GRADE FOUR
It’s hard to believe it but during our last class we were celebrating Chanukah! It seems like that was so long ago. Old Man Winter made quite the appearance giving us more than our share of snow…which in Hebrew is “sheleg”, shin, lamed, gimmel. The students learned that according to Kabbalist Rabbi Boruch Leff, the numerical equivalent of snow is 333- the same as the word shich’cha, which means forgetfulness. This is in accordance with gematria, where hebrew letters have numerical interpretations. The beautiful blanket of newly fallen snow covers the bare and bleak winter landscape which enables us to temp0rarily forget the darkness of the season and enables us to admire the beauty of our surroundings. Each snowflake is different and cherished in its own individual imperfection…just like human beings. So for those of you adults who are like me, complaining about the shoveling, the cold, the slippery walkways and the slow moving traffic, just try to see the winter world through Jewish eyes and be more like your children…make a snowman, bundle up and take a winter walk or for the adventurous ones, try skating or skiing and revel in G-d’s gift!!!!
We ended our snowy discussion by looking at pictures of snow in Israel…at Mt. Hermon’s ski resort in the north , surprising snowfall in the old city of Jerusalem and snow covered Jaffa oranges. Yes, it does snow in Israel too!
Returning to our curriculum, we read Chapter Five “Can Praying Make Someone Well?” and discussed the connections between a healthy mind and body and the value and importance of prayer. We talked about “praying with our feet” – that is, while prayer is vital, taking action completes the mitzvot of helping those that are ill, by visiting them, bringing them a meal, or helping them with chores. We explored the concept of community prayer and how the Torah service includes a Mi Sheberakh prayer for those that are ill and in need of healing. We made our own Mi Sheberakh list on the blackboard and prayed for the healing of loved ones, neighbors, friends and even a family cat! Our homework assignment for our next class which will be held on Sunday January 24, 2010, is to read Chapter Six, “Does G-d Care Which Team Wins the World Series or the Super Bowl?” Students may wear their favorite team shirt and baseball hat for this special class. See you on the 24th!
GRADE TWO
With so much time elapsed since our last class, I was concerned that the students may have forgotten some of the Bible stories we have discussed up until this point so we had a very quick review! Boy did they prove me wrong! Ella Colten brought up the fact that she enjoys how the stories continue and lead from one generation to the next. I think Ella and the other children are really beginning to understand the connection between the people in our Bible stories and their relationship to all of us. Ask your children about how G-d changed Abraham’s and Sarah’s names from Avram and Sarai, or about the trick that Jacob played on Isaac with the help of Rebekkah, or about Jacob’s dream of the ladder and angels. You will be amazed at how much they know! Today we studied chapters 7 about Jacob and the Ladder and 8 which was about Jacob and Rachel. When we completed our stories, we enjoyed a little down-time by coloring pictures of Jacob and his dream. This was a pivotal part of our history since it is during this dream that G-d promised the land of Israel to Jacob’s children and guess what? Your children knew that this meanshow important Israel is for them since we are all Jacob’s children.
Both classes were introduced to our new helper, Ms. Danielle Shiloh whose assistance was very much appreciated. We look forward to having Ms. Shiloh visit us during many upc0ming classes. A big todah rabah to Ms. Shiloh!!!!!
