DFRS Blog

Don't forget: No School THIS Sunday, 1/20/19!

See you on Sunday, 1/27/19.

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Mazel tov to all of the students who moved up a kippah level this week in Hebrew Skills! 

We are so proud of your hard work.

Don't forget to keep practicing! (5 minutes/day is THE best!)

All prayer packets and videos can be found HERE .
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                                              Sunday Synopses

Kindergarten
Today we learned about what a Cantor is and how a Cantor is different and similar to a Rabbi. We learned about our Cantor, Cantor Lauren at Temple Emanu-El. We also made portraits of Cantor Lauren from our workbook. Ask your student: 1. What is the Hebrew word for Cantor? (Answer: Hazan), 2. What are the jobs of a Cantor? 

1st Grade
Today we learned all about the holiday of Tu B'shevat.  We read stories about the holiday of the trees, made tree art, and learned all about planting trees.  Ask your student: What is Tu B'shevat? Why do we celebrate it?

2nd Grade
Tu B'shevat was on the menu today in class.  We read books, made trees out of paper, noodles, and beans, and learned why this holiday is so important.  Ask your student: Why is Tu B'shevat so important?

3rd Grade
This week in Judaics we focused on a different kind of hero - the tree as a hero.  This was the focus since Tu B'Shevat is coming up this week.  We read the story The Giving Tree and discussed how the tree is such an important part of life. Ask your student: How is a tree a hero? In Applied Hebrew we explored G'milut Hasadim, which is bettering the world by doing the work ourselves.  We read the story "A Visit to Heaven and Hell" to illustrate how we can do the good work ourselves. Ask your student: What made heaven a great place? What was the Rabbi's choice at the end of the story?

4th Grade
Today in Judaic Studies, the 4th grade began a project that will take a few weeks to complete. We will be creating our own Social Justice Haggadah!  We discussed the Haggadah & how we can incorporate social justice issues.  The 4th graders came up with AMAZING examples of how the lessons of Passover can apply to modern time. Ask your 4th grader what piece of the Haggadah s/he worked on today (answers will differ/ Tikkun Olam/ Repairing the World, Zehirut/ Awareness, Veshinantam Levanecha/ Teach Your Children, Pidyon Shvuyim/ Redeeming the Captive, Bal Taschit/ Care for Environment....)  In Applied Hebrew Through Moses and Aaron, God brings plagues on the Egyptians, and Pharaoh repeatedly refuses to allow the Israelites to leave. We talked about the the relation between Aaron, Moses and G-d. We also talked about Moses as a leader and a convincing man with Pharaoh.  We read a play and every student took a part in this activity. We had a conversation about the story in this Parasha and also about the main actors in this play.   בא  Pharashat Bo  - Pharaoh  still refuses to let the Jews leave Egypt, so G‑d brings more plagues on Egypt. We read the play and explained what is going on in this Parasha. We watched a short video that will explain the Parasha. Please ask your children about the discussion we had in class about Moses as a leader and his big mission to take the nation out of Egypt. 

5th Grade
Our Madricha lead a session about gratitude - Why do we have to remember always to say  "Thank you"? How can we change the world by using "Thank you" more often? At the end of the session the students wrote a "Thank you" note where they expressed their gratitude. Ask your student: 1. How can we, together as a family, appreciate our togetherness, happiness, and health? 2. In your opinion, who do you need to say thank you to and why? 

6th Grade
Our sixth graders got off to a great start. We began with a little class bonding and a great game of “the wind blows for…” (ask your kids how to play!). Next, our Israeli shinshin, Omer, taught the kids how to become a map of Israel with their bodies. Then the students became either “Israel” or a “tour guide” and had to place major Israeli cities onto the map. Finally, we ended our day with a delightful game of “Jewpardy” with questions related to Israeli government, culture, dates, technology, and people. I was so impressed with what the students already knew and the game offered the chance for them to be introduced to new terms and fun facts! We’ll get to finish the game at the start of our next class.

7th Grade
Today 7th grade explored various texts that all dealt with Tu B'shevat.  The students chose one of the texts to read, explore, and apply to themselves, the world, modern life, or another aspect of Judaism.  Ask your student what text they chose and how they applied it.

Welcome Back!!

We can't wait to see you on Sunday, 1/13/19!

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HEBREW SKILLS - KIPPAH LEVELS

Has your student in grades 4-7 been practicing their Hebrew Skills prayers while we've been on break?

Remember, students can be tested and move WHENEVER they are ready!

LINKS (Click the following to find prayer packets and videos):
Red
Yellow    
Green
Blue
Purple
Orange
 
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Do you have any books that you’d like to donate for a great cause?

For my Bar Mitzvah project I am collecting gently used or new books for middle school and high school age teens. I will volunteer and donate these books at a Creating Connected Communities (CCC) event on March 10th, 2019.
 
Please help support my project by bringing books before Sunday school on January 13th. I will be in the TE lobby to collect them from 8:45-9:30am. Thanks in advance!

Logan Katz

Temple Emanu-El and The Diamond Family Religious School are partnering with the ADL and JumpSpark for an Anti-Semitism Summit.

We would love for parents to take this opportunity to learn about how to handle anti-Semitism in our lives.

This Summit is recommended for children (6th grade and older) and parents.

Please join us as we discuss the realities of anti-Semitism in our community and how can navigate these challenges.

For more information, click here .

To register for this free event, click here .

We hope to see you there!

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                                         What's Happening at DFRS?

• ​​​​​​​NO SCHOOL December 23, December 30, January 6
• ​​​​​​​January 6 - Teacher & Madrichim Training Day
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS:​​​​​​​
  • March 17 - Purim Carnival
  • March 22 - Religious School PURIM Shabbat Services at 6:30 PM - COME IN COSTUME & BYOB!!!
• ​​​​​​​Office Hours - Teachers are available for conferencing OR Hebrew tutoring starting at 8:40 each Sunday.
  

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HEBREW SKILLS - KIPPAH LEVELS

Has your student in grades 4-7 been practicing their Hebrew Skills prayers?

Remember, students can be tested and move WHENEVER they are ready!

​​​​​​​LINKS (Click the following to find prayer packets and videos):
Red
Yellow   
Green
Blue
Purple
Orange

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Did you know that our Kindergarten, first, and second grade students go to Hebrew every week with Morah Evelyn?  They are building an amazing foundation for their prayer studies!

Students Steven and Brock in 2nd Grade working on decoding as well as letter recognition and sounds. 

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                                                     Sunday Synopses
Kindergarten
Today we reviewed what we learned this semester. We played hangman to review and created a word bank for our classroom wall. We had so much fun this semester. See you again in the New Year! Questions to ask your children: 1. What was your favorite thing you learned about this semester in Sunday school? 2. What would you like to learn about next semester?

First Grade
Today we learned about the mitzvah of taking care of the sick - bikkur cholim.  We also learned about the mi she'beirach prayer. We made cards for our family members for the next time they get sick.  Questions to ask your children: 1. Why is it a mitzvah to take care of someone who is sick? 2. What is the prayer for healing called?

Second Grade
Today we learned about the story of Baby Moses and his rescue from the basket.  We made a baby moses and read his story.  Questions to ask your children: 1. Why did Moses get put into the Nile river? 2. Who rescued Baby Moses?

Third Grade
Judaics - We discussed in class how the role of Gal Gadot in the movie Wonder Woman has transformed Gadot into the world's most famous Israeli.  How she influenced Israeli youth to be proud of their small country and how she became Israel's high-profile Ambassador. Questions to ask your children: 1. What did Gal Gadot do to become Israel's most famous Ambassador? 2. Why is Gadot a good role model to young people?
Applied Hebrew - There are countless opportunities for us to do acts of kindness in our everyday lives. Like Ruth, we just need to take advantage of those opportunities. The effects of one small act of kindness can be far greater than we ever expected. In our lesson, the students explored how they can do more acts of kindness in their everyday lives and inspire acts of kindness in their families and community.  Questions to ask your children: 1. How can we do acts of kindness in our everyday lives?   2. If you were Ruth, what would you have done? Why?

Fourth Grade
Judaics - Our 4th Graders learned about rechilut and lashon hara (gossip and disparaging speech) and the importance of using kind language.  We discussed what gossip is any why it is so hurtful from both personal experiences and Jewish teaching.  We ended our class with a cleaver game and project that reiforced our lessons and reminds us to speak "sweetly" about our friends & neighbors.   Questions to ask your children: 1. What is lashon hara (it's gossip) and why is it so hurtful?   2. What project did you make in class ( anti-gossip jars)?  
Applied Hebrew - This week's parsha is about Joseph. We learned about Joseph meeting his brothers in Egypt. How he is reacting? and what he is doing? Questions to ask your children: 1. How did Joseph react when he met his brothers in Egypt? 2. Why do you think he reacted this way?

Fifth Grade
Judaics - This week we finished up the story of Joseph in Egypt! We learned about how Joseph earned the trust of Pharaoh and worked his way out of prison. We also talked about how Joseph repaired the bond with his brothers, and about how "taking the high road" is the better choice. Questions to ask your children: 1. Why is it important to keep your word to others? 2. What is one time you took the high road? What is one time you SHOULD'VE taken the high road?
Applied Hebrew - What does it mean to be "Grateful" in life - towards our family and friends? Our students learned why is it important to remember to say "Thank you" and really appreciate the people around us. They wrote a thank you note to family or friend, understanding that above any friction, we must stop and be grateful for what we have and who we have in life.   

Sixth Grade
Our 6th grade class concluded a semester of Holocaust study by focusing on the value of leadership.  This was connected to the leadership necessary from those Jews who rose up as a part of resistance grooups in places like the Warsaw ghetto.  We reviewed our semester of learning and everyone is excited to study Israel in the coming year.

Seventh Grade
This week we began learning about Tu B'Shvat and learned the story of Choni the Circle Maker. When we return from break, the students will have opportunities to show their own interpretations and thoughts about the stories and Talmudic text we learned. Have a wonderful break and a happy new year! 

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What's Happening at DFRS?

• December 16 - Sunday School
• ​​​​​​​NO SCHOOL December 23, December 30, January 6
• ​​​​​​​January 6 - Teacher & Madrichim Training Day
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS:​​​​​​​
  • March 17 - Purim Carnival
  • March 22 - Religious School PURIM Shabbat Services at 6:30 PM - COME IN COSTUME & BYOB!!!
• ​​​​​​​Office Hours - Teachers are available for conferencing OR Hebrew tutoring starting at 8:40 each Sunday. 

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 HEBREW SKILLS - KIPPAH LEVELS

Has your student in grades 4-7 been practicing their Hebrew Skills prayers?

By the end of the 1st semester (December 16), it is the expectation for the following:
6th graders should be in PURPLE.
5th graders should be in YELLOW.
4th graders in pink should be in RED.

Remember, students can be tested and move WHENEVER they are ready!

​​​​​​​LINKS (Click the following to find prayer packets and videos):
Red 
Yellow  
Green 
Blue  
Purple
Orange  

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Sunday Synopses

Kindergarten - Today we had some Hanukkah fun!! We made menorahs out of our fingers(for the candles) and fingerprints (for the flames). We then broke up into groups and played some Hanukkah games including a fun twist on the classic dreidel game! Parents can ask their kiddos: 1. What is the helper candle called? 2. What is your favorite part about celebrating Hanukkah? 

First Grade - This week our machrichim taught about Hanukkah while talking about what is special about Hanukkah. Parents can ask what we eat on Hanukkah and how the hanukkiah is different than a menorah. 

Second Grade - Today we focused on practiced the Chanukah prayers, learning the rules of the dreidel game, and practicing how to light the menorah.  We had so much fun playing the dreidel game and eating gelt! Parents can ask which direction we light our candles and which letter they want to spin on the dreidel.

Third Grade Judaics - Students heard the story of Chanukah and are able to relate a few facts about the origin of Chaunkah.  We discussed the victory of Judah Maccabee and the miracles of Chanukah.  Students understood why Chanukah celebrates our right to practice our religion free of persecution. Parents can ask their childre what is the Miracle of Chanukah?  What is the meaning of the word Chanukah?  Third Grade Applied Hebrew - This week, we continued celebrating Hanukkah.  We lit the Chanukiya, chanted the blessings, and sang Hanukkah songs. We were involved in small and big group activities, such as singing, dancing, learning, and many other fun-filled activities. What a fun and productive week we have enjoyed together! Ask your children what does the word Chanukah mean? What is the ninth candle for?

Fourth Grade Judaics - Today our class learned about simcha (joy).  We learned about how we celebrate simchas and why this is so important in Judaism. Ask your children to share a simcha with you. Fourth Grade Applied Hebrew - We wrapped up our study of Chanukah by working on the blessings. We also explored this week's torah portion. 

Fifth Grade Judaics - Today we learned about Parshah Vayishlach and Parshah Vayeishev. We learned more about the family line of Isaac and Jacob. We also discussed the beginnings of Joseph's story and his enslavement in Egypt. Questions to ask your children: Q1) Why were Joseph's brothers jealous of him? Q2) How can you deal with sibling arguments or disagreements? Fifth Grade Applied Hebrew - We wrapped Hanukkah with a short animation movie that describe the story of Hanukkah. We told the story of the S'vivon (dreidel) and played with S'vivonim from Israel and America. We touched History with a special clay that I brought from Israel (Archaeological  digging) - singing some songs and enjoying that last day of Hanukkah together. Questions to ask your children: 1- How does it feel to touch History? 2 - Tell us something new you learned about Hanukkah?

Sixth - Twelfth Grade - Our students attended an AIPAC mini-conference where they heard from Yotam Polizer, the co-CEO of IsraAID. IsraAID is an Israeli-based humanitarian aid agency that responds to emergency crises and engages in international development around the world. Ask your students what the most memorable part of the program was.

• ​​​​​​​December 7 - Religious School Chanukah Dinner & Services (sign up below)
• ​​​​​​​December 9 - Sunday School, AIPAC Conference (6th-12th Grades) , & Governor's Mansion
  **IMPORTANT: Carpool pick-up at 12:30 pm will be by the covered walkway at the far end of the temple driveway (The Music School entrance).**
  
• ​​​​​​​December 16 - Sunday School
• ​​​​​​​NO SCHOOL December 23, December 30, January 6!
  
  

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THIS FRIDAY - Chanukah Dinner & Services!!!

Register  HERE

Wear your festive Chanukah gear!
BYOB

**Zimria will meet Cantor Adesnik at 6:30 in the sanctuary before dinner starts.**

Students will be LEADING parts of the Chanukah service on December 7:
Grades K-2
Nightlights:  https://youtu.be/OTNLxNxfk0U  & Shema
Grades 3-5
Michamocha:  https://youtu.be/RP2yN-_1p_w
Grades 6-8
Am I Awake/Barchu:  https://youtu.be/4evjPk_LoT0

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                                   HEBREW SKILLS - KIPPAH LEVELS
Has your student in grades 4-7 been practicing their Hebrew Skills prayers?

By the end of the 1st semester (December 16), it is the expectation for the following:

• 6th graders should be in PURPLE.
• 5th graders should be in YELLOW.
• 4th graders in pink should be in RED.

​​​​​​​
Remember, students can be tested and move WHENEVER they are ready!

​​​​​​​LINKS (Click the following to find prayer packets and videos):
Red
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple

Orange

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                                               Sunday Synopses

Kindergarten - Today we learned about Hanukkah. We talked about why we light 8 candles and what the 9th candle is called. We decorated the classroom for the start of Hanukkah. Lastly we split up into groups to play Hanukkah games. Questions to ask your child: What is the 9th candle that lights all the other candles  called? Why do we light 8 candles?

1st Grade - Today we learned that returning something is a Mitzvah. We also learned that we always tell the truth. We also visited Rabbi Spike and heard a wonderful story.
Questions to ask your child: Why is it important to tell the truth? Why should you return something that's not yours? 

2nd Grade - Our class learned about Hanukkah - what it is and why we celebrate.  We made edible menorahs, played with dreidels, practiced the prayers, and heard some great Hanukkah stories.  We went to visit Rabbi Spike in his office and he told us a fun story.

K, 1, 2 Hebrew - 1st and 2nd grade - Ask your child which letter they learned on Sunday.  Kindergarten - Ask your child to tell you 3 colors in Hebrew.

3rd Grade - In Judaics, we started with a lesson taught by Grayson, our Madrichim.  Then we learned about a Hanukkah hero named Yenudah Ha'Maccab.  We ended our day with a fun game called "Hanukkah Quiz".
Questions to ask your child: What was the miracle of Hanukkah? Who were the Maccabees? 
In Applied Hebrew, the students read the story of Chanukah in small groups. After they finished reading, every group acted out their favorite part while the rest of the class guessed which part it was. We then discussed how the story of Chanukah can be tied to our five senses: We hear the songs and blessings, see the candle light, smell and taste the latkes and sufganyot, and play with the dreidel.
Questions to ask your child: How many days of Chanukah are there and why? Where did Mattathias live and how many boys did he have?

4th Grade - In Judaics, we are preparing for Chanukah, so we are exploring what bravery and courage means to us.  We discussed many different ways we can be brave and couageous- as always, the 4th graders had meaningful insight and inspiring contributions to our lesson.  Our class treat was creating an edible Menorah- it was so much fun to make and DEEEEEELISH!!!!!
In Applied Hebrew, we dug into the story of Hanukkah.  Then we created artwork and described our favorite part of the holiday.
Questions to ask your child: How do we light the Chanukiah? Why is this important?

5th Grade - In Judaics, we learned about Parshah Vayeitzei (Gen. 28:10 - 32:3). This portion covers the story of how Jacob worked for his uncle / father-in-law in order to marry Leah and Rachel. We also talked about how Judaism teaches us to deal with dishonesty in others.
Questions to ask your child: Which approach worked for Jacob in dealing with his problems, running or talking? How can we take the lesson of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah and use it in our daily lives?
In Applied Hebrew, we are going to hear the Hanukkah story and creating a special cartoon based on the story. Students understood the history of our Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem during the second Temple.
Questions to ask your child: How come the Jews were able to win the Temple again? If you lived in the time of the second temple would you join the Maccabim? Why? 

6th Grade - This past Sunday, our 6th grade class began with a little Chanukah trivia thanks to the hard work of our madrichim, Harrison, Ryan, and Zac. We transitioned from Chanukah into our Holocaust curriculum discussing the value of “awe.” Where and when do we experience “awe”? During the Holocaust did people have moments of “awe”? If there were moments of “awe,” was God there for those? If God wasn’t present during the Holocaust, were there still moments of “awe”? The students also learned about the stories of Anne Frank, Primo Levi, and Elie Wiesel, whose stories wrestle with the notion of God and awe.

7th Grade - We continued working on our study of Rabbi Ben Zoma and his questions: Who is rich? Who is mighty? Who is wise?  Ask your child what they think...

8th Grade - We ran our second PreK Preview Day!  It was a lot of fun celebrating Chanukah with the PreKindergarten students.

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What's Happening at DFRS?

• December 2 - Sunday School & PreK Preview (Know someone with a PreK student - forward them the link!)
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​December 7 - Religious School Chanukah Dinner & Services
• ​​​​​​​December 9 - Sunday School, AIPAC Conference (6th-12th Grades) , & Governor's Mansion
• ​​​​​​​December 16 - Sunday School
• ​​​​​​​NO SCHOOL December 23, December 30, January 6!

Get excited for Chanukah Dinner & Services!!!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2018

• Register HERE
• Wear your festive Chanukah gear!
• BYOB

**Zimria will meet Cantor Adesnik at 6:30 before dinner starts.**

Students will be LEADING parts of the Chanukah service on December 7:
Grades K-2
Nightlights: https://youtu.be/OTNLxNxfk0U & Shema
Grades 3-5
MIchamocha: https://youtu.be/RP2yN-_1p_w
Grades 6-8
Am I Awake/Barchu: https://youtu.be/4evjPk_LoT0

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HEBREW SKILLS - KIPPAH LEVELS
Has your student in grades 4-7 been practicing their Hebrew Skills prayers?

By the end of the 1st semester (December 16), it is the expectation for the following:

• 6th graders should be in PURPLE.
• 5th graders should be in YELLOW.
• 4th graders in pink should be in RED.

​​​​​​​LINKS (Click the following to find prayer packets and videos):
Red
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple
Orange