This year in Judaic studies we concentrate on two main themes: Jewish
holidays and Jewish history. Related to Jewish holidays are the Jewish
months. We covered the months of Elul and Tishrey and the holidays during
these months. Elul is the month of repentance. We studied the different
interpretations of commentaries in the Torah that relate to the month of
Elul, thus developing our own skills in analyzing these interpretations.
Through discussions the students are exposed to a variety of concepts and
are encouraged to respond respectfully to their peers’ different opinions.
There were many important Jewish holidays at the start of the school year.
We learned about each holiday and discussed traditions. As we approached
Rosh Hashanah we talked about the importance of having closure for the past
year so that we start the new year with a clean slate. We also discussed
what Rosh Hashanah symbolizes and customs related to this holiday. The Ten
Days of Awe occur between Rosh-Hashanah and Yom Kippur. During this time it
is our last chance to ask for forgiveness from each other and ourselves.
This brought about the discussion of the belief that there is a book of life
and a book of judgment. We evaluated virtues of right and wrong, how we ask
for forgiveness – sliha as Yom Kippur approaches. This led us to a
discussion of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. The last
holiday we celebrated this term was Sukkot – the holiday of booths. We
discussed holiday symbols and meanings and why we celebrate Sukkot.
Last, we started a Jewish history unit about anti-Semitism. Students have
the opportunity to debate issues of substance regarding racism and
generalization by assumption. We discussed anti-Semitism starting from the
Dreyfus case in France. This will lead us to the beginning of the Zionist
ideology.
Hebrew
The 5th grade curricular program is designed in a way that will provide the
students the knowledge and tools to be able to read Hebrew fluently, acquire
new vocabulary and know its spelling and be able to speak in simple,
grammatically accurate, sentences.
One of our main goals is to enrich the students’ vocabulary and have them
form sentences and speak in a grammatically correct sentence patterns. In
order to achieve that we mainly speak Hebrew in class and encourage the
students to use as much of their language skills when speaking, writing or
talking during class. In order to support and encourage their independent
studies, the students are using the Hebrew-English dictionary on a regular
basis.
The students read and analyze short stories and texts that relate to the
Hebrew holydays and the Israeli culture. All the students are active
participants in games, dances and performances that enrich their world and
language skills.
At the beginning of each week, the students get a list of at least 10 new
words that we discuss and utilize in different ways during the week. Every
Friday we have a dictation and the students are expected to know the meaning
and correct spelling of each word.
