Category: Jewish Studies

Grades 6-8: Yad B’Yad Initiative Update (Zoom with Michael Levin Base)

mwasherstein / / Grade 6 - Mr. Washerstein, Grade 7 - Mr. Washerstein, Grade 8 - Mr. Washerstein

Today our middle school students had a Zoom session with lone soldiers and banot sheiruts in Israel. We spoke to both a soldier and a bat sheirut in order better understand how the Michael Levin Base  supports them while they are defending/volunteering for the Jewish people. This was a wonderful chance for our students to ask questions and get to know these important heroes. These individuals shared their stories, answered questions, and shared their love for Israel. We hope to partner with the Michael Levin Base in future mitzvah endeavors. 

A “lone soldier” is a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with no family in Israel to support him or her – a new immigrant, a volunteer from abroad, an orphan, or an individual from a broken home. Today there are over 7,000 lone soldiers serving in the IDF, many of whom struggle to fulfill their most basic needs.
A “lone bat sherut” is a young woman with no family in Israel to support her, who has chosen to provide national service in Israel rather than join the army. This type of service can include volunteering in the areas of special education, hospitals, geriatric and nursing homes, health clinics, teens at risk, environmentalism, and other related non-profit organizations. There are currently hundreds of lone b’not sheirut volunteering in Israel.

Grade 8: Treaty of Versailles Guided Notes

mwasherstein / / Grade 8 - Mr. Washerstein

How could the Holocaust happen?

As we continue to study and analyze the various components of the Grade 8 Jewish Studies curriculum, this week we are beginning to set up the Holocaust. Rather than diving directly into the start of the Holocaust, the Grade 8 class is learning about WWI. This foundation will play a very important role in understanding the historical context in which the Holocaust begins.

Attached you will find the WWI/Treaty of Versailles Presentation and Guided Notes Packet. This will be useful for any students that missed any of the notes during class. Students should be reviewing their notes throughout the week.

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Grade 6: Brit Milah Text Analysis (Due: Thursday 12/1)

mwasherstein / / Grade 6 - Mr. Washerstein

Today we will be looking diving deeper into the covenant between G-d and Abraham as we discuss the brit milah. Students will be asked to read, highlight, annotate, and analyze verses from the Torah in order to comprehend the significance of the covenant.

We will read the text (Genesis 17: 1-27) together as a class and practice the following skills:

  • Previewing questions prior to reading
  • Highlighting keywords/phrases
  • Looking up unfamiliar vocabulary terms
  • Taking notes/jotting down ideas while reading (annotation)
  • Answering questions in complete sentences (referencing the text)

Click the link below to access the reading/questions:

Brit Milah Textual Analysis Assignment

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Grade 7: Lashon Hara Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11/30)

mwasherstein / / Grade 7 - Mr. Washerstein

This week students will be discussing, analyzing, and determining the significance of the concept of Lashon Hara. As we dive deeper into our discussion of interpersonal mitzvot, students will be asked to create connections between these lessons and their own lives.

Lashon Hara Analysis Assignment

Students will also be practicing the following comprehension skills:

  • Previewing questions prior to reading
  • Highlighting keywords/phrases
  • Looking up unfamiliar vocabulary terms
  • Taking notes/jotting down ideas while reading (annotation)
  • Answering questions in complete sentences (referencing the text)

Grade 8: D’var Torah Update

mwasherstein / / Grade 8 - Mr. Washerstein

Each week students prepare a D’var Torah for their peers. Students are asked to read, analyze, and think critically about their assigned parsha. They also plan an activity that relates to their parsha. Students have created Blookets, Kahoots, Jeopardy games, and many other activities. Others have led meaningful discussions with their cohort. In Grade 8, students must also examine the corresponding Haftarah portion. They must determine the connection or parallel between that particular parsha and the Haftarah. Check out some of their Divrei Torah below!

 

Grade 7: D’var Torah Update

mwasherstein / / Grade 7 - Mr. Washerstein

Each week students prepare a D’var Torah for their peers. Students are asked to read, analyze, and think critically about their assigned parsha. They also plan an activity that relates to their parsha. Students have created Blookets, Kahoots, Jeopardy games, and many other activities. Others have led meaningful discussions with their cohort. In Grade 7, students must also examine the corresponding Haftarah portion. They must determine the connection or parallel between that particular parsha and the Haftarah. Check out some of their Divrei Torah below!

Grade 6: D’var Torah Update

mwasherstein / / Grade 6 - Mr. Washerstein

Each week students prepare a D’var Torah for their peers. Students are asked to read, analyze, and think critically about their assigned parsha. They also plan an activity that relates to their parsha. Students have created Blookets, Kahoots, Jeopardy games, and many other activities. Others have led meaningful discussions with their cohort. Check out some of their Divrei Torah below!

Grade 8: Shoah Legacy Program

mwasherstein / / Grade 8 - Mr. Washerstein

The Grade 8 class is embarking on an incredible journey this year. Students will be working with four clients from Jewish Family Services in an effort to build relationships, create connections, and bear witness to their testimonies. Students will be engaging with four wonderful women who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust. Their stories are unique and their experiences are significant. Our class has been working closely with Ranit Braun and leaders at JFS to plan a variety of activities that will take place throughout the year, culminating in a meaningful presentation on Yom HaShoah. Last week, we discussed the importance of active listening. We also talked about the importance of understanding that the clients’ experiences during the Holocaust are only one part of their lives. Although we want to bear witness to these testimonies, we also want to learn about the different moments of their lives that bring them immense joy. We look forward to meeting monthly with the participants and working together to create a strong bond.

Yom HaShoah Reflections | ADL

 

 

 

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Grade 8: Origins of Antisemitism Quiz (Monday, November 28th)

mwasherstein / / Grade 8 - Mr. Washerstein

Over the course of the last month, our class has been analyzing various historical events that contribute to the origins of antisemitism around the world. Students will showcase their knowledge by preparing for their assessment on November 28th. This quiz will be made up of multiple-choice, true or false, and short-answer responses. To prepare for this assessment, I suggest reviewing your notes (slides 5-33) and making flashcards.

Click here to access the review sheet: Origins of Antisemitism Review Sheet

Recent trends in Antisemitism in Europe - European Network Against Racism