Category: Grade 6 – Mr. Washerstein

Did your sibling change the password to your Netflix account?

Are your parents nagging you to pick up a book?

Never fear…summer reading is here!

Below is a list of novels related to Judaism that you may read over the summer. Although I have not yet read all of these books, the majority of these novels have come highly touted.

The Jewish Book Council has also created a variety of book lists based on interest: Reading Lists

25 YA Books Featuring Jewish Protagonists

My Jewish Learning’s Jewish Reading List

Holocaust:

• Hidden Like Anne Frank by Marcel Prins
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
• Kanada by Eva Wiseman
• Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
• Stolen Secrets by LB Schulman
• Once by Morris Fleitzman
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• My Real Name is Hanna
• Unlikely Warrior
• Holocaust Books for Middle-Grade Readers

Mitzvot/Jewish Teachings: 

• The Mitzvah Project Book: Making Mitzvah Part of Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah…and Your Life
• The Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living
• The Book of Miracles
• Text Messages: A Torah Commentary for Teens

Humor

• This Is Just a Test by Wendy Wan-Long Shang
• It’s a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories

Interesting Reads:

• Stealing Home by Ellen Schwartz
• Broken Strings by Eric Walters
• The Length of a String: Weissman, Elissa Brent: 9780735229471
• My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J. Freedman
• Letters from Rifka  by Karen Hesse
• The Chosen by Chaim Potok
• My Name is Asher Lev Chaim Potok
• Sandy Koufax

Graphic Novels:

• Ruth and the Night of Broken Glass: A WWII Survival Story by Emma Carlson Berne
• Rabbi Harvey vs. the Wisdom Kid: A Graphic Novel of Dueling Jewish Folktales in the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin

Over the last month, our students have been busy engaging in opportunities to spread kindness. We spent time creating groggers for younger members of our community and donating them to local synagogues. This was a fantastic way to spread some ruach as students prepared for Purim celebrations.

Last week, our students were able to send messages of hope and strength to the family members of the hostages in Israel. The JCC along with the Israeli Embassy organized this important initiative.  Students spent time writing heartfelt messages in journals which will be delivered to the families. The community of Ottawa stands in solidarity with all of the hostages, their families, and friends.

We will be celebrating Pesach with Grades 6-8 on Friday, April 19th. We will be taking a trip down memory lane and completing a model seder with each of the classes. Our seder will include a variety of activities and discussion prompts. 

When: Friday, April 19th, 2024

1:45 PM-3:45 PM (Pds.7-9)

Each student is asked to bring to school on that day (in addition to his/her lunch) the following:

• 1 hard-boiled egg, peeled and wrapped in plastic/foil wrap

• 1 stalk of celery

• 1 piece of romaine lettuce

• The remainder of the Seder ingredients will be provided by the P.T.A. We will serve horseradish, egg matzah, grape juice, and NUT-FREE charoset.

Should you have any concerns regarding food allergies, please provide your child with their own food.

Students may choose to dress up in holiday attire for their seder.

handcrafted braslets for Israel by ezra.grossman

Our middle school students have been discussing/brainstorming various ways we can show support for Israel. Today our school raised money for the Magen David Adom. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Nation of Israel. עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

Yesterday we had the opportunity to video call a former OJCS student named Maayan. She is an Israeli high school student who shared her perspective and personal experience with our Middle School. She advocated for our students to be ambassadors to Israel within our community. She encouraged our students to ask questions, uncover media bias, and ensure that we remain up to date as new events unfold. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Nation of Israel.

Next Friday, we will have a dress down to fundraise for Magen David Adom.

Today students will spend time brainstorming various service learning opportunities. We will explore the upcoming Mitzvah Trip Calendar together. This is a living document that will continue to be updated. As the month of October progresses, we will engage in various Mitzvah Trips.

Loading...

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

Download