MY BODY–GRADE 1–FEBRUARY 28, 2016

Dear families:

It was wonderful having all 22 smiling faces in class today.  After breakfast, we joined the other students for tefillah, led by Robin and Cantor Ken. They explained the tefillin they were wearing.  Our students are becoming more familiar with the new prayerbook.  Their challenge was to locate the bets ב and shins  שin the prayers.

Today we read a book called MY BODY IS SPECIAL–IT’S JEWISH! about all the Jewish things we do.  We can smell the bisomim box, put tefillin on our head and arm, taste the matzah, plant a seed with our hands, etc.   Some holiday actions are–see the Torah decorated with silver ornaments, taste the apples and honey, hear the shofar, eat the latkes, wear a Purim costume, and smell the fresh round challah.

Each student decorated a hamsa, or hand.  This has long been a symbol in Judaism.  The word means “five.”  There are many interpretations—the hand of G-d, the Hand of Miriam (sister of Moses), etc.  Many Jews believe that the five fingers of the hamsa remind the wearer to use all five senses to praise G-d.  It can be used with the fingers facing up or down

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Our Hebrew letter today was  ק  “koof”.  Some words beginning with ק are “keshet” (rainbow, as in the Noah story) , kiddush, and“kof” (monkey).

Our Torah lesson today was about Rebecca.  We began with a discussion about kindness.  Abraham sent his servant Eliezar to find a kind woman from his homeland, who would be a suitable wife for his son Isaac.  She drew water for Eliezar and also for his 10 camels.  In a land with no hotels, she invited him to dine and stay at her family’s home.  She agrees to accompany him to Canaan.  More next week. . . .