Author: amarcovitz

November – A month to be thankful

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November, Mar-Cheshvan – A month of Remembrance and the American Thanksgiving

The month of Cheshvan is known as Mar-Cheshvan (translates as either bitter or rainy ) which falls this year mostly in November. For much of Canada and the USA,  many schools, Governments, and organizations have a service to honor our veterans; a day of remembrance. In Israel, the month of November has 2  different days of remembrance. November 4 was the day our former Prime-Minister Yitzchak Rabin was murdered.  On November 9-10  we remember Kristallnacht -Night of the Broken Glass. This past week in class we discussed Kristallnacht.  Kristallnacht was just not another pogram attacking Jews. It was a period when the world became bystanders. 81 years later we still have antisemitism, and feelings of xenophobia throughout the world. What are we doing to combat this? How are we protecting our children today?

At the end of the month of November, Americans will be celebrating Thanksgiving  Families will sit around the table eating turkey, watching football, and taking a moment to discuss what they are thankful for.  Being thankful is my response to how we are protecting our Jewish future.

I am thankful that all of you – Parents, and Students attend Ottawa JEWISH Community Day School.

Do you believe in and or agree we all have the right – “freedom of expression”?

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Make sure you start with step 1. (Please do not go to step 3 until you finish step 1 and 2.

1.Please take 5 minutes and write your opinion based on the header of this blog. (Title your google doc, Freedom of Expression)

2. Ask someone in class their perspective and try to argue the other side.  (Add his/her argument and your counter-argument to the doc)

3.Article

 

Grade 7 Kohelet

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Compare the Pesuking in Chapter 3 to the Elton John song, “Circle of Life”.

How do the lyrics of the song mirror what is in Kohelet and how do they differ?

 

This integrated perspective illustrates the point that the TANACH is not just another subject. It is part of a holistic learning experience that incorporates all areas of instruction. The TANACH is  not just a history book.  Kohelet deals with the core issues of human existence that are part of an integrated perspective of looking at the world

Jewish Choices – Jewish Voices

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At the beginning of the year, we started to discuss the concept of how Jewish Law evolves. Recently, we learned how we can trace Jewish Law from the time of Moses to modern-day.

Each one of you will now explore a topic that interests you.

Power: Solicit Donations, Personal Relationships, Ethics in business

Money: Morally troubling jobs, Credit Card Debt, Child-care

Social Justice: Environment, Criminal Justice, Poverty/healthcare, Discrimination/preferential treatment

Body: Bodyweight/diet, Tattoos, High-Risk behavior

National Security: Justification of War, Conduct of war, Policies of War

 

Each one of you will present your findings to the class. You can create a video, slide presentation, and or paper. The framework is as follows:

  1. Present Case Study
  2. Questions
  3. Traditional Sources
  4. Contemporary Sources ( you must include a source from a Rabbi/Decision Maker from Ottawa
  5. Personal Perspective and Why
  6. The Halacha

You will have 4 class periods to work on this project.  The only homework is practicing how you plan to present your 10-minute presentation in class.

We will begin this Friday

If you have any concerns or questions, please email me. It will be my pleasure to work with any of you during recess, lunch or via skype.

 

 

Grade 6

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Torah Tech:

Once you finish the Chanukah Assignment, please start on Tu’Bshvat.

It is important to include the references from where you researched your information (for ex: תנך  שלחן ערוך  תלמוד)

 

Hidur Mitzvah:

Please make sure you add the Pasuk from the Torah into your presentation. By the end of the day tomorrow you all should be working on a physical plan to implement Hidur

Parshat Hashavua Play:

By Wednesday I must see the script for Parshat Lech – Lcha. Please make sure you share which עליות.פרקים you decided to focus on. If you are not sure, please speak with Griffin.

 

Brachot:

By Wednesday you must be able to present the 6 main brachot to the class. Once finish you need to work on the brachot we recite after we eat.   Make sure you share the Torah text.