Or Shalom Hebrew School News: December 2008

Our first term is complete, and we have accomplished a lot in a fleeting time. Let me first express my admiration for our teachers Bat-Ami Segal, Maya Goldstein, and Orith Fogel. In the absence of a formal curriculum, and with classes of mixed age and learning levels, they have provided first class Jewish education for your children. I credit their experience, creativity, and good spirit. Compliments also go to our students. They apply themselves enthusiastically, and each one is making steady progress.

Hereπs whatπs been happening in each class this semester:

K-2 begins each session with a welcoming song, and time for sharing significant moments in the week. As we pass the tzedakah box we practice our Hebrew counting with the coins you provide. This term we have studied the following themes: Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (we learned to blow the shofar and identify its sounds); Yom Kippur, with a focus on forgiveness; Succot – the harvest, the sukkah, the rituals of lulav and etrog; Simchat Torah; and Hanukkah – the blessings for lighting the hanukkiah, the miracle of the oil, the Maccabees; the synagogue, including a hunt for ritual objects in the sanctuary; where is God; why we pray. These themes were reinforced by songs, stories, and craft projects such as the ≥Me doll,≤ and making clay hanukkiot with guest artist Lily Salja.

The class is divided for Hebrew study so each student receives individual attention. The focus is on learning the aleph-bet, letter recognition and sound, including the vowel indicators and sounds. Learning is assisted by games, worksheets to reinforce writing skills, and homework for some.

Learning requires snacks (thanks for providing!), and ours are accompanied by the appropriate blessings. The class ends as it begins, with good wishes and song.

3-5 opens with the blessing for Torah study, followed by giving tzedakah, during which we honour someone, acknowledge an act of loving kindness we have performed or received, or say a special thank you. To date the studentsπ tzedakah contributions have been furnished by the teachers. We believe it will be more meaningful for the students if they contribute money of their own, especially money they have earned themselves. Therefore we ask again that you help your child to remember to bring a small contribution, just a coin or two, each and every week.

Class time is divided between thematic and Hebrew study. We have covered the holidays as they have occurred, and related concepts such as creation and Divine-human relationships to the weekly Torah portion. We explored our connection to Israel with a commemoration of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, and by viewing excerpts from the film ≥Bridge Across the Wadi.≤ The film depicts an Israeli community in which Jewish and Arab children learn to appreciate each otherπs cultures and live in peace by attending school together. Our students learned that they too can participate in tikkun olam, repairing the world, by simply going to school and learning. Our study of the month of Cheshvan focused on the concepts of derekh eretz, doing the right thing in the right way, and gemilut hasadim, acts of loving kindness. We aim to integrate school learning and family experience with occasional homework assignments such as the Cheshvan Happiness project, and Doing Judaism Together cards. These cards invite family participation in some way, and we hope they will be signed by you and returned. The class enjoys interactive story readings, songs, and crafts. Art projects have included practicing the basics of ark construction, making sukkah decorations from recycled lulavs, and crafting hanukkiot from grommets and ceramic trays.

Hebrew involves learning the aleph-bet, letter and vowel recognition and sound, letter formation, and simple vocabulary. Each student receives individual attention to complete the daily work sheets. Study is facilitated by games and song, and occasional homework assignments.

Again, snack is an essential part of each class, and is accompanied by the appropriate blessings. We end the class with time for sharing good thoughts and wishes.

Tzedakah is an important component of all our classes. You too can share in this vital and holy work. Each time you attend an event or meeting at Or Shalom, you will have the opportunity to feed the Tikkun Olam Committeeπs tzedakah box, and model for your children the concept of generous living.

Looking ahead, there is much to get excited about. In January we will begin using the Chai Curriculum, a multi-faceted programme grounded in the study of Torah, Avodah (prayer), and Gemilut Hasadim (acts of loving kindness). This is the same formula used by Vancouverπs popular TAG Jewish High School program. It is designed to encourage independent thinking and lead the student to deeper understandings than learning by rote. This curriculum will provide consistency in course content over the grade levels, and will give our students access to some excellent resources.

BπYachad: Our bπnei mitzvah class meets twice a month with Reb Laura for breakfast and study. They are deeply engaged in preparation for their special days on the bimah. They recently learned the ins and outs (or rather, the ons and offs) of the tallit, including how to tie their own tzitzit. Last Family Shabbat you doubtless noticed their life-sized ≥roadmaps≤ of themselves adorning the sanctuary walls to show us how every part of the body is engaged in doing mitzvot. Unfortunately, their Canes Enable tikkun olam programme about disability awareness was postponed due to inclement weather. Bπyachad will help light up the night at the Family Hanukkah celebration on Sunday December 21^st, followed by a special teen event.

Coming in January:

Classes resume on Sunday January 11 for K-2 and Tuesday January 13 for 3-5. Please help your children remember to return their Hanukkah ≥Doing Judaism Together≤ cards so we can share your family joy!

Saturday January 17: Family Shabbat.

Saturday January 24: Celebration of the new Torah Scroll.

Sunday January 25: CSI-styleTorah learning for kids, teens, and parents.

One more note: If your child enjoys using the computer, the following site is a great way to keep the Judaic juices flowing: www.babaganewz.com. Lots of fun to be had here!

Okay, one more note: If you know of other (member or non-member) families with school-aged children, please do pass the word along about our school. We welcome new students at any time.

Thanks to you for your support of our school, and for entrusting your children to our care. It really is a privilege to teach them. Hanukkah sameach – light, joy, peace, and lotsa latkes!

Barbara Halparin, Educational Leader