Kindergarten: Maccabees

Last week we read a book called ‘What is Hanukkah?’ by Harriet Ziefert. The kids were happy to be able to recognize and name all the symbols of Hanukkah. We talked about the Maccabees’ battle and victory over the Greeks and how the Maccabees took the responsibility to clean the Temple from statues of Greek Gods and reclaim it for Judaism. (Raya’s Class)

Hebrew Through Movement:
נר (candle)
נרות (candles)
שׁמשׁ ( helper)
מכבּי (hammer)

Questions to ask at home:
What are three symbols of Hanukkah?
Who did the Maccabees fight and win?
What is the meaning of Maccabee?

Elie’s Class

This week we learned about the miracle of Hannukah! We read ‘Herschel and the Hannukah Goblins’ and learned about the Maccabees. We also made our own dreidels out of clay. In HTM we reviewed words by playing Jeopardy.

Questions to ask at home:
What was your favorite part of the Hannukah goblin book?
Why do you think we read it?
What Hebrew words did you go over?

K-2 Family Program

This week families continued in the Achrayut (Responsibility) unit by exploring achrayut for freedom. After a discussion about freedom and responsibility, parents studied Jewish texts about free will, collective & individual freedom, and the relationship between freedom and education. Meanwhile, students explored a similar theme through stories & drama. With parents and students together, both shared ways they feel free, what they can do with freedom and how they can help others be free.

Announcements

1. Upcoming Closures: 12/21 – 1/1 Yachad Winter Break
2. Looking forward to CBE Family Hanukkah Program, Friday, Dec 20, 5:30                                                                                                Our ECC, After School and Yachad staff and families can’t wait to get ready for Hanukkah with you! We’re looking forward to joining in Shabbat blessings and a community latke dinner, followed by fun-filled Hanukkah activities! We’ll conclude with a Hanukkah family sing along lead by Debbie Brukman. We’re looking forward to seeing those of you who registered tomorrow!
3. NFTY NAR Winter Kallah & Hosting Opportunity 1/3 – 1/5                                                                                                                      NFTY NAR and Congregation Beth Elohim are thrilled to have parents and their teens join us for Winter Kallah on January 3-5, 2020. This year, our annual home-hosted weekend experience is open to 8-12th Grade! NFTY NAR and CBE can’t wait to welcome everyone to the first ever Brooklyn Kallah and highlight this amazing part of our region. The theme for the weekend is “Real Talk,” an in-depth exploration of how we can actively create meaningful connections with each other and use the Jewish art of storytelling as a skill we can take home with us to engage our peers and communities. Of course, we’ll enjoy the timeless Kallah staples like Shabbat dinner and tefilah, the first Havdallah of 2020, and Saturday night Big Fun! Students can’t attend but want to help? Become a host family and take in a few teens from the New York area. More info? Contact Haley Breskin at hbreskin@cbebk.org