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.  

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.