Grade 6 Weekly News: January 11, 2011

Grade 6 Weekly News

January 11, 2011

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, we started class by reviewing last week’s homework (what Israel does for me and what I can do for Israel). We then moved onto our next Jewish Value, Ometz Lev (strength of heart, courage). We learned about Regina Jonas, a Jewish hero who should be better known. She modeled Ometz Lev by struggling to become the first woman rabbi and by being a source of comfort to many Jews during the Holocaust. Rabbi Leo Baeck is also an Ometz Lev hero from the Holocaust. He refused to leave Germany, stayed to serve as a leader of the German Jewish community and then turned to a more humble kind of service at the Theresienstadt concentration camp, where he comforted people by teaching and answering questions.

JEWISH STUDIES HOMEWORK (due Tuesday, January 18):
Complete the worksheet that was included on the reverse of the newsletter that was sent home with the students on Tuesday. If you have misplaced your homework, click on the Homework link to the right and print out a new copy.

HEBREW – B’nei Mitzvah Skills

This week, we continued to read and chant Ein Kamocha (the first part of the weekly Torah service that each student will chant at his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah).

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 Ein Kamocha which can be found on page 244 in their blue folders. For homework, practice reading and chanting all of Ein Kamocha. Check out our class blog for a link to both the text and tune!

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:

· MOSTY Shabbat Mishpacha is coming up on Friday, January 21! Grades 3 & 4 are excited to be leading the congregation in prayer and song that evening. Families in all grades are encouraged to attend and to stay for dinner (RSVP required for dinner). It’s a great way to fulfill a student’s Shabbat attendance requirement.

· 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 are being sent to families shortly but please mark your calendars in advance for the following dates:

o Saturday, February 12 at 9:30am

o Saturday, April 2 at 9:30am

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