friday, November 30 for 3rd – 5th; and Friday, January 25 for K – 2nd). Your children will lead parts of the service, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner. If you are able to help with any of the dinners, please let me know.
Third Grade Parents: Please watch your mail for notification of a parent meeting to help plan your child's Kabbalat Siddur (Consecration) ceremony.
Please also be aware that I will be coming to Religious School classes to pass out parts for Shabbat Family Experience (some in English; some in Hebrew) to different grades each month. I am beginning with the 6th Grade for our November 10 service.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, Oct. 21 – Blessing of the Pets 11:45am
Please join us on the basketball court with your pet(s) safely leashed or caged for a brief service to recognize how important they are to us. CAI holds this service near the time when the Torah Portions describing how God created the world and the story of Noah are read. Everyone is welcome!
Friday, Oct. 26 – 6th – 8th Grade Shabbat Service and Dinner 5:45pm
Join us for this energetic service led by our 6th – 8th Graders in the Religious School and at THA. After the service, we will share a delicious Shabbat dinner. A letter went home to all 6th – 8th Grade students inviting them to sign up for parts in the service. Please send the completed form at the bottom of that letter back to me. A flyer for the dinner was given out on October 14 (6th Grade) and on October 16th (7th-8th Grade). Please RSVP by October 22 to Kim at 745-5550 ext. 224.
Sunday. Oct. 28 – "Picnic and Play FUN-raiser" 12:30 – 3:00pm
Join Preschool, Religious School and USY families at Reid Park, 900 S Randolph Way (Ramada #10) for a picnic lunch and some fun games. There is also a ball field and playground nearby. The event is $5 per person all ages OR $20 per family (2 adults & up to 4 children); additional adults (13 & up) $5 per person. RSVP by Oct. 24 to Kim at 745-5550, ext. 224.
Teachers' Classroom Recaps:
Kindergarten / 1st Grade – Renee Hulsey
We had a lot of fun this Sunday! We learned the Hebrew letters "kaf" and "hay." In Judaics, we discussed "What is Shabbat?" Please remember to send your child to Religious School with tzedakah each week. It doesn't have to be much, just a little something. Thanks!
2nd Grade – Natalie Guerin
Our Hebrew book has a computer program which matches each chapter. I have used it where I worked in the past and the students enjoyed it. They have to answer questions correctly in order to advance. It is particularly useful if your child misses a class as it allows them to stay current with the rest of the students. If you would like to use one for the year, please contact Rabbi Herman. Our Bible stories and teachings about the commandments (mitzvot) are in individual paper chapters which should be coming home as we finish each one. Also, most have a family supplement that is being sent home.
3rd Grade – Laura Olesen
The 3rd Graders had an awesome week! I enjoyed watching all the kids waving the lulav under the sukkah. This week in Judaics, the students returned to their Israel study and began learning about Haifa and Mount Carmel. They are also doing a great job with their Hebrew. I have sent home practice pages with each child to continue earning stars. Please encourage them! They are continuing to develop their Israel maps and they love to mark them as we "travel through Israel."
4th Grade – Rodin Molina
This week our class got back to our Jewish Values curriculum. On Sunday, we discussed the prophets and students created their own message of what they would tell the world in response to some societal problem. On Tuesday, we discussed the importance of the rabbi to the congregation and the different roles that he/she fulfill. In Hebrew, we are finishing up the first chapter in Hineini 1, the Barchu. Students have learned when we say the Barchu; the role it plays in the service; what the individual words mean; and they have practiced their reading and writing using the Barchu as a starting point. We've been doing a lot of stations work in Hebrew, which has been very successful.
4th Grade – Sarah Artzi
Let me begin by saying how thrilled I am to be your student's new Kitah Bet/4th Grade teacher! We spent our first week together getting to know one another and bringing me up-to-speed on what material has already been covered. Our Hebrew group jumped into detailed work on the first section of the Amidah called the "Avot," or "Ancestors," which connects us to our forefathers and mothers and all the generations before us. In Judaics, we began a spirited discussion on ancient Sages, modern-day rabbis and teachers, and the wisdom they all share. To show that we are ALL teachers and are wise in our own unique ways, I've asked each student to think about something in his/her life that they can teach to the rest of the class. (More on this to come.) Again, many thanks for sharing your bright and enthusiastic kids with me. I look forward to an exciting year with them!
5th Grade – Courtney DeYoung
On Sunday we reviewed the first three chapters in the Israel book. The students were put in pairs to make a 5 to10 fact presentation and present it to the class, followed by a little quiz that they made. They loved this exercise. In Hebrew, everyone took turns reading in the Hebrew book, and they seem to be slowly improving. On Tuesday in Judaics, we discussed what a mitzvah is, and we decorated our bulletin board for Thanksgiving. Also, my Hebrew class began the fourth chapter in our book, Hineni 3.
6th Grade – MeMe Aguila
We are moving forward with our Jewish American history, entering the time after the Revolutionary War and heading to the Civil War. We will begin looking at the immigration of European Jews to the United States, followed by the westward expansion. We will also begin looking at our own history … don't be surprised if your children begin to ask you about their family tree!
7th – 8th Grade – Jacob Kotz
Our class examined several articles on current events in Israel. Students were put in pairs to review articles and take notes, followed by a class discussion. We discussed the Hezbollah drone that was shot down in Israeli airspace; upcoming early elections in Israel; the recent rockets being shot from Gaza and Israeli retaliation; current Israeli-Egyptian relations regarding Egypt wanting to renegotiate the peace treaty; Palestinians vying for an upgrade in status with the UN; and Israel-Iranian issues.