Seekers Class Updates 12/3 & 12/9-10

Kita Alef with Stephanie:

In Kita Alef, we created dance moves for more Aleph bet letters. We learned silly stories to help remember Alef through Kaf/Chaf. In Judaics, we learned about tzedaka: when we have extra of something we can share it! We created arts and craft birds with baskets full of whatever we have extra that we could share. We learned about Vayishlach and Jacob wrestling a mysterious figure. We learned the midrash that perhaps it was his “conscience”. Then we imagined that we each had our own advice angel in our heads -- “conscience” -- that gave us advice to do the right thing. We made popsicle stick puppets of whatever we imagined our advice angel might look like. 

Kita Bet with Batya:

We learned a few new words in Hebrew using Hebrew through movement: ritzpa (floor), delet (door), chalon (window). We also reviewed the Hebrew letters alef through daled.  In Judaics, we learned about Parshat Vayishlach. We studied the story of Yaakov and Esav where there was jealousy, deceit, revenge and ultimately forgiveness. We learned that it is never too late to change our ways and become a better version of ourselves. 

Kita Gimmel with Yardena:

In Hebrew class we played a game of pantomiming different Hebrew words. Using their bodies helped the students retain the new words better. Every week we recall the words we have learned and add new words. In Judaics, we have talked about prayer as being a way of saying thank you to God, the universe, and the natural world. We wrote our own prayers to God/the universe, followed by letters of thanks to people we sometimes forget to say thank you to. 

Kita Dalet With Heather:

In Hebrew, we've been making great progress both individually and as a class. Students are reading letters, vowels, and words with increased ease each week! We have strengthened these individual skills with full class activities, such as Hebrew "twister" using letters as our anchor spots. This week we took time to read and translate the Chanukah blessings, and discussed what these blessings might be trying to teach us about the meaning of the holiday.

In Judaics, we have continued our exploration of responsibility by learning about tzedekah. They were able to provide a myriad of examples just from what they observe day to day in their lives. Students had the opportunity to process some of the challenges they face when giving money to individuals in need.

This past week we learned about Jacob, and whether or not his character is what we would expect to see in a holy text. Jacob's journey is rocky, he makes many decisions that help himself but hurt others and takes a long time to be able to face those he has wronged in the past. Jacob's eventual willingness to make amends and demonstrate growth and change served as a road map for us as we figure out what it means to be "the children of Israel" or "the descendants of Jacob."

Kita Hey with Yonatan:

These past two weeks we began class with an active game in which students learn new Hebrew words through movement. We then reviewed vowels and students worked in their Hebrew binders. Students are continuing to grow in their ability to read!  In Judaics, we compared and contrasted Tzedek (justice) and Tzedaka (charity). The students discussed what type of acts and deeds they can do that would be either or both. We learned what days we read from the Torah in Shul and why, and about Torah Portion Vayeshlach in its context in the Genesis story. We discussed the struggle of Jacob and the Angel/Being, and students learned various parsings of the word "Yisrael" and all its layered meanings.

Kitah Vav With Yonatan:

In Hebrew, we've continued to learn new verbs and nouns for our energetic games at the beginning of the class. We reviewed the vowels and had one-on-one time learning Hebrew. We learned about Tzedek and Tzedaka what their similarities and differences are, and learned what type of acts and deeds can they do that would be either or both. We covered Vayishlach and Jacob's wrestling with the Angel, as well as the various layered meanings of the word "Yisrael," as the name given to Jacob. 

Kitah Zayin With Heather: 

As a class, we have been having great discussions about the B Mitzvah journey in addition to learning about tzedakah and Jacob's journey of change in the bible. We had the opportunity to celebrate Jacob Daniels on his B Mitzvah and got to do a Q&A with him about the process, what he was proud of, and advice he might have for other students. Overall the class is bonding as a cohort beautifully and really growing in the ways they respect and support each other each week.