December 2023 | Tevet 5784

3rd-4th Newsletter Tevet Edition

Welcome to the monthly 3rd/4th grade newsletter!

As we approach the end of the month of our calendar year, we share with you this detailed newsletter, supplementing the regular Remini updates.

What's in this newsletter?

What did students learn: Content and values from this month's curriculum.
What did students do: Crafts, games, songs and other classroom experiences.
Torah corner: A selected text students learned this month.
The Shabbat table: Questions and conversation starters for the family Shabbat or weekday dinner table about the 3-4 grade curriculum.
Letter of the Week: The Hebrew letters introduced this month.
Coming Attractions: What you can expect from the next month at the JLL.

What did students learn?

This Month, Students started learning the stories of Jacob, his fights with his brother Esau and his journey to meet his uncle in Abraham's native land.

Our family tree continues to grow as we meet more characters in the stories of our Avot v'Imahot.

What did students do?

As an experiential way to learn the story of Esau selling his birthright for Jacob's soup, students made their own lentil soup. After each student brought home a cup of soup, we donated the rest to Meals on Main Street.

On his way to Haran, Jacob dreamt of angels ascending and descending a ladder stretching up to the heavens. Just before going on winter break, students reflected on what memories they will take with them on their journeys. They represented it by creating their own ladder of angels.

Torah Corner

Isaac pleaded with God on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and God responded to his plea, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

But the children struggled in her womb, and she said, “If so, why do I exist?” She went to inquire of God,

and God answered her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

Two separate peoples shall issue from your body;

One people shall be mightier than the other,

And the older shall serve the younger.”

When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb.

The first one emerged red, like a hairy mantle all over; so they named him Esau.

Then his brother emerged, holding on to the heel of Esau; so they named him Jacob.

Chanukah Highlight: Chanukiyah Making with the Men of Reform Judaism

The Shabbat Table

Here are some conversation starters about what students learned:

Knowledge Questions:

Why were Jacob and Esau given those names? Why did Jacob have to go back to the family's homeland of Charan?

Comprehension questions:

Why did Esau sell his birthright to Jacob? Was it worth it?

Opinion Questions:

Did Jacob deal fairly with his brother? Why does the Torah show us our ancestors in moments that doesn't always reflect well on them?

Letter of the Week

Every week, we explore one letter of the Alef-Bet, the Hebrew Alphabet. This is the first taste for many of our students get to being able to decode Hebrew. Over the last few weeks, our letters have been:

ה (Hey) - as in Hachnasat Orchim, Hagbah and Hakafah
ח (Chet) - as in Challah, Chanukiyah and Chag Urim Sameach
ל (Lamed) - as in L'hadlik, Lashon Hara and Lavan

Coming Attractions

In the coming weeks, students will learn of Jacob marrying Leah and Rachel, and having the large family that will become the twelve tribes of Israel.

Midweek classes will resume on 01/09-10.

Weekend classes will resume on 01/21. We look forward to seeing everyone for family T'fillah on that day.

Enjoy you winter break!