//This week students have been exploring the crucifixion of Jesus and the impact of this historical event with regards 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:
//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:
//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 in regard to antisemitism.
Students will be asked to take notes and respond to four analysis questions as they watch.
Click the link below to access the questions:
//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 8 JS Antisemitism/Holocaust Presentation
This week we will dive into the origins of antisemitism. We will discuss prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination.
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
//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:
//Today students spent time analyzing the numerology of Hebrew letters (gematria) in order to correctly match various terms relating to Sukkot to their appropriate value. Gematria has been used by many rabbis and kabbalists to uncover deeper meanings within words/phrases of various Jewish texts.
Click the link below to access our Make Your Sukkot Count activity:
Make Your Sukkot Count (Gematria Activity)
Upon identifying the correct words according to the Gematria students will complete the following task:
//Friday, September 24th, will be our first Dress Down Day! It also happens to be our annual Terry Fox Run. Therefore, all funds collected from the day will be donated to the Terry Fox Foundation. Please remember to bring in your donation.
OJCS has partnered with JNF Ottawa to ‘Clean the Capital’. On Sunday, October 3rd from 1-3 PM OJCS families are encouraged to sign up to help clean our OJCS and JCC campuses. This is a great way to give back and help make a difference in our own community.
Sign up is limited to 25 people so sign up quickly at the link below:
https://jnf.ca/ottawa/cleaning-the-capital/cleaning-the-capital-tickets/
//
As we prepare for Sukkot, students will spend time analyzing various sources and commentaries relating to the mitzvot of Sukkot. Students can choose to work on this assignment with a partner or individually. Students may type or write their responses by hand. We will complete this assignment in class and discuss our responses upon completion.
This assignment is due on Friday, September 24th, 2021.
Click the link below to access the assignment:
//This week we will be wrapping up our Holocaust Unit. Our class will take a cumulative test on the Holocaust next Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021. This assessment will be a mixture of multiple-choice questions, matching, definitions, and short answers. Students should begin to review their notes daily.
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:
//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 on Prime, please make sure you choose the Escape from Sobibor 1987 film.