I was really proud and pleased for the Kitah Gimel students

Dear Kitah Gimel Parents,

Hello, all! It is hard to believe that the year is over!
It was wonderful to see you at our Awards Assembly on May 22. I was really proud and pleased for the Kitah Gimel students, who did so well earning stickers for the M&M Chart, attending Religious School, attending services, and reading library books. I hope you will keep encouraging your children with these activities. Also, please work on the “Teva Tasks” Iris suggested in her video!
I also hope you enjoyed the Lag B’Omer BBQ put on by Men’s Club and Religious School. The hot dogs were a nice treat, and many enjoyed “s’mores” with roasted marshmellows, chocolate, and graham crackers for dessert. Thank you to all the Dads who helped with this!
The students took home several textbooks from our class: My Jewish Year (holidays), My Weekly Sidrah (Torah), and The Great Israel Scavenger Hunt (Israel). They also took home their “passports,” with descriptions or pictures about the Israel Bulletin Boards that we studied during the year. These will be fun reminders of our “trip.”
Books left at school include the “God” book, I Have Some Questions About God, and the “Mensch” book, The Kids’ Mensch Handbook. Morah Shirie, the Kitah Dalet teacher, will continue with those two next year.
Each student also took home a patchwork bear or “repair bear” from Morah Racheli and me to remind him/her to help with “tikkun olam” or repairing the world, which we do by performing the mitzvot. Along with the bear was a note to “remembear” to do mitzvot and to complete their Black Hole Prevention Packets. Please do these over the summer to keep the school year learning an ongoing process. The students will be much better prepared for Kitah Dalet.
I will be writing individual notes to you, but I do want to take a moment to thank you for your kind words and gifts given on the last day of school to both Morah Racheli and me. We both really appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.
It was a pleasure to teach your children. They are bright, fun, and kind. I think we learned a lot together!

Following this letter is a review of what we studied in class from April 27 through May 22. (Mother’s Day was May 8, so we had no school. Hope all the Moms enjoyed the day!). By the way, a Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads, on June 19.

Text: My Weekly Sidrah

• 
  Moses tells the people they are standing here today before God.
  
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  They will make a covenant with God.
  
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  God will keep the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
  
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  They will become the chosen people.
  
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  The Covenant is also for all Jews to be born in the future.
  
• 
  Moses says the law is not too hard or difficult to understand.
  
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  Torah is close to you – in your mouth and in your heart.
  
• 
  “Choose life and follow the Torah.”
  

Vayelech

• 
  Moses is 120 years old and will die soon.
  
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  Joshua will lead the people into the Promised Land.
  
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  Moses finishes writing down all of his teachings.
  
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  Moses gives the teachings to the Kohavim, or Priests, and they put them in the ark.
  
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  God tells Joshua to be strong and not give up.
  
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  God says, “I will be with you.”
  

HaAzinu

• 
  Moses recites a poem.
  
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  It is about God and Israel.
  
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  God protects Israel and takes care of Israel.
  
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  Israel isn’t always good.
  
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  Even when Israel does wrong, God still protects them.
  
• 
  Moses goes to the top of Mt. Nebo.
  
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  Moses can see the Promised Land.
  
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  He can look at the land in the distance, but God won’t let him go there.
  

V’zot Habrachah

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  Moses blesses the family of Israel.
  
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  God gives each tribe its own blessing.
  
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  God shows Moses the land of Israel.
  
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  Moses dies and God buries him.
  
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  The people mourn Moses for 30 days.
  
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  Joshua becomes the new leader.
  
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  No other Jewish leader will be able to do all the things Moses did.
  
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  This is the last sidrah in the Torah. When finished reading this, we start reading the Torah all over again.
  
• 
  The students colored and cut out a “pie” shape, with the 5 books of the Torah for each of the 5 pie pieces. They had to put them in proper sequence and glue them to construction paper. They were encouraged to hang these up at home!
  

Text: The Great Israel Scavenger Hunt

• 
  Daniel and Rivkah observe Shabbat in Eilat.
  
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  Eilat has beaches. There is swimming, windsurfing, sailing.
  
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  This is Israel’s favorite vacation spot.
  
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  Eilat is sunny all year round.
  
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  Israel uses shekels for currency.
  
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  There is an underwater observatory and a Yellow Submarine. They allow you to see plant life and fish underwater.
  
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  You can swim with the dolphins in Eilat.
  
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  People play beach tennis, or matkot.
  
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  Israel has the Maccabi Games, in which many athletes play sports.
  
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  Israel’s first Olympic medal was won by Yael Arad, in judo.
  
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  Eilat has beautiful palm trees.
  
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  Sticker Stop. Password: lulav.
  

Home

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  Daniel and his parents board the plane for home.
  
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  Loving Israel, or Ahavat Zion, is supporting Israel with our words and actions.
  
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  Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people.
  
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  Israel is where Jews everywhere are welcome and can live in freedom.
  
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  Israel is the most holy place in the world for Jews.
  
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  Clue #7 is the Israeli flag. On it is the Star of David and stripes representing the tallit.
  

Israel Bulletin Boards (#s 8 and 9 were combined)

Board # 8 – Cities: location in Israel, when founded

Board # 9 – What the cities are known for: museums, culture, famous sites.

1. 
   Jersusalem, 1000 B.C., holy, capital, Israel Museum, Yad Vashem – Holocaust Musum, Famous Sites: Old City, Mt. Herzl, Mt. Scopus, Hadassah Hospital (Chagall windows).
   

2. 
   Tel Aviv, 1909, cultural, busy, Beit HaTfutzot - Museum of the Jewish People (Diaspora Museum) – story of the Jewish people. Famous Sites: Beach, port, Old town of Jaffa, Rabin Square.
   

3. 
   Haifa, Biblical times, northern port, industrial city, MadaTek – Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space – technology advancements, OlympiYeda. Famous Sites: Mt Carmel, Bahai Temple.
   

4. 
   Rishon Le Zion, 1882, first city, Rishon Le Zion Museum, Zionist period in Palestine, Haganah headquarters, Ayalon Institute/Rehovot, ammunition & manufacturing operation under laundry area. Famous Sites: Superland, Carmel Winery, beaches.
   

5. 
   Ashdod, 1956, central port, Ashdod Museum of Art, MonArt Center, performing arts center, art school, studios, concert & theater venues in Yad LaBonim, Karin Maman Museum has archeology exhibit. Entrance is through a pyramid, like the Louvre. Famous Sites: National parks, beaches, malls.
   

6. 
   Petah Tikvah, 1818, opening of hope, Petah Tikvah Museum of art, visual art and cultural space, meeting place for creators and experienced artists. 3,000 art works. Israeli art since second decade of the 20^th Century. Famous Sites: National park, malls, zoo.
   

7. 
   Beersheva, 10^th century B.C., by Israelites, capital of Negev Desert, Negev Museum, antiquities, historical artifacts, contemporary art, old photos, early settlers. Chalcolithic, 3500 B.C., underground cities and houses, 6^th C mosaic from the church. Famous Sites: Abraham’s well, old Turkish train station
   

Board # 10 – Traditions

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  Showed all the Hebrew calendar months.
  
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  Listed all the Jewish holidays in the months they occurred.
  
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  Students were asked to draw a picture of their favorite holiday in their passports.
  

Text: I Have Some Questions About God

• 
  Sports can teach important lessons about life: patience, caring, losing with dignity; having compassion when others make mistakes.
  
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  Sports can bring people together
  

Exercise 2: “Your Body”

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  Our bodies do amazing things
  
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  Our bodies are a gift from God – wonderful creations
  
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  Our bodies are the containers for our souls.
  

Answer 2: “God Cares About Values,” by Rabbi Brad Artson

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  God doesn’t care who wins, just about how people play.
  
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  Justice, kindness, and being fair are all Jewish values that baseball can teach.
  
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  God likes to see people become the best they can be.
  

Answer 3: “God Likes Sandy Koufax,” by Rabbi Elyse Frishman

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  God’s rules matter more than anyone else’s rules
  
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  God cares more about how we play than about who wins
  

Exercise 1: “The Jewish Way to Play”

• 
  List of Jewish values – which is most important, which is hardest to remember in a game?
  
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  Sports are a place to practice values
  
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  Many Jewish values are relevant to sports
  

Text: The Kids’ Mensch Handbook

• 
  The All-in-One Mitzvah – v’havta l’reacha kamocha, Love your neighbor as yourself.
  
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  Hillel explained the main idea of the Torah to a man who wanted him to explain the Torah “while standing on one foot.”
  
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  Mensch-wise – if you observe a few mitzvot, you will end up observing many.
  
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  Under the Mensch-i-fying Glass – explains the meaning of the words in detail.
  
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  Falling into Place – All mitzvot are included in “v’ahavta l’reacha kamocha.” Example of mitzvah not done and done.
  
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  A Note of Mitzvot – what we need to do to become menschen.
  
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  Middot – virtues – tell us how we can become menschen, e.g., give tzedakah.
  
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  Give tzedakah with n’divut (generosity), hesed (kindness), and simha (joy).
  
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  Lev (heart) is source of compassion and generosity.
  
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  Heart necessary to sustain the body, just as generosity is necessary to sustain community.
  
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  Many examples of generosity, such as at Purim, Hanukkah.
  

Ot Hashavua

Ayin Aseret Hadibrot 10 Commandments
Mitzvah of the Month (two combined)

Zikaron Remembrance Nisan Henrietta Szold

• 
  So we don’t forget the past
  
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  So we have hope for the future
  
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  Elie Wiesel, a “witness” to the Holocaust
  
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  Henrietta Szold, committed to improving Palestine, founded Hadassah
  

Zionut Zionism Iyar

• 
  Zionism is a movement to support and maintain the State of Israel.
  
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  It is a political movement started in the 1800’s.
  
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  Theodor Herzl is the “father” of modern Zionism.
  
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  We are one people.
  
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  We were treated badly in other countries.
  
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  Palestine is our historic homeland.
  

• 
  Most holidays are happy, but some are sad.
  
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  The Holocaust came about due to an evil man who came to power in Germany.
  
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  He was like Haman. His name was Adolf Hitler.
  
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  On Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember those he hurt or destroyed.
  
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  We have prayer services on this day.
  
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  We light yellow yarzheit candles.
  
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  Some people can be cruel.
  
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  Some people can be brave.
  
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  We must never forget. Remembering will help us prevent such a terrible thing from happening again.
  
• 
  Visited the Holocaust Museum – we read the main events in an age appropriate way and looked at the posters, pictures, and books.
  
• 
  Read the book, The Number on My Grandfather’s Arm, by David Adler
  
• 
  Visited the Religious School Holocaust Museum in an age appropriate way.
  

Yom Hazikaron (not in My Jewish Year)

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  Day of Remembrance for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism
  
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  This year on May 8, 2011 – observed the day before Israel Independence Day.
  
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  Israel honors its fallen servicemen and women.
  
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  Days opens with a siren the preceding evening, at 8:00 pm (by the Hebrew calendar, a day begins at sunset the night before).
  
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  The siren is heard all over the country and lasts for one minute, during which Israelis stop everything (including driving, even on highways) and stand in silence, commemorating the fallen and showing respect.
  
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  Many Jews say prayers on behalf of the fallen soldiers at this time.
  
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  The official ceremony to mark the opening of the day takes place at the Western Wall.
  
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  The flag of Israel is lowered to half staff.
  
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  A 2-minute siren is heard at 11 am the following morning.
  
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  There are official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gatherings at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. The day officially draws to a close between 7 and 8 pm, when the flag is raised to full staff.
  
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  The timing of Yom Hazikaron, which comes right before Yom HaAtzmaut, is a reminder to people of the sacrifices and price paid for independence.
  
• 
  We held a special memorial in the courtyard, lead by Iris.
  

Yom HaAtzmaut

• 
  Israel’s birthday, the 5^th of Iyar, 1948.
  
• 
  Our people lived there long ago.
  
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  The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed twice, so the Jews scattered.
  
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  A small group decided it was time to move back to Israel.
  
• 
  Theodor Herzl is known as the Father of Modern Zionism.
  
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  People made “aliyah,” that is, they went to live in Israel.
  
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  The people revived the land and made it bloom again.
  
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  The State of Israel was declared on May 14, 1948. “Medinat Yisrael.”
  
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  Many Jews came to live there.
  
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  Many lived on kibbutzim where they all worked together.
  
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  Hebrew was made the language of the country, by Eliezer ben Yehuda.
  
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  People learned Hebrew in an ulpan.
  
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  People could pray at the kotel, or Western Wall.
  
• 
  Each year, Jews celebrate with flags, parades, singing, dancing.
  
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  The people sing “HaTikvah” the national anthem of Israel.
  
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  JHIPS – Yom HaAtzmaut
  

Yom Yerushalayim (not in My Jewish Year)

• 
  National holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem and the establishment of Israeli control over the Old City in June 1967.
  
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  Observed to thank God for the 6-day victory and for answering the 2,000-year-old prayer of “Next Year in Jerusalem.”
  
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  The holiday is observed by memorial services for soldiers who died fighting for Jerusalem, ceremonies, parades, reciting Hallel, and saying special prayers.
  
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  There are lectures, singing and dancing, special television programs.
  
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  Children learn about the significance of Jerusalem and hold “festive assemblies.”
  
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  We had a special program on Jerusalem lead by Morah Ilana Friedlander.
  

Shavuot

• 
  God’s rules teach us how to lead honest and good lives.
  
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  God gave us the gift of Torah. This is to teach people how to live as free people. The holiday is known as Hag Matan Torah, giving of the Torah.
  
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  Moses is called to Mt. Sinai by God. Moses stays 40 days and 40 nights.
  
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  God gave the Torah to Moses so that the Jewish people would learn how to live.
  
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  The 10 Commandments are read on Shavuot – we stand while they are read.
  
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  Jewish people taught Torah to their children and on through the generations.
  
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  We have an all-night study session.
  
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  We often have a confirmation ceremony, celebrating the completion of Religious School studies.
  
• 
  Shavuot is the celebration of the early summer wheat harvest.
  
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  Counting the Omer is counting the days as the wheat grows, 7 weeks from the 2^nd night of Passover.
  
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  The people brought the first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem as offerings to God. The holiday is also called Hag HaBikkurim.
  
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  Shavuot is one of the Shalosh Regalim, or 3 Pilgrimage Festivals, when the people walked to Jerusalem with their produce.
  
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  There are decorations of flowers and fruit in the synagogue and at home.
  
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  We eat dairy foods on this holiday, especially blintzes and cheesecake.
  
• 
  We read the Book of Ruth.
  
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  JHIPS - Shavuot.
  

• 
  Israeli Dance (Rikud) with Morah Rachel
  
• 
  Art (Omanut) with Morah Leslie
  
• 
  SHira, or Singing, with classroom teachers. Thank you to all students who participated in our Zimriya, or Song Festival, on Friday, May 6. Each grade performed songs related to Mothers and also to Israel, combining the themes of Mother’s Day on May 8, and Israel Independence Day, which fell on May 9 this year. Kitah Gimel students sang their three songs beautifully: “Sim Shalom,” “Ima Yikara Li,” and “One People.” Yasher Koach for a radiant performance! We also enjoyed during the Zimriya the video montage created by Iris showing our mothers with their children.
  

I read a story from Journeys with Elijah, by Barbara Diamond Goldin, called “The Weaver of Yzad.” It is a wonderful story of faith, perseverance, hard work, and determination. It was a beautiful story with which to end our year.