March 27, 2014

Mazel tov to all the students on a job well done leading Jr. Congregation on Shabbat morning! Each student challenged themselves by taking on extra responsibilities, and they did a great job handling those responsibilities. That included designing, and leading, the activity on preparing for Passover! We are looking forward to learning more about Passover and celebrating with a Chocolate Seder next Monday, April 7.
The students continued learning how to use the iPads on Thursday. The explored the app "Quizlet" and practiced the words from Vocabulary List 7. Quizlet can be used on any internet-enabled device! The username is CongKIRS and the password is israel1948. Please note that the students have vocabulary homework due tomorrow, 3/31, and a quiz on Thursday, 4/3. Quizlet is a great way to learn and study these vocabulary words.

March 24, 2014

After a great weekend leading the Shabbat Morning Torah Service in the Main Sanctuary, we are already looking ahead in Kitah Dalet-Hei. The students signed up to lead prayers for this Shabbat in Junior Congregation. We also started discussing how to prepare ourselves for Passover, by watching selections from the Prince of Egypt and noticing what Moses thought, felt, and did to get ready for the Exodus.
To start a conversation with your child about KIRS: Ask what they think, feel, and do to get ready for Passover.

March 20, 2014 and Shabbat morning service on March 22, 2014

Thank you so much to the Kitah Dalet-Hei students and families for such a successful leading of the Torah Service this Shabbat morning! I heard many people saying how impressed they were with the students' confidence and capabilities, and I hope you heard the same. They have worked hard the whole year and especially the past week to prepare for such an honor. I look forward to seeing them lead again this upcoming Shabbat morning on 3/29 in Junior Congregation. If you have any feedback about last week or thoughts or questions about the coming week, please let me know.

March 17, 2014

It was back to business in Kitah Dalet-Hei today after the Purim festivities of the weekend. We continued to study the story of Samuel and learned that he was a prophet. We predicted what would happen to the Israelites once they found a king.
We also began to prepare for leading the Torah service in the Main Sanctuary this Shabbat morning, March 22. The students chose prayers they feel confident leading and practiced with great diligence during class. I am sure they will do a wonderful job this Saturday. For more details about this Shabbat, please see my email. If you did not receive it, please let me know.
To start a conversation with your child about KIRS: Ask them if they think a king (or queen) would be good or bad for a group of people, and why.

March 13, 2014

On Thursday, the students shared a staged reading of the story of Esther. They did a great job collaborating in the creation of the skits, and then performing them as shpiels. Check out the pictures below!

Chag Purim Sameach!

March 10, 2014

We spent a busy day in Kitah Dalet-Hei getting ready for our Purim celebration this Thursday! The students read the story of Esther and then started planning their "shpiels," which they will share on Thursday. Please feel free to send your child with a Megillat Esther-themed piece of costume or prop to help enliven their performances.

To start a conversation with your child about KIRS: Watch this video and share what you think.

Video 3

Video 2

Kitah Dalet-Hei presents the book of Judges!

I am excited to share three of the students' fabulous final projects on the book of Judges. Enjoy!

March 6, 2014

The students have nearly finished the first drafts of their spoken word poems about being Jewish. They sound great! If your child wasn't able to finish his in class, please have him do so over the weekend. If  she did finish--ask her to share!
The students also revisited the story "The Birth of Samuel." We had some great discussions about the "special birth" narratives in the Hebrew Bible, and what they have in common with fairy tales like Rapunzel. We also shared our opinions on Hannah's promise to give her son to the Mishkan. To start a conversation with your child about KIRS: Ask his or her opinion about Hannah's decision.
Please be reminded that the students have a vocabulary quiz on list 6 on Monday.
I would also like to wish Mazel tov to Ellie Jones, our Mensch of the Month for Adar Aleph! Ellie earned this honor by always thinking very deeply about the topics we study and making thoughtful and productive comments in class discussions.

March 3, 2014

The students have begun preparing for a spoken word performance in which they will write and perform their own poems about being Jewish. They began drafting their poems modeled after Kid President's "20 Things" performance. I'm excited to see what they will create! They also began studying the book of Samuel. On Monday, we read about the birth of Samuel and made predictions about what his life might be like.
Please note that the students have vocabulary homework due Thursday 3/6 and a quiz on Monday 3/10. 
To start a conversation with your child about KIRS: Ask them to share their poem with you!

Feb. 27, 2014

On Thursday, we began our study of the book of Samuel by thinking about prophets. The students categorized features of modern and biblical prophets, and then imagined what those prophets would look and sound like. They also began work on their spoken word projects by brainstorming their favorite things about being Jewish, about which they'll later write and perform poems!
To start a conversation with your child about KIRS: Ask them what they think they will write their poem about.