NEWS FROM THE LOWER SCHOOL JUDAICS DEPARTMENT

By Dror Karavani, Lower School Judaic Studies Coordinator

On Friday, as a culminating activity for all of the learning that has taken place surrounding the holidays, the children in each grade participated in a Rosh Hashanah "seder."  They played games, sang songs, listened to stories, and learned new aspects about the familiar and not so familiar "simanim" (symbolic foods such as apples and honey, dates, carrots, pomegranates, garlic, spinach, banana squash, and more).  Rabbi Elbaz's 6th grade class made special posters indicating each food and its purpose and bracha. 

To celebrate the beautiful bentching which takes place daily at CTA, we honored our first "Benchers of the Month" for this school year. Yasher Koach goes to Leora Hazan and Joshua Koppes.

With great appreciation we would like to thank all of the Judaic teachers for helping us learn about the High Holidays. I want to wish you all a healthy and happy New Year, Shana Tova and Chatimah Tova.    

SAY IT IN HEBREW

By Galit Golan, Hebrew Language Coordinator

Do you remember what you learned last year? How about 5 years ago? What would you give for the chance to retain what you learned in middle and high school? One of the more frustrating aspects in education can easily become the most rewarding. Our students study hundreds of hours a year learning important Torah facts and essential literacy skills. The material that the students have already mastered just needs to be reinforced and they will carry it with them for life.

Although a thorough explanation is beyond the scope of this column, here is a snapshot of a program that was devised and piloted last year and is being fully instituted this year in the Upper School Judaic Studies Department: The Jewish Literacy Assessment program (JLA) is designed to crystallize the basic knowledge students master in each course. The model is comprised of two simple steps: firstly, indentifying those skills and facts that are deemed especially vital to Judaism. The next step involves reviewing this subject matter cyclically as it builds throughout the year and years to come. You will hear more about this exciting and rewarding component as it grows over the year.

"What Do You Think?" Forgiveness for our mistakes is the theme of the whole month leading up to Rosh HaShanah. However, asking for forgiveness is not the theme of the Rosh HaShana liturgy - and in fact is barely mentioned! What is the secret behind this design?

7th GRADE ANCIENT EGYPT STUDIES

Mrs. Moreno's 7th grade Social Studies class began the year studying a unit on Ancient Egypt.  Students presented research on topics like daily life, religion, pharaohs, and the Nile River.  To celebrate all the knowledge they gained, they engaged in a unique final project - they mummified a chicken!  The students worked hard planning the steps of the mummification process and bringing in needed supplies.  Pharaoh "Neferchiki", as they named him, was rubbed in oil and spices and wrapped in linen (after her organs were placed in canopic jars) and then placed in a sarcophagus - just like the real mummies in ancient Egypt.  The students enjoyed bringing to life a part of the ancient history they've been studying. 

1.  What is the connection between the verse "atem nitzavim" and the curses in the previous parsha?

     a.  The Jewish People asked, "Who can survive such curses?" Moshe responded, "You've done a lot to anger Hashem, and yet "atem nitzavim" you're still standing before Him."

2.  Who were the wood-choppers and water carriers?

     a.  Canaanites who joined the Jewish People under false pretenses.

3.  Why can Hashem never "swap" the Jewish People for another nation?

     a.  Because Hashem swore to their ancestors that He would never do so.

4.  One who ignores the Torah's warnings "adds drunkenness to thirst." What does this mean?

     a.  He causes Hashem to reckon his unintentional sins alongside his intentional ones, punishing him for all.

5.  What two cities were destroyed along with Sedom and Amorah?

     a.  Admah and Tsevoyim.

6.  "The hidden things are for Hashem, our G-d, and the revealed things are for us..." What does this mean?

     a.  There is collective culpability only for "open" sins, but not for "hidden" ones.

7.  According to Rashi, how will the day of the ingathering of the exiles be "great and difficult?"

     a.  It will be as if Hashem needs to take each individual by the hand and lead him out of exile.

8.  Where is the Torah not to be found? Where is it to be found?

     a.  The Torah is not found in heaven nor across the ocean. Rather, it is "very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart."

(Parsha Nitzavim Quiz originally appeared on the

Ohr Somayach website, www.ohr.edu)