Noar Blog

Dear Noar Families,

This has been a difficult week for many as the situation in Israel unfolds.  Our goal is to stand in solidarity with Israel.  To show our support, we are asking all children to wear Blue and White on Sunday. I also know that many of you will want to be aware of exactly what your children will be learning.  Please see the sections below to understand how your children will engage with Israel this week.  While your children are learning in Noar, you are invited to join in a session geared to parents.  

How to Speak to Your Children about the War in Israel

As parents we have many feelings about the news in Israel and what we continue to hear and see in the news.  Join Dr. Betsy Gard, clinical psychologist and Marisa Kaiser, Senior Director of Learning & Engagement, for an open conversation on how to speak to your children in developmentally appropriate ways.
Sunday, October 15th
10:00 am in the Sanctuary

Shoreshim and Chaverim (pre-k-3rd)
Being a good Friend
At this developmental stage, children are learning how to be good friends.  Their Israel discussion will center on how we as American Jews can be a good friend and support Israel.  Activities they will be involved in are making buttons to share how they Stand with Israel, creating notes for the Kotel, and sharing friendship bracelets that can help brighten the day of a child in Israel who may be staying somewhere different for now or a child in Atlanta who has parents who went back to serve in Israel.

Orim  (4th and 5th)
At this stage, children may have heard more and we will still continue to focus on being a good friend to Israel.  The framework in these grades will be to focus on the Prayer for the State of Israel and visions of peace. Children will read and think about the prayer they find in prayer books as well as what they would find important to have in a prayer for Israel.  They will write notes to the Kotel and create an original artwork with their vision of the word Shalom.

Zehut (6th)
Children at this stage have been exposed to more of what is happening in the world through friends, school, and social media.  We will share that they want to be informed followers of social media and have conversations with their adults surrounding what they see and hear.  They will watch a brief video exploring the region from early times to the present and have opportunities to process information in a self selected way through one of the following activities- journaling, studying the prayer for peace, through poetry, or through art.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

B'shalom,
Shanna

How to Speak to Your Children About the War in Israel
Sunday, October 15, 10:00 am
As parents we have many feelings about what's happening in Israel and what we continue to hear and see in the news. Dr. Betsy Gard, clinical psychologist and Marisa Kaiser, Senior Director of Learning & Engagement will lead an open conversation on how to speak to your children in developmentally appropriate ways.

There will be no Noar for these age groups on the Sundays of these specific programs.

45 Retreat at Camp Coleman (4th & 5th Grade)
Friday, November 3-Sunday, November 5This year, in partnership with Camp Coleman and other area Reform synagogues, we are introducing a community wide retreat as part of our program. Temple Sinai is excited to offer this opportunity for our 4th and 5th grade students. This program was created as a way to provide our students across the Southeast with the unique opportunity to engage in a “camp like” weekend, while also building connections with children from other synagogues. Students will be able to engage in many different programs, such as ropes course, art, sports, etc.!

6th Grade Chattanooga Retreat
Saturday, November 11 - Sunday, November 12
Join other 6th-grade friends on a meaningful and fun weekend trip to Chattanooga! We will visit Rock City and the Paperclip Museum as well as spend some time bonding with friends new and old. This is a trip you won't want to miss! 

See you soon!