Newsletter

Week of Sunday, January 14th, 2024

Dear Parents,

This past Sunday our Shul School focused on social justice and advocacy in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. The Ilanot class learned about the Israelites as slaves in Egypt and Moses's role in helping to secure their freedom. They then compared it to Dr. King and his role in helping to secure equal rights and civil liberties for the African American population in the United States. The Parparim class learned about the Jewish leaders who worked with Dr. King in his work, specifically Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The Devorim and Nesharim classes spent this past Sunday focused on the advocacy part of social justice. Read the specifics of what each class did below!

Please note: This Sunday January 21st, Shul School will take place at Longue Vue Gardens in honor of Tu B'Shevat. Be sure to register so we know how many people will be in attendance.

B'Shalom,

Chaviva Sands

Gan is returning on February 18th!

Registration for Gan Spring Semester will be available next week!

Classes

Gan

2s & 3s Class

Ilanot

PreK & Kindergarten

Parparim

1st & 2nd Grade

Devorim

3rd & 4th Grade

Nesharim

5th & 6th Grade

Ilanot Update

Teacher: Penina Berman

In honor of MLK day, the Ilanot class learned about how the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. The class compared the plight of the Israelites in Egypt to the enslavement of African Americans in North America. They spoke about the similarities between the story of the Israelites in Egypt and the history of black people rising up against the injustice they were experiencing to acquire the same rights and freedoms guaranteed to others. Lucky for the Ilanot class, Mila's friend Dybie came to visit and helped them learn about all this important information.

Parparim Update

Teacher: Scott Hart

This week the Parparim class continued their study of the synagogue. They learned about the mezuzah and visited all the mezuzot around the building. They then looked at what the parchment inside the mezuzah said. They were surprised to learn it was something they already knew - the Shema!

In honor of MLK Day, they watched an age-appropriate video about Dr. King and one about the Jewish people who worked with him. Zachary and Reeva were excited to learn that Jewish people fought on the front lines with Dr. King for justice and civil rights.

Devorim and Nesharim Update

Teacher: Ali Perez

Today the Devorim and Nesharim classes learned about Lifnei luer: the importance of ensuring Jewish spaces are accessible to all people. After experiencing a short prayer service from the perspective of those with different disabilities, the students mentioned they felt left out and like they couldn't participate as much. With this in mind, they went on an accessibility scavenger hunt around Shir Chadash - looking for ways the shul can be even more inclusive. Their ideas will be compiled into a letter they will send to Rabbi Hoffman so they can be advocates for disability and accessibility in their community.