Dvar Torah
Parshas Tazria/Parshas HaChodesh
Candlelighting: 7:03
This week is the last of 4 weeks during this time of year when an extra Torah is removed from the ark and an additional portion is read.
In addition, this week, a 3rd Torah will be taken out as it is Rosh Chodesh Nissan as well! (My kids are looking forward to 3 desserts in honor of the occasion!)
The extra portion we read this week is the portion which tells us about the Mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. Think about the scene for a moment. The Jews had just suffered through years of slavery in Egypt. They experienced a year of miracles where Hashem punished their tormentors and clearly demonstrated to the entire world His existence and power. The Jews were told that they would be redeemed very shortly. They are all looking forward to leaving Egypt and following Hashem, through the direction of his prophet Moshe, into the desert. They are ready and eager to follow Hashem’s commandments.
As they listen eagerly, they are given the first commandment, the commandment to sanctify the first day of each month. What is so special about this commandment that it was the first one given to the entire Jewish people for all time? What is it teaching us?
This commandment conveys a crucial lesson for life. Every month is a new month, a new chance, a new opportunity. Each month we have a new moon. We start fresh. We experience renewal. The first month is the month of Nissan, even though the new year is in Tishrei. This reinforced the message of a fresh start, of renewal as it is springtime. The earth is coming to life again.
Before the Jews can leave Egypt on their journey to become the Jewish nation, it was necessary for them to learn this lesson. We need to constantly renew our observance of Judaism. We need to make sure we do not fall into the trap of observing Judaism out of habit but constantly keep it fresh, new and exciting!
Have a Gut Shabbos and A Gutten Chodesh
Mrs. Rosskamm
Special Announcement
Mazal Tov to Tyler Nieves, Asher Hecht, and Mark Michelson and their families upon them becoming Bar Mitzvas. Only continued Nachat!
A great big SIHA congratulations to our students of the month!
Kindergarten – Ava Schwartzman
First Grade – Aaron Elkaiev
Second Grade – Zachary Kipnis
Third Grade – Mira Elkaiev
Fourth Grade – Sarina Ilishayev
5A – Zachary Garber
5B – Ella Dery
Middle School Generalist – Jeffrey Shutman
Judaic Studies – Madison Graham
Judaics
Kindergarten and First Grade
We baruch Hashem had another great week in Kindergarten and first grade Judaics!
We are full swing in Pesach mode and are busy making a stunning haggada to use by our Pesach Seder! We learned about cleaning our rooms from chametz and doing “bedikat chametz” (checking the entire house for chametz) before Pesach. We also saw how matza is made very quickly by hand and began learning the first parts of the haggada! Our haggadas are really looking beautiful. We can’t wait to use them on Pesach!
In kriah, the first grade finished learning how to read all the nekudot! We are now working on adding nekudot to letters to form words. They are really quick learners! The kindergarteners learned how the letter “tzadik” looks like a tzadik (pious man) bent over to learn Torah! They also learned about the mitzvot of “Tzitzit” for boys, and “tzniut” (modesty) for girls. The boys now wear tzitzit the entire time!
In kesiva, the first graders learned the letters gimel and zayin with their friend “Zug the bug”!
Looking forward to another fantastic week!
Morah Chavi
Second Grade
We had a wonderful week as we continue learning all about the upcoming holiday of Pesach. We are working very hard on our Haggdahs and can’t wait to use them at the Passover Seder. We are learning the rules of the Shva noh and Shva noch vowels in the Hebrew Alphabet. We spend time doing worksheets on a regular basis reading words and searching for specific vowels within the word. When Morah says a word the students are able to tell Morah which nikudot (vowel) makes the sound Morah said. In this weeks Parsha we learned about the terrible sin of “Loshon Hora” speaking badly of other people. We know we have to think before we speak. Morah told us a story about red and green traffic lights and we role played examples of green words which make people feel good and red words which can hurt peoples feelings and G-d forbid make people feel sad. We are all working on saying green words to each other while we interact with each other. We also heard a story about Eli who woke up one morning with a terrible backache and was sad he couldn’t go to school. When he started to feel a little better he said the morning blessings with a lot of feeling. He especially concentrated when he said the Brocha of “Matir Asuriim” which is the blessing we say every day thanking Hashem that we have control of our limbs and we can move our arms and legs. Shabbat Shalom
Third Grade
The third grade is surely working hard on their Haggadahs. We are reviewing the customs that we do before Pesach, We are reviewing all the Mitzvot we do at the Seder. They can say it all.
We hope they will come to the Seder knowing so much and able to tell it over.
Special mention to Amit Amos for a beautiful Tefillah this week.
Shabbat Shalom to all.
Morah Ferber
Fourth Grade
Dear Parents,
What a wonderful and accomplishing week we had.
In Tefilla class we had such a nice Davening each day. Many Students wanted to be our” Chazzan”. Many Students wanted to give out the points. It was a truly amazing to hear the beautiful Davening.
In Ms. Shani’s class the students worked on Singular and Plural words in Hebrew. The students also worked on knowing if a word is Zachar or Nikeiva.
In Chumash we learnt about the fight between the four Kings against the five Kings. We had children in the class that made as if they were the four kings and five kings. We also concentrated once again on the Shoresh of a word.
We had a very interesting Rosh Chodesh assembly. We are excited for the new month of Nissan.
We started reviewing our beautiful Haggadah. We played in class the “Kadash Orchatz” tune. We are surely getting into the spirit of Pesach.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Berelowitz
5th and 6th Girls
Dear parents.
Thank G-d, we had a wonderful week!
We continued on in Chumash Perek Bet, learning about the birth of Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) and his childhood in Egypt.
The girls did really well on the Birkat Kibbutz Galuyot Shemoneh Esrei quiz.
We began learning all about the beautiful holiday of Pesach (Passover.) Every student received their own Haggadah, which they will use at the Pesach Seder!
We began learning all about the Haggadah. Each day at school, the girls cover their desks with a garbage bag to make sure no Chametz crumbs get onto it.
We enjoyed an exciting hide&find-the-ten-pieces-of-bread game.
This Shabbat, Parshat Tazria, is super-special because it is also Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Any girl who Davens Hallel for Rosh Chodesh or who says Retzei or Yaaleh Veyavo during Birkat Hamazon (after blessing from a meal with bread) will receive a special prize!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Shabbat Shalom U’mevorach and Happy Rosh Chodesh!
Best Regards,
Mrs. Perlstein (Miss Dershowitz)
5th and 6th Boys
5th and 6th grade boys, this week focused on Hagada shel Pesach .
Boys broke up into groups to work on filling in our beautiful Hagada with the proper information. Of course, when necessary, Rebbe Kuritsky helped boys with the correct info to fill in.
We added the prayer of T’ka B’shofar this week to our Sh’mone Esre, prayer. We explained that it is asking for the announcement of the final G’ula-redemption.
We recently added that last “Haleluka”, which has the words all souls should praise Hashem . The Hebrew word for “soul” is N’shama The Hebrew word for breath is N’sheema. The Gmara explains that when reciting the above verse “Kol Haneshama T’halel Ka Haleluka” also, could mean that for every Nsheema, every breath, we should “Thalel Ka”, praise Hashem!
In Mishna, we moved on to learn about the law of using a larger plank of wood. We discussed that there is a Machloket between Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Meir about a plank of wood that is between 3 and 4 Tfachim-handbreadths . All agree that less than 3 is Kosher and more than 4 is Pasul.
We were privileged to view some short videos depicting the Jews as slaves in Egypt and Moshe hearing from G-d that he should go to Paro and help the Jews get redeemed from Egypt.
7th and 8th Girls
7th and 8th grade girls this week focused on Hagada shel Pesach .
Girls broke up into groups to work on filling in our beautiful Hagada with the proper information. We are hoping that each group will be able to teach the Hagada to those who need explanation.
We added the prayer of T’ka B’shofar this week to our Sh’mone Esre, prayer. We explained that it is asking for the announcement of the final G’ula-redemption.
We completed Perek Yud-10 in Sefer Yehoshua- The book of Joshua.
We also discussed the importance of the 4th Bracha of Sh’mone Esre-Ata Chonen You are the One who gives knowledge . We accentuated the great gift from Hashem of being of sound mind.
7th and 8th Boys
This week we accomplished very much.
In Biur Tefilla we learnt about the Tefilla of Yigdal. We went through a story about someone who needed 750 dollars. Someone else had that exact amount. He was very happy.
In Gemara class we learnt about that Dovid was building the Bait Hamikdash. As he was digging, the Tehom – depths rose and wanted to drown the world. He said to the people, is there anyone that knows if we are allowed to write the name of Hashem on a piece of pottery and throw it to the Tehom.
We learn from this story how important it is to have peace in the world, in your home, in the class, and everywhere else.
We learnt many Halachos about Pesach. It was much fun.
Topics from the Parsha:
The story of the peddler who was selling ‘medicine’ that would help you live a long life.
There are 4 shades of white that can be צָרַעַת on someone’s skin. Any other shade or different color isn’t צרעת . It also needs 2 white hairs or a piece of healthy skin on top of the צרעת . A כֹּהֵן needs to look at it and decide if it isצרעת or not.
If someone shows his skin to a כהן , and it has these signs, then the כּהן tells him that he has צרעת . He needs to leave all 3 camps (or outside the walls of יְרוּשָׁלַיִם in the times of the בֵּית הַמִקְדָשׁ ) and sit by himself. Anyone or anything that he touches becomes טָמֵא. He also needs to tear his clothing and to think about the עַבֵירוֹת that he did, and do תְּשׁוּבָה. If he doesתשׁובה the צרעת goes away, and after being checked by a כּהן he can go back home.
צרעת can also come on white clothing. It can be either a green spot or a red spot. The person doesn’t become טמא , but his clothing does. This is a smaller punishment than having צרעת on his body.
צרעת can also come on a house. If someone sees a green or red spot on his wall, he needs to call a כהן to come and check it. The כהן first tells him to clean out his whole house and take everything out, because if it’s צרעת then everything inside is טמא . If it looks like צרעת , the house needs to be locked up for 7 days. If it becomes larger, then they take out the stones that have צרעת on them and put in new ones and lock the house again. If the צרעת comes again, then the house needs to be destroyed.
Mazal Tov to Mark on his Bar Mitzvah. We wish you a along Happy life with much Beracha.
Have a great Shabbos,
Rabbi Berelowitz
Elementary School
Kindergarten
This week kindergarten learned how to read and spell DR words. They practiced putting pictures of stories in order and writing to explain how to do something. They wrote all about how to make a donut and how to play soccer. They read a story about a bunny wanting to eat so he went fishing but he kept catching funny objects instead of fish. In math they reviewed 2D and 3D shapes for their math test. They played many different games with shapes to practice identifying each shape. In science they made a mini book showing the 5 things living things need in order to survive. They also learned about how animals can survive in different environments by hibernating, camouflaging, or migrating. In social studies they learned about the community helpers that help keep people and animals healthy.
First Grade
The fabulous first graders learned alot this week. We examined cause and effect in fiction while reading the story “Click, Clack, Moo.” Students completed the Science unit about light, heat, and sound energy. They were surprised to learn that we can actually feel sound moving! In Math, we began simple multiplication facts. Students quickly mastered the concept of adding multiple groups. Finally, in Social Studies two students were acknowledged for their contributions to the Social Studies Fair-Aviel Raytburg and Aaron Elkaiev. Their explorer reports and presentation were quite stellar. We congratulate them.
Second Grade
This week 2nd grade is working on a summary of Charlotte’s Web. We wrote first drafts, revised them, and are working on our final drafts. In math, we finished our unit mastering the 4,5, and 10 multiplication tables. In the picture, you can see Aaron Kadymir working on an equation using symbols to represent numbers! An early introduction to algebra! In social studies, we continued our unit on “people at work,” learning about producers and consumers.
Third Grade
This week Grade three students continued to practice topics for their E.L.A. and Math portions of the S.A.T.s. Along with reviewing various math and grammar topics, students practiced writing short responses to science articles in their Ready books. During their math lessons students practiced solving word problems that involve multiplication and division of money, as well as units of measure such as miles and feet. Students created diagrams and bar graphs to organize information before applying the appropriate operations. Students also began to explore units of measure for weight and mass. Gal and Abe were awarded medals and certificates of achievement for their wonderful and thorough reports, presentations, and participation in our Social Studies fair play. They both put in a great amount of time and effort!
Miss Sasha
Fourth Grade
This week our class completed ELA state test. We are continuing to prepare for the math state test. In math we started geometry unit . Identifying angles and measuring angles.
In Social Studies we read, discussed and answered questions about resources and economy of the West.
Current class chapter book is Number the Stars by Lois Lowry which the kids are really enjoying to read.
Fifth Grade
Greetings and salutations!
This week in ELA has been quite busy. The students learned about the subject-verb agreement in grammar. They continued their vocabulary study and their root word study.
They also worked on their writing skills in their workbooks!
Above all, I am happy to say that both classes are excited and enjoying their new novels! I cannot wait for us to keep reading!
This week’s shoutout goes to our 1st and 2nd place winners in 5th grade- Brandon and Zach! Congratulations you two!
In Math, 5th grade finished their unit on conversions and started learning about volume.
Middle School
Middle School ELA and Social Studies
6th SS and ELA
This week we dove into Athens and Sparta and what made these two ancient societies so different. We also began a small essay about Ancient Greece that reflects what we learned about these two societies.
This week’s shoutout goes to Victoria and Ruti for their wonderful discussions in class. An additional shoutout goes to Charles for placing 3rd in the Middle School Social Studies Fair! Good job Charles – the competition this year was fierce but you did it!
In ELA, 6th grade started a new novel unit: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer. We had an amazing discussion on the historic background of the novel we are reading. We also learned about text structure, specifically in reference to nonfiction texts.
7th ELA and SS
Wow! This week was a doozy. We finally made it through the dreaded State Tests! Well, at least the ELA portion. I am incredibly proud of our 7th graders for doing their best!
We also had a very nice end of novel discussion and we began our essay over the themes in Night.
Lastly, I want to extend a very big Mazel Tov to Mark for his bar mitzvah and a very big congratulations to Naomi for placing 1st in the Middle School Social Studies Fair!
In Social Studies, 7th grade continued our unit on the Constitution. We have a quiz on Tuesday!
8th grade ELA and SS
Eighth graders had a busy week! In ELA, we learned about connotative and denotative meanings of words and how word choice can affect the mood of a written texts. We looked at some poetry examples, and wrote beautiful paragraphs. In reading, we are wrapping up our novel study of Fahrenheit 451 and looking forward to our next novel.
In social studies, we wrapped up our unit on the Cold War. Next week, our students will be taking a look back and completing a project on the Holocaust.
Middle School Math
6th grade is finishing their unit on algebra.
7th grade is reviewing for the state test. Honors is learning about functions, input, and output.
8th grade is learning the Pythagorean Theorem. Honors is learning how to sketch quadratic equations and reviewing how to solve quadratic equations using different methods.
Middle School Science
6th grade
Students differentiate among weather, season, and climate; explain the need for forecasting weather in advance; explain with specific examples the various factors affecting the climate of a place or region; explain how some of these factors work together to determine regional climates
7th Grade Science
Students are investigating how our body systems work together to maintain homeostasis. They are currently taking a journey through the digestive system and discovering how nutrition and circulation play an important role in supplying our body with the nutrients it provides and how it actually gets through our bodies.
8th Grade Science
Students are preparing for the Living Environment Regent by taking practice exams and working through various aspects of this regent. In addition, students are investigating how energy flows through ecosystems, how biotic and abiotic factors affect those ecosystems and the importance of interdependence within each system.
Jewish History
7th grade watched a fascinating visual simulation of what took place during the 10 plagues, how the plagues clearly show Hashem’s power and control and how we know about it today.
We all heard what happened because there were at least 3 million witnesses who gave over the same story Seder’s each year.
8th grade learned about the writing of the Mishna, the end of the Generation of the Tanaim, and the beginning of the times of the Amoraim.
We also explored how our deeds today are worth much more because of the effort involved to act correctly in our times.
Finally, we spent some time discussing how different Jewish communities developed with different customs. Even though other communities may act differently than us, we are all Jews, united together under Hashem and His Torah.