2nd Grade: Jewish Traditions and Sukkot
Jewish Studies
Tuesdays/Wednesdays Jewish Studies with Haley
This week, students explored the meaning and objects surrounding Sukkot. Unfortunately due to bad weather, only our Tuesday students got to go into the CBE Sukkah. However, every student learned all about the lulav and etrog and how we shake them. Each student also got the opportunity to shake an actual lulav and etrog and explore the reason why Jews practice this ritual. The second graders also made paper chains to decorate the sukkah with things they are grateful for and we talked as a class about being grateful for all of the joys in our life during the holiday season. Lastly, we read A Watermelon In The Sukkah and learned about using creativity and problem solving to make a sukkah special.
Questions to ask at home:
What is Sukkot and why do we celebrate it?
What is a Sukkah and what does it look like?
What are the lulav and etrog and show me how to shake them?
What is something you are grateful for this holiday season?
Hebrew Through Movement
We focused on the Sukkot prayers for being in the Sukkah and for shaking the lulav and etrog. We also got to practice shaking with a real lulav and etrog.
Saturday Jewish Studies with Anat
This week in Morah Anat’s class in second grade, we learned a new ritual and bracha for Shabbat – netliat yadayim, the ritual handwashing before blessing and eating bread. We had a blast skipping, running, and walking the halls while learning Hebrew in Hebrew Through Movement! We illustrated our own Torah scrolls and asked questions about the Torah, kicking off our year curriculum of learning Torah stories. We closed with Bagels from Benny, a story that taught us about gratitude, kindness, and giving.
Questions to ask at home:
Do you know our family traditions and ritual objects we have passed from generation to generation?
What does L’dor V’dor mean? And what does it mean to our family?
What is a tradition our family does during the holidays?
Saturday Jewish Studies with Ashley
Last week, our small class said the prayers for kiddish and snacked while playing a fabulous card game about animals from Israel. Thanks, Reuben, for bringing in this game and teaching us how to play! After Hebrew Through Movement, students learned about the Torah. They learned that it is kept in the ark and that we use a “yad” to touch the scroll instead of our oily fingers, among other things. We showed students a mini-Torah, delivered thoughtfully by Anat’s 2F class. Finally, we read “Bagels from Benny” and had a short discussion about the different ways you can think about God.
Questions to ask at home:
Do you know our family traditions and ritual objects we have passed from generation to generation?
What does L’dor V’dor mean? And what does it mean to our family?
What is a tradition our family does during the holidays?
Shabbat Family Program
Students and parents explored the themes of vulnerability and trying again. Students enjoyed using improv, stories and song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIjBNJgloqo) to learn about making mistakes and the practice of giving things another try. In chevrutot (learning pairs) parents studied ancient and modern texts about re-encountering challenges, being open about mistakes and vulnerability in parenting. Everyone went home with their kavod goal sheets to continue thinking about these themes as a family
Announcements
1. Upcoming Closure & Special Event
We are closed on Monday 10/21 for Simchat Torah but please join us during the evening from 5:30 – 7pm for Simchat Torah dinner, get-to-know-each-other, dancing, sweet Simchat Torah treats and gifts of small Torahs from returning CBE and Yachad families, to our new Yachad families. We hope to see you there! Please RSVP so that we can plan for adequate food and supplies by emailing Juliane McManus, jmcmanus@cbebk.org.
2. Back to School Night, Tuesday Oct 29, 7-9pm
Mark your calendars for our K- 7th grade Back to School night! During the evening you will have a chance to meet with your child’s teacher or grade coordinator, get an overview of the year’s curriculum and shmooze with other parents/caregivers. Looking forward to connecting!
3. Register for 4th-7th Grade Yachad Retreat!
We are filling up but still have spots on our 4th Annual Yachad Retreat for 4th – 7th Grade, Friday, October 25 – Sunday, October 27! On this student only weekend, 4th-7th graders will have the chance to make new friends, strengthen existing friendships, celebrate Shabbat at URJ Eisner Camp, and build community through fun and exciting activities. There will even be special opportunities for the 7th grade students to lead the group and make this weekend their own. Registration includes round trip bus transportation from CBE, all meals and linens. The bus will leave from CBE on Friday at 3:30 pm and return around 2:00pm on Sunday. Once registration is under way, watch your inbox for event specific information like a packing list and other important updates. We are happy to write an excused absence for a religious event if necessary to facilitate arriving to the bus by 3:30. Please contact Haley Breskin at hbreskin@cbebk.org with all questions regarding the retreat. Register here!