Teacher: Rachel Stempel

 

This year, I have chosen to use the best materials from the two courses I have taught in the past.   We will explore examples of Jewish literature and complete self-selected projects from the Project Box associated with the Etgar program. Some weeks, our class will be considering folk tales, short stories, and selections from novels, letters, or movies.

 

Other times, students will be working on their own or in small groups to complete a project that relates to their own Jewish interests provided by Etgar. We hope to suggest the wide range of Jewish experience in a variety of fields encouraging our students to make their own connections.

 

We are listening to Jewish folktales and practicing retelling them. Since folktales are passed on orally, students were offered an “A” for the day if they recounted one at home. I hope you have heard some of our stories! Ask about “The Debate in Sign Language.”

 

We will study Shalom Aleichem, the Jewish Mark Twain. We will look at his Tevye stories that form the basis for “Fiddler on the Roof.” If your family hasn’t watched the movie, I suggest you rent it or get it from your local library. It’s a classic! We won’t have time to watch the whole movie in class.

 

On alternate Sundays, students will be investigating the challenges in Project Box. The wide selection of topics involves reading, writing, art, photography, sports and music. Some projects can be completed in class; some, at home, and some, on the computer. Several projects are to be done with parents. Here is an opportunity to share your experiences with your child. There are stories to be read and discussed together. One project that several students chose was making a Yiddish dictionary. Can you or another family member speak Yiddish? We often want to ask an expert.

 

I hope you are already well aware that this is the year that each student is required to complete 13 Hours of community service for Hebrew Division Graduation, which is scheduled for Friday evening, June 4, 2010. Some students have already recorded some time on cards that I keep in class.   From time to time, I will let you know about opportunities for Zayin students to volunteer.