4th grade Hebrew & Judaica

Hi Parents,
In our previous e-mail, we shared that the students in Morah Dina's class
were completing their Purim character stories, using their best imagination
in hebrew. It was a combination of creative fun and serious work (yes, in
Adar it's possible!) and the students had a great time while learning a new
level of vocabulary. The students in Moreh Jackie's class created original
Megillah scrolls. They illustrated and wrote about the characters and
events of the Megillah, all the while learning about the Mitzvot and
customs of the holiday. Our classes are quite creative and enjoyed this
unit.

Looking towards Pesach, the fourth graders of both Morah Dina's and Moreh
Jackie's groups are learning the story in the textbook, "Elijah's Cup,"
which takes place in Morocco. The students, in their Hebrew classes, are
reading about the Jews of Morocco, how Pesach is celebrated and what
customs are specific to that group of Jews. In the coming weeks, the 4th
graders will be summarizing and paraphrasing the story, getting ready to
perform the story for the upper grades! The theme of this in-class
performance will be "The jews of Morocco" in song and dance, with Hebrew
dialogue all the way.

Over the last few weeks in Judaica, the fourth graders read and analyzed
the Megillah from historic and Judaic perspectives, and some of our
discussions included:
(a) the role of women in ancient (and modern day!!) Persia (i.e., Iran).
(b) the importance of titles in the Kingdom of Achashverosh (and nowadays
for some people)
© the family background of Haman the Aggagite and how the history of King
Saul centuries earlier teaches us that we need to be firm and strong in our
responsibilities, even when it's unpleasant, and,
(d) why it is important to know when to speak up and when to just listen
and NOT talk, especially when people are at odds with one another.

We learned that G-d's name does not appear in the Megillah, and that we
need to rely on our own strengths and devices, in addition to the belief
that G-d is in our lives and that everything happens for a reason.

When Esther and Mordechai wrote the Megillah, it was truly a lesson in
discretion ("How to Win Friends and Influence People?") that we can all be
wiser to follow.

We are now studying Passover, reading the verses from Chapter 12 of Shemot
(Exodus) to see the original story line, and discussing the topics of
reward and punishment, 'violence' in the Torah, and why good people seem
to have so many life challenges. In the coming weeks, we will be studying
the haggadah and reviewing customs of the seder to be really ready.

B'Veracha,
Morah Dina, Moreh Jackie, Morah Kaylee