Diving into Achrayut/Responsibility

Last week we started our unit on achrayut (responsibility). We discussed how the meaning of achrayut centers around personal responsibility and being trusted to take care of certain things. We used the Adam and Eve story as a parallel

Raya’s Class

to understand achrayut by talking about how both Adam and Eve tried to hide from God after eating the fruit, instead of owning up to breaking the rules. We also read the story No Rules for Michael which taught us that rules help us avoid chaos and are actually a good thing. Finally, we played a kavod card game and the kids understood the concept very well. Hebrew through Movement: שׁוּלְחַן (table) כִּסֶא (chair)

Questions to ask your children:

What is achrayut?
How does the story of Adam and Eve teach us about achrayut?
Why are rules necessary and what happens when we don’t have them?

Elie’s Class

This past week we started our unit on Achrayut. In class we talked about superheroes and how because they have a superpower they have a responsibility to do good with it. In class we discussed our responsibilities and made a superhero wand to help remind us to use our powers for good. In HTM we learned white – Lavan, black- shachor, and choom – brown and played a game where we pointed to different items in the room of that color.

Question to ask your children:
How are you responsible at home, school and with friends?

K-2 Family Program

Just as students are doing in their regular class, this week in the family program we began a new unit on achrayut/responsibility. Students and parents explored what it means to love your neighbor as yourself and the importance of embracing self care and self love before being responsible for others. Students used drama, art, song and stories to explore having achrayut for oneself while parents examined biblical and Talmudic texts about self love, care for one’s health and a Jewish lens on care for one’s resources. At the end parents and students joined together to share takeaways from the day.

Announcements

1. Camp Style Havdalah Pool Party, This Saturday, Nov 16, 3-5pm.

Families that are already connected to URJ Camps will join with prospective campers and their families for a fun night with havdalah, swimming and camp-style games. We look forward to seeing you there! Register here! All welcome; 2nd – 6th grade focused.

2. Register for K-2 Kabbalat Shabbat B’Yachad (KSBY): Friday, November 22, 5:30-7pm

All K-2 families are invited to join for a joyous Friday night celebration with singing, praying and sharing
a meal together! Register here!

3. Save the Dates, Parent-Teacher Check-Ins, Dec 7 & 14

On Saturday Dec 7 & Saturday Dec 14, we will hold opportunities for you to meet with your child’s teacher to hear about how the year has been going. These meetings will generally take place after Yachad classes. Within the next two weeks you will receive an email with further information and the link to sign up for meetings.