HSRS Announcements (Hodaahot הוֹדָוֹת) The cards that your student brought home on Sunday were handmade by some staff at the CSU Health Network. They reached out after the October 7 terror attack to ask how many students we had as they wanted to make cards- letting our students know that they were thinking of them and to offer support.
Our 7th graders will be leading the Saturday morning Shabbat Service on December 16. Please join them either in-person or on zoom. 7th grade parents- if you haven't RSVPd that your student will be in attendance or volunteered to lead part of the service, email hsrs@nocoharshalom.org.
Need a last minute Hanukkah gift? Present for a teacher? Our scrip coordinator, Tal Bloom, will be selling gift cards after HSRS next Sunday. Email scrip@nocoharshalom.org if you have any questions before Sunday.
Is your child interested in going to sleepaway camp for the first time? We are thrilled to announce that applications are now open for Jewish Overnight Summer Camp Grants! JEWISHcolorado One Happy Camper (OHC) Program, in partnership with The Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC), awards grants of between $700 and $1000 to eligible families sending their children to Jewish overnight camps for the first time.
Important Dates & Upcoming Events
December 16- 7th grade Saturday Morning Shabbat Service DECEMBER 17- NO SCHOOL FOR 7TH GRADE ONLY December 17- Beresheet Day 2 from 10:30-12pm December 24, 27, 31, January 3, 7- NO HSRS January 10- HSRS back in session! January 19- Shabbat Jr at 5:30pm, oneg to follow January 21- Beresheet Day 3 at 10:30am January 21- TuBeshvat celebrated for grades K-2 January 24- TuBeshvat celebrated for grades 3-7 January 27- 2nd/3rd grade Havdallah January 28- NO SCHOOL FOR 2ND AND 3RD GRADES ONLY
BBYO & Teens Our BBYO participants had a great Hanukkah party on Friday. They played games, had a gift exchange, made latkes, and spent this Hanukkah Shabbat together.
From Our Teachers
Highlights from our HSRS Hanukkah Celebration After a Hanukkah themed-shira, Rabbi Finestone spoke to us about miracles. We then watched some videos. Take a listen to song one, song two, song three! We worked our way through centers playing gaga, taking pictures at our Hanukkah photo booth, creating cards while sipping cocoa, making our own candles, and snacking on latkes while reading Hanukkah stories. We ended our day by playing dreidel. Chag Hanukkah Sameach!
Kitah Gimel (Third Grade) Wednesday from Morah Kyla, subbing for Morah Robin- We had a great night! We started with Hebrew practice and the kids did a great job reading and learning some new words. Then we learned all about Hanukkah and had an epic dreidel tournament. We finished the evening with some fun Hanukkah activities and games.
Kitah Dalet (Fourth Grade) Wednesday from Morah Merav- After the pizza party and T’filah with Josh we spent our time painting our very own dreidels. Everyone enjoyed the activity. We got to catch up with one another and share some of our family holiday traditions. Hopefully these special dreidels will help win lots of gelt as you continue Hanukkah celebrations with your families. Happy Hanukkah everyone!
Wednesday from Morah Sophie- Kita Dalet learned the meaning behind the Kiddush prayer. We read the english translation and found the 6 main themes: the holiness of Shabbat, the creation of the world, the uniqueness of humans, the creation of the fruit of the vine, the day set apart for Shabbat, and the freedom of the Jews from the Egyptians. Then, we sang the part that they were already familiar with. We will be learning the rest in coming weeks!
Kitah Hay (Fifth Grade) Wednesday from Morah Lauren- Kita Hay on Wednesday was a busy, full of energy class. It was great to have all students! We studied Hebrew, were introduced to 4 blessings, and started a craft project. Happy Hanukkah.
Kitah Vav (Sixth Grade) Wednesday from Morah Debbie, subbing for Morah Leah- Hi, I was fortunate enough to substitute again for Leah this week. In Hebrew, we reviewed the Hanukkah candle blessing (no transliteration) and sang the song Maoz Tzur. We also discussed the order of the Shabbat service and why it isn't in the prayer book. After break, we returned to Hanukkah. We discussed the influence/rule of the ancient Greeks and the concept of assimilation. We also distinguished between Menorot and Hanukkiyot. Ask your student to describe our conversation. Thanks for sharing your students with me. Happy Hanukkah!!
Kitah Zayin (Seventh Grade) Wednesday from Rabbi Finestone- During the first part of class, I reviewed the actual historical events that led up to the Maccabean revolt, and the customs that lie behind the story of the oil and the use of the dreidel. After break, we practiced lighting our Hanukkah menorahs and practiced reading and singing all of the Hanukkah blessings.
