Dvar Torah
Parshas Tetzaveh
Candle Lighting: 5:08
In this week’s Parsha, the Torah devotes an extensive amount of space to talking about the clothing the Kohen Gadol and the Kohanim wore while working in the Mishkon/Bais HaMikdash.
Why does the Torah give so much attention to their clothing? We have many commandments that have only one or two words in the Torah and the details are explained in the commentaries. Here the Torah explicitly writes out each detail.
The Torah is teaching us how important our clothing is. It is not just something we wear. Our clothing makes a statement. The way we choose to dress ourselves is an expression of who we really are. A dignified person dresses with dignity. More than that, dignified clothing push a person to act in a dignified way. Our actions reflect the clothing we choose to wear.
When serving Hashem in his own house, the Kohanim had to dress in a way that reflected the holiness of their position. The regal, white clothing they wore showed everyone that they were serving the true King of Kings in his palace. Their clothing helped each Kohen act in the regal, dignified manner required of a servant in the palace of his King.
We all must dress in a way that reflects our status of children to the true King.
Gut Shabbos,
Mrs. Rosskamm
Judaic Studies Curriculum Coordinator
Judaics
Kindergarten and First Grade
Baruch Hashem, we had another great week in Kindergarten and first grade Judaics.
In kriah, the first grade finished learning the nekuda cholam! Our word wall is growing; the children know so many Hebrew words! The kindergarten learned the letter NUN. They had a great time playing matching and learned about the mitzvah of “nikayon”- keeping clean.
In yahadut, the children continued learning the thirteen articles of Jewish faith, the ani maamins! They are learning a song for all the ani maamins and know it really well!
In parsha, we learned about the clothing which the High Priest, the kohen gadon, wore when he did his service in the Beit Hamikdash.
In kesiva, the first graders began a new booklet! They learned the letters samach and chaf.
The first graders also began learning another prayer – adon olam.
Looking forward to another great week!
Second Grade
We had a busy week reviewing our Brochos, doing projects, learning new vocabulary words and listening to a story when learning the first Brocha of Brichas Haschar (morning blessings) The first brocha is a wish for us to have the ability to distinguish between Yom-day and layloh-night. The ability to differentiate between good and bad. Right and wrong. We heard about the boy who had a hard decision to make, he had gevura(strength) to make the correct decision and made the right choice. We learned how to say the names of the seasons in Hebrew and how to say many other Hebrew words. Shabbat Shalom!
Third Grade
What a wonderful week! Third grade has made me so proud!
We finished learning Vihaya in Shema. They can now read it carefully and beautifully. Our Davening is truly something special to Hashem.
We even started a special contest. One student gets to take home the Third grade Siddur for Shabat. What a beautiful way on a special day of Shabbat to Daven from this Siddur and show our families how nicely we Daven during the week. This week Gal Zadok was chosen to be the first to bring it home. We are all so happy for her.
Our kriah skills are advancing. Some students even completed the first Kriah race!
We learned the exception of how to read a Patoch Chet at the end of the word. All we do is change the order. First the sound of the Nekudah then the letter. Like the name of our dear classmate נח.
This week Lashon Torah we reviewed our Rosh Milim as well as adding another 7 new words!! They are reviewing beautifully!
In Chayainu we moved onto learning the Five books of the Torah and chanted it well.
Parshah was learned nicely. We cut and pasted our Mishkan together just like it was in the Midbar. We learned bout the special clothing the Kohen and Kohen Gadol wore.
Have a wonderful Shabbat!
Morah Ferber
Fourth Grade
Dear Parents,
What a terrific week we had.
We started our week with a very moving story with Dr. Leibowitz who saved a woman’s life in the cafeteria in Boston Hospital. The woman after getting better was so thankful to Dr. Leibowitz for saving her life. We learn from this story how we have to Thank Hashem everyday for giving us life.
In Explaining the Davening we spoke about the amazing Tefilla of Yehi Chivod. We discussed how Hashem’s honor is all over the world.’ In every country and every city Hashem presence is there.
In Chumash we spoke about the famous story of when Avram came with Sarai to Egypt, he told Sarai to say, “you are my sister”. We acted out the Pesukim with Avi. We are very proud of Avi.
We practiced for the upcoming performance which we are very excited about. Stay tuned for details.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Berelowitz
5th and 6th Grade Boys
5th and 6th grade boys
7th and 8th Grade Boys
What a fun filled week it was.
In explaining the Davening, we went through the Beracha of Sim Shalom, that we ask Hashem to Please put peace in the land. Students went on very well to explain what is the importance of having peace in the land.
In Gemara we learnt a classic Gemara. It discusses that even though there were not Arai Miklat – cities of refuge, Moshe did the Mitzvah right away. A great lesson we learn is to not push off a Mitzvah and do it right away.
Topics from the Parsha:
The Mitzva to light the מְנוֹרָה in the מִשְׁכָּן was done by the כֹּהַנִים.
מֹשֶה’s brother אַהַרֹן was the first כֹּהֵן גָדוֹל and his sons were the כֹּהַנִים.
Hashem told משה to make special clothing for the כהן גדול and for each כהן הֶדְיוֹט. When the Yidden would see these special clothes, they would realize that theכהנים are special and deserve special respect.
The כהן הדיוט had 4 בְּגָדִים: 1)כְּתֹנֶת- long shirt 2)מִכְנָסַיִם- short pants 3)מִגְבַּעַת- pointy hat 4)אַבְנֵט- long, colorful belt.
The כהן גדול had these same 4 but his hat was called the מִצְנֶפֶת and was not as pointy. The כהן גדול also wore 4 extra בגדים: 1) חשֶׁן on his chest with the אוּרִים וְתּוּמִים behind it 2) אֵפוֹד – colorful apron that tied in the front. 3) מְעִיל- long blue coat that covered both his shirt and pants. It didn’t have sleeves. 4)- צִיץ a strip of gold with the Name of Hashem on it. He wore it on his forehead and it tied at the back of his head.
Some Halachos about these בּגדים: Only a כהן can wear them. A כהן can only wear them in the מִשְׁכָּן. When he leaves, he needs to take them off. They can’t add any other clothing (sweater) or be missing any.
Keep it up,
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Berelowitz
7th and 8th Girls
We studied about the Giv’onim who tricked the Jews, Yehoshua included, into believing that they were not among the Seven Nations of K’naan. They did so in order to save themselves. Upon learning that they were tricked, Yehoshua does NOT kill, or punish them. He keeps his oath to them.They are to remain as slaves but not for Hashem/Mishkan, only to the B’nei Yisrael. We filled in our beautiful workbooks as well.
In Halacha, we completed Chapter five. The Laws of “How to say a Bracha”. We studied how to concentrate, when saying a Bracha. We learned that there should not be anything in our mouths and many other pertinent Halachot.
We learned about this week’s Parasha, Parasha T’tzave, which discusses the elaborate clothing of the Kohanim as well as the Kohen Gadol. We learned and were shown pictures [of course not real photos as they are not in our possession] of , not only their clothing but the ornamental items worn!
We learned about the Five special articles in the Mishkan and the miracles involved with each. We also learned that the purpose of these miracles was to prove that Hashem’s Shchina-Presence was in the Mishkan.
Weekly Parasha quiz on Monday and Halacha quiz coming up as well.
Recalling a week ago….we were visited by Batya, a wonderful woman came all the way from Lakewood N.J. to inspire the girls and tell them about upcoming events.
Elementary School
Kindergarten
This week kindergarten practiced reading and spelling ING words by making king of ING puppets.They read a story about an egg that fell out of a nest. They practiced retelling the story using all of the literary elements they learned so far. Then, they made a comic book strip to retell their own story using all the literary elements. In math they finished making their subtraction book. They practiced subtraction by playing games with toys, pennies, and a basketball. They also learned all the different strategies they can use to subtract. In science they learned all about force and motion. They worked in groups to make ramps that would make their toy car go the fastest and the farthest. It took each group a long time to problem solve to create a steep ramp but in the end both groups persevered and independently built their own ramps. In social studies they continued to practice their part in the Social Studies Fair and they worked on their tri-folds.
Second Grade
This week, in 2nd grade, we are wrapping up our unit on multiplication and division using 2 and 3. We are continuing to master the 2 and 3 times tables. We go around the room saying the 2 and 3 times tables as fast as we can! We were able to do the 2 times table up to 22 in 5.1 seconds! We did the 3 times table up to 33 in 6.3 seconds! Every day we try to beat our best time! In grammar we are wrapping up our unit on verbs. We have been analyzing poems also, while continuing to read Charlotte’s Web. In social studies, we continue to learn about the Three Branches of The United States Government, in preparation for the social studies fair.
In science, 2nd graders are so excited to learn about “Our Solar System”. 1st lesson students learned the causes of day and night. Using a flashlight, students demonstrated Earth’s rotation.
Mr. A. Ferrera B.S.Ed
Generalist Teacher, 2nd grade
SIHA
Third Grade
This week Grade 3 students spent much of their E.L.A. and Social Studies lessons preparing for their S.S. Fair. They worked on their research report drafts and practiced their play lines. They are very excited to put all the pieces together next week. They had also developed their letter writing skills while working on a gratitude project for our dear police officers. Students wrote well organized letters and made cards (decorated beautifully) to show their appreciations for the sacrifices and dedication of the N.Y.P.D. During our Math lessons students worked on solving multiple step word problems using all four operations. They also began to work with areas and perimeters of shapes.
In science, students learned and understood the properties of rocks; identified properties of minerals; explored the content of soil; compared the different kinds of soil; and explained how soil forms.
Miss Sasha
Fourth Grade
This week in ELA we finished our unit on Adjectives and started to write explanatory writing assignments. Students are continuing to prepare for the ELA state test and showing amazing progress.
In math students started a unit on decimals. Converting fractions to decimals, adding decimals and understanding the value of given decimals. Our class is also preparing for the Noetic Math Contest.
In Social Studies kids reviewed and took a test on chapter 6 Living in the South. They are prepared for the Social Studies Fair. Presented their bi-weekly current events.
We are continuing to read our class chapter book Walk Two Moons
In science, students reviewed chapter 7″Adaptation and Extinction” concepts; a short quiz was given to students.
Fifth Grade
5th Graders are busily preparing for their Social Studies Fair! Students are in groups and are practicing for a play based on American history. In ELA, students are continuing their novel studies.
Students learned and identified characteristics of 6 major biomes; compare the adaptive characteristics of species that improve their ability to survive in a particular biome. 5th graders are working to represent each biome on a beautiful diorama.
5th grade learned about place value and adding/subtracting decimals.
Middle School
Middle School ELA and Social Studies
6th Grade
6th graders had a great week! In Social studies, we are busily preparing for our social studies fair. Students are preparing a research paper and a presentation on an ancient culture they studied in Social Studies this year. We are all looking forward to seeing what they come up with!
In ELA, we started a new novel: Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963.
7th Grade
7th graders had a great week! In Social studies, we are busily preparing for our social studies fair. Students selected topics and are placed into groups, and are preparing for a riveting debate! In ELA, students worked on test prep and continued their novel study of Night.
8th Grade
8th graders had a busy week! In Social Studies, we are busily preparing for our social studies fair. Students have chosen topics related to American History and Culture and are preparing informative speeches on. In ELA, we continued our novel study of Fahrenheit 451.
Middle School Math
6th grade learned how to perform integer operations.
7th grade practiced solving equations with distribution.
8th grade reviewed piecewise functions.
Middle School Science
6th gr.
Students learned Earth’s changing position with regard to the Sun and the moon has noticeable effects; understood that Earth’s surface is covered by a relatively thin layer of water, which responds to the gravitational attraction of the moon and the Sun with a daily cycle of high and low tides. Students reviewed Unit: “Earth’s Water” concepts.
7th Grade Science
Students are investigating the connection between our brains and the nervous system. Students will be discovering the various parts of the brain including the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, pituitary gland, the spinal cord and the hypothalamus glands and how important these parts are to our daily life. The cerebrum is the thinking part of the brain and it controls your voluntary muscles. You also need the cerebrum to solve math problems, figure out a video game, draw a picture, recall both short and long term memory, it also helps you reason. The cerebellum controls balance, movement, and coordination. The brain stem is in charge of all the functions your body needs to stay alive, like breathing air, digesting food, and circulating blood. The pituitary gland releases hormones into your body, including ones that control the amount of sugars and water in your body.The hypothalamus gland is like your brain’s inner thermostat and keeps your body in the state of homeostasis with reference to body temperature. The spinal cord the spinal cord and nerves — known as the nervous system — that let messages flow back and forth between the brain and body.
8th Grade Science
Students are in the process of completing two NYS labs. Making Connections Lab which is a lab that allows students to investigate which body systems work together to keep our body balanced during exercise. Students will make connections as to the waste products that are released during exertion and which body systems are responsible for making this happen, what our body needs more of during exercise and how our body maintains dynamic equilibrium during this process. They will also be working on the NYS Diffusion through Membrane lab. During this lab, students will conduct a simulation at which time they will make a cell, fill it with macromolecules, place it in water with an indicator and determine which molecules will either diffuse into or out of the cell. They will explain the molecular activity in areas of high concentration and low concentration and they will be able to explain why some molecules can pass through the cell membrane and why some need assistance to pass through the cell membrane.
Jewish History
7th grade learned 3 very important definitions this week. We learned what exactly the birthright was, what anti-semitism really is, and what it means to be the Chosen people. We had some really intense discussions as the class internalized these difficult concepts.
8th grade learned about the Herodian dynasty and how fighting leads directly to destruction, although the class disagrees if we woke up a sleeping lion or a sleeping bear!