Grade 6 Weekly News
January 25, 2011
Don't be confused by the hardcopy newsletter that went home with the students this week! Due to last week's Snow/Ice Day, we reused what would have gone home last week (instead of wasting paper to print a new newsletter with the correct date at the top). All the information in the newsletter is correct except for the date that the homework is due). We had originally planned to make next week a Challenge Day to show off our Ein Kamocha skills and, even with the missed class last week, the students decided that want to keep that as the plan. Next week, we'll spend our Hebrew time perfecting Ein Kamocha and then all of the students will attempt to pass the challenge at the end of class.
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 this blog for reinforcement.
JEWISH STUDIES
This week, we started class by reviewing last week’s homework and discussing the ethical dilemma that Rabbi Leo Baeck faced while in Theresienstadt. We then moved onto our next Jewish Value, Tzedek tzedek tirdof (“Justice, justice shall you pursue,” Deuteronomy 16:20). Tzedek is a core Jewish value that not only has to do with courts but with the way we treat each other. Justice doesn’t just happen; it needs to be chased and pursued. Students were given the opportunity to be the judge in various social, ethical, political and crime situations to determine which response would be most just. Our textbook introduced two Tzedek heroes: Justice Louis Brandeis (who showed us how to use the law to create justice) and Abraham Joshua Heschel (a rabbi and teacher who balanced his academic work with a public stance for justice in social movements. He taught that religion comes with obligations to live a just life).
JEWISH STUDIES HOMEWORK (due Tuesday, February 1):
Complete the worksheet on the reverse of the hardcopy newsletter and be ready to discuss your answers.
HEBREW – B’nei Mitzvah Skills
This week, we continued to practice chanting Ein Kamocha (the first part of the weekly Torah service that each student will chant at his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah). Even though we missed a week of class due to the weather, our next Challenge Day will be on Tuesday, February 1!
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. This week, all students should be working on chanting Ein Kamocha which can be found on page 244 in their blue folders. For homework, practice chanting all of Ein Kamocha to prepare for our Challenge Day. A copy of the text and an audio file of Cantor Schloss chanting Ein Kamocha can be found on the right side of this blog.
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 Grade 6 B’nei Mitzvah Havurah meetings are coming up this winter and spring. These Shabbat morning meetings are vital to each student’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparations. Information about these events have been emailed to families. Please be sure to attend on the following dates: Saturday, February 12 at 9:30am and Saturday, April 2 at 9:30am. The February date is also our exciting Building Blocks Workshop Lego event!! It's a morning not to be missed!
- If you need to contact me with any questions or concerns, please send a message to my new email address: monge.kate@gmail.com.
- As always, visit www.ohabei.org for more details and to see what else is going on at Temple Ohabei Shalom.
