Dear Zealous Parents,
Happy New Year to all! I hope 2020 will be a healthy, happy, productive year for everyone.
PLEASE NOTE THE PROCEDURE FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO ARRIVE MORE THAN TEN (10) MINUTES LATE TO CLASS, EFFECTIVE SINCE 2019:
Any student arriving more than ten (10) minutes late to class MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT who must sign a book located in the Hebrew School Office. This is to ensure that all of our students arrive safely in their classes.
Please also note that when students leave early, they MUST be signed out by an adult listed on their Carpool and Emergency Pick-up Information Form. We also need a copy of that person's Driver's License on file.
SHABBAT SERVICES:
On Friday, January 3, 2020, Services will begin at 6:30 PM
On Friday, January 10, 2020, Services will begin at 8:00 PM
On Friday, January 17, 2020, Services will begin at 6:30 PM
On Friday, January 24, 2020, TOT SHABBAT Services are at 6:00 PM
On Friday, January 24, 2020, Services will begin at 8:00 PM
On Friday, January 31, 2020, Super Bowl Dinner and Services at 6:30 PM
(Kabbalat Service at 8:00 PM)
Many of you have asked about sponsoring the "Kosher Kart", The sponsorships are only $36 each. Some of the available dates are January 8 and 22, February 12, 2020.
Please don't wait, as they are going quickly. If you sign up for a date, your child will have the opportunity and privilige to sell the Kosher Kart on that date. All the kids enjoy selling.
Kindergarten and Primary: The children have started to learn about Shabbat. They have created many beautiful art projects with that theme. They are also starting to recognize some Hebrew letters and reviewing all brachot.
When their class resumes, this Sunday, January 5, 2020, they will begin to learn about Tu B'Shevat.
Pre-Aleph: The students are starting to learn their Hebrew letters and they are also learning about Shabbat. Our Shinshin, Ori, created a map of Israel out of Play Doh. The children were amazed. They really enjoy working with him.
When their class resumes this Sunday, January 5, 2020, they will begin to learn about Tu B'Shevat and to prepare for their Tu B'Shevat "Tasting" on February 29, 2020.
Aleph: The students continue to learn their Hebrew letters, vowels and words. They will begin to learn the Friday evening prayers for their Class Shabbat.
Bet: The students are using their new Hebrew book and they are doing amazingly well. They are learning about the beauty and traditions of Chanukah.
The class is on their journey to Israel and are focusing on the Israeli National symbols.
The students will begin working on their Bet Siddur Ceremony which takes place on Sunday, March 1, 2020, not the original date of February 2, 2020. Your instructions and dates for the Bet Siddur Cover Workshop will follow shortly.
Gimel: The students are working on both the Friday and Saturday Shabbat services and are reviewing the Hebrew letters and vowels. Mr. Holman had
each student pick the name of a founder of Zionism to research and prepare a creative presentation for their classmates.
The students are learning respect for the environment. Their theme is "Bal Taschit" which means, "Do not destroy or waste". They will be creating a Mitzvah project that relates to their theme.
They will begin to learn about Tu B'Shevat and the impact it has on our environment.
Please note that the Gimel Class Shabbat Service is on Saturday, April 4, 2020.
Dalet: The students have been working on the Saturday morning class Shabbat service with emphasis on the Torah service and have also been analyzing the Jewish calendar.
Their Dalet Class Shabbat is Saturday, March 21, 2020.
Rabbi Bernstein will baking Challah with this class on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 5:45 PM, not 4:45 PM as originally scheduled, so that many of our parents can join the bake.
The students have really enjoyed working with Ori, our Shinshin, on Sunday mornings. They will work with Ori on learning the customs and cultures of Tu B'Shevat in Israel.
They have just completed their Life Cycle unit focusing on death and mourning.
As a reminder, as of December 31, 2019, all Dalet students attending Junior Congregation MUST attend in the Main Sanctuary in order to receive Junior Congregation Credit.
Hey: The students are reviewing the Saturday morning Shabbat and Torah service for their Class Shabbat Service which is scheduled for next Saturday, January 11, 2020. We ask that our Hey students arrive at 9:00 AM for a final run-through of the service with Cantor Kowitz and their teachers. Students, please wear a white shirt and a dark bottom that morning.
They are learning about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and what it means to be a Jewish adult. They were introduced to the wedding as part of their Life Cycle curriculum. They asked wonderful questions.
They are begining to learn concepts of Talmud and how Rabbis discuss and interpret it.
The Hey students have been working very hard learning the prayers for their Bar / Bat Mitzvah. I encourage you to continue to attend Shabbat services in the Main Sanctuary to improve your comfort level for your child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah and to strengthen your child's Hebrew reading.
HEY STUDENTS: Please make sure that you let the Junior Congregation Leader know when you attend services in the Main Sanctuary so that you may receive credit for having attended Shabbat services.
For any student who has attended a service here at Congregation Beth Ohr and there is no scheduled Junior Congregation service, please email June (SchoolAdm@cbohr.org) with the date.
Hey Hebrew High School: Our Hey students attend Hebrew High School at the Merrick Jewish Centre, 225 Fox Blvd., Merrick. They have told me that they enjoy making new Jewish friends and the inovative classes offered.
They meet every Tuesday evening from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM (special time for schmoozing & purchasing snacks). Classes begin at 7:15 PM and end at 8:35 PM each Tuesday.
Hebrew High will resume on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
For the rest of the school year, classes will meet every Tuesday except on the dates listed below:
No classes on: October 22, Nov. 5, Dec. 24, 31, Feb. 18, Apr. 14
The last class is Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
Junior Congregation is Saturday, January 11, 2020, followed by another on January 25, 2020. It is from 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon in the Muraskin Room and led by Morah Heather. Pick-up is from the Social Hall. Please stay for Kiddush.
Please note that the bottom of this email contains the Junior Congregation Requirements for each class as well as the scheduled Junior Congregation dates.
The next Board of Ed meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2020, at 8:00 PM in the Muraskin Room.
The new Hebrew School Calendar has been revised and can be found at the bottom of this email.
The Calendar can also be found on www.CBOHR.org. Click on EDUCATION, then scroll down to 2019-2020 CALENDAR. Click that link.
On behalf of the Hebrew School Staff, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.
As always, my door is open to embrace all your suggestions, concerns and ideas.
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism