The JFS Alexander Institute for Inclusion, in collaboration with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, presented short films this week to debut the ReelAbilities program for our Lower School students. This program has been part of RMBA for over 10 years! The Institute works to foster a community that includes all individuals by striving to eliminate the stigma associated with disabilities. This is part of the JFS Film Festival currently running this month. The videos were especially picked for our classes relative to their social-emotional development. Students also participated in a post-screening discussion. Each film had many important symbolic lessons. The films viewed were Macropolis/Best Friend for Kindergarten, Ian for 1st through 3rd grade, and Unteachable for 4th and 5th graders.

Our first parenting class in the "Oh How Our Parents Had It So Easy!" series took place this week at CASA Bar and Grill. The interactive class led by Rabbi Jordan Silvestri looked at various parenting styles and the impact on a child's upbringing that those styles may have, in addition to environmental factors. The diverse group composed of new and seasoned parents, RMBA parents, and community members had meaningful discussions that showcased we all face challenges as well as joyous moments along the parenting journey. Our next class will be taking place on April 27 at the home of Dafi and Moti Setovi. We hope you will join us. Please click here to RSVP. This series is open to all.

7th grade students in Dr. Arnold's science class earned a fun lab day in class this week! The students chose to dissect pigs that were recently donated by a parent.

In honor of Presidents Day this coming Monday, Morah Aviva's ECE4 class has been learning about two very important Presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Everyone had an opportunity to paint the American flag as the class focused on red, white, and blue, stripes patterning, rectangle shapes and counting 50 stars. They also learned some beginning concepts of addition and subtraction while working on a special “Quarters, Nickels, Dimes, and Pennies” activity. Morah Aviva explained the value of each coin and what each are equivalent to in Pennies. Other math concepts touched upon this week were long and short in connection with the short and long stripes on the American flag. In Alef Bet lessons the students are up to the letter Ayin for Einayim-Eyes. They are so excited that they only have 6 letters to go in order to complete the Alef Bet!

Kol Hakavod to Moreh Ido's and Morah Oshrat's 4th grade Hebrew classes for creating and building their very own shuk (market) in RMBA's ulam. In addition to students from other grades, families were invited to come for a shopping experience, entirely in Hebrew! 4th grade students sold everything from candy and baseball cards to kippot and clothing. Guests were given shekels (Israeli currency) and transliterated cards to help in their shopping endeavors.

This week students in Morah Tsippi's ECE2B class reviewed shapes by making individual books to reinforce what they are learning.

This week students in Morah Yocheved's First grade Judaic Studies class worked hard learning nouns and verbs which help understand the foundation of Chumash.

This week in Morah Sandy's ECE3A class students learned how each Jew received 2 crowns at matan Torah to represent naaseh and nishma— first we do and then we listen. The students painted these words and glued them to their own crowns. The class realized that its exactly what they are doing every day by coming to school—they are living by the Torah and now learning how and why.

In Moreh Ido's 6th grade Navi class students are learning Sefer Shmuel and are creating board games as part of their review.

In Ms. Morrison's 4th grade class students are working very hard to finish writing their book report on Tiger Rising by Kate Dicamillo. First they brainstormed and prepared an outline of their report. Next, they typed their outline in paragraphs, and then edited one another's rough drafts. The final step will be to make any last changes prior to turning in their papers.

As a project of the RMBA Senior Class of 2023, students and Rabbi Silvestri are learning Mesechet Taanit to be completed during graduation. This project is for a complete recovery for Moshe Elimelech ben Basha, a young father who is fighting against cancer, who learning Gemara brings much meaning. To learn along with the seniors, please click here to access the podcast.

This week in Ms. Adriana's STEAM class students continued their unit on Rainforests! They made blue morpho butterflies, colorful monkeys, and a collage of the rainforest including all their favorite animals who inhabit it!

This week lower school students participated in Shiur Tzionut, a Zionism class, led by Bnot Sherut Talya Sperling and Moriya Malkiel. The students learned all about Israeli inventions such as Waze, Krav Maga, Cherry Tomatoes, and Kipat Barzel as well as different cities in Israel, including Tel Aviv, Tzfat, Dimona, Yam Hamelech, and Eilat.

This week students in Morah Regina's Toddler/ECE15 class enjoyed story time and exploring many of the classroom's books. It's never too early to develop a love of reading!