Mr. Shapiro

April 28, 2012
Hello everyone,

This week, I’d like students to review the second blessing of the amidah. They should be able to read it and identify what the 3 letter root is of at least 4 different words in the blessing.

Hello parents of moreh micah’s 6th grade class,

We had an emotional morning for the first part of Sunday as I opened up space for the 6th grade students to feel, process, and ask questions regarding the tragic death of 7th grader Tabitha Feldberg.  I think that this was an important program for the students, regardless of whether they knew tabitha or not.

We then looked at the rise of Christianity and did some comparison with Judaism at the time. The family conversation of the week is as follows:

In the Christian gospels Jesus says that it’s What comes out of your mouth, not what one puts into it, that really matters. The Christian tradition developed this idea to mean that the Jewish laws (kosher, Shabbat etc…) are not what’s important. Rather, all that reall matters is if you are a good person.

Do you agree with this statement? How might you argue each side of the discussion? How does this apply in your own life?

Have a great rest of the week,

Micah

March 31, 2013
Hello everyone,
This past Sunday we continued looking at the literature from the rabbinic period (the Mishnah and The Talmud).  We looked at how the rabbis continually debate with each other on important issues.  Here is the Family Conversation of the Week (each student should bring in a written response this week ready to share with the class):
In what way is your own life filled with debate and discussion and in what ways are you simply told what to do without being able to offer a different opinion.  What do you think of the Talmud’s model of decision making?
Have a great week,
Moreh Micah
March 24, 2013
Hi everyone,

Today we had a Passover Seder in our class.  Thanks again to Kim, Elaine, Steve and Staci for their all your help!
We learned a lot today, so I encourage parents to ask their children questions and see what types of responses they have.  Here are a variety of questions that we touched upon:
1. Why is Moses, the hero of the Passover story, not mentioned at all in the Haggadah (the book we read at the Seder)?
2. Why do some people add an orange to the Seder plate?
3. What are the four types of children described in the Haggadah?  How might we relate to these different types?
4. Why do we recline at the Seder table?
5. Why is this holiday called Pesach?  What does pesach refer to?
6. What does the Haggadah teach us about freedom?
March 10, 2013
Hello parents of moreh micah’s 6th grade class,

Today we studied the first book of the rabbis, called the Mishnah, which among other things focuses on Jewish history, ethics, and what a Jewish society should be now that the temple system was destroyed by the Romans.If your child missed class, they should focus on the question, what do you think the rabbis mean when they say, “build a fence around the law?”For those who were in class, how does the story about when to say the shema, give us an example of building a fence around the law? Can you think of an example in your own life when you have or do build a fence around rules or laws that you follow?
This week I will like all the students to again read through the second bracha (blessing) of the Amidah that is in their photocopied packets. I had told the students to read through the first bracha, so this is an important change from what I had said in class.
If they can, they should also practice singing it too, using the recording that I am attaching again in this e-mail.
Micah
Feb. 3, 2013
Hi everyone,

Because of our Purim Carnival this coming  Sunday, we will not discuss the Family Conversation of the Week until the following Sunday.  Please remember to come in costume and get ready to have an awesome time!
This past week, we learned a midrash (rabbinic interpretation) of what really happened when Moses split the sea of reeds to free the Israelites.  We discussed a couple of options and which version we liked best.
We also looked at the incident where the Israelites build a golden calf to worship because Moses is taking too long on the top of Mount Sinai with God.  Why did Moses take so long the first time he went up there?  Why did it work out better the second time?
Why did the Israelites turn to idol worship and what might we learn from there behavior.
Next week’s Family Conversation of the Week assignment will be to put the 10 commandments in order of what you think is most important – from most important to least important.  I will send out a list of the 10 commandments and a reminder of this assignment early next week.
Thanks,
Moreh Micah
Jan.27, 2013
Hello parents of Moreh Micah’s 6th grade class,

Today we learned about the dramatic scene where the Israelites are stuck at the Sea of Reeds, attempting to escape the oncoming Egyptian army led by Pharoah.
We also learned that an important reason to tell the Passover story is so that we can look out for anyone who may be experiencing persecution or mistreatment.
 We moved into an interesting discussion about whether we can identify forms of mistreatment, persecution, or even slavery today.
Students should be prepared to discuss the following two situations at the beginning of class on Sunday:
Why are most of our clothes made in other countries like Bangladesh, Honduras, Vietnam, and China?  One reason is because they are less expensive.  Is this because the workers are paid very little to make the clothes? Do some research on the internet and see if you can learn some information about this.  If these clothes are made by people paid very little, some of them children, should we be buying them?  Is this a form of slavery?  
Another interesting case is the Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070.
Here is a summary of the law:
1. It is a crime to fail to carry official immigration papers while in Arizona.
2. It is a crime to apply for or have a job in Arizona unless you have valid immigration papers.
3. Police officers can arrest someone without a warrant if they think that the person has done something that would deserve being kicked out of the United States.
4. Police officers can stop and arrest someone if they believe that he or she is an undocumented immigrant.
D0 you think this law is fair?  Or do you think that this law mistreats people in a way that we, as Jews who are supposed to recognize the mistreatment of others, should speak out about?
This week, I would like students to follow along in their packets with the attached recording of the second bracha (blessing) of the Amidah.
The students will be leading this blessing at the Shabbat service on Friday, February 1st.
Have a great week,
Moreh Micah

Jan. 13, 2013
Hi everyone,

This week, I would like students to follow along in their packets with the attached recording of the second bracha (blessing) of the Amidah.
The students will be leading this blessing at the Shabbat service on Friday, February 1st.
Hello parents of Moreh Micah’s 6th grade class,

This past Sunday, we began learning the story of the Israelites being slaves in Egypt and God, Moses, and Aaron’s work to free them.
One curious point is that God tells Moses that God will “harden Pharoah’s heart,” causing Pharoah to continually reject Moses’s call for freedom.
God explains that Pharoah’s rejections will give God the opportunity to show God’s full power to Pharoah (the 10 plagues).  Then Pharoah will know that the God of the Israelites is the one true God.
As each plague comes, Pharoah agrees to free the Israelites, only to change his mind once each plague stops.  In the moments when Pharoah agrees to let the Israelites go, he calls God by the same name that Moses does (the Israelite name for God)
and speaks of God’s awesome power.
The Question for this week is:

Do you think that God and Pharoah have a powerful relationship?  How would you describe it? Do you think that someone who does bad things to have a powerful relationship with God?

Students should do their best, as these are certainly tough questions (even for rabbinical students like me!)  I hope that the conversation is fruitful and I look forward to discussing this as a class this Sunday.
Have a great rest of the week,
Moreh Micah

Jan. 6, 2013
Hello parents of Moreh Micah’s 6th grade class,

This past Sunday we studied the story of Joseph.  Joseph’s brothers are jeallous of him and sell him off into slavery.  Joseph rises from being a slave in Egypt to the savior of the empire, predicting a 7 year famine and leading the preparations to protect against starvation.
When his brothers come down from Israel to seek food, Joseph doesn’t reveal his true identity until the very last minute, when he can no longer hide his emotions.  Perhaps surprisingly, Joseph does not hold a grudge against his brothers.  He tells them that this was all part of God’s plan, that if he had not been sent down to Egypt, he would not have been able to protect the region from famine.
What do you think of Joseph’s reaction to being sold into slavery?  Would you react this way?  Do you respect his perspective or do you think he’s crazy?
Next week we will learn the story of Moses and Passover in the book of Exodus.
Hi everyone,

This week I will like all the students to read through the second bracha (blessing) of the Amidah that is in their photocopied packets. I had told the students to read through the first bracha, so this is an important change from what I had said in class.
If they can, they should also practice singing it too, using the recording that I am attaching again in this e-mail.

Have a great week,
Moreh Micah
Dec.16, 2012
Hello everyone,

Hello parents of Moreh Micah’s 6th grade class,

Thanks to your great kids for an engaging, thought-provoking, learning-infused, and Jewishly-rich past few months!
We delved deep into a lot of important material ranging from sacred myth, history, ethics, prayer, song, Hebrew and current events.
For a final Family Conversation, I would like each student to share the following:
1. What story sticks in your head the most this year?
2. Has your Jewish identity changed at all over the course of this year?
See you in a couple of weeks!
Moreh Micah

_______________________________________________________________________

The students are continuing to progress nicely with their Hebrew reading.  For Sunday, January 6, I would like each student to review/read the first two brachot (blessings) in their Amidah packet.
_________________________________________________________________________
Hello parents of the 6th & 7th grade Jewish music class,

It was rewarding to perform our medley of Jewish sacred music this past Sunday for the 6th and 7th grade, plus a few of you parents.  The students worked hard and I could tell how excited they were to share it.
Have a great new year!
Micah
Thanks and have a happy new year!
Moreh Micah
Dec. 9. 2012
Hello everyone,Our Hebrew students are progressing well as readers!For Hebrew homework this week, each student should memorize what sound each vowel makes (each student has a sheet with this information).This past Sunday we learned some important historical background that led to the Maccabean revolt that is central to the Hanukkah story.We also learned the classic debate between rabbis Hillel and Shammai as to whether we start with 8 candles and remove one each day, or whether we start with 1 candle and add each day.For the family conversation, I’d like each family to come up with your own ideas about why one method might be desirable over the other. Next week we’ll review whether your family’s original ideas are the actually the reasons given by the rabbis!Happy Hanukkah,
Moreh Micah
Dec. 2, 2012
Hello everyone,

Today we learned all about Jacob, the grandson of Abraham and Sarah.  Jacob’s story is complex, including questionable behavior that climaxes with his mysterious wrestling match with an angel and transformation into Israel.
In Hebrew, Israel means “one who will wrestle with God”.  If this seems confusing, I encourage you to ask your kid(s) for an explanation!
For the Family Conversation of the Week, please address the following:
Jacob transforms into Israel after wrestling with G-d all night.  Israel means “one who wrestles with G-d”.
Have you, or someone in your family, had a transformative moment or experience in your/their life/  What happened and how did you/they change?
If the student has time, they should try to come up with a response to one of the following questions (all these questions came from the students in class today).  They should answer however they feel appropriate or inspired (Midrash, written answer, song, play etc…)
Why does Jacob hold on to Esau’s heel when they are coming out of the womb?
Why does Jacob want Esau’s birthright?
Why is Esau so hungry this time after the hunt?
Why doesn’t Esau tell Isaac that he sold the birthright?
Does Esau remember selling the birthright?
What would Isaac think about the selling of Esau’s birthright?
What’s the difference between the birthright and the special blessing?
Why does Isaac use feel, and not sound, to judge whether Esau is the one by his bedside?
Why does this family trick each other so much?
Why is it important for there to be a birthright and blessing?
What does Rebekah think of Esau?
Why did Laban believe that Jacob was who he said he was?
Is the stranger an angel?
Why didn’t Jacob make sure that it was Rebekah, and not Leah, that night?
Does Jacob’s hip ever re-locate?
Why do they wrestle all night?
Why did Esau hug Jacob?
Did Esau forget or forgive?
Why did Esau have 400 men with him?
Why did Laban trick Jacob?
Hello everyone,

Today we had an assessment quiz on thirteen of the Hebrew letters in the alphabet.
This coming Sunday, we will assess all of the vowels, using these same thirteen letters.
In preparation for next Sunday, students should study all the vowels (I believe there are 7 or 8 on their sheet) and make sure they know the thirteen letters as well.
The thirteen letters are:
kuf
sin
tet
kaf
samech
chaf sofit (final chaf)
ayin
pey
tzaddi
reish
zion
tzaddi sofit (final tzaddi)
nun
 Thank you and please feel free to e-mail me with any questions,
Moreh Micah
Nov. 18, 2012
Hello everyone,
Students are progressing nicely with both their Hebrew reading and engagement around Jewish prayer.
As I told the students in class, we will have a quiz on the Hebrew letters a week from Sunday.  Students should use their Hebrew letter sheet to study what sound each Hebrew letter makes.  I will ask students to write the English letter that corresponds to the sound of the Hebrew letter.  I will probably pick 7 or 8 letters for them to do.
Have a great Thanksgiving and please feel free to e-mail me with any questions.
We don’t have class this Sunday but I am sending out the Family Conversation that we will share in class the following Sunday.In class last Sunday, we wrapped up our unit on Abraham and then flashed forward about 4,000 years to current events in Israel, and the territories of the West Bank and Gaza.  Students learned and engaged in discussion around the history of Zionism and what has brought us to the present day conflict.The Family Conversation of the Week is:Do you think violence ever solves problems?  Are there examples that you can think of for either side of the argument?If you have time, you could also tackle this second question:
Is it important for there to be a Jewish state (a country with a Jewish majority and identity)?  Please explain your response and try to keep in mind what we’ve learned about the history of the Jewish people when doing so.Have a great Thanksgiving!
Micah
Nov. 4, 2012
Hello everyone,

As you probably know, we don’t have school this Sunday because of Veteran’s day.
Below is the assignment in preparation for the following Sunday’s class.  My recommendation is that students do this as if it was for this Sunday.  That way the material will be fresher in their minds.
We learned the story of “The Binding of Isaac,” where Abraham is tested by God when asked to sacrifice his son.  As Abraham raises the knife to sacrifice Isaac, an angel of God appears and tells Abraham that he has passed the test and shown true faithfulness to God.
All the students have a copy of the story and should read it through as a refresher.
Rabbis write midrashim, or stories, that help answer questions that are left by the Torah text itself.  In class this past Sunday, we brainstormed a list of questions that the Torah doesn’t seem to answer for this story. We’ve already written our own midrashim in class, so students should be familiar with this form.  Each student should pick one question and write his or her own midrash that tries to answer that question.
Here are the choices of questions to answer in midrash form:
1. Would Isaac have gone along with this if he had known why he and Abraham were going up the mountain together?
2. Did Isaac know why they were going up the mountain together?
3. How did Isaac feel about his father after this episode?
4. Why did God test Abraham?
5. Why is Abraham so loyal to God?
6. Did Abraham know the whole time that this was only a test?
Students should also feel free to connect their answer to other events in Abraham’s life, but this certainly isn’t necessary.
Hello everyone,

We don’t have class this Sunday because of Veteran’s day but I wanted to make sure each student is prepared for the following Sunday’s class.
Students should prepare the section of the 2nd blessing of the Amidah that they were assigned in class.  In addition, they should listen to the attached recording a few times, as we will be chanting this blessing together in class.
It’s important that each student spend a minimum of 15 minutes per week reinforcing the Hebrew that we do in class.

Thanks and have a great weekend!
Micah

Oct. 28, 2012
Hello parents and students who are on this e-mail list in Moreh Micah’s Ivrit class,

At home this week, please prepare the reading that you have been assigned in the first blessing of the Amidah known as Avot, or ancestors.
If you have some trouble with the words, take your time and use it as an opportunity to get more comfortable with the Hebrew letter and vowel sheets.
Also, please take a listen to the attached recording of me chanting this blessing.  We will be working on the singing it this way in class.
Have a great week!
Moreh Micah
Hello again 6th grade parents of Moreh Micah’s class,

This week we continued learning about Abraham and Sarah in the book of Bereshit(Genesis).  Although Abraham and Sarah are known as the patriarch and matriarch of the Jewish people, their stories reveal that they are far from perfect.
Faced with many difficult situations, at times they make questionable decisions that we can learn from.
Have you experienced a time when you were in a difficult situation and weren’t sure how to act?  Were you happy with the way you behaved under those circumstances?
If you have time, your child(ren) should share something they learned in class today about a difficult situation that Abraham and Sarah faced.  A few examples from class are:
1. Abraham and Lot splitting up and journeying in different directions
2. Abraham lying to Pharoah about Sarah being his sister
3. Sarah banishing Hagar from their home, because she’s jealous of Abraham and Hagar’s new son Ishmael
If you pick one of these scenarios to discuss, talk about why you think Abraham or Sarah were in the wrong or right in their actions.  How would you have handled it?
Have a great week!
Moreh Micah