Grade 6 Weekly News
September 28, 2010
I look forward to spending the year learning and laughing with each of you. If you need to contact me with any questions or concerns, please send a message to my new email address: monge.kate@gmail.com.
JEWISH STUDIES
Last week, we dove into our text book, Eizehu Gibor: Living Jewish Values. The fall semester’s Jewish Heroes curriculum helps the students to internalize Jewish values and gets them to “stick” by putting a face to abstract concepts and connects students to their proud heritage. We started in the middle of the book with the chapter on T’shuvah (a fitting topic for this time of year). T’shuvah comes from the Hebrew word shuv, which means “to turn.” T’shuvah is usually translated as “repent” but more accurately means to get back on the path toward becoming the best that you can become. We read about Rabbi Mark Borovitz, a recovered alcoholic and rabbi at a halfway house for Jews in recovery.
This week, we continued our study of t'shuvah by reading about Pope John Paul II. While the Pope isn't necessarily a Jewish hero, we learned that his biography includes a story that is important to Jews. We also completed an activity called "Missing the Mark."
JEWISH STUDIES HOMEWORK (due Tuesday, October 5):
To prepare for next week's chapter on Tikkun Olam, each student should completed the activity that was included on the reverse of the hardcopy newsletter and be ready to discuss and defend your choices. Click here to read the assigned page of homework (page 10 in our textbook). This link will also take you to our whole textbook so feel free to scroll down and see what else we have read so far in our book (pages 59 - 64).
HEBREW – B’nei Mitzvah Skills
Last week, the grade 6 students took a "field trip" to the sanctuary bimah to imagine what it will feel like when they each take their place behind the Torah table and lead the congregation. We continued to refresh our memories on Hebrew reading as we flipped through the Torah service in our siddurim (prayerbooks) to see exactly what we have on our plates this year.
This week, we began studying the Blessing Before the Haftarah and had our first Trope (cantillation) lesson from Cantor Schloss.
HEBREW HOMEWORK:
Each week, students must practice reading Hebrew at least 5 minutes every night. Each student must complete and turn in a Reading Raffle Card to prove that they completed their Hebrew Practice. A purple Reading Raffle Card was included in each student's blue folder for this week. Please be sure that the blue folder is brought to school every Tuesday! For Hebrew practice this week, students should practice reading the first section of the Blessing Before the Haftarah (included in the blue folder). The Hebrew text also includes transliteration for parents that can't read Hebrew so they can still help their child self-correct. Students should always practice from the Hebrew side of the page.
REMINDERS:
- Simchat Torah and Consecration: Join us as we honor our youngest students, as well as new members of the ARS community. Simchat Torah is the holiday when we unroll the entire Torah scroll and start back over at the beginning. We'll dance in the streets with all the TOS Torahs and hear lively klezmer music. The service begins in the sanctuary at 6PM.
- Tot Shabbat: The first Tot Shabbat of the year is this Friday (families with children age 6 and younger). Beginning at 5:45pm with a community dinner to follow.
- Shabbat Rishon: This Friday at 7:30pm. Come hear from Allan Rogers, Executive Director of Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and MAZON grant recipient. Hear about our new congregational focus on Hunger and Homelessness as we get ready for Mitzvah Day 2010.
- Shabbat B'yahad - required for all students in Kindergarten - Grade 7. Shabbat B'yachad is a chance for the entire family to experience Shabbat. Our first monthly gathering is THIS Saturday, October 2 beginning at 9:15am. Drop in when you can (feel free to show up in your soccer uniform!) to take part in a variety of activities for all ages. Be sure to check out Shari's email entitled "From the Desk of Shari Churwin" that was sent on Tuesday for much more information!
As always, visit www.ohabei.org for more details and to see what else is going on at Temple Ohabei Shalom.
