We are the 5th grade and are raising money for Yemen Orde. Yemen Orde is a school for orphans and immigrants in Israel close to Haifa. In December, 40% of the school was destroyed by a wild fire. We decided to help because the children lost family, homes, school, supplies, friends and community. The children of Yemen Orde need money to help buy new things for their school and rebuild. We are asking for the whole school's help to raise money for Yemen Orde. Every class will get a tzedakah box to decorate and put money into. The class that raises the most money will get a super fantabulous secret amazing prize. Don't ask what i is because we won't tell you! Think of the children and remember to bring money!
-The 5th Grade
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
MOSTY & BOSTY Shul-In
Pictures from the MOSTY/BOSTY Shul-In
The MOSTY/BOSTY shul-in was a blast! Parents always ask me what happened at the shul-in and now that we are learning how to better utilize technology, you can have a glimpse of some of our exciting programming and fun events. Below are a few quick videos of songs that our students wrote about each of the different books of the Torah. See if you can guess which book of the Torah each is about!
(These videos are on youtube and are private (only available to those who have this link). As we do not yet have a video release form for the ARS, please email me (schurwin@ohabei.org) if you want to discuss our technology policy or if you do not want a video of your child(ren) published on our ARS blog.)
The MOSTY/BOSTY shul-in was a blast! Parents always ask me what happened at the shul-in and now that we are learning how to better utilize technology, you can have a glimpse of some of our exciting programming and fun events. Below are a few quick videos of songs that our students wrote about each of the different books of the Torah. See if you can guess which book of the Torah each is about!
(These videos are on youtube and are private (only available to those who have this link). As we do not yet have a video release form for the ARS, please email me (schurwin@ohabei.org) if you want to discuss our technology policy or if you do not want a video of your child(ren) published on our ARS blog.)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Oprah Winfrey and our Ohabei Shalom Educational Philosophy
As a sophisticated working mother in the 21st century I am quite reticent to admit that I am an Oprah Winfrey fan. But there is something so appealing about her—a woman who has truly accomplished EVERYTHING that she has set out to do. Oprah has a philosophy, “Live Your Best Life.” This philosophy has truly resonated with me—not only because I believe in it, but because I see it as a motto that I would like for us to adopt at Ohabei Shalom (with one small addition, ie… “Live your best Jewish life.” I believe that this motto is an expression of who we can become.
Our educational philosophy at Ohabei Shalom is one of experiential education. John Dewey, the American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer, teaches us that education should consist of experiences that lead to positive growth. He also teaches that an educator’s job is to use his/her greater insight to help to create and facilitate such experiences. Dewey believed that, ““Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
It is with this philosophical foundation that we are (re)creating and growing our new education programs. At our schools we teach through experience. In the Trust Center for Early Education our youngest students do not simply learn about Shabbat through stories or pictures. Rather, they experience Shabbat each week with a school wide celebration. Together they taste, touch and feel what a warm community Shabbat experience can be.
In the Ansin Religious School many of our new programs have been inspired by Dewey’s philosophical approach to education. This year, our third graders are involved in a pilot project: an experiential education curriculum that allows them to learn through living the Jewish calendar. Additionally, our Shabbat B’yachad program is allows our children and families to LIVE their education through participation in our vibrant community. What could be easier than coming to the synagogue for a few hours on Shabbat morning, eating, praying, learning and living our Jewish traditions together?
No matter our philosophy, our task is not easy. We all struggle to keep up with the many, many demands of modern life. Let’s begin by making the choice to be proud of our Jewish traditions so that they will be passed down from generation to generation. Exposing our children to a vibrant Jewish community is another important step in giving each of them the tools to participate in their Jewish community, as both children and adults. Come visit our schools, recommend them to your neighbors and friends, join a committee, pray with us on Shabbat. Embrace our tradition and make it yours! As Oprah says, “Live Your Best [Jewish] Life!”
Shalom,
Shari
Our educational philosophy at Ohabei Shalom is one of experiential education. John Dewey, the American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer, teaches us that education should consist of experiences that lead to positive growth. He also teaches that an educator’s job is to use his/her greater insight to help to create and facilitate such experiences. Dewey believed that, ““Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
It is with this philosophical foundation that we are (re)creating and growing our new education programs. At our schools we teach through experience. In the Trust Center for Early Education our youngest students do not simply learn about Shabbat through stories or pictures. Rather, they experience Shabbat each week with a school wide celebration. Together they taste, touch and feel what a warm community Shabbat experience can be.
In the Ansin Religious School many of our new programs have been inspired by Dewey’s philosophical approach to education. This year, our third graders are involved in a pilot project: an experiential education curriculum that allows them to learn through living the Jewish calendar. Additionally, our Shabbat B’yachad program is allows our children and families to LIVE their education through participation in our vibrant community. What could be easier than coming to the synagogue for a few hours on Shabbat morning, eating, praying, learning and living our Jewish traditions together?
No matter our philosophy, our task is not easy. We all struggle to keep up with the many, many demands of modern life. Let’s begin by making the choice to be proud of our Jewish traditions so that they will be passed down from generation to generation. Exposing our children to a vibrant Jewish community is another important step in giving each of them the tools to participate in their Jewish community, as both children and adults. Come visit our schools, recommend them to your neighbors and friends, join a committee, pray with us on Shabbat. Embrace our tradition and make it yours! As Oprah says, “Live Your Best [Jewish] Life!”
Shalom,
Shari
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Shabbat B'Yachad
Shabbat B’yachad – Shabbat Together
We are striving to create new and engaging, authentic expressions of Judaism on Shabbat morning. We are seeking to integrate community, learning, culture, as well as prayer. We are trying to provide a multitude of ways to participate in Judaism and Jewish life; bringing our congregation together in Jewish "prime time”, that is, in the synagogue on Shabbat.
We believe that this is a way to reach new people and to engage congregants and families in ways that sitting in services might not do. For people who are new to religious ritual, it’s an entrance into the community that doesn’t demand knowledge of Hebrew and basic prayer tunes. Our new Shabbat B’yachad will “have something for everyone!” We encourage you to come as you are (even if that means a soccer uniform) and to come and go as suits your schedule.
If you don’t see something on the schedule that is for you or if you have an idea to expand our Shabbat offerings, please feel free to call or email me.
No ARS on Tuesday, November 2!
As the Brookline public schools are not is session on Tuesday, November 2, the ARS will also be closed. Our students should use this opportunity to catch up on their ARS homework and reading raffle work so that next month, they can have a chance to join our reading raffle winners circle. Mazel tov to our grade 2 for winning the pizza party, to all of our individual winners and to our Yarok, Green, group for having the highest percentage of reading raffle cards in the box this month.
Thanks to the many families and students who participated in Mitzvah day on Sunday. It was a very inspirational day of giving back to our community. And speaking of inspiration, please mark your calendar for our first Shabbat Mishpacha, family Shabbat, led by JOSTY (grades 7 & 8) on Friday, November 19, 2010.
~Shari
Thanks to the many families and students who participated in Mitzvah day on Sunday. It was a very inspirational day of giving back to our community. And speaking of inspiration, please mark your calendar for our first Shabbat Mishpacha, family Shabbat, led by JOSTY (grades 7 & 8) on Friday, November 19, 2010.
~Shari
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Mitzvah Day
Did you know that there is a special blessing for Tikkun Olam?
Baruch Atai Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam shenatan lanu hiz'dam'nut l'taken et
ha-olam.
ברוך אתה יי אלוהנו מלך העולם שנתן לנו הזדמנות לתקן את העולם.
Blessed are you, Eternal God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us the opportunity to mend the world.
Join us on Mitzvah Day, THIS Sunday, October 24, anexciting day of volunteerism, activism, and unity that benefits the entire community. Mitzvah Day offers a great opportunity for our community to come together for the purposes of social justice and tzedakah. Together we can turn our individual actions into a powerful collective response, proving that we are indeed much greater than the sum of our parts.
The world depends on three things: Study, prayer, and acts of loving kindness. Mitzvah Day is your opportunity to put these values to work and experience the immense satisfaction that comes from repairing just a little part of our world. Please join me and my family for Mitzvah day, THIS Sunday, October 24, 9:00 am.
Baruch Atai Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam shenatan lanu hiz'dam'nut l'taken et
ha-olam.
ברוך אתה יי אלוהנו מלך העולם שנתן לנו הזדמנות לתקן את העולם.
Blessed are you, Eternal God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us the opportunity to mend the world.
Join us on Mitzvah Day, THIS Sunday, October 24, anexciting day of volunteerism, activism, and unity that benefits the entire community. Mitzvah Day offers a great opportunity for our community to come together for the purposes of social justice and tzedakah. Together we can turn our individual actions into a powerful collective response, proving that we are indeed much greater than the sum of our parts.
The world depends on three things: Study, prayer, and acts of loving kindness. Mitzvah Day is your opportunity to put these values to work and experience the immense satisfaction that comes from repairing just a little part of our world. Please join me and my family for Mitzvah day, THIS Sunday, October 24, 9:00 am.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Back to School Night and Judaism in Motion Shabbat for ARS families
Dear ARS families,
During our snack break on Tuesday, the children and I were talking about the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. We discussed how it is one of the few months in the Jewish calendar that has no holidays other than Shabbat. I think that we are all looking forward to some quiet time to really focus on our classroom studies before Chanukkah comes next month.
At Back to School Night this past Tuesday, parents, students and teachers had a great opportunity to meet each other. We discussed our ARS core text, AlShlosha Divarim, ARS homework policies and Shabbat participation. You can find links to the handouts in the “Quick Links” section of our newsletter. This week we have added a new “Quick Link” to a Google calendar with all of the ARS events included.
I look forward to seeing many of you at Shabbat services this week as this is the first of our Judaism in Motion services specifically for ARS families. The service, featuring our Mahkela children’s choir and our Judaism in Motion band, is appropriate for children of all ages. I hope that you plan to join me for what will prove to be a wonderful start to Shabbat and the weekend.
~Shari
During our snack break on Tuesday, the children and I were talking about the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. We discussed how it is one of the few months in the Jewish calendar that has no holidays other than Shabbat. I think that we are all looking forward to some quiet time to really focus on our classroom studies before Chanukkah comes next month.
At Back to School Night this past Tuesday, parents, students and teachers had a great opportunity to meet each other. We discussed our ARS core text, AlShlosha Divarim, ARS homework policies and Shabbat participation. You can find links to the handouts in the “Quick Links” section of our newsletter. This week we have added a new “Quick Link” to a Google calendar with all of the ARS events included.
I look forward to seeing many of you at Shabbat services this week as this is the first of our Judaism in Motion services specifically for ARS families. The service, featuring our Mahkela children’s choir and our Judaism in Motion band, is appropriate for children of all ages. I hope that you plan to join me for what will prove to be a wonderful start to Shabbat and the weekend.
~Shari
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