A COMMUNITY OF LEADERS

Thank you to the families who joined us for our day of learning on Sunday morning.  It was nice to share some time together, and have you participate in our chevruta type of learning.  Our students are extremely bright and articulate, and it was a pleasure to hear each of them share their thoughts in such a respectful way.   As many of you know, our goal in Kitah Dalet is to help our students understand their responsibility to make the world a better place by building relationships with GOD, other people, and the community at large.  We constantly push our students to think about their actions, and challenge them to do the right thing, even when it is difficult.  

On Tuesday afternoon, we continued our discussion about being leaders, and the importance of making choices that have a positive effect on the world.  We shared our thoughts about having a negative impact on others, and how when we follow others, we don't always make the best choices.  As promised, we watched a short video clip on Cain and Abel, and saw how we are indeed our brother's keepers.  Of course, we now understand that "brother" refers to community and others, and we must step up and care for others as well as ourselves.  

As the year comes to an end, I want to wish you and those you love, a happy and healthy new year, and I look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, January 5, 2016.  

BRINGING THE LIGHT OF HANUKKAH TO YOU

Happy Hanukkah!  We have been talking about Hanukkah, and how this ancient story has relevance to us even today. We talked about being proud of who we are, having the courage to stand up for what we believe, and most importantly, doing what we think is the  right thing to do, even if everyone else is doing something different.   We talked about the importance of supporting our Jewish community, and how lighting the hanukkiah in the window shows solidarity with Jewish people around the world. The lights of the hanukkiah are meant to bring light into the world, and we encourage you to spend some family time together creating memories as the flames of the candles burn low.  

Please plan on joining us Sunday morning at our Simchat Limud, as our students share a bit of Torah with you, and we have the opportunity to learn together the  Kitah Dalet way.  

FREE TO BE

I had hoped to continue our discussion about Cain and Abel, but as we began the discussion, someone asked a question,  our talk took a quick detour and we traveled back into time and talked about Hanukkah, the Temple, and Ancient Greek history.  Of course the conversation was most worthwhile, and I always believe it is better to pursue an avenue our students are interested in, rather than one to my liking.

To put everything into perspective, we had a mini lesson on biblical time and the calendar, and used the ancient Olympic games as our point of reference.  We looked at the building of the Temple and its subsequent destruction, and landed in a very interesting conversation about courage and standing up for what is right. We talked about religious freedom in particular, and the importance of educating our non-Jewish friends about the true meaning of Hanukkah.  We talked about standing up for what we believe in, making sure we respect the beliefs of others, and insist they respect our beliefs.

We look forward to learning together with you on Sunday, December 13, 2015.  Until then, please ask you children to share some of their thoughts and ideas about Hanukkah, miracles, and the mitzvot.

GRATITUDE AND ATTITUDE

Although our Sunday morning class was weak in numbers, we were certainly strong in our thoughts and opinions.  While exploring the last section of Parshat Bereshit in the Torah, we came upon the story of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve.  We talked about siblings and knowing right from wrong.  We read about the death of Abel at the hands of his brother and we had a heated discussion about cause and effect, and taking responsibility for our actions. Students were left to struggle with the idea of being taught right and wrong, and how if we don't know something is wrong, can we do wrong.  Finally, students were asked if they were indeed their brother's keeper, and what that actually means.  Our discussion continues next Tuesday. 

On Tuesday afternoon, we talked about Thanksgiving.  We talked about religious freedom, (which will again surface next week when we begin our Hanukkah story) and how Thanksgiving is truly about giving thanks and appreciating the many gifts we have.   We talked about blessings, and as Jews, our responsibility to say 100 blessings everyday.  We talked about having too much of everything, and taking time to show gratitude by doing mitzvot, and thinking about others, rather than worrying about what we want or what we don't have.  Students shared their thoughts about gratitude, and how so much of what we do as Jews is about attitude.  

Please enjoy the Thanksgiving break, and ask you children to share their Jewish interpretation of Thanksgiving with your family.  See you next Tuesday!      

JUST DO THE RIGHT THING...

When studying Torah, we always take one step backward to review our prior lessons, and one step forward to tackle the next lesson. These discussions often bring new questions to light, and our students are often left to work through some struggle as the week ends. Such was the case with this week's discussion. Our Sunday morning Torah chevrutas began with the basic question of failure. Why did GOD put the Tree of Knowledge within reach of Adam and Eve, tempting them to break the rules? Our students offered some keen insights into breaking rules, and doing the right thing. We talked about wanting something, working towards something, and ultimately failing to achieve success, or perhaps hitting obstacles along the way. 

Using the Torah as our textbook, our students continued their discussions about being created in GOD's image on Tuesday afternoon. We talked about free will and our ability to make choices based on our knowledge of right and wrong. We introduced the concept of Yetzer Ha-Rah and Yetzer Tov, the inclination to do right, and the inclination to do wrong, and had some interesting discussions about how we learn right from wrong, and the internal struggles we face each and every day. 

To bring our discussions full circle, our students debated about taking things that don't belong to them. We looked at different scenarios and discussed what constitutes stealing, sharing, borrowing, or just wanting something and taking it. Ultimately, we decided that things are not always as they seem, and sometimes doing the wrong thing may not be as wrong as it seems. Please ask your student to share some of these concepts with you.  

PERSON TO PERSON

Although we didn't formally meet on Sunday morning, some of our students joined me at our annual FALL FIX UP, and it was great working together to make the world a little bit better.  On Tuesday afternoon we had a nice discussion about why we cancelled class to rake leaves and wash windows, and why these activities were considered mitzvot.  

Of course we had to agree upon a definition of the word mitzvot, and in no uncertain terms, a mitzvah is a commandment.  We then talked about the differences between rules, laws, and commandments, and the consequences attached to each.  We talked about bending rules, but abiding by them for the good of the group.  Laws on the other hand, have more severe penalties attached to them, and we follow laws to be responsible, active members of society.  The commandments in our Torah are meant to help us make the world a better place by building relationships between GOD and man, and man and man.  Doing mitzvot requires we take an active role as a partner with GOD, and when we perform mitzvot, we build strong connections with GOD and our community.  

Our students had some time to break into small groups, and brainstormed ideas about what commandments counted as mitzvot, and what actions were just "good deeds."  Interestingly, most of the commandments we talked about were everyday actions we do because they are the right thing to do, and not just laws in the Torah.  So, when you children are mindful and respectful, know they are observant Jews, performing mitzvot for the sake of Torah.   

IN GOD'S IMAGE

One of the important things we do in Kitah Dalet is help our students understand the Torah is our guide to living a Jewish life.  When we study the lessons in our sacred texts, we learn to make informed choices about how to make the world a better place through the study of Torah, doing mitzvot, and performing acts of loving kindness.   In our Sunday morning class we talked about what it means to be created in GOD'S IMAGE.  We talked about having GOD like qualities and how we are expected to use these qualities to help others.  We talked about what an image was, and shared ideas about how we see ourselves, and what others see in us.  We learned each of us has the ability to do right and wrong, and being GOD like encourages to make good choices.  

We had quite an interesting discussion on Tuesday afternoon, when we started talking about Abraham and Sarah welcoming guests, and finding out Sarah would give birth to a child when she was ninety years old.  We talked about Abraham recovering from his circumcision, and then we digressed quite rapidly.  We no longer wanted to talk about making others welcome in our classroom, but instead had a mini lesson on  "Everything you Want to Know About Circumcision."

I guess I was a bit blind-sided when I used the word "bris," and of course with a room full or boys and one girl, we had a very quick introduction to following in the footsteps of Abraham.  In a very brief discussion, we talked about cutting of the foreskin from the end of a "boy's private parts," which of course sent our class into mild hysterics.  Once the giggles subsided, we talked about the procedure, and how all Jewish males undergo circumcision to fulfill the promise of Brit Milah. We learned GOD chose Abraham to be the father of all future generations, and together they made the promise of circumcision.  Our more complete lesson will follow in the spring when we dive into the text study of the covenant between Abraham and all future male generations.  Until then, I hope you have a meaningful discussion with your children and perhaps share some insights with us on the blog.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, November 7, 2015 at our Fall Fix-Up.    

A VERY JEWISH HALLOWEEN

As whole, the Jewish community does not celebrate Halloween, but we do dress up for Purim! So, save those costumes and think about adding a Jewish twist or a tzedakah piece to your Trick or Treat Traditions.   While it is important to support our neighbors in their celebrations, and equally important to not separate ourselves from the community, there are many ways of participating in a custom without observing it the way others do. Some suggest Jewish children share in the celebration by greeting their neighbors and giving out candy. It is certainly possible for our children to get excited about giving to others, and then the underlying theme for them is that Halloween is about giving.

A noted Rabbi and educator, Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht, once noticed the similarity between Purim and Halloween. In both cases, children get dressed up and go door to door receiving gifts of food. The distinction between the two is that on Halloween, the children only receive, whereas on Purim, the emphasis is that the children learn to give. The fact that they might receive in return is of secondary importance.

To reinforce the value of giving, and to encourage the act of helping others, we will be collecting all extra wrapped candy you have.  Please talk to your children about giving to others, and help them turn an everyday moment into a Jewish experience.  

STORAH TELLING OR TELLING STORIES

The Jewish people have been telling stories, listening to stories, and sharing stories for centuries, and this week, I asked our students, why do we tell so many stories.  As a group we decided it was important to tell stories to teach a lesson, share a history and to let others know about something important that happened in the past.  We all like to hear stories, and to tell them as well, and sometimes we believe the stories we hear, and other times we don't.  Such is the case with the Torah.  

This week we learned about the two creation stories told in the Torah.   There is the story of GOD creating man and woman, placing them in the Garden of Eden, and telling them to rule over everything.  Then, there is the story of GOD taking dust from the earth, molding man from the dust, and making Adam a partner to help him take care of all that GOD created.  

Students were given the opportunity to teach the class about the passages they read, and we had quite an interesting discussion when students realized they had read two different versions of the same story.  Our discussion sent us in many directions, and it was quite interesting to hear our students trying to make sense of both versions.  Our take away moment was when it was decided that both stories are true...we are both partners and rulers, and it is up to us to behave in the image of GOD, doing what is right and just at all time.  

Please ask you students to share what story they think is most pleasing to them, and for an interesting table discussion, ask them why GOD put both stories in the Torah.  

Remember or Watch - How Do You Celebrate Shabbat?

As Jews, we are expected to follow the laws of the Torah in order to build a relationship with GOD,   and our fellow man.  Furthermore, the laws in the Torah are meant to be interpreted in order to meet the needs of all those following these laws.   Such is the case with the commandments to observe Shabbat.  The Torah encourages us to explore the many options available in how we chose to celebrate Shabbat, and specifically encourages each one of us to find a special way to observe Shabbat in our own unique way.  

The Ten Commandments are found in two different Torah portions, and each reading of these commandments tells us to observe Shabbat in two different ways.  In one,  we are reminded to observe Shabbat, and in the other, we are told to watch Shabbat.  After a brief discussion, students shared their ideas about how to celebrate Shabbat by both remembering and watching the Shabbat.   We talked about what we can do to honor Shabbat as a family, and the importance of creating memories for our families,  unique and sacred to each one of us.  

To help us beautify these wonderful commandments, our students created beautiful Shabbat candlesticks to both remember Shabbat and watch over this most important commandment.  We look forward to seeing the rewards of our hard work in the coming weeks, and encourage you to treasure these most beautiful works of art.  

Wishing you an awesome week, and an amazing Shabbat, see you on Sunday!  

 

Jewish Every Day

One of the many goals in Kitah Dalet is to teach our students to live a Jewish life in a non-Jewish world.  We often talk about what separates us as Jews from the community, and what makes us active members of society.  We talked about passing on the lessons of our ancestors through actions, and began to explore just what is expected of us as young members of our Jewish community.  We began learning together in our Sunday morning minyan, and students were asked to be mindful of the things they said to others, as part of our Torah Talk discussion.

Our Tuesday afternoon class finally met and we introduced our Middot and Mitzvot Program.  We had a meaningful discussion about Jewish values, and decided that values are behaviors that are important to a group of people with common interests.  Expanding on this definition, students brainstormed values important to us as a community in general, and more specifically to us as a Jewish community.  Students learned the importance of upholding the values of a group, and recognized that when group members fail to uphold the values of a community, the community slowly disappears.  Fortunately for us, our ancestors have been quite clear regarding the importance of maintaining consistent Jewish values throughout time.  We talked about family values and passing on values to future generations.  Finally, we looked at the Chumash and discovered the Torah is the foundation for living a Jewish life, passed on to us for generations. 

Next week we begin an introduction to observing Shabbat, and look forward to making beautiful mosaic Shabbat candlesticks with Artist in Residence, Gail Kaplan.  Please plan on attending this wonderful family program with you child.

TABLE TALK:  Please ask your student to share their ideas about tzedakah, and have them explain the true meaning of why tzedakah is a Jewish value.  

Torah is the Heart of the Jewish People

Our Sunday morning class has started to explore the lifelong lessons our Torah teaches us.  Students compared the handwritten text found in the Torah to the printed words in the Chumash, better known as the Five Books of Moses, or the big red book found in the seat backs in the sanctuary.  We unrolled the Torah and learned the last word in the Torah is Israel, and the first word in the Torah is Bereshit.  If we take the last letter, or lamed, and the first letter, vet, and put them together, we can make the word Lev, or heart.

We talked about the phrase "Torah is the Heart of the Jewish People," and we had a lively discussion about what happens when Jews no longer live by the words of the Torah.  We talked about the heart being the life line for people, and the Torah the life line for Jews around the world.  

Please ask your students to share their ideas of Torah with you, they have much to say, and Torah is always better when shared with others.  Finally, please feel free to post a message or a comment on the blog, and encourage your children to read the blog with you.  It provides a great learning opportunity and reinforces the thoughts and ideas we talk about in class.