Dvar Torah
Our forefather, Yaakov is described in this week’s portion as a “simple man, a tent dweller.” The word the Torah uses is “Tam.” Tam means simple and innocent but is also related to the word “Tamim,” which means complete. The two definitions are interrelated and complement each other.
What made Yaakov so great? What made him become the “Be’Cheir Ha’Avos,” the greatest of the forefathers?
The Torah explains this by using the word “Tam” to characterize Yaakov. He was a simple man. He stayed in his tent. He did not go out into the world to see what was out there. He did not allow himself to be distracted by noises or excitement outside. He kept his environment simple, simple and effective, without outside distractions. By keeping himself simple, he made himself complete! He concentrated solely on his goal, his Torah learning, and he earned the position of being one of the forefathers of the Jewish nation, the father of the 12 Tribes of Yisroel.
The same applies to us today. If we stick to our path, keep our eyes on the goal, and do not allow ourselves to be distracted by outside influences, we will find ourselves on the path to success. We need to learn this lesson from Yaakov Avinu and take it with us into the future.
Mrs. Rosskamm
Judaic Studies Supervisor
Special Announcement
Dear parents.
Happy Rosh Chodesh Kislev!
We are definitely feeling the exciting atmosphere of Chanukah at Siha already.
Thank G-d, we had a wonderful week!
We are so proud of all the students who completed their Netilat Yadayim charts. Keep it up!
We had a great time at our Rosh Chodesh Kislev assembly where we did candle making and received chanukah chocolate coins.
We introduced our exciting Menorah-thon to students in grades 5th – 8th grade (see attached flyer for details.) We are very much looking forward to seeing our students’ incredible Menorah creations!
Have a wonderful relaxed weekend!
Shabbat Shalom!
Best regards,
Miss Dershowitz
Judaics
Kindergarten and First Grade
We baruch Hashem had another great week in Kindergarten and first grade Judaics!
In kriah, the kindergarteners mastered the letter daled. They also learned about the midah of derech eretz (respecting our elders) and were able to give such good examples of practicing derech eretz! The first graders were so excited to begin learning the first nekuda, kamatz! They had fun singing about how kamatz got out of bed and even learned to read a single letter with a kamatz!
In tefilla, the kindergarteners learned little torah and torah tziva beautifully and are making Hashem so proud! Mazel tov to the first graders upon completing ma tovu! They daven like real grown ups with their special siddurim!
The first graders get another mazel tov for beginning to learn kesiva (Hebrew script alphabet) with their friend Akiva!
In parsha, both kindergarten and first grade learned from our matriarch Rivka how important it is to ask a Rabbi their questions when they don’t know what to do. They also learned about how different Yaakov and Eisav were and know to act nicely and always tell the truth, just like Yaakov (they definitely don’t want to be like Eisav!). The kindergarteners also made a fun Yaakov and Eisav puppet!
Friday was Rosh Chodesh Kisleiv! We can’t wait to begin learning about Chanuka next week!
Looking forward to another great week!
Morah Chavi
Second Grade
We had a busy week as we completed our unit on Shabbat and will begin learning about Chanukah next week iyâH. In Parsha we discussed the birth of Eisov and Yaakov, Eisov was very careful about honoring his parents. We discussed different ways of honoring our parents in class. Happy Birthday to Tzion Rebibo who is celebrating his Hebrew Birthday today. Shabbat Shalom, Morah Spiegel
Third Grade
Another wonderful week flew just by us!
We continued practicing Handwriting, Dikduk, and Kriah.
The boys and girls can read really well!
In Pitgam, Amit Amos taught us how we should always serve Hashem with happiness. This class can really show you how to do that. The learning in third grade is so wonderful, they all make Hashem very proud!
Parshat Toldos we all enjoyed learning and collecting tickets. I always enjoy seeing the creative drawings of the class.
We ended off with a wonderful assembly for Rosh Chodesh Kislev!
That means that Chanukah is coming! I cant wait to see the different and exciting things we will do in third grade
Chodesh Tov!
Shabbat Shalom!
Morah Ferber
Fourth Grade
Dear Parents,
It was another super week in fourth grade. The Davening, the learning, the fun, it was a sight to see. Each day, each lesson, learning and accomplishing, the students are really doing well. We spoke in class about how fortunate it is to live in this country. A country that is blessed with so much good.
During our Tefilla periods we discussed about how you have to seek Hashem, Dirshu Hashem. Our job in Judaism is to try. If you have a caterer that tries hard to do his job,and does not do the job well, he does not get paid. Our job of serving Hashem is to try our best. We have to realize the great benefit of Serving Hashem. Sarina, Zohar, Josh, and Matthew were our super Daveners of the week.
We spent much time on the Nekudot. Making sure each child does their best, is what we aim for. The children are really understanding them. You must see how nicely Lia and Abigail really know how to draw them well.
We are covering numbers in Hebrew from 11 thru 20 in Zachor and Nikeiva. We even have a special song to remember them. Mia and Ethan know their numbers and can tell you them in a flash.
Yes, our play practice is under way. We are giving out the parts and it is sounding beautiful.
I am excited to tell you about the great news of a new baby girl in my family. May we only always hear in great news, Amen.
Happy Birthday to Avi. We are very proud of you Avi. May Hashem give you a long and happy life.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Berelowitz
5th and 6th Girls
Dear parents.
Thank G-d, we had an incredible week!
We learned so much; we had a great time; what could be better? đ
Every girl got a new beautiful Chumash. We are really looking forward to learning Chumash this year.
We finished learning the 2nd blessing in Shemoneh Esrei – Birkat Gevurah, which talks about the strength of Hashem.
We wrapped up the first Ani Maamin (principle of faith), with group presentations of our bulletin board projects. The girls all did a wonderful job.
We are looking forward to learning the 2nd Ani Maamin next week.
We learned all about this week’s Parsha (Torah portion), Parshat Toldot; which talks about Yaakov (Jacob) and Esav and the blessings Yaakov received.
We learned about making Kiddush on Shabbat and every girl got a beautiful Kiddush card so they can make Kiddush at home, along with a kiddush cup and plate, and a small grape juice bottle. They wrapped it up beautifully and are excited to use it for Kiddush on Shabbat!
Please email me after Shabbat if your family (a parent or your daughter) made Kiddush this week for extra credit on our Monday Shemoneh Esrei test.
Have a relaxing weekend!
Shabbat Shalom!
Best Regards,
Miss Dershowitz
5th and 6th Boys
5th and 6th grade boys are “getting into” Mishna!
It was really nice to see the boys work together in groups and figure out the translation, on their own.
The boys are going further in Hilchot Hashkamat Haboker and will have a quiz on the new material in the near future.I am confident that they will ace their quizzes, as usual.
We are moving along with our enjoyable weekly Parasha lessons and quizzes.
The boys are practicing K’seva-Hebreew writing and they are getting better and better.
There are Always more and more exciting lessons coming up.
7th and 8th Girls
7th and 8th grade marvelous girls daven beautifully!
We have a daily “marking” and raffle, to help motivate the girls to pray even nicer.
We are continuing our interesting Parasha lessons and we are excelling on our weekly quizzes.
We recently had our second quiz on Hilchot Hashkamat Haboker, and we all did very well.
We are moving right along, and as you read this we are finishing the FOURTH Perek-chapter in sefer Yehoshua. The jewish people just crossed the Yarden-Jordan river, which Hashem miraculously split for our forefathers on their way into Eretz Yisrael. Each girl was challenged to write the speech that Yehoshua gave as he told the Jews to erect 12 stones as a memorial to the miracle.
We are filling in our workbook a s we learn further in the chapter. On wednesday, girls were given the opportunity/challenge to read sefer Yehoshua inside the sefer-book, written in Hebrew. The girls did very well.
More next week.
7th and 8th Boys
Dear Parents,
I wish you could have been in our classroom as we learnt our Gemara with such excitement. The question of the Gemara, is it considered going up or down. We spent much time on the question, and the boys are really understanding it. Our students are really good learners. Noah, Jeffrey, Noam, Kobe, and Oren really picked up on a lot of Aramaic words.
In Halacha we learnt fascinating laws about Mezuzot. Where are they placed, what happens if you think it might get stolen, and many more laws.
We discussed the many differences between Yaakov and Eisav, as we know that Yakkov loved to learn, and Eisav loved to hunt. We also discussed the importance of learning Torah, and the protection it gives to those that learn it.
Topics from the Parsha:
Yitzchok and Rivka davened to Hashem to be bentched with children. Hashem answered their Tefilos, and they had twin boys Yaakov and Eisav.
Even though they were twins, they looked very different. Eisav was born first and his skin was red and he had a lot of hair. Yaakov had smooth skin like a baby usually does.
When they turned 13, yaakov spent his time learning while Eisav enjoyed hunting.
Yaakov bought all the rights that a first born has from Eisav for some lentil soup.
Eisav was very careful to do the Mitzva of Honoring Parents in the very best way possible.
There was another famine in Eretz Cananan, but Hashem told Yitzchok that he shouldnât go down to Mitzrayim like Avraham did.
Towards the end of his life, Yitzchok became blind. He told Eisav to bring him a special meat meal and he would bless him afterwards.
Rivka overheard and told Yaakov to quickly get 2 goats to prepare a meal for Yitzchok, and to put the skins on his arms and neck so that he will feel hairy like Eisav. Yaakov also put on a special hunting shirt that Rivka kept for Eisav .
Yaakov went to Yitzchok pretending to be Eisav. Yitzchok asked him, âWho are you?â Yaakov answered, âI am (Yaakov), Eisav (is) your First-born.â
Yitzchok was confused: The voice sounded like Yaakov, talking with good manners and thanking Hashem, but his hands felt like the hands of Eisav. Yitzchok ate the meat, and then gave Yaakov the Blessing to have lots of grain and wine, and that he should be stronger than his brother.
When Eisav came back to bring the meal and receive the Blessing, Yaakov hid behind the door.
Yitzchok realized that he gave the Blessings to Yakkov, but once Eisav told him that Yaakov had bought the rights of the first-born, he was happy that he had given them to Yaakov.
Eisav was mad at Yaakov for âstealingâ his Blessings and wanted to kill him.
Rivka sent Yaakov to Charon get married and to be away until ×˘×Š× calmed down.
Happy Birthday to Ilan. May Hashem give you a long happy life.
Thoughts from Mrs. Hazen
Itâs November, and grades K-6 are participating in a Thanksgiving Contest! I am always excited about what students come up with for this contest, particularly my 6th graders. Middle Schoolers are at an age when their thoughts tend to deepen. They want their writing to be meaningful, and it is no longer enough to just cut out a paper in the shape of a pumpkin and write on it how thankful we are for turkey and family.
I had an illuminating conversation in class today about thankfulness, and tangentially, about books. Iâm going to share an experience of mine, and then the experience of my student – and what I love about it is that regardless of how different the world may be for our students compared to what we grew up with, certain greater truths stay the same.
Growing up, going to the library was my favorite pastime. We moved around a lot, and wherever we went I would look for the local public library first. My most memorable one was the tiny, one-floor library in Plav; and the worldâs most ornery librarian until he realized I would not destroy his books. No matter how chaotic the world outside, the library was an oasis of peace. Each book was an escape into a different world.
My students, as a whole, tend not to go to the library. Even the ones who love reading either get all of their books at home, courtesy of Amazon, or they go to Barnes & Noble.
My student shared with me how much she loved going to Barnes & Noble at the mall. Going there is an exercise in independence, because she can do so with friends and without direct parental or teacher involvement. For her, like the library was for me, the bookstore is a comforting oasis of peace and predictability. She looks forward to discovering new books and makes plans; she has a series she follows and canât wait to read the next installment; she saves up her money to buy her own copies.
She wrote about being thankful for having such an experience. It was refreshingly similar to mine own with libraries, and it made me think of Emily Dickinsonâs poem about books.
Emily Dickinson was a famous recluse. She rarely left her home, and traveled outside her home town only a handful of times. She had a rich intellectual life which survives in her letters and poems. Her poem about books shows why reading and books survive and even thrive despite all the iphones and xboxes our students have access to.
There is no Frigate like a Book
By Emily DickinsonThere is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry â
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll â
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul â
Elementary School
Kindergarten
This week kindergarten learned the letters K, X, V, and Y. They are very excited that they almost finished learning the entire alphabet and they will be having an alphabet party next week. In math they took a test and the entire class did a fantastic job showing how well they can sort and classify objects. This week they learned all about patterns. They made patterns with everything! They made patterns with toys, numbers, shapes, blocks, and they even made a pattern song. In science they learned about the water cycle. They listened to a story about a rain drop named Drippy. In the story he evaporates from the ocean, condenses into a cloud, and then falls back down to the ground as precipitation. In social studies they continued to learn and share things the students do and do not have in common with each other. This week they focused on adding their favorite things to their All About Me book.
First Grade
The first graders really enjoyed exploring addition this week. We learned about the associative property wherein you could switch the position of addends and still get the same answer. We also wrote about animal teams. Students were fascinated to learn that animals, like the wildebeest and zebra, work together for protection and to find food. Some of them created great illustrations of their teams as well.
Mrs. Adams
Second Grade
This week 2nd grade is continuing to master the skill of carrying in addition. We also finished our personal narratives this week! In the pictures, you can see Seth Maslov and his personal narrative. We will be presenting our personal narratives to the class! The students are so excited to tell their stories to the class!
In science, studying different types of animals was an interesting chapter for 2nd graders.
Students learned what are the needs of animals and how they are adapted to the environment.
Third Grade
This week Grade 3 students had their first Math test. During our Grammar lessons we began to construct compound sentences using the conjunction and. During our Reading lessons, students began to analyze a narrative nonfiction article called The Grandpa and the Penguin. We worked on identifying non-fiction text features, main idea, and supporting details. During our Social Studies lessons, students had the opportunity to present their projects. They did a fantastic job on their reports, poems, and poster boards about what makes their community special to them. We also continued to explore the three different types of communities. This week we concentrated on urban communities and their characteristics.
In science, students reviewed the chapter concepts about Plants; They’re so excited to write the 2nd Lab Report: Reproduction of plants from cutting.
Miss Sasha
Fourth Grade
This week in ELA kids completed their first personal narrative essay. Identified noun and plural nouns. Students worked on reading comprehension.
In math students continued to work on different methods of adding and subtracting numbers. Estimating and then adding and subtracting. Kids also worked on addition and subtraction word problems.
This week in Social Studies we are reviewing for our upcoming test on Understanding Regions.
In science, students learned and understood how the respiratory and circulatory systems interact; explained how bones, muscles and joints work together to allow movement into your body.
Fifth Grade
Greetings and salutations!
ELA this week has been all about reviewing for our Unit 1 grammar test. We practiced, practiced, and practiced some more! I am certain that they will do just fine on the test.
We continued reading our novel and discussing it as a class. We also wrote our first big journal- something that challenged the class quite wonderfully.
In Social Studies, we continued to learn about the Native Americans and how their cultures reflected their surroundings. We also learned about the importance of having a welcome community. The 5th grade students also prepared their contest entries. I am looking forward to seeing what amazing pictures the 5th graders will come up with.
Lastly, we talked about our Thanksgiving mini-essay. I am looking forward to seeing what the 5th graders bring to the table for our mini-essay next week!
This week in math, 5A continued to work on order of operations. In class, they all did an amazing job at working together in groups to figure out a mystery by solving problems. Oren, Liam, and Talia were the first group to solve the mystery with Noilee, Adiel, and Evelina were a close second!
In math, 5B worked on order of operations. They also continued to work on mastering multiplication and division facts.
In science, 5th graders started a new chapter: “Animal Growth and Reproduction”
Students learned and described the role of mitosis in the growth of an organism.
Mrs. Belli wants to mention 5B class for the excellent grades that students got on the “Human Body” test.
A very happy birthday to Oren Hecht from 5A!
Middle School
Middle School ELA and Social Studies
6th
Sixth graders had a great week! In grammar, we learned about direct object and practiced both out of our textbook and on the board. In reading, we continued our study of Fish in a Tree. 6th grade has been wonderful about reading; and we may finish the book soon!
In social studies, we continued our unit on Ancient Egypt by learning about the society of Ancient Egypt. Mrs. Hazen is particularly impressed with Zev and his enthusiastic participation in class!
7th
Seventh graders had a busy week! In ELA, we reviewed for our grammar test which took place Friday. Students worked very hard! In reading, we continued our novel study of Fever, 1793. Students discussed characterization and did independent reading!
In Social Studies, we wrapped up our unit on the World before 1492. As part of our whole-unit assessment, students are writing an essay about what they learned. Mrs. Hazen is particularly impressed with Noam Tisona and his writing!
8th
Eighth graders had a busy week! In ELA, we reviewed for our first grammar test which took place on Thursday. Everyone worked very hard! I was particularly impressed with Ariella, who got the highest score!
In reading, we continued our novel study of Lord of the Flies.
In social studies, we wrapped up our unit on the 1920s. The 8th graders are writing an essay on how American culture changed during the 1920s, and learning about MLA formatting. I canât wait to see what they come up with!
Middle School Math
The 6th grade class worked on operations with fractions. They reviewed how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions. Then they applied those skills to figure out tricky word problems.
The 7th grade class continued working on solving and graphing inequalities. The 7th grade honors class finished their first unit and took their first test of the year!
The 8th grade class worked on solving multi-step inequalities, compound inequalities, and using inequalities to solve word problems.
Middle School Science
6th grade
This week students learned and understood how geologists have used evidence to learn about Earthâs interior; During an activity students created a flap-book of Earth where they need to describe each layer of the Earth.
Jewish History
7th grade began the second unit for the year. We began to learn about joys and boundaries as we explore our world. Ilan, Mia, Noam and Koby had some great answers to interesting questions.
8th grade started our journey through the kingdom of Yisroel and learned through the time of Achav with a focus on how peace protects us.