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Issue 6 | January 2012
Shevat 5772 | |
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Greetings!
Our Jewish Value for the Month: Kavod (Respect)
This past week, we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Shevat, the new month of Shevat, at our Talmud Torah. In addition to blessing the new month, each month we highlight and teach about a Jewish value. So far, we have discussed Tzedakah (charity) and Derech Eretz (good manners). Our value this month is Kavod (respect). During our assembly, students were asked to share personal examples of being disrespected, and how it made them feel. The concept described in the Torah of "B'tzelem Elohim" (in the image of God) which makes every human holy, of value and worthy of respect was discussed. We defined Kavod with a passage from Leviticus, in which God tells us "VeAhavtah L'Reyacha KaMocha" (You should love your neighbor as you love yourself), and helped them understand that this is the "Golden Rule" - treat others as you want to be treated. We ended our assemblies by teaching that while all humans are worthy of and deserve respect, God specifically singles out the respect due to parents in the fifth of the Ten Commandments, "Kabade et avecha v'et emecha" (Honor your father and your mother). In addition, our sages stated that teachers are, in some ways, extensions of parents, and therefore deserve a special level of respect as well.
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Bet Student
Josh Miller's Family Trip to Israel
Josh Miller, Bet (4th Grade) student, returned in November from his trip to Israel after touring for ten days with his family of thirteen. Former Minneapolis Shaliach, Etai Tennenbaum, was their wonderful tour guide. Josh was so excited about this "dream come-true" trip that he prepared a special presentation and shared chavayot (experiences) with his Bet classmates. He brought prayers from the students of Bet 2 to the Kotel (the Western Wall) and came back with souvenirs for his classmates. He was very proud of his Maccabee t-shirt and shekalim (Israeli money) which he shared.
Josh spoke of his visit to a couple of schools in Givat Olga and Hadera. As a special thank you to his grandparents who donate to PACT (Parents and Children Together), a library was created five years ago for children at the Shilo school in Givat Olga in their honor. Josh would also like to donate funds for these schools in the future.
What an incredible trip to Israel and impact this has made on Josh's life! Toda raba to Josh for sharing this life changing experience with his Talmud Torah friends!
The photo included is a picture of the library and the students in Givat Olga. |
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Vav Students Participate in Tikkun Olam
The Vav students volunteered at Arc, an organization that assists people throughout our community with developmental disabilities. To understand the mission of Arc, the students viewed a short video about how Arc has helped individuals with disabilities live productive lives and it also explained the ongoing support their families have received from Arc. One of the other ways Arc helps is by providing donated clothing and other items and selling them at inexpensive prices in their retail stores, which are located throughout the Metropolitan area. Our students and parent volunteers sorted clothing and toys, shoes, books and more at the Arc store in Golden Valley on Winnetka. "They worked hard and accomplished much", the Arc coordinator, said when they were finished unpacking and sorting. We are proud of our Vav students-yasher koach! |
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What's in a Name?
In conjunction with a recent "Home Talk", our Gimel (5th Grade) students have been sharing wonderful stories about their names, as well as the person for whom they were named.
This question came up as we were learning in B'reishit, Genesis, about God changing Avram and Sarai's names to Avraham and Sarah.
Many students said they learned something new about their family history and their name as they discussed the question of their names with their parents.
Kol hakavod to our Gimel students and their families. |
Minnesota State Patrol,
Benjamin Berkowitz,
Speaks to Kehilla Students
The highschool Kehilla students viewed the video "Forever Young" and listened to Minnesota State Patrol, Benjamin Berkowitz, discuss safe driving. To introduce the session, Susie Chalom, brought in the Jewish aspects of the fragility of life and the responsibility we have to ourselves and to others.
Both parents and students participated in this informative and relevant session. Prior to seeing, "Forever Young," the graphic and real video of car crashes where teens were killed, Benjamin emphasized the fact that these were "crashes" and not "accidents." "Most crashes can be prevented by making good choices and following these four rules," explained Benjamin.
- Paying Attention
- Drive the Speed Limit
- Don't Drink and Drive
- Wear Seat Belts
He also discussed the laws of a Provisional Driver's License, given by the State on MN, and that provided you follow the rules, you will have this privilege. The specifics of alcohol abuse, "Under 21, Not a Drop," were explained. Any amount of alcohol for someone under 21 is a misdemeanor and could result on jail. Also, loss of license for 30-180 days is likely to occur. Blood alcohol content over .08% constitutes a crime for those over 21 years of age.
He reviewed the laws concerning texting while driving: It is Illegal to send or receive an electronic message while driving. This includes composing, sending or reading texts, or emails, surfing the Internet, texting or reading texts while stopped in traffic and updating media pages.
Benjamin elicited student and parent participation. Both parents and students asked questions and shared their thoughts and feelings about car safety. When leaving the session, Marlee Gotlieb, said, "That was really good."
Thank you to Benjamin who enlightened the students and parents about the necessity of driving safely and responsibly. |
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News from the Hebrew Reading Program
The Hebrew Reading Program works with students on an individual basis or in small groups. Some of the students seen in this capacity may attend for a short period of time in order to fill a specific learning need; others may need to be seen for a longer period of time on a consistent basis in order to receive academic support. In addition, school-wide Hebrew reading assessments are conducted at least twice a year for all students who have completed the Alef level.
This year, we also have three Bet Midrash students, Michael Fishman, Marlee Gotlieb and Allie Rosen, who help in the reading program, sometimes working with classes as directed by the teacher, other times working with individual students on assigned tasks. |
Ma Chadash in the Community?
Annual Sha'arim Annual Chinese Auction, Sunday, January 29th
Come help support our efforts educating Jewish children and young adults with special needs in the Twin Cities. Susie Chalom, our Head of School will be among the community educators honored for their role in supporting Jewish education for children with special needs
Click here for details or visist http://www.shaarim.org/Shaarim/Welcome.html
Simcha Showcase, Sunday, January 29th
Find everything you need to plan your special celebration! We will have a great selection of invitations, entertainment, photographers, DJ's, caterers with free samples, venues, and more.
Click here for details or visithttp://www.sabesjcc.org/about_events.htm#showcase
Not OUR Kids! Conference, February 26th a JFCS Program
A conference for anyone involved in raising healthy youth, including parents, grandparents, educators, clergy, youth workers, professionals. For more inforamtion visit: www.wix.com/jfcsmpls/notourkids
American Hebrew Academy
AHA American Hebrew Academy Fellowship Opportunity! This 2012-2013 Fellowship program begins August 2012. Fellow applicants need to have graduated from college in order to participate in this leadership opportunity (current seniors and recent graduates are ideal).
In addition to the resume and career building skills that your students will gain from this experience, they will also get free housing (large 2 room apartment), free kosher meals, generous monthly salary ($1,000/month), health benefits, and access to campus amenities including our health center, athletic fields, pluralistic religious opportunities, and more. |
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Editor: Missy C. Lavintman Assistant: Kim Steil Marketing/Design: Beth Rubin-Gabor |
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