Shalom Kitah Gimel Students and Families #25

As we began our class with the Blessings for Torah Study and cookies, we noticed that students were eating a variety of other snack foods - a teachable moment! We discussed and recited the Blessing that is said over a mixture of foods and reviewed the meaning of the food Blessings. One student asked why there are specific food Blessings, when there exists a Blessing for a mixture of foods. Great question! The answer is that in saying the food Blessings, we're acknowledging God as the Creator of the food which sustains us. Hence, we think carefully about the type of food we are about to eat.
Students led the attendance conversation and were reminded that it is now Aviv (spring.)

Modern Hebrew Language
We reviewed vocabulary from chapters 1-6 in our textbook, Shalom Ivrit, by playing a pantomime game, "Read - Act Out - Describe." Each student received a card with a Hebrew sentence on it. Students took turns acting out their sentences while their classmates guessed (in Hebrew) what the sentence might be. The student pantomimes were expressive, creative, and fun - and elicited enthusiastic responses.

In preparation for our last class together (next Wednesday), students wrote question and answer cards based on the vocabulary and language patterns in chapters 1-6. These cards will be used in a Bingo-style game called Zingo.

Each student put his/her class folder into a plastic bag to bring home. Students were asked to treat the materials in their folders as though the folder was a book to be placed on their bookshelves. The information about modern Hebrew and the weekly Torah Portions is certain to be useful as they progress in their Jewish learning. Also,some of the sheets may have the Hebrew name of God and, as such, they may be re-cycled, but never discarded.

Torah Study
This week's Torah Portion, Kedoshim, begins with God teaching the Jewish people, "You should be holy, because I, the Eternal your God am Holy." God then commands that many different rules be followed including, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Students pointed out
that this was sometimes hard to do as neighbors could be rather un-likeable.
We stressed in our discussion that not only were the ancient Israelites holy, but we are also. Students recognized that being holy doesn't mean acting superior to others. Being holy involves being "responsibe" and "following God's commandments."

LAST DAY Party
Some students volunteered to bring refreshments for next week's LAST DAY celebration. They are welcome (but not obligated) to do so as long as the treats do not contain nuts or meat products.

Students shared one thing they'd learned and departed for T'fila.

T'fila was held in the Sanctuary where students practiced the parts of the Family T'fila which they'll be leading on Sunday. Following the service, the 4th Graders will receive their siddurim.
The Cantor recommended that on Sunday, the students wear clothing befitting their role as Prayer Leaders.
Please join our students for this, the last Religious School Family T'fila of the school year.

L'hitraot - See you soon,
Morah Ronni