The fifth graders have been busy at work the past couple of weeks at TI!
Last week in class, we started with a fun warm up to
practice our Hebrew reading skills. Israeli music was played while paper plates
with Hebrew words (taken from the prayers we have been learning) were passed
around in a circle. Every time the music stopped playing, students went around
the circle, reading the word on their paper plate. The kids really enjoyed this
game.
Later in the class, we reviewed the choreography leading up
to the Torah service. We talked, at length, about the Jewish custom to touch a
siddur, tallit, or hand to the Torah and then to our lips as the procession
makes its way around the sanctuary. We then discussed reasons why kissing the
Torah is not regarded as worshiping an idol. One student explained that we
only worship G-d, but we kiss and love the Torah because it allows us to
connect to G-d. Another student explained that the Torah is like a telephone
that we use to speak to G-d. As a class, we discussed the fact that G-d’s name is
mentioned many times inside of the Torah and, as a result, we are praying to G-d through it.
We then switched gears and started talking about having an “aliyah” during the
service, which literally translates to, “going up”. Students shared their own
ideas about what this “going up” means to them. One fifth grader explained that
it could mean physically walking up to the Torah, while another student
explained that it could be interpreted as someone “going up to G-d”, in that
the individual would be speaking directly to G-d on behalf of the whole
congregation. One student shared that it could mean it is a child’s first
time being called up to the Torah as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The fifth graders
were very interested in hearing their peer's thoughts on these questions, which
made for a fantastic discussion.
On Sunday, we took a break from the prayers we have been
working on and practiced our Hebrew oral language skills. The students greeted each other
in morning circle by asking, “How are you?" in Hebrew. Students then responded
with one of several moods posted on the board. We then played a game to practice our counting in
Hebrew.
The fifth graders have been making great strides in regard to
learning the prayers of the Torah service. They are confident and proud of all
they have accomplished.
Below, you will find the prayers we have been working on
this month as well as an updated version of the January calendar.
Best,
Diana
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