Nicki is currently out of the office and will return on October 22. Please direct any questions to the Har Shalom office at 970-223-5191 or email Tal Bloom at connect@nocoharshalom.org or Rabbi Finestone at rabbisrf@nocoharshalom.org.
Are you looking for support regarding the tragic events in Israel? Please visit www.nocoharshalom.org. As always, please reach out to me, Rabbi Finestone, Tara, and Judy for additional resources. We had a wonderful evening on Wednesday. Tefillah Josh and Rabbi Finestone led us through a heartwarming series of prayers, Oseh Shalom, and Hatikvah. A double rainbow appeared as we were singing Ahava Rabah (the prayer of deep love), the Shema, and the V'ahavta.
Parents are invited to a special workshop on navigating tragedy with children during religious school on Sunday, October 22. More details coming soon.
Important Dates & Upcoming Events
October 18- BBYO meeting from 6:30-7:30pm; feel free to come as early as 5:15 to hang/do homework/bring your own meat-free dinner. October 22- Parent Workshop (details to come!) October 29- Beresheet Day 1 from 10:30-12pm November 3- Shabbat Jr at 5:30pm (oneg to follow) November 12- Har Shalom Hanukkah Market November 19, 22, 26- NO HSRS November 29- BBYO meeting from 6:30-7:30pm, feel free to come as early as 5:15 to hang/do homework/bring your own meat-free dinner. December 2- Kindergarten/1st grade Havdalah at 5:30pm
BBYO & Teens Our BBYO members had a blast making caramel apples, fall treats, enjoying a pizza lunch and watching a movie together. We hope you'll join us at our next meeting October 18.
Synagogue & Community News
From Our Teachers
Kitah Gan (Kindergarten) and Kitah Alef (First Grade) Hello everyone! Sunday was special as we had a visit from our first grade class and had a ton of fun. Everyone started with Hebrew; we learned all about Bet and his belly button. We practiced writing Bet and did a final drawing on the whiteboard. We finished with some wacky Aleph Bet yoga, they all earned shekels for their enthusiasm. After a quick snack break, we came back to create our Star of David sun catchers. These were meant for Sukkot but we are little late due to school breaks. We collected leaves from the yard to use in our project. Finally, we read a book about Sammy the spider sleeping in the Sukkah and talked a little about why Sukkot is important. They all did fantastic, congrats to everyone who got their mini Torah and certificate. See you all next week!
Kitah Bet (Second Grade) Hello everyone! We had a wonderful morning completing a scavenger hunt in small groups along with our madrichim. We found a Hebrew calendar in the office, a new book in the library, and even asked Mr. Felix about his favorite ice cream flavor. Ask your students for a tour of our campus next time you visit; you'll be surprised how much they know!
Kitah Gimel (Third Grade) Wednesday from Morah Robin- We returned our focus back to our Chai studies of Leviticus in the Torah. We reviewed Paraschat K’doshim which is the focus of Levititus - living a life with k’dushah/holiness in order to get closer to God in all aspects of our lives. We then moved onto Parashat Vayikra which has to do with the sacrifices brought to God at the Temple in Jerusalem in ancient times. Today, Temple sacrifices have been replaced by prayer, Avodah, to bring us closer to God. We watched two videos about Parachat Vayikra which really helped the students understand these Jewish mitzvot. After a short break outside, we did a short role play using a wrapped gift (prop). This demonstrated how we feel when we receive and/or give a gift/offering, thus how the Israelites may have felt when they gave an offering to God. Finally, we made special cards for someone in our home to offer love, gratitude, and appreciation. The students colored pictures and wrote loving messages for a parent, sibling, or pet. It was very heartwarming!
Sunday from Morah Kyla (subbing for Morah Robin) - We had a great time on Sunday! We celebrated with our new students standing under the chuppah and receiving their min-Torah scrolls. We then got to learn all about kosher laws and read a fun book about a pig who wants to be kosher. We then did a fun craft project wall hangings that show different meat and dairy items and how we keep them separate, which they'll get to bring home on Wednesday.
Kitah Dalet (Fourth Grade) Wednesday from Morah Merav- We continue our work with the Aleph-Bet chart. This week we have also started reading from our wall of Hebrew words. We will be adding more and more words every week. All the students are doing great and improving their Hebrew reading skills each week. Attendance matters. I hope to see everyone in class!Wishing you all extra peace and love as we navigate this heartbreaking time. עם ישראל חי!
Wednesday from Morah Sophie- This week we discussed the importance of prayer in our lives. We shared reasons for prayer as well as having intention behind it.
Sunday from Morah Merav- Kitah Hay joined us in our Hebrew class today. Some worked in smaller groups and practiced with the Aleph-Bet cards. The rest spent time reading from our Hebrew word wall as they have already shown ease with the Aleph Bet. It was fun to have two of our Kitah Hay students join us. Thanks for helping Kitah Dalet and for challenging yourselves with our word wall. Looking forward to seeing you all Wednesday!
Sunday from Morah Sophie- We reviewed the term keva, the words that we pray. Along with this theme, the students shared reasons for practicing prayer and we read a story about a child who was struggling with attending services daily. Then, we read a story about the “Shehecheyanu” and discussed how we can use this prayer during all types of celebration!
Kitah Hay (Fifth Grade) Wednesday from Morah Lauren- Kita Hay engaged in several activities this week. We learned prayers with Tefillah Josh. We learned vocabulary from chapter 12 and practiced new sentences while working on our name project. We learned to read our beautiful prayer for peace, Oseh Shalom. We also had an ambidextrous kickball match and watched a video of Oseh Shalom. 🕊️ We hope to see more friends soon at Wednesday night for Hebrew and fun with friends in our 5th grade Kita Hay!
Sunday- Thank you to Kitah Dalet for welcoming Kitah Hay and learning alongside them.
Kitah Vav (Sixth Grade) Wednesday from Morah Leah- After a wonderful Tefillah session in the sanctuary, Kitah Vav stayed behind in that sacred space to talk with Nicki, Rabbi and me about what’s going on in Israel. Your student did an excellent job asking great questions. After a well-deserved break, we moved to our classroom where the conversation continued. Again some great questions and discussion were had. We then decided to change the mood and count our earned shekels for the year and do a brainstorm session for desired items that they would like to shop for with their shekels at the shuk (market). Shavua Tov - A good week!
Sunday from Morah Leah- How good it is to gather and be back together for Sunday school! After a great shira (song session), we moved to our classroom and learned more about the opening words of the Amidah prayer. Ask your student why when they pray the Amidah they stand and take three steps backward and then three steps forward. We moved to Avot (ancestors) and did some Hebrew vocabulary. After a break - we finished the day with making family trees - placing ourselves in the long, meaningful line of being a Jew. Shavuah Tov (wishing you a good week).
Kitah Zayin (Seventh Grade) Wednesday from Rabbi Finestone- We had a very good discussion about the events in Israel after tefilah. The students asked thoughtful and deep questions, and we were able to discuss things at an age appropriate level. After break, we looked at another, Jewish ethical dilemma, which involved the Mitzvah of feeding your animals first before you sit down to eat. The students quickly got the right answer: one always has to take care of one’s animals first. We then looked at a second ethical dilemma which talked about receiving too much change from the cashier at the grocery store. Does one keep it or does one give it back? Once again, all the students immediately knew the right Jewish answer: the money has to be returned.
Sunday from Morah Michelle- Students learned about Yiddish. Yiddish is over 1,000 years old, written in Hebrew but more similar to German, and spoken by 600,000 people. We discussed why the Yiddish speaking population decreased after WWII, why Jews spoke Yiddish instead of Hebrew, whether Yiddish is a dying language and how Jews are unique for being a religious group that also has its own language. With a partner, students received a list of Yiddish words that they had to match with their definitions. Students were pleased to discover that they already knew some Yiddish words like bubbe, zaide, and klutz. We then watched a music video from a Yiddish speaking gentleman who raps and sings in Yiddish and a clip of the famous SNL sketch, Coffee Talk. Students also took a quiz to see how many Yiddish words they knew and what Yiddish word best fits their personality. Finally, we ended class reading and discussing the article "A Wedding During Wartime in Jerusalem." Students learned how in Jewish law, weddings go on even in times of tragedy and how the Jewish people celebrate life and help each other out, even if they are strangers. Here's a link to the article. See you next week! Michelle
From Our Specials
Shira News Shira Josh led us in a fun and engaging music session that had us all on our feet. What a terrific way to start our Sunday mornings!
News from the Sifriyah (Library) Until the end of October, the Library checkout bookcase in the foyer will feature stories of the supernatural. Golems and dybbuks and witches, oh my!!
News from the Kitchen Morah Ellen and Morah Shoshanna will be returning to the kitchen on October 22 and 29! Get ready to whip up something delicious. Challah French Toast!
