SIHA Newsletter – Pesach 2022 Edition

by admin | Apr 12, 2022 | Newsletter

A Pesach Message

By Rabbi Dr. Richard Ehrlich

With Pesach just around the corner our thoughts naturally turn to the Seder and the Haggadah. We begin the Seder by breaking the matzah, and then we make a statement, and we extend an invitation, “this is the bread of affliction that our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Whoever is hungry, let him come and eat; whoever is in need, let him come and join in celebrating the Pesach festival.”
This proclamation-invitation is problematic for the following reasons:
1. How can we be inviting guests at this point, rather than a week, a day, – or at least an hour before the Seder commences? Understanding how we can extend an invitation at this late juncture becomes even more difficult when we consider that the Seder corresponds to the Paschal lamb eaten in the Temple times. At such times, it was forbidden to invite guests while the Paschal lamb was in progress, because the Seder could only be shared with the pre-arranged participants.So how can this statement be made?

I think the answer to this lies in our understanding of what is Matzah. We know that many different reasons are given in the Talmud for why matzah is called “lechem ohny” (bread of affliction). One reason is because it is the poor man’s bread, since only poor people do not have the luxury or the leisure to allow the dough to rise. Poverty, here, is not limited to one without money, but rather, also encompasses the Jew in exile without our Temple. With this explanation we can now turn to what the Talmud tells us was the cause for the destruction of our Temple and our subsequent exile. The Talmud relates that our present plight was brought about because of “sinas chinum” (baseless hatred of our fellow Jews). The antidote for this sin, which led to our exile, lies in counteracting this flaw. This can be accomplished by acts of kindness; as represented by our “invitation”.

In fact, this is exactly what the prophet Isiah (Chapter 1, Verse 27) says, “Zion will be redeemed through righteousness and its penitents through charity.” When we proclaim this “invitation” on the Seder night we don’t necessarily expect someone to walk in, rather we impress upon ourselves that our redemption can be hastened and realized through acts of kindness and charity. By proclaiming this we emphasize that our bread of affliction, our state of exile, can be rescinded and terminated if we will act with kindness and mercy towards our fellow Jews.

This concept, says Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik (1903-1993), isn’t restricted or relegated to Pesach night alone. The Rambam (Maimonides) in Hilchot Yom Tov (Perek 6, Halacha 18) actually says this concept applies to all Holidays, “and when he eats and drinks, (on Yom-Tov) he is obligated to feed the convert, the orphans, and the widows along with all other needy people. But whoever closes his front door and eats and doesn’t feed the poor and the bitter souls, doesn’t fulfill his obligation of simcha (joy), only the joy of his stomach.” Rabbi Soloveitchik further says that this law actually is derived from a verse in the Torah, (Devarim 16:11) “And you shall rejoice before the L-rd your G-d, you, and your son and your daughter, your male servants, and your female servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the orphans, and the widows that are in your midst…”

Thus viewed, this wasn’t a proclamation-invitation that was extended when the Paschal lamb was actually eaten at the time the Temple was standing. Rather, when disharmony and hatred resulted in the destruction of our Temple and our ensuing exile, then our Rabbis instituted this prelude to our Seder. Hopefully, we will take this message to heart and rectify our misdeeds; do acts of kindness, compassion, and tzedakah and thereby bring about an end to our long exile. Then we will no longer need to uncover the matzah, symbol of our plight, and proclaim, “this is the bread of affliction,” rather, then we will rejoice and say, “this was the bread of affliction that we once ate when we were in exile.” May this time speedily come so that we can all celebrate Pesach next year in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Dr. Richard Ehrlich
Principal, Judaic Studies

Laws, Timings, and helpful links

Friday April 15:

• Latest time for eating Chametz: 10:43 AM
• Chametz must be burned: 11:50
• Candlelighting: 7:17
• Earliest time to light candles Saturday night and prepare for second Seder: 8:20

Second Days:

• Candle Lighting Thursday Night April 21: 7:24
• Candle Lighting Friday Night April 22: 7:25
• Havdalah Saturday Night April 23: 8:28

Helpful link on preparing for Pesach:
https://oukosher.org/passover/articles/preparing-for-passover/

Helpful link on preparing for the Seder and making a Seder:

How to Conduct a Passover Seder

Helpful link to sell your Chametz:

https://www.torasemesonline.org/

SIHA Mock Seder

SIHA students enjoyed setting up a mock Seder with their Judaic teachers. Here is what they learned:

Rabbi Kuritsky

The boys
Set up their desks for the Seder nicely so that they could interact as though we were a family sitting around the table having a real Seder together. Boys contributed by setting the table nicely with kosot special cups for kidush and the 4 cups, napkins etc.
So boys practiced saying kidush, eating matza, eating maror, and dipping potatoes in salt water etc. We practiced leaning to the left while drinking and eating the matza and the carpas.
It was a beautiful, fun, enjoyable and educational experience.
Happy pesach

Rabbi Berelowitz

We started off with closing the lights and looking for Chametz to the light of a flashlight (not fire).
We set up the table for the beautiful Seder.
We sang together the steps of the Seder of “Kadesh Urchatz”.
Kadesh was said with the first Kos of wine.
We then went to wash for the second step of Urchatz.
The Karpas was distributed and dipped into Salt water.
A Student in the class was chosen to break the Matzo for Yachatz
We sang “Ha Lachma Avya, Ma Nishtanah and Avadim Hayinu.
We then sang Baruch Hamakom and a Student had a chance to explain each one of the four sons.
We went on to V’hei Sheomdah and the Makkos.
Of course we sang the famous Dayainu song.
We explained the 3 things we must say on Pesach, Pesach, Matzah, and Maror.
We drank a second Kos.
We went to wash for Rachtza and ate the Matzah, Maror and Koraich. The students really enjoyed the Matza and the Maror. One child said the Maror was very bitter.
We ate the meal with delicious cookies and soda.
Following that we Bentched and cleaned up.
We sang “Leshana Habba’ah Berushalayim.

Morah Ferber

Morah Spiegel

SIHA Newsletter 4/8/2022

by admin | Apr 8, 2022 | Newsletter

Dvar Torah

Parsha Metzorah
Candle lighting: 7:10
Havdalah: 8:11
A good erev Shabbat SIHA Families!
Please allow me to share with you a Dvar Torah that inspired me this week and coincidentally ties to our weekly Parsha by Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman;
Embedded in the complex and esoteric laws of tzara’at (leprosy) is a simple, yet powerful message related to the power of speech. Although the verses themselves do not explicitly state what spawns tzara’at Chazal associate it with seven sins, perhaps most famously with lashon hara, derogatory speech (aka slanderous gossip).
The detrimental effects evil speech has on others is obvious. While we may have difficulty being mindful or controlling what we say, few people would deny the unethicality of hurtful speech. Yet lashon hara is not just problematic for its interpersonal effects. It is also sourced in a deficiency of character. One of the other seven sins responsible for tzara’at is that of arrogance. These two sins may be linked. Speaking ill of others may reflect an arrogant personality.
Dr. James W. Pennebaker is a leading psychologist in the field of language and personality. Using complex computer programs, he analyzes people’s word usage to mine an individual’s thoughts, feelings, motivations, and relationships with other people. Pennebaker demonstrates in several studies that the words we use not only affect others but reflect our selves.
The use of hedges in our sentences is one example of this idea. When asked “what’s the weather like outside?”, we could respond “it’s cold” or we could respond “I think it’s cold.” In his book The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Our Words Say About Us, Pennebaker argues that when we say “I think it’s cold” instead of “it’s cold,” we are implicitly acknowledging that “Although there are different views on this – and you may indeed come to a different conclusion – my own personal belief is that it might be cold outside. I could be wrong, of course, and if you have a different sense of the weather, I won’t be offended” (p. 44). “I think” implies nuance. It leaves room for multiple perspectives and different opinions. In short, it reflects humility.
When describing the laws of tzara’at as it relates to houses, the verse tells us that when a person sees something that looks like tzara’at, he approaches the Kohen and says “Something like a plague has appeared upon my house” (Vayikra 14:35). Even if the person approaching the Kohen is a scholar who knows conclusively that it is a plague, says the Midrash, he should still hedge his statement. He shouldn’t say I saw a plague. Rather, he should say, I saw something like a plague.
Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi (15th century, Constantinople), in his super-commentary on Rashi finds a moral message within the Midrash. The Torah is teaching us proper behavior (derech eretz): we should speak using hesitant language. He connects it to another comment of the Sages, namely, that we should train ourselves to say, “I don’t know” (Berachos 4a). Hedging our statements and admitting when we aren’t sure of something, Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch explains further, reflects a humble character.
In what is becoming an increasingly toxic social and political climate, the suggestion of the Sages rooted in the Biblical text provides us a framework for proper character and effective communication. While there may be a place for indisputable facts and speaking with conviction, if we find that everything we think and say is a definitive truth in our own eyes, it may be time to take a step back and reflect. Is it a plague or something like a plague? Am I so sure of everything or maybe I can admit that I really don’t know? If we can hedge our communication with a hint of humility, we will be well on our way to cultivating our own character and improving our relationships with others.
Chag Kosher V’Sameach,–
Chana Uzhansky Ed.D.
Head Of School

Special Announcement

Judaics

Kindergarten and First Grade

We baruch Hashem had another great week in Kindergarten and first grade Judaics!
We were super busy learning all about Pesach! It’s coming up really fast! We are making a beautiful haggada and are learning how to say the entire ma nishtana! We are doing such a great job! We also learned how the focus of the seder is for the children to ask questions about all our practices on Pesach. I’m so proud of all the wonderful questions about Pesach that the children are asking.
In kriah, the kindergarteners are learning the letter tzaddik soffit, the last of the soffit letters. The first graders are getting much better at reading big words!
The first graders also learned how to write the letter ayin in Akiva Kesiva letters!
Great news: the boys learned how special the mitzvah of tzitzit is and how lucky they are to have this mitzvah. They each got their own pair of tzitzit to wear in school the entire day! They look great!
Have a wonderful Shabbat and a chag kasher v’sameiach!
Morah Chavi

Second Grade

The week flew by as we worked very hard on completing our Haggdahs. We can’t wait to use them at the Pesach Seder and show you how much we know about Pesach. We learned many new songs to be sung at the Seder as well as learning many older traditional songs. On Monday G-d willing we will be making our own model Seder at school. Don’t worry we still practiced our Kriya and learning many of the Shva rules. Have a Chag Kosher V’Somaich. A Healthy and Inspiring Pesach.
Third Grade
This week flew right past us in Third grade. We learned Haggadah and more about Pesach.
They can’t learn enough. We pack it in and really enjoy it.
We practice many songs to sing at the Seder.
We all look forward to next week where we will be having a Mock Seder in our classroom. We will get to practice what to do at the seder with our families.
Have a wonderful weekend and Shabbat Shalom!

Morah Ferber

5th and 6th grade boys
This week, we mastered a new Mishna!
The laws of a house that the lime, like today, tar, was removed and there were only wooden planks. We explored the Mishnah and found that Rabbi Yehuda, a TANA , a Mishnaic scholar, said that there was a Machloket – disagreement between earlier scholars, the House of Shamai and The house of Hillel., in regards to this query.
Beit Shamai holds that both shaking each board and removing one board and replacing with Kosher S’chach is required.
Beit Hillel says only one OR the other are required.
Rabbi Meir, a contemporary of Rabbi Yehuda, states that shaking each board is useless. What is required, is to remove one board and replace it with kosher S’chach.
In Parasha, we learned about the M’tzora,the man who actually contracted Tzara’as.
We learned that there is a process to him becoming pure.
He requires, karbanot, immersion in a mikveh , a ritual bath and other steps in order to attain total purification. It was so nice to hear from Elior Factor about how his family dips their new pots, pans and dishes in a mikveh prior to using them.
We are moving forward with Haggadah, and the boys are eagerly looking forward to gaining more knowledge in this area. We are also eagerly anticipating our mock seder which is to take place on Monday.
Shabbat Shalom
It was so nice to meet with the parents who attended the parent teachers conference,last night.

7th and 8th Girls
This week;
In Parasha, we learned about the M’tzora,the man who actually contracted Tzara’as.
We learned that there is a process to him becoming pure.
He requires, karbanot, immersion in a mikveh , a ritual bath and other steps in order to attain total purification. It was so ice to hear from Elior Factor [in 5th] about how his family dips their new pots, pans and dishes in a mikveh prior to using them.
We learned a lot about the laws of getting ready for Pesach. We learned that we are to search for chometz by the light of a candle [although we discussed that a flashlight is just as kosher and a LOT safer!
We learned that if we are traveling away for Pesach, we must search prior to leaving our home. We learned that we must finish eating chometz by the fourth hour of the day [in Staten Island by 10:15 a.m.] (some say as late as 10:43) We must get rid of; burn,or sell to a non Jew by 11:36 a.m. (some say as late as 11:50 a.m.). We learned a LOT more. Ask your children to fill you in…
We are moving forward with Haggadah, and the girls are eagerly looking forward to gaining more knowledge in this area. We are also eagerly anticipating our mock seder which is to take place on Monday.

Elementary School

Kindergarten

This week kindergarten learned how to read and spell TCH words. They read a nonfiction book about how animal parents help their babies. They continued learning about how to write using time order words to describe how to do an activity. In math they played different games to learn how to read, write, and identify ordinal numbers. They continued to solve word problems and how to add within 20 using mental math. In science they continued learning all about how animals can hibernate, migrate, or camouflage to help them survive in their habitat. In social studies they continued to learn about community helpers. They learned facts about the community helpers that help us get from one place to another and facts about the community helpers that keep us safe.

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 started learning about money! We learned about the dollar and cent symbols, and how to add dollars and cents. We also began working on our compare and contrast essays, by creating a Venn diagram to use as a brainstorming tool. In social studies, we had a very interesting discussion about banks, interest, and investments! —

In science, students learned that matter goes through different changes and forms a new substance called a chemical change. 2nd graders enjoyed cutting and selecting different fruits and vegetables in a mixture.

Mr. A. Ferrera B.S.Ed
Generalist Teacher, 2nd grade
SIHA

Third Grade

Third grade welcomes Ms. La Rocco, our new teacher, this week!
In science, students investigated and learned about volcanoes during a mini-lab. Students explored what’s inside volcanoes, what makes a volcano active or dormant, and the properties of rocks that are produced by volcanoes.

Fourth Grade
This week in math we worked on Geometry unit . Identified parallel and perpendicular lines. Measured angles and identified angles.
This week we also continued to practice for the math state test.
We are continuing to read our chapter book Number the Stars.
I’m Social Studies we read, discussed and answered questions about the people of the West.

In science students were able to define a natural resource; identify the main natural resources present in the Earth.

Fifth Grade

Greetings and salutations!
This week we continued our vocabulary and root word study. In grammar we learned about helping verbs and main verbs.
We practiced our writing in our Ready workbooks!
Lastly, we continued our novel study. I am glad to see that the 5th graders are enjoying their novels!

Congratulations on everyone for completing the Noetic Math Contest!

5th grade honors has been learning how to calculate the volume of rectangular prisms and applying the knowledge to challenging word problems.

The other 5th grade class has been reviewing essential skills with fractions, decimals, and geometry.

In science, students compared and classified matter according to its physical state. Learning about “Mixtures and Solutions” was the funniest part of the lesson. 5th graders were able to identify mixtures and solutions through different experiments. Using different methods of separation students were able to separate each substance that made up the mixture.

Middle School

Middle School ELA and Social Studies

6th SS and ELA
Greetings and salutations!
This week we learned about the many shenanigans of the Persian Wars. We particularly learned about the battles of Marathon and Salamis where Athenian cunning helped the Greeks defeat the Persians. We also learned about the valor of the Spartans at Thermopylae. Lastly, we learned about the decline of Persia after the Persian Wars. Onwards to the aftermath of the wars on the Greek mainland!
In ELA, we learned about perspective and practiced writing about author’s perspective. We also started our 7th grade vocabulary curriculum, and our new novel: Chasing Lincoln’s Killer.

7th ELA and SS
This week we continued our vocabulary study and practiced with irregular verbs. We also practiced our writing in our ready workbooks. Lastly, we focused on our thematic essay for Night. I am excited to begin the next novel on Monday!
In Social Studies, we finished our unit on the Constitution and are looking forward to our project next week!

8th ELA and SS
8th graders had a good week! In ELA, we are wrapping up our unit on Fahrenheit 451. In Social Studies, students started their Holocaust Research Paper in preparation for the Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Middle School Math
Congratulations on everyone for completing the Noetic Math Contest!

6th grade is finishing up their unit on algebraic expressions.

7th grade has finished their unit on functions and is preparing for the state test.

8th grade honors has been learning about quadratic equations and how to solve them with various methods.

The other 8th grade class learned how the volume of a cylinder relates to the volume of a sphere and a cone.

Middle School Science

6th grade Science

Students were able to describe the motion that provides the Earth with its day and night cycle;recognize the motion of the Earth that provides it with its seasons; understand the Earth orbits around the Sun and explain its year long cycle; Students explored how Earth’s rotation causes day and night. They also learn the scientific definition of revolution.

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 is learning about the greatest transition in history. The Jewish people went from being slaves to a nation that was ready to receive the Torah in only 49 days! During those 49 days, Hashem clearly demonstrated to the Jewish people His existence, power, and control. Hashem also showed how much He cares about and loves the Jewish people.

8th grade finished the unit about the Second Bais HaMikdash, its destruction, and the aftermath of the destruction. We have clearly seen many examples of the importance of listening to the Torah Sages, following the Torah, and staying united.

SIHA Newsletter for 4/1/2023

by admin | Apr 1, 2022 | Newsletter

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.

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.