tbhrich

Hello Everyone,

One of the most exciting times of the year is right around the corner.  The wonderful holiday of Hannukah brings together tradition, family, friends, delicious food, and the prospect of an entire week of gift giving.  Our school will be focusing on this holiday for the rest of the year.  We will have a Hannukah themed class this Sunday, December 11, starting at 9:30 a.m. with our Tefillah service in the Bnai Mitzvah classroom to allow Food for Thought to set up.  We will then have a break through the rest of December and resume Religious School on January 8.

  And now for the recap.  As usual, Rabbi Dean helped lead our Tefillah service along with teaching us key Hannukah songs.  The younger kids then learned about the different traditions of Hannukah, read Hannukah stories, enjoyed Sufganiyot and Senorita Bread, and prepared for the Hannukah themed activities for next week.  The Bnai Mitzvah class went into a deep dive into the story of Hannukah and its symbolism.  We learned how the story focused not just on the war between Jews and Greeks but also on the civil war between religious Jews and more secular Jews at that time.  We also learned how Hannukah is related to Sukkot, the reasons why the Jewish army was able to prevail against the stronger Greeks, and why the lighting of the menorah was considered a miracle.  We ended the day by practicing the Hannukah blessings so that the kids can lead their families in lighting the menorahs at their homes this year.

  And that about covers it for now.  We look forward to seeing everyone for our Hannukah themed classes this Sunday on the 11th. 

Best,

David

Shalom Everyone, 

As we all get set to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends and families, I wanted to give you a few reminders.  There will be no religious school on November 27 for the holiday weekend.  We will resume class on December 4 and 11, which will start our Hannukah lessons, before our winter break at the end of December.  Please also remember to bring jars of peanut butter and other nut butters for the Food for Thought Drive. 

  This past week Cantor Marney once again joined us to help lead Tefillah service with Rabbi Dean.  The younger and middle grades had review lessons based on the meaning of thankfulness and gratitude.  The Bnai Mitzvah class engaged in a deep discussion on the beginning and ending of the Jewish Life Cycle (birth and death, specifically), the meaning of life, and speculation about what is beyond this life.  For our class, the deepest meanings came from entertainment and knowledge.  We will have more deep conversations like this throughout the year as we engage more with the Jewish Life Cycle.

And that about covers it for now.  Everyone have a nice long weekend and we will see you on December 4.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Best,

David

Hello Everyone!

We hope all the kids had a wonderful time on Halloween night this year.  It really felt like a return to pre-pandemic times, with so many kids in great costumes and not needing to wear masks outside.  As we enter November, I would like to remind you that we have our next Religious School class this Sunday, November 6, at 9:30 a.m.  That day is also Daylight Saving Time so remember to switch your clocks before arriving.  We will then have a week off on November 13 and return on November 20.  Please also remember to bring jars of peanut butter for the Food for Thought Drive.  Finally, mark your calendars for April 16, when our school will have a special time at Urban Adamah in Berkeley.

  And now for the recap.  Larry once again helped us out by leading the Tefillah service while Rabbi Dean was out of town.  In the younger kids’ classes, Heather led a lesson on Anti-Bullying.  First they learned what bullying means and then found out that once you say something, the words are out and you can’t take them back.  Words have meaning and they can hurt.  The kids then came up with Anti-Bullying Slogans, including:

“Say NO to BULLYING”

  “Be Nice”

  “Don’t be a BULLY”

   “Don’t Laugh at Me”

 and many more.  It was a great lesson and all the kids were so creative with it.

  In the B’nai Mitzvah class, we started our curriculum on the Jewish Life Cycle.  For the next few weeks we will learn about the major events in a Jewish Life Time, what they symbolize, and how they still have value in the modern world. 

   And that about covers it for now.  Everyone enjoy their extra hour on Saturday night before the early darkness reappears for us until the Spring.  See y’all on Sunday!

Best,

David

Hello Everyone!

  Can you believe the secular year is winding down so fast?  Before we know it, it will be the holiday season and then another new year.  Next week there will be no Religious School on November 13 in observance of Veteran’s Day.  We will resume class on November 20 and then have another break on November 27 for Thanksgiving.  Please also remember to bring jars of peanut butter for the Food for Thought Drive.  Finally, mark your calendars for April 16, when our school will have a special time at Urban Adamah in Berkeley.

And now for the recap.  Cantor Marney graciously joined us to help lead our Tefillah Service alongside Rabbi Dean.  While the younger kids had fun with Jenny, the older kids joined the Bnai Mitzvah class to learn more about the Jewish LIfe Cycle.  We discussed various examples of cycles in the world (seasons, phases of the moon, the sun rising and setting etc) and then learned the different parts of the Jewish Cycle, which include birth, Bnai Mitzvah, Confirmation, Marriage, Conversion and Death.  The kids went on a treasure hunt around the classroom matching each Life Cycle with the traditional prayer that goes along with them.  Finally, each student came up with their own significant events on their personal life cycle to give greater meaning to their own lives, since most have not had a Bnai Mitzvah yet.  We will continue to explore this theme in the coming weeks.

And that about covers it for now.  Everyone have a nice long weekend and we will see you the 20th.  Take care!

Best,

David

Hello Everyone!

We hope all the kids had a wonderful time on Halloween night this year.  It really felt like a return to pre-pandemic times, with so many kids in great costumes and not needing to wear masks outside.  As we enter November, I would like to remind you that we have our next Religious School class this Sunday, November 6, at 9:30 a.m.  That day is also Daylight Saving Time so remember to switch your clocks before arriving.  We will then have a week off on November 13 and return on November 20.  Please also remember to bring jars of peanut butter for the Food for Thought Drive.  Finally, mark your calendars for April 16, when our school will have a special time at Urban Adamah in Berkeley.

And now for the recap.  Larry once again helped us out by leading the Tefillah service while Rabbi Dean was out of town.  In the younger kids’ classes, Heather led a lesson on Anti-Bullying.  First they learned what bullying means and then found out that once you say something, the words are out and you can’t take them back.  Words have meaning and they can hurt.  The kids then came up with Anti-Bullying Slogans, including:

“Say NO to BULLYING”

  “Be Nice”

  “Don’t be a BULLY”

   “Don’t Laugh at Me”

 and many more.  It was a great lesson and all the kids were so creative with it.

  In the B’nai Mitzvah class, we started our curriculum on the Jewish Life Cycle.  For the next few weeks we will learn about the major events in a Jewish Life Time, what they symbolize, and how they still have value in the modern world. 

   And that about covers it for now.  Everyone enjoy their extra hour on Saturday night before the early darkness reappears for us until the Spring.  See y’all on Sunday!

Best,

David

Shalom Everyone!

I wanted to thank all the families for their support last Friday in welcoming our own Chase McCrary as a Bnai Mitzvah and the newest adult in our community.  It was such a thrill to have that tradition in person again and the teachers and I were deeply grateful you all got to share it with us.  Here’s to future Bnai Mitzvahs for all kids in the coming years!  In the meantime, our next class will be this Sunday, October 30, at 9:30 a.m.  Please remember to bring jars of peanut butter for the Food for Thought drive.

And now for the recap.  Larry, the rock of our Religious School, led our Tefillah service while Rabbi Dean was out of town helping with refugees.  The younger kids learned all about Noah’s Ark, which was the subject of the Torah portions for the last two weeks.  For my class, I invited the middle grades to join us in learning about the ins and outs of the Hebrew months and how they compare and contrast with the secular year.  They learned about the difference between a solar and lunar calendar, why the Jewish New Year occurs in the 7th month, why there is a 13th month every third year or so, and many more fun facts.  For the second half of class, the kids all came up with a mnemonic story to remember the Hebrew months.  They go so creative with their story, it captured the imagination!  Parents can ask their kids to tell them about the adventures of Ms. Anne, her mule, and the trip to the vet.  You’ll never forget the Hebrew months again either.

And that about covers it for now.  We’ll see you all on Sunday!

Best,

David

Hello Everyone!

We are now well within the month of holidays!  With Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur now behind us, it is time for rejoicing in the form of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, which will be the themes for the next couple of weeks.  The teachers and I wanted to extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to all the parents who stayed to help set up our Sukkah last week.  In my opinion, all the families set a record this year for the fastest time ever putting up the Sukkah!  Our next class will be this Sunday, October 16, starting at 9:30 a.m.  Our regular Tefillah Service will be modified to include a service for Simchat Torah, which will last until 10:30 a.m.  Please invite friends and family if you like.

And now for the recap.  Rabbi Dean and Chase led us in our Tefillah service before the classes went to their separate activities.  The younger kids had a fun time making drawings related to Sukkot, including lulavs, etrogs, harvest items, etc.  They also made special leaves with patterns made from sparkles and glue.  At the same time, the Bnai Mitzvah class helped to build the Sukkah and then practiced the prayers for Chase’s Bar Mitzvah.  For the second half of class, all the kids helped decorate the Sukkah with paper chains, lights, their special leaves, and other colorful accouterments.  The Sukkah will be up for the rest of Sukkot so we encourage everyone who has not seen it yet to come by the Temple and take a look.

And that about covers it for now.  I look forward to seeing y’all next week for Simchat Torah.  And please pencil in your calendars for Friday, October 21, which will be both the next Youth Shabbat and Chase’s Bar Mitzvah, at 6:15 and 7:30 respectively.  See y’all soon!

Best,

David

L’Shana Tova Everyone!
Can we believe the High Holy Days are now here? Soon we will reach Yom Kippur and get well into the Fall. It was great to see all the families who attended Rosh Hashana services this past Sunday and Monday. As I mentioned, I will try to secure child care for the Yom Kippur services so I will keep everyone updated. And our next class will be this Sunday, October, 2, starting at 9:30 a.m. with Tefillah.
And now for the recap. Rabbi Dean and Chase led us in our Tefillah service. The classes then adjourned to learn all about Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and the values and symbolism expressed in those holidays. The kids watched videos, drew pictures, and learned the ins and outs of the High Holy Days. By far the most excitement came at the end of the day when all the kids were given mini Shofars by Heather and Jenny. Many a call was heard for the rest of the day!
For the Bnai Mitzvah class, we mainly worked on Chases’ preparation for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah in October. Along with practicing Torah portions and Haftorah reading, we also reflected on the past year and what to expect for the upcoming year. Our activity consisted of writing down our best memory of the year and then washing it away; throwing and drop kicking a rock and a pine cone to symbolize getting rid of an action we were ashamed or or regretted this past year; and finally making “5783” out of twigs, standing in the middle, and making a promise to ourselves to accomplish something we want to do for the new year.
And that about covers it for now. I look forward to seeing y’all for Yom Kippur.

Best,
David

Shalom Everyone!

It was great to see everyone again after a three week break for Labor Day and the Solano Stroll.  Thankfully, our schedule will now be a bit more predictable as we will have Religious School every Sunday between now and November.  Our next class will be this Sunday, September 25, starting at 9:30 a.m. with a Tefillah service.  

And now for the recap.  Rabbi Dean led us in our Tefillah Service with help from Chase, who is practicing for his Bar Mitzvah coming up on October 22.  It’s always so exciting to see one of our students make their transition into Jewish adulthood.  Afterward, the younger grades learned about Rosh Hashana, including picking out their own pomegranates, the symbolism of apples and honey, and enjoying a sweet home-made Challah snack.  The Bnai Mitzvah class mainly worked on Chase’s Torah Portion, simulated carrying a Torah, and thinking about the meaning of Genesis to prepare for his Dvar Torah.  

And that about covers it for now.  If any families would like to have child care at TBH during the High Holidays, please send me an email so we can try to accommodate.  I look forward to seeing everyone at the High Holiday service.  

Best,

David