Category: Jewish Studies

As mentioned at Back to School Night, this year will be a transitionary year for our Grade 7 cohort. They will be learning the same curriculum as the current Grade 8 class in preparation for a change in the Grade 8 curriculum next year (i.e. a course about Israeli history). Although assessments and projects may vary, the core content that is analyzed will be the same. This week we will dive into the origins of antisemitism. We will discuss prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination.

 

The link below can be used to access the Google Slides Presentation that we will be using in class to take notes/participate in activities. Students should bookmark this page on their devices for ease of access. Please note that this document is a living tool, which will be changed and updated regularly.

Grade 7 JS Antisemitism/Holocaust Slideshow Presentation

 

 

Check out this article from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance that discusses various spellings of the term antisemitism. The article discusses the implications of the term anti-semitism vs. antisemitism and the origins of its meaning.

https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/antisemitism/spelling-antisemitism

After an incredible Middle School Retreat, our students are beginning to dive into our Jewish Studies course. In Grade 6, the students will learn about the Jewish life cycle. Our journey will take us from the naming of the baby to the rituals and customs associated with the passing of a loved one. Students will analyze texts, discuss traditions, and examine various Jewish customs from a variety of perspectives.

The link below can be used to access the Google Slides Presentation that we will be using in class to take notes/participate in activities. Students should feel free to bookmark this page on their devices. Please note that this document is a living tool, which will be changed and updated regularly.

Grade 6 Jewish Life Cycle Slideshow

As we embark on this learning journey together, students have been asked to complete their own River of Life task.

The River of Life is a visual narrative that helps people tell the stories of the past, present, and future. Students may use pictures, words, and phrases to indicate key moments/changes throughout the course of their life

River of Life must include: 

• Visuals (drawings or pictures) depicting various moments in your life (5 points)

• A written description of 5-8 complete sentences for each stage explaining a key event relating to each of the following: 

• • The Past      

• • The Present

• • The Future

 

This is an opportunity for you to share your story. You decide how it is told! This can be created by hand (on paper) or online via Google Slides/Canva. 

Students will have the opportunity to present their River of Life to the class starting on Thursday, September 21st.

I can’t wait to hear all about your narrative. Check out my example below!

The Grade 7 class has been busy creating fun and joy for some incredible members of our community. Students created a variety of engaging stations relating to Yom Ha’atzmaut last month. We then invited some participants from Tamir to come to OJCS and celebrate Israel’s independence in our Makerspace. Students developed a Wordle activity, Israeli trivia, along with a variety of arts and crafts activities. The following week our class ventured over to Hillel Lodge to lead a Kabbalat Shabbat Program. The students led a short service followed by a Shabbat candle decorating activity. These mitzvah experiences allow our students to make a difference in the lives of others while continuing to foster their love for Judaism.  

   

We have spent the last few weeks analyzing the second chapter of Pirkei Avot. As we study these texts, it is important to think about personal connections that you can create. Additionally, I encourage you to take notes, look up unfamiliar terms, and experiment with decoding the Hebrew text prior to jumping into the English translation.

Think about the following:

• What lesson does this Mishnah teach me?
• What personal connection can I relate to this text?
• How can I use this information to make me a better person?

Pirkei Avot Playlist Assignment

This assignment asks students to read and analyze the verses in the second chapter of Pirkei Avot. After you have read and analyzed the text, students are asked to create a playlist of five songs. I have provided additional sources along with a link to the Illustrated Pirkei Avot (Cartoon) text in the links below.

Important Dates:

• Read and select five verses by  May 15th (let Mr. Wash know which verses you have selected)

• Check-in #1 with Mr. Wash on Wednesday, May 17th

• Check-in #2 with Mr. Wash on Monday, May 22nd

• Assignment due (posted on the blog) by June 5th

 

Please click the links below to access the Google Docs for this assignment:

Pirkei Avot Playlist Instructions

Pirkei Avot Playlist Graphic Organizer

Pirkei Avot Playlist Rubric

Illustrated Pirkei Avot Ch. 2 (Cartoon Interpretation)

• Create a playlist of 5 songs that are each related to a specific Pirkei Avot Chapter 2 verse

1. 1. You must choose 5 different verses; one for each song on your playlist. (There are 16 verses in Ch. 2)
   2. Decide how you will connect each verse to your song 
      1. Here are a few different ways you could create a connection:
         1. • The lesson/meaning
            • The way the song makes you feel 
            • The lyrics themselves
      2. You do not have to create your connection to the entire verse…your song may only connect to one part of that verse (which is okay!)
   3. Write 5-10 sentences explaining the connection between your song and the verse you choose
      1. Use these questions to guide your writing:
         1. What does the verse mean? What is the verse about?
         2. What is the song about?
         3. How does this song connect to the verse?
            • Remember that the connection does not mean the words are the same 

Schedule: 

Day 1	Read the instructions. If you have any questions, write them down and email Mr. Wash Spend 30 minutes reading and interpreting Verses 1-5 Jot down any ideas, lessons, meanings that you could connect to in your Pirkei Avot Playlist Planner Doc next to each verse  Take a 10-minute break and listen to some of your favourite songs for inspiration
Day 2	Spend 30 minutes reading and interpreting Verses 6-10 Jot down any ideas, lessons, meanings that you could connect to in your Pirkei Avot Playlist Planner Doc next to each verse  Take a 10-minute break and listen to some of your favourite songs for inspiration Begin writing your explanations as you match a song to a particular verse
Day 3	Spend 30 minutes reading and interpreting Verses 11-16 Jot down any ideas, lessons, meanings that you could connect to in your Pirkei Avot Playlist Planner Doc next to each verse  Take a 10-minute break and listen to some of your favourite songs for inspiration Continue writing your explanations as you match a song to a particular verse
Day 4	Spend 20 minutes reviewing your notes Focus your time and energy on creating your connections and developing your playlist