//This week students will be analyzing historical accounts related to antisemitism. Students will review the crucifixion of Jesus and the impact of this historical event with regard to the rise of antisemitism. Next week we will begin to discuss the rise of antisemitism in Europe as we dive deeper into the Spanish Inquisition.
Click here to access the guided reading/questions:
The Death of Jesus and its Impact on Antisemitism Assignment
//As we continue our discussion of antisemitism, students will spend time analyzing the documentary Defamation. This documentary examines various perceptions of antisemitism around the world (Israeli, American, Polish, etc.) Through their analysis, students will be able to quickly determine that not everyone shares the same viewpoints with regard to antisemitism. Students are being asked to view this documentary through a critical lens in an effort to formulate their own thoughts, feelings, and opinions.
Students will be asked to take notes and respond to four analysis questions as they watch.
Click the link below to access the questions:
//Last week our OJCS Middle School Students participated in the Cleaning the Capital Program. Students were walked to two local parks in our community and helped pick up both garbage and recycling. Our clean up was one of the 234 projects registered around the city of Ottawa. Students enjoyed making a difference in their community and getting some fresh air!
This week our students will be volunteering in a few different places. A group of students will return to KBI with Morah Corinne to work on painting a mural and further beautifying OTT at KBI Supplementary School. While others will be working with younger students in our OJCS community. Students will be helping their younger peers with lessons in English, French, and Hebrew. This initiative provides students with the ability to engage in leadership and showcase their literacy skills.
//Our Mitzvah Trips are off and running! The Yad B’Yad (hand in hand) Mitzvah Initiative provides students with incredible opportunities to give back to our community and put their Jewish values into action. The theme of our Mitzvah Trips for this month is Kehillah Kedoshah. The phrase translates to a sacred or holy community. Students are learning about the importance of community. We are focusing on donating our time and giving back to others in our community. Our goal is to interact with and support various communities in Ottawa. Our first three Mitzvah Trips have focused on engaging with valued members of our Ottawa Jewish Community.
Together, they helped OTT at KBI Supplementary School step into the new year on the right foot by working to beautify the space. Students painted the walls, set up classrooms, and organized learning spaces.
The second week of our Yad B’Yad mitzvah initiative allowed our middle school students to make mini apple pies and challah buns to donate to the Ottawa Kosher Food Bank. Thank you to A Dashing Pinch – Village Café for overseeing our efforts and baking these delicious treats!
Our third week provided students with the opportunity to get creative! Students spent time creating decorations for our sukkah. In addition, a group of students went to the JCC to help make decorations for their sukkah. Check back soon to see what other amazing Mitzvah Trips that students are participating in.
//Each week, a student from each class will compose a D’var Torah and present it to their peers. This year, students in grade 7 and grade 8 will also be reading and analyzing the corresponding Haftarah selections.
What is a D’var Torah?
A D’var Torah (a word of Torah) is a discussion or explanation based on the weekly parsha. The D’var Torah provides a brief summary and analysis of a lesson or interesting interpretation regarding the weekly Torah portion.
The Haftarah portion is a selection from the book of Prophets (Nevi’im). The Haftarah portion is read on Shabbat after the conclusion of the Torah reading. Although the Torah reading cycle is read in chronological order (following the Five Books of Moses), the Haftarah portions are selected in a different manner. Each week the Haftarah portion selected shares a common theme or genre with the Torah portion for that given week.
Assignment: Each student will create a D’var Torah for an assigned portion that will be shared with their peers during the correlating Thursday tefillah service. Students will practice their public speaking skills and actively engage in Torah study. This assignment will count towards your grade for both Language Arts and Jewish Studies rubrics.
Click here to access the assignment:
D’var Torah Assignment (Including Haftarah Extension)
Click here to access the final copy checklist:
Click here to access the example:
Washerstein D’var Torah Example
Click here to access the D’var Torah schedule:
//This year students will be responsible for researching, analyzing, and presenting a current event in our Jewish Studies course.
Directions: Find an article either in the newspaper or online from a newspaper source. Examples include: CBC News, USA Today, CTV News, Associated Press, The New York Times, Ynetnews Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, Times of Israel, etc., or any other reputable national or local source. Read the article and fill out the statements or answer the questions below.
Please find and read about important issues that relate/connect to antisemitism.
Because this is a current events assignment, you are to choose an article that is no more than two weeks old from when the assignment is given.
Be prepared to discuss your article in class on the due date!
Please click the link below to access the current event template:
//Here are the remaining notes for our Jewish Studies class. You will need to review/add these notes in order to prepare for your Holocaust Test. If you have time I recommend clicking the links and watching the additional videos on the slides themselves.
//This week we are shifting our focus in Jewish Studies to various resistance attempts that were made by both Jews and gentiles during the Holocaust. Students will be watching, analyzing, and discussing the film, Escape from Sobibor. This film depicts the largest escape from an extermination camp during the Holocaust.
Please read the corresponding questions prior to watching the film. Students will be asked to jot down notes as they watch. By taking notes, students will be able to more accurately recall details as they answer the critical analysis questions.
We will set a due date for these questions upon completing the movie.
Please click the link below to access the Escape from Sobibor Questions:
Escape from Sobibor Critical Thinking Questions
Please skip the scene at 45:40. This scene contains graphic content and will be skipped in class as well.
The movie can be watched via Youtube on the link below or on Amazon Prime (for those who have access). If you decide to watch it on Prime, please make sure you choose the Escape from Sobibor 1987 film.
//Today students will read and reflect upon the story of a Holocaust Survivor. The website Holocaust Survivor Stories provides students with various personal narratives of survivors.
*Students are encouraged to read multiple stories in order to determine which narrative speaks to them personally*
Directions: Students will choose a survivor’s narrative to read. After reading their story, students will answer the following reflection questions.
Answer the questions in paragraph form.
Review reflective writing strategies: Reflective Writing Google Slides
Click the link below to access the Holocaust Survivor Narrative Reflection Graphic Organizer:
//As a class, we decided that we will be taking our assessment on Tuesday, June 7th. This assessment will be a mixture of multiple-choice questions, matching, definitions, and short answers. Students should begin to review their notes daily. Although we have not fully completed the curriculum at this point, the students have asked to be provided with their study sheets well in advance.
If anyone is missing notes, our entire Google Slides notes presentation can be found here: Holocaust Notes Presentation
Students can begin to prepare for their assessment by making a copy and completing the study guide below:
Click the link below to access a review Kahoot: