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DECEMBER 2017
1: 5th Grade Milestone Shabbat 6:30pm
2: Kavod Plus Class 9:30-11:30am
4-7: FOF Chanukah Boutique
4: JORTY 6:15-7:00pm
4: 7th Grade 6:40-8:00pm
8: Rosh Hodesh Trip 7:30-9:00pm
9: Kavod Plus Class 9:30-11:30am
9: Chazak 10:00-11:30am
11-14: FOF Latke Parties
11: 7th Grade Enrichment Class with Morah Dalia
15: Chanukah Shabbat Vodkas & Latkes 7:45pm
16: Kavod Plus Class 9:30-11:30am
17: Hevra 10:00-12:00pm
17: Hineni 10:00-12:00pm
18: 7th Grade 6:40-8:00pm
25: WINTER RECESS BEGINS through January 1st
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Dear Parents,
Our religious school curriculum this year is focused on the link between our students' development as emerging Jewish adults, their ethical behavior (middot), and the performance of acts of g'milut chasadim. One aspect of our curriculum that we are currently looking at is the issue of bullying and the Jewish values that can help us understand and respond to bullying.
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Like our public schools and camps, we are concerned about the prevalence of bullying behavior in our community. Bullying can be defined as conscious and repeated hostile behavior intended to harm others. Bullying includes a wide variety of behaviors, but all of them involve a person or a group repeatedly trying to harm someone who is weaker or more vulnerable. Although bullying can take different forms (physical, social, verbal, etc.), all acts of bullying are emotionally harmful and hurtful. We are working hard to create a culture where bullying is recognized, acknowledged, and addressed.
Our school has always embraced the teaching of Jewish values such as:
lo taamod al dam rei-echa
l'shon hara
hachnasat orchim
v'ahavta l'rei-acha kamocha
emet
lo l'vayeish
oheiv zeh et zeh/m'chab'eid zeh et zeh
sh'lom bayit
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Not standing idly by
Not gossiping
Welcoming the stranger
Loving your neighbor
Truthfulness
Not embarrassing
Loving and honoring others
Peace in the home/family
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Because bullying contradicts these values, we are working with our students to help them understand the consequences of bullying and to develop a Jewish Code of Anti-Bullying Behaviors for their classroom.
There are things that parents can do at home to help support this initiative: speak with your children about bullying, provide your child with strategies for dealing with bullying behavior at school, and be prepared and work with us if you get a call from us informing you that your child has been involved in a bullying incident as a bully, a target, or a bystander.
Wishing you all Hag Sameach - Happy Chanukah!
Cantor - Educator Elena Schwartz
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5th Grade Milestone
ON FRIDAY, December 1, 2017
PLEASE JOIN US FOR:
Our 5th Grade
Festive Shabbat Dinner Filled with Music,
Family Time and Great Food!
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Pizza, Pasta & Salad
Israeli Wine
for the Adults
5:30 PM
&
Milestone
Service
6:30 PM
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Come and kvell as your children lead the Temple Sinai community in
prayer and song for this very special Shabbat service.
Grandparents and siblings are welcome!
PLEASE RSVP to the school office if you are joining us for
Pizza, Pasta & Salad and Service
or
ONLY the Service
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On October 30th and November 6th, Temple Sinai's 7th grade class participated in Words to Action programs led by a representative from the Anti-Defamation League. The programs were an opportunity for our students to learn about the persistence of anti-Semitism throughout history to the present day. The first session began with an explanation of the Pyramid of Hate and a discussion about the importance of addressing instances of bias, prejudice and discrimination so they do not continue to escalate. We discussed how the Holocaust is a terrible example of what happens when the bottom levels of the pyramid are not addressed and society reaches the top level - genocide. By having a conversation about the Holocaust, and how anti-Jewish stereotypes permeated throughout Europe without end, students walked away with a better understanding of why even subtle acts of bias and bullying have consequences.
The second session focused on applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills in responding to anti-Semitism. The students listened to realistic examples of anti-Semitic incidents and worked together to figure out the most appropriate way to address the issue. We had a conversation about who to turn to for help, the meaning of the words ally and bystander, and how responding to situations at school or with friends can be challenging.
Overall, the programs exposed our students to the reality that anti-Semitism and hate still exists in our community - but they have the power to do something. We hope they feel more equipped and empowered to respond and tell someone if they ever see or experience anti-Semitism at school or in the future.
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Yad
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Our Seventh Grade students made their own personalized Yad for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Yad means hand, and is a Jewish Torah pointer used to read from the Torah. The students also learned about "Hiddur Mitzvah" - beautification of the mitzvah, and explored the significance of the visual symbols in the sanctuary.
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Israel and Sinai at 
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Friends of the IDF Dinner
On October 25th, I attended a dinner at Temple Sinai with IDF soldiers who were here in the US representing the Israeli army. Many of them were "Lone Soldiers" which means that they are Jewish young adults who move to Israel from another country to serve in the IDF. They spoke about their experience in the army, life in Israel without their families and the pride they feel for their roles in the army. Many of them had first hand accounts of their direct impact in protecting the country Israel. I enjoyed the dinner because It was interesting to listen to the soldiers talk about their experiences and their backgrounds. They are all so courageous. I am now looking forward to going to Israel for my Bar Mitzvah even more because I can get to speak to more soldiers while I am there.
- Blake Sohmer |
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A couple of weeks ago I came to temple Sinai to have dinner with some of the soldiers in the Israeli army. After I met some of them and heard them speak, I had a chance to ask them about what they do. I realized that they were very brave to become Lone Soldiers. That is someone from the United States who volunteers to go to Israel to be in the army. I learned that it isn't easy to be a Lone Soldier. They spend a long time away from their families. The other soldiers who live in Israel get to see their families on the weekends. They make a lot of sacrifices to protect Israel, and that means they are helping people from all over the world. I was very happy to go to the dinner to thank them for everything they do for Israel and to protect the Jewish people.
-Brody Schwartz
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I really enjoyed meeting the Israeli soldiers at the dinner. I learned how much hard work they put into their jobs and how selfless and brave they are. I found it very interesting that some of them were actually born in the US and became "lone soldiers" who volunteered to serve in the Israeli Army even though they weren't Israeli and didn't have family there. Their strong connection to Israel gave them the desire to help fight for the cause.
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Fun Times at Temple Sinai Religious School
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"Mitzvah gedolah l'heyot b'simcha!" It is a big mitzvah to be happy! Our students fulfilled this Mitzvah with Laughing Shabbat on Friday, Nov. 17. We ma
de silly kippot, silly challah covers and silly kiddish cups. Most of all, we enjoyed being silly and celebrating Shabbat with our family & friends!
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Families Helping Families
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On Friday, November 10 (Veterans Day), our Hineni students explored the Jewish value of Feeding the Hungry by donating Thanksgiving food items and filling Thanksgiving baskets. We want to give a special thanks to Lauren Abate and Meryl Sara for planning this Hineni session. |
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Hevra and Sharing Shabbat Families Learn about Sukkot
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Our students learned that
Sukkot has many names for its many meanings. Sukkot's historical, agricultural and spiritual significance is a unique combination that makes this holiday meaningful and festive all at the same time. They discussed this multi-faceted holiday and what each of its names represents.
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Sukkot
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The Religious School students made the lulav and etrog shake with Music Man Dan!
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Gleanings
Our
Hevra and Hineni families went to the
Garden of Eve Farm to perform the mitzvah of Gleanings. We all picked veggies to be donated to Long Island Cares.
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A Summer that Lasts a Lifetime
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Please Click on Flyer For More Information
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