Noar Blog

We had another great day of Noar and H.U.B. (our teen learning program!) 

Each Carpool Talk newsletter has a brief description of what your child did today, along with 2-3 open ended questions you can ask them to keep the conversation going. 

All Eidot (units) started the day with Boker Kehilah (morning meeting) to learn about the Middah of the week and break the ice!

Hebrew letter of the week: Vav (*it may be different for Shoreshim (Pre-K-1)

Jewish Life vocab of the week: Megillah

Mensch Middah of the week: Ahava (Love)

Shoreshim (Pre-K-1)

This week in Bayit, we learned about the holiday of Purim.  In Chugim, our students participated in a puppet show as well as Hebrew through Movement. We also learned about Israel from our Shinshin, Omer, and Hebrew through Movement with Or, and participated in T'filah with Cantor Beth!

1. Tell me about the story of Purim? 

2. Who do you consider the heroes in the story and why?

3. What was it like to perform a puppet show for the grade?

Chaverim (Grades 2-3) 

This week in Bayit, we learned about the ten plagues of Passover through acting it out and doing a relay race. Students also participated in Hebrew through Movement with Or, T'filah with Cantor Beth, and their "chug" (elective) choice!

1. What were the ten plagues?

2. What is the story of Passover/Exodus (at least at the beginning)?

3. Why do you think God hardened Pharaoh's heart?

In chugim (electives) see below for each program!

• SHIRA (choir) learned about melodies and Jewish songs and sang!
• MAKERSPACE learned about the "symbols" of the Passover seder, namely the afikomen and Elijah, and how they represent freedom and what it means to the Jewish people. They then made things for Elijah to sit on or hide the afikomen.
• SPORTS students learned about the characters in the Magid (the Passover story) by playing "catch one, catch all" tag. They then played some basketball.

 Orim (Grades 4-5) 

This week in Bayit, we learned about Jewish marriage through an Escape room activity and making friendship ketubahs. Students also enjoyed their "chug" (elective) class, T'filah with Cantor Beth, and more! Ask me these three things:

1. What are some Reform Jewish marriage traditions?

2. How can we build strong relationships with other people?

3. What qualities do you think people like in you?

• MAKERSPACE learned about the "symbols" of the Passover seder, namely the afikomen and Elijah, and how they represent freedom and what it means to the Jewish people. They then made things for Elijah to sit on or hide the afikomen.
• SPORTS students learned about the characters in the Magid (the Passover story) by playing "catch one, catch all" tag. They then played some basketball.
• ART students learned about the symbolism of Elijah and worked on cups for Elijah, then moved onto Miriam's cups when they finished.
• COOKING students learned about the difference in Sephardic and Ashkenazi and made a typical Ashkenazi recipe--matzah pizza!
• SCIENCE students learned about the Burning bush and wondered--what made it burn but not catch fire? Students watched a chemical reaction to metal and then tried to start their own fires without using a lighter.

Zehut (Grade 6) 

This week in Bayit, we moved through a Moving Traditions workshop called “Looking good, feeling good!” We explored how clothes can honor a celebration and interpret messages from friends and family with our dress. Students also began their "chug" (elective) choice by choosing between, Judaism says what?!, Sports, American Sign Language or Art. Students also particpated in T'filah with Cantor Beth, and Dr. Tarece's class went to Hebrew through Movement with Or while Emily's class went to learn about Israel from our Shinshin, Omer. Ask me about:

1. How are gender norms expressed in around dress in general and in B’nei Mitzvah?

2. How can you balance your individuality with desires from family and friends around dress for B’nei Mitzvah?

• SPORTS students learned about the characters in the Magid (the Passover story) by playing "catch one, catch all" tag. They then played some basketball.
• ART students learned about the symbolism of Elijah and worked on cups for Elijah, then moved onto Miriam's cups when they finished.
• AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE students started learning the Shema in ASL.
• JUDAISM SAYS WHAT?! started learning about the Passover story.

H.U.B. (Grades 7-8)

Our Madrichim-in-Training (Grades 7-8) started the day with a Workshop on Leadership and how to role models. Then all H.U.B. students went to their ew elective after 15 minutes of community building. Students went to:

• JEWS AND NETFLIX: Students discussed what makes a show "Jewish" and started watching "13 the Musical."
• JUDAISM SAYS WHAT?!: Students learned about Jewish ritual practices that they didn't know before!
• MY VOICE IS POWERFUL: Students learned about advocacy and how to wield their words.

H.U.B. Grade 9

9th graders helped in Noar classrooms as Junior Madrichim, and then went to their first HUB session of this trimester with Joel on "For the Sake of Argument" in talking about the future of Judaism.

H.U.B. Grade 10

10th graders help in Noar classrooms as Madrichim, then attend 10th grade Confirmation class with Rabbi Brad, Todd, and Suzanne. Please see their "after class email" that comes out on Mondays for a deep dive into what they learned.

"What a joy it has been to spend this year with your 10^th graders, all as a class and as a community. Yesterday marked our last Sunday Confirmation session for the 2022-2023 year.  Our class began with a viewing of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival short film - Anne. Anne is "A thought-provoking short film seen through the eyes of two girls (a white Jewish American and an African American), both of whom identify with the diary written by Anne Frank." A review in the Atlanta Jewish Times said "transformed into a story of prejudice and preconceived notions; race and reality. The film raises important questions and provides no easy answers."  We asked students to share their thoughts on the film and relate it to our Confirmation year's focus on viewing and living life through/with a Jewish lens, and developing an understanding of how their Jewish identity can be integrated throughout all aspects of their lives.  Though the film is only 10 minutes in length, our students' 30-minute discussion following could have continued longer. 

Following our discussion, Rabbi Brad highlighted to students that throughout our class year, we have focused on a number of different topics and ideas. When our students were younger, they are taught the "What & When" of our Jewish history. Confirmation, offers our students the opportunity to learn more about the "Why" and begin to question and develop their own understanding and opinions on how they will incorporate their Judaism into their daily lives and identity.  Students were then asked to write a response to the prompt "I am confirming...".

We will incorporate their responses in to our upcoming Confirmation service.

While we do not have any more Sunday morning classes, we do have an exciting finish to our confirmation year.  Important upcoming dates:

March 16 - 19: NYC Confirmation Trip

March 22: Confirmation Service Rehearsal  6 pm (Wednesday night) - If everyone arrives on time, we are able to complete the rehearsal in an hour.

March 26: Confirmation Dinner & Service (Sunday night) Please note this is updated from the original calendar that was sent out listing March 24."