TORAH IS THE TREE OF LIFE

This week we celebrated the birthday of the trees, Tu B'Shevat.  Although not a Torah based holiday, there is plenty to learn from the Torah about how we take care of the trees, nature, and all of GOD's creations.  On Sunday we learned about the seven species of fruits specifically mentioned in the Torah, and how in ancient times our Rabbi's taught us to celebrate life through nature.   We talked 

about the cycle of life, and how in each season we are responsible for caring for the earth in different ways.  We compared the different types of fruits to the types of Torah scholars, and some of us had fun tasting a variety of the fruits found on trees that grow in Israel.  

On Tuesday, we talked about why the Torah commands us to care for all living things, and specifically mentions the importance of caring for trees, water, and the land.  We talked about the Torah being the Tree of Life, and our students created  posters explaining just why this phrase is so important to us.  We compared people to trees, and decided people can't live without trees, and Jews can't live without the Torah.  We then learned of the commandment to plant trees for the next generation, and some suggested that because we can't change the present, we can change the future. We had a lively discussion, and I definitely believe the world is in good hands with the Torah scholars in Kitah Dalet. 

WHAT'S JEWISH ABOUT MLK?

While many students across the country enjoyed a three day weekend shopping, skiing, and sleeping late, many of the students in Kitah Dalet joined together with our Shaarey Zedek families for a morning of sharing and caring at our Community Action Day. Thank you to everyone who participated, the experience was quite extraordinary.

To further bring home the lessons we learned at our experiential hands-on community service activities, we talked about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in class on Tuesday. We learned about Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a Jewish peace activist who joined together with Dr. King marching for freedom for all. We compared the ideas of racism and anti-antisemitism, and talked about the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, our responsibility to care for the world. We talked about community and how Jewish law demands we seek justice for all, quite similar to the words in the Pledge of Allegiance many students recite each morning before beginning their day at school.

In just forty minutes we shared stories about standing up and doing the right thing, and the basic Jewish value that we are all created Betzelem Elokim, in GOD's image. We talked about Jewish law demanding that we care for others through acts of kindness and the importance of helping those in need. We talked about our responsibility to make the world better by building a relationship to GOD through doing kind things for one's self and for others. What perfect lessons for all of us to remember when thinking about making the world a better place.

Next week we celebrate the birthday of the trees, and explore the biblical texts associated with the holiday of Tu B'Shevat.  If you would like to celebrate at home, ask you children to tell you the seven species we eat on Tu B'Shevat, specifically mentioned in the Torah.  

PRIDE OF THE PACK

Many of our students braved the cold and snow this afternoon, and for those who attended, it was well worth the trip. We warmed up with a few bars of Adon Olam and our students practiced singing loud and proud.  The best way to practice Hebrew reading is to attend Shabbat services, so if you are available, try to stop in and join us on Saturday morning.

Our Torah Topic discussion continued with a small review of Noah.  We talked about what it is like to work hard creating or building something, only to have it  ruined by someone else.  Such was the case with GOD.  We talked about GOD creating the world and everything in it, and how the people of the time were rude and disrespectful.  So much so, GOD found it necessary to destroy the world. Our discussion led us to the idea of pride, and what it means to take pride in the work we do.  

Our students did a great job creating an acrostic for the word pride, and this will serve as our working definition for our future lessons.  Please ask your students to share some of their ideas of what it means to have pride in our work, and how taking pride in the things we do makes us better people, and helps us build relationships with GOD and those around us.     

P = Perseverance

R = Responsibility
I  = Integrity
D = Discipline
E= Empathy

Please plan on joining us Sunday, January 17, 2016, as we help make the world a little bit better by working together at our Day of Service Learning in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

TOO MUCH STUFF

We had a lively discussion this week, and it was nice to see so many of our friends in class. Of course we talked about our Winter Break, and we shared some of the Jewish things we did while on vacation.  In was interesting to hear our friends talk about ordinary experiences that definitely had a Jewish spin.  We talked about the importance of taking everyday moments and making them Jewish experiences, and our students thought long and hard when I suggested that almost everything they do can have a Jewish spin.  

After getting their whistles wet with a general discussion, we again talked about stuff.  We talked about how much stuff is too much stuff, and stretched the conversation to talk about being mindful of the things we have.  We talked about taking things for granted, and appreciating the many gifts we are afforded.  To leave the door open for a discussion at home, we talked about needs and wants, and recognizing the differences.  Our discussion continues next week we dive head fist into the Torah and begin our text study of Noah in earnest.