What Happened this Week at Hagiga? – December 5, 2009/18 Kislev 5770

This week the Zorim (Kindergarten – 2nd grade) looked at the sacred cycle of reading Torah. They continued their study by looking at this week’s parsha, Vayishlach, as well as those that continue the Jacob story. They learned about how Jacob had favorites, and treated his children his differently from one another, which led to some serious problems. In the end, the brothers made up with one another and the group talked about how they were able to heal relationships. The art work that they created illustrated their personal understanding beautifully. Please continue the conversation about mending relationships with your child.

The Bonim (3rd-5th grades) learned about this week’s Torah portion, parshat Vayishlach, specifically how Jacob and Esau reunite and how Jacob wrestles with an angel. The group looked at the parsha through a dramatic lens, namely Sedra Scenes by Stan Beiner. After successfully wrestling the angel, Jacob’s name is changes to Israel. The group looked at a Talmudic quote: Every person has three names: one parents give them, one others call them, and one they acquire themselves. (Ecclesiastes Rabah) and made name plates. Please continue the conversation with your children about the name they wish to acquire for themselves.

This week the Magshimim (6th-8th grades) looked at the ceremony of Havdalah, the ritual marking the end of Shabbat, marking the separation between holy and secular. The group discussed elements in their own life that are typically seen as mundane, but are actually holy. Prisms were used as a metaphor of how we need help separating all the elements to see all the different components that make up the whole. What beauty there is when we see all the parts! Please consider celebrating Havdalah with your family and ask your children what Havdalah means to them.

The Chalutzim (high school) looked at parshat Vayishlach, specifically the illicit sexual relationship of Dena. The group looked at several interpretations of the parsha, as well as created drash from Dena’s perspective. There was also discussion about the children who resulted from unions of those who were in love, versus those unions for the purpose of procreation. Please ask your child to share what they learned this past Shabbat.

We look forward to seeing you at the Hanukkah Intergenerational program on Sunday, December 13th from 5-7 pm at Ratner. Please bring a potluck to share and your family’s hanukkiah to light.

Kol Tuv,
Robyn
 

What Happened this Week at Hagiga? – November 21, 2009/4 Kislev 5770

Mazel Tov to Steven Friedman-Romell on becoming a Bar Mitzvah! Our Bonim, Magshimim and Chalutzim were able to hear his d’var torah and participate in the end of the service. Yasher Koach on a job well done!

This week the Zorim (Kindergarten – 2nd grade) looked at the sacred cycle of reading Torah. They learned that every week we hear a bit more about the story of the Jewish people. This week the Torah talked about Jacob and Esau who were twins and how they started fighting with each other before they were even born. The group talked about Shalom Bayit, making peace in the home, specifically things they can do to make life peaceful for their own families. Please talk with your children about ways to have Shalom Bayit.

The Bonim (3rd-5th grades) learned about this week’s Torah portion, parshat Toldot, and read parts of the parsha ,and midrash on the parsha, in Manga art (Japanese comics). The Manga Midrash told how Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some stew. The group focused on what traits are necessary to be a good leader, i.e. having a birthright or actions one takes. They had a very interesting conversation about the most important traits for a leader to have. Please ask your children what traits do they have which make them a leader.

This week the Magshimim (6th-8th grades) delved into this week’s Torah portion, parshat Toldot, specifically how Rebekah and Jacob worked to trick Isaac into thinking Jacob was Esau in order to receive the blessing that was intended for Esau. The group discussed several midrashim, rabbinic writings on the Torah, on the topic of sight in Judaism. They spoke of placing a stumbling block in front of the blind, as those who have physical limitations, as well as those who lack insight. The group then had the opportunity to express itself through magnetic poetry. Please share with your children times when you have witnessed a stumbling block being placed before someone who was “blind”.

The Chalutzim (high school) had a dynamic conversation led by Jennie Graham on the role of gender identity in all streams of Judaism. The article discussed rabbinic understandings of responsibilities of each gender in Judaism, as well as the rabbinic rulings on transgender individuals in the community. The teens grasped the information well and articulated opinions on the topics. Please ask your child to share what they learned this past Shabbat.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Kol Tuv,
Robyn
 

What Happened this Week at Hagiga? – November 7, 2009/20 Cheshvan 5770

Mazel Tov to Ravi Lesser on becoming a Bar Mitzvah! Our Bonim, Magshimim and Chalutzim were able to hear his d’var torah and participate in the end of the service. Yasher Koach on a job well done!

You should have received a calendar of Youth and Family education programs for the 2009-2010/5770 mailed to your home this past week. There is a mistake on the calendar. Zoe Herzenstein’s Bat Mitzvah ceremony will take place on June 12, 2010. Please note the change on your calendar.

This week the Zorim (Kindergarten – 2nd grade) tried to answer the question, what is Jewish time. They looked at the cycle of the day, week, month, year and seasons, with a focus that Hebrew days are counted from sunset to sunset and the important role the moon has in the Hebrew calendar. The group made moon wheels to help track the moon cycle and then celebrated the moon with moon cookies. It was messy, but delicious! Ask your child if he or she can tell what part of the Hebrew month we are in by looking at the moon.

The Bonim (3rd-5th grades) continued their conversation about Shabbat. Last time we were together we discussed what we have Shabbat and this time we discussed it as sacred time. The group read, “Shabbat Spice” in Tales of the Seventh Day by Nina Jaffe, where a ruler is trying to capture the deliciousness of Shabbat, but cannot because he is not celebrating Shabbat as a sacred time. We tried to define what is the “Shabbat Spice” that makes Shabbat taste so good, but we could not find the words. We did braid challah which was a yummy element of Shabbat. Please continue the conversation with your child trying to find a definition of “Shabbat Spice” for your family.

Most of the Magshimim (6th-8th grades) were in the service celebrating Ravi becoming a Bar Mitzvah. As there were very few in the classroom, they chose to spend the day with the Bonim. The Havdalah program will be waiting for our next meeting.

The Chalutzim (high school) had a very interesting program with Bill Marcus this week. Bill discussed parshat Vayera and the many elements which are relevant in an adolescent life. Robyn also talked with the group about possible topics they are interested in for the rest of the year, and received warm and informative feedback. It should be a very interesting year!

Kol Tuv,
Robyn
 

What Happened this Week at Hagiga? – October 17, 2009/29 Tishrei 5770

This past Shabbat was our first “regular” Hagiga of the 2009-2010/5770 season. There was a low attendance, but there was lots of enthusiasm from those who were there. Hope everyone is feeling better and we look forward to seeing you next time in good health.

This week the Zorim (Kindergarten – 2nd grade) had a lovely T’fillah (prayer) time with Beth Friedman-Rommel. Beth will be joining the group with her guitar and beautiful voice throughout the year. After T’fillah, the group read the book, The Beautiful World that God Made by Rhonda Growler Greene retelling the creation story in rhyme and gorgeous illustration. The group then highlighted where Shabbat comes from and all the things we do to celebrate Shabbat. The group then braided challah that they took home to bake. Hope it was delicious!

The Bonim (3rd-5th grades) read Parshat Bereshit, the weekly torah portion which told the story of creation. Further investigation of the parsha was told through the story, The Most Important Day, found in the book, Tales for the Seventh Day: A Collection of Sabbath Stories by Nina Jaffe. Told from the perspective of each day of creation, each makes an argument as to why it is the most important. The Bonim demonstrated their understanding through a dramatic presentation of the story using props. It was wonderful to watch!

As it is Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan (the beginning of a new month) the Magshimim (6th-8th grades) investigated the sacred cycle of celebrating Rosh Chodesh. The group looked at Biblical and Talmudic sources for why we celebrate Rosh Chodesh, as well as the practicalities of having a lunar calendar. The group also looked at the month of Cheshvan, often called “Mar” bitter because it contains no holidays (especially after holiday filled Tishrei). The group learned of the holiday, Sigd, which is celebrated by the Ethopian Jewish community, Beta Israel during the month of Cheshvan.

The Chalutzim (high school) had a special guest, Emma Limoli who shared about her experiences working with the Navajo Nation in New Mexico through the organization Panim, and working with Jewish youth from all around the world in Sarvash, Hungry. Both experiences highlighted Tikkun Olam, repairing the world and showed that anyone, regardless of age, can give a great deal to the community. Thanks Emma!

Kol Tuv,
Robyn
 

What Happened this Week at Hagiga? – October 3, 2009/15 Tishrei 5770

Hag Sameah! I hope you are having a fabulous Sukkot! This past Shabbat at Hagiga, Sukkot was our topic of conversation! Everyone had a chance to visit our Sukkah and hear the marvelous storyteller, Cindy Marshall who was visiting from Boston. We learned a great deal about the holiday, each group looking at a different element. The Zorim (Kindergarten – 2nd grade) learned about the species that make up the lulav and etrog, through the book, Sukkot Treasure Hunt. It is amazing to learn that all the species can be found rather easily in Israel. The Bonim (3rd-5th grades) took a look at the Gevurot prayer from the Amida and saw that the language changes at this time of year, honoring God for causing the wind to blow and the rain to fall. They then went outside with kites to watch the work of the magnificent wind. The Magshimim (6th-8th grades) looked at the prayer Sukkat Shalom, how we continually petition for a sukkat shalom, a shelter of peace. The group did a further investigation of notions of peace in our tradition. The Chalutzim (high school) learned about the different divine qualities that are associated with the Ushpizin, righteous guests, who visit our sukkot. The group did a bit of reflecting on qualities they hold and those that they wish to acquire.

Lastly, thanks to all the wonderful families who have signed up to bring snack to Hagiga. Our kids are very hungry and snack can be a big job. We are fortunate that we have a volunteer for each week we are meeting, but a second volunteer is necessary. Please fill out the snack form and return it to me.

Thanks and Hag Sameah!
Robyn
 

What Happened this Week at Hagiga? – September 2009 / Tishrei 5770

Dear Kol HaLev Family,

Shana Tova! Happy New Year! We had a wonderful Rosh Hashanah with your children! The Zorim (Kindergarten – 2nd grade) and the Bonim (3rd-5th grades) were entertained by master storyteller Jonathan Wilhelm (aka Mr. Hatbox). Jonathan is a Kol HaLev member and will be working with the Bonim this year. The Magshimim (6th-8th grades) talked about the difficulty of t’shuvah (repentance), and likened the process to learning how to juggle. The Chalutzim (high school) looked at how Rosh Hashanah is described in the Torah and came up with multiple interpretations of the text.

On Yom Kippur the Zorim, Bonim and Magshimim (Kindergarten – 8th grade) will have a children’s service. At the service there will be an opportunity for the children to share their own understanding of the Al Cheyt prayer. Please look over the attached sheet and have your child fill it out and bring it to Yom Kippur services.

Lastly, thanks to all the wonderful families who have signed up to bring snack to Hagiga. Our kids are very hungry and snack can be a big job. We are fortunate that we have a volunteer for each week we are meeting, but a second volunteer is necessary. Please fill out the snack form and return it to me.

Thanks and Shana Tova!
Robyn