JCP Downtown: Jewish Community Project

Visit to Jewish Home & Hospital

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:15:47 +0000

Dear BM Parents,

We had an educationally successful and morally inspirational visit to the Jewish Home and Hospital yesterday.

We: Eli, Gabe, Josh, Julia, Lilly, Zach, Owen, Noah, Zoe, and Callie, together with a few parents (thank you Lilly, Josh, Rachel and Howard), and Toby, our song leader, took the train to the UWS, and spent time with about 15 senior citizen residents of the facility.

Upon arrival, we handed out the Mishloach Manot (Purim gift baskets) to the senior residents. These gift baskets, which the students helped assemble on Monday, included hamantashen, juice boxes, pretzels, chocolate, groggers and the Purim story. Once the we were settled in, I introduced JCP and the Bnai Mitzvah students went on to introduce themselves individually (name, age, and one ‘cool’ thing about themselves). Toby led all of us in song, together with the residents, who clapped and sang, and joined us happily. We sang “Hine Ma Tov U’ma Nayim” and “Salam”. We then took requests from the residents, who asked for a couple of Passover songs. Lastly, we went around the room and asked the residents to share their name, age (if they wished) and one ‘cool’ thing about themselves. One of the ladies was 97 years old (may she live to 120!!!!).

Overall, we spent about 45 min there, and it seemed that it not only brought much joy to the residents, but also a sense of fulfillment for the students.

We hope to continue on this path of Tikkun Olam (Social Justice) and doing good to those less fortunate around us. We invite you to share any ideas you have for Tikkun Olam projects, with either myself or Talia, and we’ll be happy to bring the Kesher community together to make them happen.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom,
Maayan

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_______________________________________
Maayan Fogel :: Assistant Director, Kesher and Mechina Programs
JCP Downtown :: 212 334 3522
146 Duane Street :: Tribeca
jcpdowntown.org

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Kochavim, Kindergarten Update (Chava & Lori)

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:57:35 +0000

We have been so busy this February in the Kochavim classroom. We had a wonderful time welcoming our parents throughout the month. In continuation of our Hebrew language curriculum we made name plates with our Hebrew names using wooden pieces, paint and decorative pieces.

To celebrate Purim we baked our own Hamantashen, a traditional Purim cookie. It was great working together to cut out a circle from rolled out cookie dough and then scooping jam and chocolate chips into the center. Afterwards we pinched the corners to create a triangle shape. We hope you enjoyed eating them with your children.

We also made Misloach Manot together. Mishloach Manot refers to the tradition of giving people you love and people less fortunate than you a gift basket to celebrate Purim. This concept is part of our ongoing discussion of tzedakah and middot, charitable actions. We look forward to tell you more in our next update.

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Anafim 4/5 Update (Josh & Alana)

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:30:30 +0000

Although the snow days we had were a slight (and cold!) distraction this month, nothing got in the way of our learning!

We finished up our unit on Gemilut Chasadim and introduced the new concept of Tzar Ba’alei Chayim- treating creatures with respect. We discussed what it was like to empathize with animals, and debated the pros and cons of owning a pet (seems like everyone in the class wanted a puppy!). We also introduced the concept of Simcha- happiness, and created a poster to illustrate that the root of all happiness lies with appreciation. We even dabbled in some positive psychology- we wrote down 5 things we appreciated every day for a week in order to see how blessed we are!

Of course, we related this idea of simcha back to the holiday of Purim. Along with a discussion of the actual story of Purim, we delved into the ideas behind Purim- asking ourselves what is the difference between appropriate and inappropriate happiness.

Now that Purim is behind us, it seems like the year is really flying! Next up is Passover and along with it- lessons that are chock full of interesting discussions.

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Nitzanim 2/3 News (Maayan & Naama)

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:29:03 +0000

This past month in our Nitzanim class has been so great! We started off talking about different issues pertaining to animals and the world. We talked about tzaar baalei chayim, treating animals properly. Our students enjoyed discussing the correct ways to treat your pets, such as making sure to feed your pet before you eat. We made special slogans to send a message to the world of how to treat animals properly. We then went on to discuss baal tashchit, which is not wasting. The Nitzanim class were very vocal about not littering and taking care of the earth. They also strongly supported this idea of not wasting food or any natural resources.

To end the month, we had a special unit on Simcha, happiness. We began talking about different times in our lives when we are happy- at a birthday, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding, etc. We watched different videos of these happy events and noted what made them such happy occasions. We each wrote down a list of what things in our lives make us happy- many responses were “my family, my friends, and a hobby”. We got to celebrate Purim and learn all the Purim story. We made groggers in class and celebrated with all of Kesher at the Purim party! We loved Purim and had so much fun dressing up and doing all of the mitzvot of Purim- Mishloach Manot, giving a present to your friends and family; Matanot Le’evyonim, giving charity (we made sandwiches for poor people); Seudah, meal (we got to fill our very own hamentashen with delicious chocolate chips, frosting, and jelly!); and Megillah, we got to watch the teachers put on a funny play of the Purim story!
This month has been so much fun, and we are looking forward to learning all about Pesach!!

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Shorashim, K/1 Update (Ofrit & Gabe)

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:26:30 +0000

In this past unit we have been looking at the different aspects of compassion. Towards each other, animals and our environment. The children enjoyed pronouncing the words Gmilut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness) and learning what it means to be kind to others and help those in need. We reviewed the idea of Tikun Olam and shared ways of how we can help in repairing the world. When we spoke about Tzedaka and made Tzedaka boxes we all brought up the tragedy in Haiti and the children were eager to lend a helping hand.

When learning about Tzaar Baaley Chaim (avoiding cruelty to animals) the children spoke about their pets and understood the importance of caring for our animals. Recycling, reusing and reducing were ideas that came up while talking about Bal Tashchit (do not destroy) and the importance of environmental ethics in Judaism. We made art out of recycled materials and celebrated Chag Hailanot (the birthday of the trees) Tu Beshvat.

The month of Adar was a time of celebration in Kesher. We reviewed what happiness means, what makes us happy and how we can make others happy. For Purim we looked closely at the Meguilla story, danced and sang, made masks and made Mishloach Manot (gift bags for others) and Matanot Laevionim (gifts to the poor) along with the other Kesher classes.

It is always a pleasure to have your children in our classroom and we look forward to sharing many more experiences through this year

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Rishonim, Sunday Class, Update (Josh)

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:23:25 +0000

It’s hard to believe that Purim has already come and gone…But in the past few weeks though, we’ve really made the most of this awesome-crazy-happy holiday!

Of course, we learned about the story and got a better understanding of Esther, Mordechai, Achashverosh, Haman and all the characters that make up the Megillat Esther (Scroll of Esther). And not only did we all hear the story – but we acted out the story too!

We thought about and discussed the 4 Mitzvot of Purim:

1) Reading the Megillah

2) Giving Mishloach Manot (gifts) to friends and family

3) Matanot L’Evyonim (charity to the poor)

4) Having a Se’udah (festive meal)

We made and decorated our own Megillot. We wrote Purim cards for friends and family. We decorated masks for the custom of dressing up. We designed our very own Mishloach Manot boxes. And, of course, on Purim day itself – when we were lucky enough to be together – we gave and received Mishloach Manot…each student picking a name, making a bag, and giving to another.

And all the while, we’ve continued to sing songs, learn more of the Alef-Bet, read some great books and have an all-around fantastic time.

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Ananim Kindergarten News (Alana & Shulamis)

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:22:02 +0000

Although February is a short month, it’s been a busy, fun filled one!

We not only reviewed the Hebrew letters and numbers we’ve learned, we also focused on topical related words, like simcha or happiness for Purim. For the actual holiday we’ve celebrated in many different ways- we read the story of Purim in our own megillah’s, we decorated crowns to dress up like King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther, and we ate a lot of hamantashen! We also created glittery, colorful masks with some special visitors- thank you for coming to see us!

This month, we hope to start learning some stories from the Torah and relate them to associated midot- character values. We’ll keep you posted!

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Chaveirim, K & 1 News (Josh & Naama)

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:20:36 +0000

One of the main aspects of celebrating Purim is the obligation to celebrate with Simcha (happiness)!! And boy, have we ever been sticking to that! We’ve learned about the story – and taken turns acting out the different parts. And we’ve really had fun with Purim arts and crafts: making Rashanim (aka Graggers or noisemakers) to shake whenever we hear the name Haman…Boo!! Boo!! And creating awesome masks to help us dress up and look silly.

And in honor of Purim itself, we got to eat delicious Hamentashen and make bags of Mishloach Manot (gifts) to give to each other. We didn’t just make bags and fill them for ourselves – but we each made a bag for someone else, perfectly in the spirit of Purim.

Even with all that, we’ve still been working hard on our Alef-Bet, beginning to put some basic words together and sounding out pairs of letters. Getting familiar with a new language isn’t easy – but the students are doing a great job!

Stories, songs, arts and crafts, yummy food, fun games…This past month has definitely been filled with Simcha. And as we transition into the next holiday just around the corner, Pesach (wow, time flies!), there’ll be more and more Simcha still.

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February with Amitzim, 1st Grade (Shira & Omri)

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:18:37 +0000

The Amitzim have been very busy since we last spoke. We’ve been hard at work with our Iivrit(Hebrew). Students are now familiar with the aleph-bet until the letter zayin; we’ve also been learned to count from one to ten. While we’ve been progressing with our language skills we’ve also covered several cultural and Judaic lessons. For example, Tzedakah, the commandment of giving to those in need. While we’ve been covering the topic briefly now, later on in the semester we’re going to select a charity as agreed upon by the students and donate to that cause at the end of the year. Purim taught us the value of freedom of religion; as well as the joy of making masks and noise to celebrate that freedom.

Presently we’re learning about Passover; a holiday with its own value of freedom. We’ll have our own passover Seder(the holiday meal) in class and learn some of the associated blessings of the holiday. We also plan to continue our progress in Ivrit so that reading the blessings in Hebrew becomes easier.

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Nedivim, 2nd Grade Update (Ashley & Liat)

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:16:30 +0000

This month in Nedivim we learned about the holiday Purim! We read the story of Vashti, Ahashveros, Esther, Moderchai, and of course, Haman and even acted out a play with the different parts. We baked “oznei haman”, which we learned is the Hebrew word for Hamantaschen, or “Haman’s ears”. In celebration of the holiday, we also painted each other’s faces, decorated hats, created our own megillot, and made mishloach manot to give to our classmates. Next month we are excited to begin learning about Passover. We hope the students in Nedivim are enjoying learning together as much as we are!

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