Grade 6 Weekly News: Tuesday, November 30

Grade 6 Weekly News

November 30, 2010

Be sure to read our weekly newsletter and class blog (http://katemonge6thgrade.blogspot.com). These are great ways to keep up to date on assignments and important reminders about both ARS and TOS. Audio files of blessings, prayers and Trope that we are studying can also be found on our blog for reinforcement.

Jewish Studies

This week, students learned about the Jewish value of Kol Yisrael aravim zeh ba-zeh (All Jews are responsible for one another) and that all Jews are connected. Religion is not the only Jewish connection, there is also a peoplehood connection. Students also studied about Bob and Myra Kraft, examples of local philanthropists who devote their lives to giving to many causes, including a high proportion of Jewish ones.

HOMEWORK – due Tuesday, December 7

Complete the worksheet on the reverse of the hardcopy newsletter. If you misplaced this week's newsletter, here are the questions:

A Hasidic rabbi taught, the many letters in the Torah represent the many souls of the Jewish people. If one single letter is left out of the Torah, it is unfit for use. If one single soul is left out of the union of the Jewish people, the Divine Presence will not join them. Like the letters, the souls must join together. ~Rabbi Uri of Streslik

1. What is your connection to the Jewish people?

2. What is missing from the Jewish people if you are not there?

Hebrew – B’nei Mitzvah Skills

This week, we continued learning to chant the Blessing After the Haftarah. Our goal is to have every student master the lengthy blessing before we break for Winter Vacation!

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. This week, there are again TWO assignments:

· Students who did not successfully complete the Opening Haftarah Blessing Challenge must master the chanting of the blessing this week and pass the challenge at our next class.

· All students should be working on the Blessing After the Haftarah which can be found on page 254 in their blue folders. For homework, practice CHANTING the second section of the blessing.

As always, students should also sing through what we know of the Trope Anthem a few times each day. A copy of the colorful Trope Anthem can be found in the blue folder as well (and on our class blog you can find a copy of the Trope Anthem AND a link to hear it chanted!).

REMINDERS:

· Our annual Chanukah Shabbat is coming up on Friday, December 3! Come celebrate the third night of Chanukah with your TOS family. Bring a menorah and four candles to light. The service begins at 6pm and will feature songs from the TCEE preschool students and Mahkelah (TOS Youth Choir). Plan to stay for a delicious latke dinner (RSVP required, $15/adult, $10/child age 6 – 12, $6/child under 6…contact the TOS office for more information).

· Join us for a special ARS Chanukah Community Dinner following religious school next Tuesday, December 7! Check your email for more information.

· The TOS toy drive is in full swing! Please bring a new unwrapped toy to place in one of the cribs set up around the synagogue.

· If you need to contact me with any questions or concerns, please send a message to my new email address: monge.kate@gmail.com.