May 5, 2013
Today in class we discussed many of the Jewish traditions regarding marriage, Bar and Bat Mitzvah and others. We discussed terms such as shiva, chupa and yahrzeit. Judaism embraces many customs and rituals, as well as possessing a history and tradition. of which we are proud. We studied our Hebrew, sang songs, and reviewed much of what we learned this year. It was a very successful and enjoyable morning.
April 28, 2013
Today we spent a lot of time discussing Shavuot, the holiday which celebrates and commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments. We discussed the story of Ruth, which is read in the synagogue on this festive spring holiday. The class did worksheets, and wrote a composition on what impressed them most of all the things they learned this year in class. We also played a game of Hebrew Bingo and sang songs. The Hebrew reading has come a long way and continues to improve.
March 31, 2013
Today we completed our history text and finished compiling our essay notebooks to take home. The class felt proud of their accomplishments.We also reviewed what we learned and discussed this year. We discussed the schedule of Jewish holidays and talked about Yom Hashoa and Lag B’omer, which recalls the era of Roman oppression and Rabbi Akiva. We read from our text, Welcome to Israel, and discussed the new as well as the old which can be found in this ancient land. The Hebrew reading is coming along very well.
March 24, 2013
Today we did Hebrew reading and had a productive session. After singing songs in the auditorium we began our Model Seder. It was a great success and provided us with the experience of participating in a Passover Seder. We discusssed the traditions of the holiday and enjoyed the hands on experience of being a part of this ancient tradition.
March 17, 2013
Today, in preparation for the upcoming Model Sedeor, our class worked on the Passover Haggadah. We reviewed the Four Questons, the holiday symbols and talked about the Exodus from Egypt. We also discussed the Jewish historical timeline, including the eras of B.C.E. and C. E. We reviewed much of our ancient history and put it in perspective with modern times. We sang songs and worked hard on Hebrew reading. The class sang Shabbat prayers and blessings, and it was a productive morning with much hard work. We also did a worksheet for Passover.
March 10, 2013
Today in Mrs. Smith’s Fifth Grade we reviewed the history of the Jewish journey in the Diaspora. We discussed the role of the Jewish National Fund in raising money to buy land in Palestine, land which the early Jewish settlers cleared and reclaimed. We then wrote an essay for our notebooks. We discussed the UN role in partitioning the land and the war that followed. We also began our discussion of the upcoming holiday of Passover. We sang the Four Questions and other Passover songs and talked about the Seder table and its symbols. We discussed the significance of the holiday as well as reviewing the Haggadah.
March 3, 2013
Today Mrs. Smith explained that in the Jewish tradition we celebrate happy times but remember the sad ones as well. Purim is a happy, celebratory occasion when we remember the rescue of the Jews. It is a victory which we commemorate each year during the month of Adar. Today we enjoyed a Purim celebration while discussing the sad time of the Holocaust in Europe. We must enjoy the happy times but never forget the difficult times in Jewish history. We discussed the history of the Shoah and wrote an essay for our notebooks. Thank you to all the parents and to Dori for making it a wonderful morning.
Jan. 27, 2013
Today in Mrs. Smith’s class we discussed the emigration of Jews from Europe to America. A large influx of immigrants occurred after the Kishinev Pogrom in Russia in 1905. Even though the Middle Ages had long since gone , discrimination against Jews in Europe persisted. The old myths died hard. In America Jews were able to live in an environment where church and state were separate. We wrote in our notebooks and created essays, as well. We discussed Tu BiShevat and Purim and collected money for trees in Israel. The Hebrew is coming along very well.
Jan.13, 2013
Today, in keeping with our discussion of the upcoming holiday of Tu BiShevat, we discussed the early days of the Zionist movement. We learned about the pioneers (Chalutzim) and how they used Shomrim (guards on horseback) to guard the Kibbutzim (farms). We spoke about Theodor Herzl and the Dreyfus trial, and the importance of having a Jewish state. We also read from our history books and wrote an essay in our notebooks, adding, also, to our vocabulary list of terms. We did worksheets and had a very productive morning. After the upcoming week off we will discuss the holiday of Purim in further detail. Hebrew is coming along very well.
Jan. 6, 2013
Today we began our study of the upcoming Jewish holiday of Tu BiShevat, the holiday for trees. It included a discussion of the establishment of the Zionist movement by Theodor Hertzl in the 1880′s . We talked about the conditions the early Zionists found in Israel as well as the early history of the modern State of Israel. We discussed dates and the significance of B.C.E. and C.E. We also spoke about the Dreyfus Trial, which highlighted the need for, and the importance of having a Jewish State. Today we also began our discussion of the upcoming Holiday of Purim and we did worksheets. Hebrew is coming along well and, all in all, we began the secular new year with a renewed enthusiasm for our studies.
Dec.16, 2012
Today in Mrs. Smith’s class we discussed the period in Jewish history after the French Revolution in 1789, which brought down the ghetto walls. During this period many Jews tended to assimilate and join the mainstream of European life. Many forgot their religion. We wrote essays on the importance of knowing who you are and leaning about the history of your background. We continue with our Hebrew, which is getting stronger and more proficient. We started a discussion of modern day Israel and look forward two a restful two week vacation.
Dec. 9, 2012
Today was a busy day in class but we accomplished our agenda. In history we learned about the French Revolution in 1789, which brought democracy to Europe and afforded the Jewish community civil rights which they had never before enjoyed. We did Hebrew reading, discussed Chanukah and sang the Chanukah blessings over the candles. After all that we enjoyed a wonderful Chanukah party, ate refreshments and played dredge. Thank you to David Gladstone for all his help.
Dec. 2, 2012
Today our fifth grade ran a very successful Chanukah Bake and Print Sale. The proceeds will go to JNF for the planting of trees in Israel and for environmental water projects. Thank you to all the parents who so generously supported our efforts with their delicious baked goods. It is much appreciated. We still managed to work on Hebrew, as well as learning more about the holiday of Chanukah, which begins this coming Saturday. It is an exciting time of year and we look forward to our celebrations next Sunday. Happy Holidays to everyone!
Nov. 18, 2012
Today we began our discussion of the upcoming holiday of Chanukah. We did word searches and sang the Chanukah blessings over the candles.. In our history book we discussed Chapter Eight which tells about the Spanish Inquisition of 1492. We learned that secret Jews were called Marranos. Mrs. Smith shared pictures of Israel with the class and we planned for our upcoming Bake Sale , the proceeds of which will go to the Jewish National Fund to plant trees and help with environmental water projects. Hebrew reading continues full steam ahead.
Nov. 4. 2012
Today in class we reviewed all we have learned about Diaspora Jewry, and we further discussed the beginnings of Islam in 600 C.E. We had a discussion about the various aspects of the three major monotheistic religions,and the class offered interesting insights. We wrote essays for our notebooks, sang our prayers and blessings and continued on with our Hebrew sight reading. The class discussed the rich variety of features and traditions Judaism offers, we played Hebrew Bingo and planned an upcoming Bake Sale, which will be held on December 2. The proceeds will go to the Jewish National Fund, and will benefit the Sate of Israel.