Grades 6-8: Make Your Sukkot Count Activity

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

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:

  • Research and define each word (do not simply translate the word in Google Translate)
  • Write a minimum of two sentences about each term. Expand upon the meaning of each term and its relationship to the Jewish Holidays

 

Grades 6-8: Tikkun Olam Opportunities

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

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/ 

Grades 6-8: Sukkot Conversation Starter Assignment (Due: Friday 9/24)

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

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:

Sukkot Conversation Starter Assignment

Grade 7: Pirkei Avot Playlist (Due: Wednesday, June 16th, 2021)

mwasherstein / / Grade 7 - Mr. Washerstein

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 prior to jumping into the English.

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 being 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 Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 (let Mr. Wash know which verses you have selected)
  • Check-In with Mr. Wash on Friday, June 11th, 2021
  • Assignment due (posted on the blog) by Wednesday, June 16th, 2021

 

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

 

Grade 6: Jewish Life Cycle Final Project (Due: Thursday 6/17)

mwasherstein / / Grade 6 - Mr. Washerstein

Assignment: Students are being tasked with diving deeper into a specific portion of the Jewish life cycle. The majority of these topics were studied/discussed in class at great length. The goal of this project is to demonstrate understanding, conduct further research, and exhibit creativity by creating an informational video that relates to a topic within the Jewish life cycle.

Content: What information do I need to include?

  1.   The major concepts behind their Jewish life cycle topic (explain key information)
  2.   How this life cycle event connects to your life (family)/modern everyday life situations
  3.   Could be interesting to ask your parents about any personal traditions/experiences that might relate
  4. You could also reach out to a rabbi/other members of the Jewish community to learn more about traditions, customs, and information pertaining to your life cycle event in Ottawa
  5.   Your own interpretation of the value of this moment/event within the Jewish life cycle (Why do you believe this is important?)

 

Video Requirements:

  • This video will also include a skit that relates to the life cycle event
  • You can also include pictures and provide explanations of these images
  • Minimum of two minutes long (maximum ten minutes)
  • Be sure to cite your sources if you use web documents

 

Due Dates:

By June 4th-Choose which life cycle event you would like to focus on and get it approved by Mr. Washerstein

By June 10th- Check in with Mr. Washerstein and share your plan

By June 17th- Submit the video to Mr. Washerstein

 

Jewish Life Cycle Topics (Choose One):

  1. Baby Naming
  2. Brit Milah
  3. Pidyon Ha-Ben
  4. Shalom Zachar
  5. Bar Mitzvah
  6. Bat Mitzvah
  7. Marriage
  8. Divorce
  9. Death (Funeral)
  10. Stages of Mourning (Shiva/Shloshim)
  11. Kashrut

 

Due: Thursday, June 17th, 2021

Click here to access: Jewish Life Cycle Project Instructions

Click here to access: My Jewish Life Cycle Planner (Graphic Organizer)

Grade 8: Holocaust Unit Test (Wednesday, June 2nd)

mwasherstein / / Grade 8 - Mr. Washerstein

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:

Holocaust Unit Study Guide

 

Click the link below to access a review Kahoot:

Holocaust Review Kahoot

Grade 8 Lookstein Judaics: Motivated for Good

bkom / / Uncategorised

In this week’s Lookstein Virtual class, we explored the idea of motivation. The Rabbis of the Mishne have a long discussion about what people’s motivation should be to do mitzvoth. As a way to start the unit, the class created this word cloud of things that motivate them. The students’ answers provoked a really fascinating conversation that you can re-engage with them and your families at home.

What motivates you to be a better person? What do you think should be one’s motivation to do a mitzvah?

 

Grade 6: Jewish Wedding Webquest (Due: Tuesday 5/11)

mwasherstein / / Grade 6 - Mr. Washerstein

Over the last two weeks, we had the opportunity to participate in a variety of unique online experiences as we commemorated Yom HaShoah, Yom Hazikaron, and Yom Haatzmaut. As we dive back into the Jewish life cycle students will be working on a Jewish Wedding Webquest!

Jewish Wedding Webquest Assignment

This assignment provides students with 11 response questions. Students will need to click and read the link above the question in order to find the answer. Please do not simply search for these answers on random internet sites. I will be looking for specific information from the articles/videos associated with each question. Your responses should be written in complete sentences. Be sure to read over the instructions prior to starting the assignment.

Due: Tuesday 5/11

Grade 8: Escape From Sobibor Film (Due: Friday 5/14)

mwasherstein / / Grade 8 - Mr. Washerstein

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.