Thursday, December 12, 2013

The Fast of Tevet

Unit Objective: By the end of this mini lesson students will know the definition and significance of the 10th of Tevet.

On the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nevuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Thirty months later—on 9 Tammuz 3338—the city walls were breached, and on 9 Av of that year the Solomon's Temple, the First Holy Temple was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.
The 10th of Tevet (this year, December 13, 2013) is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance. We refrain from food and drink from daybreak to nightfall, and add selichot and other special supplements to our prayers. The fast ends at nightfall or as soon as you see three medium sized stars in the sky. Recite the Friday night Kiddush, then break your fast.
More recently, 10 Tevet was chosen to also serve as a “general kaddish day” for the victims of the Holocaust, many of whose day of martyrdom is unknown.

Mini Assessment Instructions:
  • After studying the information above, please fill out the Quiz by clicking the following link. 
  • Enter Room Number 645339, follow the prompts on the screen. 
  • Log-out when your done.
  • YOU MAY ONLY HAVE THE SOCRATIVE WEBSITE PAGE OPEN DURING THE QUIZ.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Unit 3: The Philosophy of Prayer

Unit Objective By the end of this unit, students will understand why every prayer is valuable, whether "answered" or not.

Unit Study (1-2 lessons) Watch the PowerPoint slideshow below and then answer the questions provided. If you are not in class, you can access the questions by clicking here.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Intro to Scratch


Class objective: Students will learn to program their own interactive stories, games, and animations and share their creations with others in the online community.

Using a program called Scratch which helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century.

Click Here to answer the "DO NOW"question.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Answer Key and Test


  • Click here to access the answer key for the "What is Prayer? Unit.
  • Please make a copy of it to your own Google Drive.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Unit 2: What is Prayer?

Unit Goals and Objectives: 
  • By the end of this unit, students will understand the Jewish view of prayer.
By the end of this unit unit students will be able to answer the following questions: 
  • How do we achieve a deeper relationship with Hashem through Teffilah?
  • What is the definition of the word Teffilah?
  • How is Teffilah an expression of our faith?
  • Why is Teffilah an act of self reflection?
Classroom Activities: 


Sunday, October 27, 2013

Writers Workshop 10/30/2013 with Patrice Samara

Patrice Samara
Author
www.alphabetkids.com
I am pleased to announce that Patrice Samara from alphabetkids.com will be visiting our classroom on Wednesday via Skype to give us a writers workshop.We will be in media center 115 for all the events. The times of the classes are 8:35-9:15, 10:10-10:10 and 12:15-12:50.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Monday, October 14, 2013

Unit 1: The Virtue of Prayer

Unit Goals and Objectives:

  • By the end of this unit, students will understand why prayer is such a central feature of Jewish observance.

Unit Study (1-2 lessons)

  • Why do you think that prayer is such a central feature of Jewish observance? Answer this question individually in the Comment section below the Slide Show.
  • Watch the PowerPoint slideshow below and then answer the questions provided. If you are not in class, you can access the questions by clicking here



Unit Assessment (1-2 lessons)

  • Poster: Click here for instructions if you were not present in class.
  • Student Reflections: Please complete the "Unit #1" page of the Student Reflections booklet (you should have a received a copy of this booklet in class; you will need to write your answer in the printed booklet).

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Intro to "A Journey through Jewish Prayer"

Unit Objective: 
For Students to learn the definitions of the words and terms used in the "Why Pray" Unit.

Please open the Power Point and Save to your Google Drive.


Teffilah intro from Rabbi Kahan

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

2. Sukkot Unit 8th Grade Only

Unit Objective: 

By the end of this lesson, students will understand why we sit in a Sukkah on Sukkot.


Classroom Activities are in the Power point below, you may make a copy of the Power Point into your own Google Drive.

Monday, September 16, 2013

1. Sukkot Unit

By the end of this Unit students will understand that: Our sense of security comes NOT only from material possessions.


By the end of this unit students will be able to answer the following questions:
  • If our sense of security comes from our homes, why does G-d ask us to build a temporary home?
  • Explain how and why the Sukkah gives us a sense of security.
  • Describe how we achieve וּשְׂמַחְתֶּם לִפְנֵי ה' אֱלֹקיכֶם שִׁבְעַת יָמִים "And you should be happy before the Lord your G-d for seven days." (Leviticus 23:40) by moving into a temporary ‘home’ for seven days.
Download the power point into your Google Docs Here, please make your own Copy to your Drive.

Classroom Activities:

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

1.Yom Kippur Basics

DO NOW: COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING TWO QUESTIONS BELOW:

1. What do you already know about Yom Kippur? This could include specific concepts about Yom Kippur, customs, laws, prayers or anything else you can think of. Click on this link to add what you already know to our class knowledge base. Type your name in next to your addition/s. If you see something that you already know in there, add your name in next to that particular point as well.

2. What would you like to learn about Yom Kippur this year, if possible? Do you have any questions or areas of interest you would like to explore? If so, click on this link to add your questions. Type your name in next to your questions. If you see a question that you would like to explore already listed, add you name in next to that particular question as well.

1. YOM KIPPUR PRE-TEST
2. YOM KIPPUR GUIDE
3. YOM KIPPUR TEST STUDY GUIDE

4. YOM KIPPUR QUIZLET

Monday, August 26, 2013

Teshuvah - Bringing Out The Beauty Of Our Souls

Unit Goal: By the end of this lesson students will understand that Elul is an opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with Hashem.

Essential Question: By the end of this lesson students will be able to answer the following questions:


Click Here for the Power Point.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Elul and Rosh Hashanah Basics

Unit Objective: By the end of this unit you will know the basic laws and customs of the Month of Elul, and Rosh Hashanah.

By the end of this unit unit students will be able to answer the following questions: 


1. What are the basic customs and Laws relating to the month of Elul?

2. Why the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah is so crucial to the coming year?

Click Here for the Elul and Rosh Hashanah Power Point, please copy it into your own Google Drive.


Friday, May 31, 2013

Chesed Unit


Unit Goal: By the end of this lesson students will understand why their acts of kindness are so central to Judaism.

On three things the world stands. 
On Torah, On service [of God], 
And on acts of human kindness.
Pirke Avot 1:2
Essential Question: By the end of this lesson students will be able to answer the following questions:

  1. Why is Chesed specifically chosen as the third pillar to supporting the world in contrast to the study of Torah, and the Service of G-d (Prayer), rather than all Mitzvot collectively?
  2. Why is (Chesed) Kindness so crucial to the existence of the world we live in?
UNIT RESOURCES:
  1. LINK TO THE CHESED UNIT HANDOUT
  2. WHY DO WE GIVE TZEDAKAH HANDOUT
  3. GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT THIS TOPIC ON AISH.COM

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

SHAVUOT UNIT

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Period D Shabbat Party

This coming Friday May 24th Period C will be hosting a Shabbat Party, suggested by Vanessa Gonik

Here is a link to a document with all of the Period C students. Please click on it and put down a food that you can bring. (It is optional.)

Gabby Tropp is the Host, please contact her with any comments or suggestions.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

"Dan Lekaf Zechut" Part Two

Unit Goal: 

By the end of this unit students will understand that, Loving Others and Judging Them Positively are Mutually Dependent.
    By the end of this unit unit students will be able to answer the following questions: 
      1. How can I judge someone negatively, maybe his upbringing and life circumstances forced him to act the way he did?
      2. How does judging positively affect one’s mindset in general?
        Study the PowerPoint below and then answer the questions provided. You may work with a partner in a shared Google Doc. Here is a link to the Power Point in Google Docs.

        In Class Activities:

        Wednesday, April 10, 2013

        “Dan Lekaf Zechut”

        Unit Goal: 

        By the end of this unit students will understand the meaning of the term, "Dan Lekaf Zechut".
        By the end of this unit unit students will be able to answer the following questions: 
        1. Why should I judge others positively? Isn't it better not to judge others at all?
        2. Must I be naïve and always give the benefit of the doubt?

        Study the PowerPoint below and then answer the questions provided. You may work with a partner in a shared Google Doc. 

        In Class Activities:

        Monday, March 11, 2013

        POST TANACH SOURCES "LO LEVAYESH" PART 2

        Unit Goal: 
        • By the end of this unit students will understand the Jewish definition of not embarrassing another,"Lo Levayesh"
        • By the end of this unit unit students will understand why the above mentioned value is so central to Jewish living.
        • By the end of this unit unit students will understand how the Middah of Lo Levayesh can relate to our relationships with others, with ourselves, and with Hashem. 
        Work Instructions:
        1. Watch the PowerPoint below and then answer the questions provided.
        2. You MAY work with a partner on this part of the unit.
        3. You may create a Google Doc using the following link, please copy the PPP into your own Google Drive.

        Thursday, March 7, 2013

        BACKPACK GRADES

        All grades are current and up to date based on assignments due to dropbox (including all due-dates) even while I have been away. If you notice an issue with your grade, please be aware that you earn grades I don't give them to you. However before you talk or contact me regarding your grade please make sure you have no missing work due, (it seems that Period A classes did not complete Unit 3 at all). Other wise please feel free to email me at kahan@ehillel.org.

        Rabbi Kahan

        Wednesday, March 6, 2013

        PLEASE TAKE THE JCAT SURVEY

        My Dear seventh grade students,

        By now you may know that our cute little daughter Shayna is in the hospital, B"H it is nothing serious, however the Doctors are keeping an eye an her, and only want to send her home once she is completely healthy G-d willing. Please add her her to your Teffilot Shayna Brocho bas Devorah Leah.
        I hope to be back at school soon, and by tomorrow I should have a Pesach unit posted on the blog for you to start working on with the substitutes.
        JCAT has requested that all student who participated in the program fill out a brief survey. Please complete it by this Monday 11th March. Link to the survey.

        Missing you all...

        Rabbi Kahan

        Thursday, February 28, 2013

        "Lo Levayesh"

        Unit Goal: 
        • By the end of this unit students will understand the deeper meaning of the term, "Lo Levayesh"
        • By the end of this unit unit students will understand why the above mentioned value is so central to Jewish living.
        • By the end of this unit unit students will understand how the Middah of Lo Levayesh can relate to our relationships with others, with ourselves, and with Hashem. 
        Work Instructions:
        1. Watch the PowerPoint below and then answer the questions provided.
        2. You must pick a NEW partner TO WORK WITH on this part of the unit.
        3. You may create a Google Doc using the following link, please copy the PPP into your own Google Drive. Here is a link to the Power Point in Google Docs.

        In Class work:




        Mini Formative Assessment: MUST BE DONE ALONE AND TURNED INTO DROPBOX

        As you just learned of the shame Adam & Chava and Ezra felt after committing a sin against Hashem, the Talmud says something similar "All those who commit a sin and are ashamed of it are forgiven for all their sins" (Source: Brachot 12b)

        1. Write freely for a few minutes on the relationship between shame and forgiveness.
        2. How do YOU intuitively or internally treat shame?
        3. How do you process wrongdoing?
        4. Does what you learnt today and the line of the Talmud ring true to you after answering the above two questions?
        4. Is shame towards oneself a good thing? how so and/how not so?


        Friday, February 15, 2013

        Samyach Bechelko Part 2

        Unit Goal: 
        • You have spent the last week studying Tanach Sources on the topic of Envy, and being content with what you have.
        • In the next part of this unit we will learn and analyze the Post Tanach sources about the topic of  Envy, and being content with what you have.
        • Study the Secondary sources from the Torah that discus the concept of envy, then answer the prompt questions in the power point.
        In Class Activities:


        Learn each Torah Source on each slide and respond to the question with you study partner, opion question MUST be answered independently. You may make a copy of the Power Point into your own Google Drive.


        Monday, February 11, 2013

        Samyach Bechelko Part 1

        Unit Goal: 
        • By the end of this unit students will understand the meaning of the terms, Samayach B'chelko, and lo Tachmod.
        • By the end of this unit unit students will understand why the above mentioned values are so central to Jewish living.
        Classes:
        • Study the primary sources from the Torah the discus the concept of envy, and answer the prompt questions in the power point.

        Tuesday, February 5, 2013

        Emergency Lesson Plans

              Please click on the image above 
                to access the Sub plans Folder.

        Wednesday, January 30, 2013

        Anavah Part 2

        In this section you will learn and analyze several secondary Torah sources on the topic of Anavah.

        At the end you will complete a choice of two assessments.

        Thursday, January 24, 2013

        Anavah Part 1

        By the end of this Unit Students will be able to Understand:


        Unit Goals: That perfecting the Middah of Anavah will directly impact the relationship he/she has with themselves, G-d and others.

        Essential Question: Why this Middah is so central to ones Judaism?



        Unit Assessment: As the CEO of a large company, create a job description for a leadership position you are looking to fill at the company

        • Be sure to include the quality of Anavah as a necessary qualification, explaining why the leader must have this quality. 
        • Use at least two of the Sources you learnt to support your work.
        • The assignment can be posted on drop-box. (Due 12/17/2015)

        Wednesday, January 23, 2013

        A story

        Rabbi Simcha Bunim Bonhart of Peshischa (Przysucha, in Poland) (1765–1827) was one of the main leaders of Hasidic Judaism in Poland.

        Over three hundred years ago, Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Pshishke told his disciples: Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that he or she can reach into the one or the other, depending on the need. When feeling lowly and depressed, discouraged or disconsolate, one should reach into the right pocket, and, there, find the words: "For my sake was the world created." But when feeling high and mighty one should reach into the left pocket, and find the words: "I am but dust and ashes."







        Monday, January 14, 2013

        What are Middot?

        Mosheh ben Maimon (משה בן מימון), called Moses Maimonides and also known as Mūsā ibn Maymūn  or RaMBaM (Hebrew acronym for "Rabbi Mosheh Ben Maimon"), was a preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher and one of the most prolific and followed Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages. He was born in Córdoba, Almoravid Empire (present-day Spain) on Passover Eve, 1135, and died in Egypt (or Tiberias) on 20th Tevet, December 12, 1204. He was a rabbi, physician, and philosopher in Morocco and Egypt.




        יז  וְכָל אֵלּוֹ הַדְּבָרִים--כְּדֵי לָכֹף יִצְרוֹ, וּלְתַקַּן דֵּעוֹתָיו.  וְרוֹב דִינֵי תּוֹרָה אֵינָן אֵלָא עֵצוֹת מֵרָחוֹק מִגְּדוֹל הַעֵצָה, לְתַקַּן הַדֵּעוֹת וּלְיַשַּׁר כָּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים; וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר "הֲלֹא כָתַבְתִּי לְךָ, שָׁלִשִׁים--בְּמֹעֵצוֹת וָדָעַת.  לְהוֹדִיעֲךָ--קֹשְׁטְ, אִמְרֵי אֱמֶת; לְהָשִׁיב אֲמָרִים אֱמֶת, לְשֹׁלְחֶיךָ" (משלי כב,כ-כא).

        All of these ordinances are to subjugate one's evil inclination and improve one's character. Similarly, most of the Torah's laws are nothing other than "counsels given from distance" from "He Who is of great counsel" to improve one's character and make one's conduct upright. And so it is written Proverbs 22:20-21: "Behold, I have written for you in the Torah prominent matters, to inform you of the veracity of the words of truth, so that you will respond truthfully to those who send to you."

        CLICK HERE FOR NOTES (Thank you Lilly S.)