Newsletter
The students are still working diligently perfecting their reading skills. They are making great progress! We would like to encourage all our students to keep practicing at home as this makes a world of a difference in their reading abilities!
In the purple level, the students are practicing reading efficiently and without mistakes. In the brown level, the students are working to reach a goal of reading 30-60 words a minute. At the same time, they are practicing script writing. The 2nd and 3rd graders have received their new Hebrew writing books, and students in Morah Rebecca's 6th and 7th grade language class have received their new Hebrew language books
Kindergarten/1st Grade
Every week Morah Mushka’s kindergarten/1st grade class begins with singing the Hebrew prayers and songs. We encourage the children to bring a coin each week to share for tzedakah (charity).
This past month we learned how the world was created in six days, and that G‑d rested on the seventh (Shabbat). We had fun working on our little books to remind us of what was created on each day.
We heard the story of Noah and the flood. We imagined how noisy it may have been in the ark by making animals sounds and clapping our hands to imitate the rain water pouring down.
We also learned about little Abraham who first discovered G‑d at the age of three. G‑d told Abraham to leave his homeland, and to travel to another land. This new land became the "Promised Land" of Israel. G‑d also promised Abraham that he would have many children - as many as the sand and stars. (Of course, we are all the children of Abraham).
The children have been learning a new Hebrew letter each week and also learn a Hebrew word that begins with the corresponding letter. They have fun practicing writing the Hebrew letters of their names using play-doh. The older children in the first grade began working on their reading skills in the Aleph Champ Reading Program.
Judaic Classes - 2nd through 5th Grades
The students in Morah Chaya's Judaic classes have been learning about the topic of Tefillah (prayer). They talked about how prayer connects us to G‑d, how we use this opportunity to thank G‑d for all the good that we have and to ask for things that we need. Each student thought about something special that they had to be grateful for. They then took a tour to see the synagogue and explored its different features with a synagogue scavenger hunt.
The fourth and fifth graders were honored to have Rabbi Bronstein take out the Torah and do a model Torah Reading for them. The students looked into the Torah to see if they could find the Hebrew letters of their names.
We discussed how important the atmosphere of the synagogue was. The students tried to imagine performing the roles of the synagogue in various locations - such as the beach, or the amusement park, but realized it was difficult to act appropriately when in the wrong setting. We discovered that the best atmosphere for tefillah is to be amongst others doing the same thing in a place that is designated for that specific purpose.
The students then pretended to be architects and did their best to design a synagogue with all its features.
The highlight of the next few weeks is the topic of Kashrut (kosher food). We discussed how when we do a Mitzvah, a good deed, we can transform the mundane into holy. For example, a fire becomes holy when we use it to light the Shabbat candles. Or, when we run to visit a friend who is sick, we make our own selves more holy. The way we make food holy is by eating kosher food and reciting the blessing.
The second and third graders pretended to be detectives and were able to identify the kosher items. They searched for the many kosher symbols found on different food items. In the next few weeks, the students will be studying the definitions of kosher animals and fish and learn the art of separating meat & dairy. The fourth and fifth grade class entered the 'Kosher chef challenge' and will be creating different kosher recipes!
History & Rashi – 6th & 7th Grade
After an extensive review of the History Timeline beginning from creation, we began to study about King David and King Solomon's lives in detail. Students were asked to describe the personality of King David. Adjectives such as brave, clever, kind, caring, poetic, and humble were all precise! We discussed their trials, successes, and difficulties. The students will be studying the layout of the Holy Temple (built by King Solomon) and attempt to build some of its vessels as well.
In Rashi class, the students first had fun discovering yet a new font of Hebrew script. They studied a Rashi text on how G‑d himself came to visit Abraham when he was sick and how we learn from this about the beautiful Mitzvah (good deed) of visiting the sick.
Congratulations to the following students of Aleph Champ:
Jesse Finn - passed Red
Leah Epstein - passed orange
Seth Grosz - passed orange
Roy Mallach - passed orange
Michael Forgue - passed yellow
Michael Cohen - passed green
Andrew Forgue - passed green
Julia Krupnik - passed green
Isaac Finn - passed green
Ron Mallach - passed blue
David Bel - passed blue
Mathew Gaman - passed blue
REMINDER: We will not be having classes on Sunday, November 30th for Thanksgiving Weekend
Wishing Everyone A Wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving,
Mrs. Faigy Bronstein
and the staff at Chabad MV Hebrew School
The theme for the first few weeks is "getting ready for the high holidays."
A Happy and Healthy Sweet New Year
The Shofar Factory presentation will begin at 11:00am following the Orientation program.
At the Shofar Factory, students will join in the creation of a kosher shofar. The horn is cured, sawed, drilled and polished. Once their shofar is completed, students will learn how to sound it and practice the traditional sequence of notes blown on Rosh Hashana. A slide show about Rosh Hashana adds to the learning and the fun.
Students will each make their own shofar! - This is only recommended for children in grades 4 & up. There will be a charge of $9.00 per shofar for this workshop. Please call or e-mail to reserve your own shofar.
