Third graders in Mr. Simon’s class are studying the federal government this week with zeal. They have focused their studies on the checks and balance nature of the three branches of government. In order to make this more visual, the students played a matching game. They combined their knowledge to match definitions to the appropriate governing body. Talk about a puzzle! In addition, they learned about the Bill of Rights. They discussed each one and how the Judiciary has interpreted them over time.

Chanukah preparations and activities are in full swing in Morah Aviva's ECE4 class this week! The children learned the beautiful story of Chanukah and it’s many Nisim - miracles. One of the projects the children worked on this week was a special drip mat for the Chanukiot that they will be making next week. This project involved the tape resist method, oil pastel drawing, and water coloring. The children were even more excited with the addition of a Chanukah table where they can spin a variety of dreidels, sort candles by color and size, and pretend they are Maccabees while playing with Morah Aviva's special Yehuda HaMacabee doll. This is just the beginning of many more exciting activities and projects that will be taking place over the next two weeks.

Mazal Tov to our 2nd grade students who celebrated a special milestone this week, their Mesibat Chumash (Chumash Celebration), where they each received their first Chumash in recognition of formally learning Chumash. Our hope is for them to build up their personal libraries with Sefarim (Jewish books) as well as make the commitment to being life-long learners. Kol Hakavod on a beautiful and emotional performance! We all enjoyed the demonstration of all your new and growing knowledge. Thank you to their fabulous teachers Morah Oshrat and Morah Roza for preparing them so well!

Students in Morah Tzippe's kindergarten Judaic studies class are working on the Hebrew letter Lamed this week. The children received a paper with 3 shapes on it. They had to color, cut out, and then assemble the shapes into a puzzle of the letter lamed! The students were up for a challenge and their lameds came out beautiful. What a fun way to review and remember the letter.

Students in Morah Yocheved’s first grade Judaic studies class were very busy this week starting their Chanukah preparations! They began by decorating collage dreidels, and will soon move on to clay hand-crafted Menorahs. All while learning about the miracle of Chanukah.

The 2nd annual Middle School Chidon Tzionut (Zionism contest) started this week! The first event was kicked off with a student reenactment of the First Zionist Congress. What is the Chidon Tzionut? It is a four stage competition consisting of events, quizzes, study groups and a final competition. Throughout the contest student will learn about the history of Zionism and the State of Israel while competing for some cool prizes! Good luck to all the participants!