HSRS Announcements (Hodaahot הוֹדָוֹת) New Information Calling all 4th-7th graders! We heard you and are making adjustments to Yom Kippur programming on October 12. While you are highly encouraged to participate in services in the sanctuary, we recognize that you may need a space that is less formal. We will have a room designated JUST FOR YOU! The service will be zoomed in and we have different activities planned throughout the morning. No need to register.
Previous Sent Information
Conferences I have included a signup genius for those who would like to have a conference with your child's teacher. These are 15 minute, optional, conferences. Teachers may reach out to you, as well, to request a conference. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D44ACAE2EA6F94-51852005-fall
New Dismissal Process Last Sunday's dismissal was a bit overwhelming for the students and staff. What was originally working isn't anymore- we just have too many students for 1 person to be dismissing everyone. So, moving forward:
This will be the new plan for Wednesday AND Sundays.
We are going to have assigned spots for classes to line up.
TEACHERS will be dismissing their own students; students can help with this process by pointing out their ride. Madrichim will stay with their class and help with group management.
We will have a separate line for families who carpool.
Har Shalom's Phones! Har Shalom has a new phone system. To call the religious school, please dial 970-223-5191, ext. 103.
Important Dates & Upcoming Events October 16- NO HSRS, Sukkot October 16-October 31- SOCKtober Mitzvah Project begins October 19- S'mores Havdalah from 6-7:30pm October 23- NO HSRS, Sukkot October 26- 7th grade-led Shabbat Service at 10:15am, oneg to follow October 27- NO HSRS for 7th grade November 3- Beresheet Day 1 from 10:30am-12pm November 10- The Shuk is open (volunteers needed!) UPDATED DATE!!!! November 10- B'nai Mitzvah Orientation for 6th grade families and those wanting a refresher from 12-1pm. November 15- Jewish Book Month Family Shabbat at 5:30pm November 16- 6th grade-led Shabbat Service at 10:15am, oneg to follow November 17- NO HSRS for 6th grade November 17- Beresheet Day 2 from 10:30am-12pm November 24, 27, and December 1- NO HSRS
BBYO & Teen Things Teen of the Week! Each week, we will be recognizing one of our amazing teen volunteers who went above and beyond to help. A giant Todah Rabah to Jack! He always remains calm and collected, even when his class is getting a little loud and silly. He helps wherever needed and is fabulous at supporting the needs of the students, especially with Hebrew.
Upcoming BBYO Event Mark your calendars! Worldwide registration for BBYO International Convention (IC) 2025 in Denver, Colorado is opening on Wednesday, October 9. Last year, IC went to a waitlist in less than an hour so make plans to be near a computer or phone at your local registration time. Need more information? Click here! Due to the popularity of IC and to prevent disruption to program planning late in the season, only partial refunds will be issued after November 7, 2024 and no refunds will be issued after December 6, 2024.
Synagogue & Community News
From Our Teachers Beresheet (Preschool) Morah Kyla will see you in November!!
Kitah Gan (Kindergarten) from Morah JoJo- In Hebrew class, we focused on the letter Hay! The children had a wonderful time learning to write it, pronounce it, and make the Hay sounds. They moved through the writing exercises with enthusiasm! We also took turns writing all the letters we’ve learned so far on the whiteboard and played a fun game of Quickfire Hebrew. To help get out some of our wiggles, we enjoyed our Aleph-Bet yoga, where they showcased their impressive poses. After a quick snack break, we returned to the classroom for Storytime with Judy. Sunday’s story centered on Shabbat and how different families celebrate this special weekly holiday. Next, we explored Sukkot. We discussed what a Sukkah is, and the kids enthusiastically practiced saying the word "booth" numerous times! Many shared their past experiences building Sukkahs and even recounted their adventures sleeping in them. We watched a short video from Shalom Sesame, featuring a young boy in Israel as he builds his Sukkah and helps harvest the Etrog for Sukkot. To wrap up our day, we went outside to gather leaves for decorating the Har Shalom Sukkah. The children created beautiful leaf patterns for their hanging wind-catchers. We concluded with a brief history lesson on Sukkot and its significance in the Jewish tradition. Lastly, the class was finally able to take home their Shabbat candles! Some of the gems may need a little glue to secure them, so please check that they made it home safely. See you all next week.
Kitah Alef (First Grade) from Morah Laura We started off the day with the students sharing all the wonderful things that they did from Rosh Hashanah this year. I loved hearing about all of the round challahs with sprinkles or even chocolate. The students were also very excited to share about eating apples and honey, which we did again during snack. Our letter was vav and the students made flowers to remind them that the Hebrew word for rose is vered. We also spent time discussing repentance or T’shivah. We went through many different scenarios and the students decided what the child in the story should have done. Finally, we started talking about the holiday of Sukkot and made Jewish stars to hang in the Sukhah. The students then made very elaborate sukkah with blocks. I’m looking forward to hearing about everyone’s Yom Kippur next week
Kitah Bet (Second Grade) from Morah Brenna, subbing for Morah Anne- We reviewed our Hebrew letters dalet, vav and zayin. We then participated in a Yom Kippur activity where we reflected on some of the decisions we have made in the past. We talked about times we have made a mistake and times when we were wrong. We finished the day making Star of David mosaics. Thank you to Madrichim Maya and Ryan for their amazing help.
Kitah Gimmel (Third Grade) from Morah Robin This morning students earned shekels while we reviewed Rosh Hashanah concepts and the Hebrew Calendar cycle. Everyone then made their own Jewish Calendar Wheel to take home to their families. After break and snack outside, Cory read “The Hardest Word – A Yom Kippur Story” – about how sorry is the hardest word to say. We then discussed Yom Kippur and the significance of this holiday. Finally, we worked on our Hebrew and finished Lesson 4.
Kitah Dalet (Fourth Grade) from Morah Merav- We created our own Magen Davids (Jewish Stars) to hang in the Har Shalom sukkah! We had an awesome Storytime with Judy. The kids all took notes. It was followed by a great game of Jeopardy about what we learned in the story. The notes were very helpful. Thanks Judy for a great lesson!
Kitah Hay (Fifth Grade) From Morah Lauren- Kita Hay on Sunday had Shirah Josh for songs followed by Morah Judy reading about an early Jewish immigrant on the 1492 Columbus voyage. Kita Hay worked hard reading Hebrew and learned plural endings. They did a good job reading. From Morah Sophie- We started with storytime with Morah Judy where she talked about the first Jewish people in America. We then made Sukkot decorations to hang in the Sukkah next week.
Kitah Vav (Sixth Grade) from Morah Aviva This Sunday, the students worked on family trees during hebrew. As part of learning the Avot prayer in the Amidah, the students were encouraged to think of their ancestors and draw it out in tree form. As we built our trees, we learned the hebrew words for relatives and family. For chai, we started Psalms. The students worked in pairs to analyze poetry from Psalms, then wrote and presented individual poems about god and their emotions with god.
Kitah Zayin (Seventh Grade) from Morah Michelle Students did a great job at the movie! I’m glad we were all able to watch it. I think it will help with their background knowledge when I teach them about the Holocaust. Thank you parents for waiting patiently to pick kiddos up and special thanks to Kyla and my mom, Jana, for chaperoning. See everyone next week.
From Our Specials News from the Sifriyah (Library) Reading Challenge: 12 students received prizes today, including 3 who have completed the challenge and earned a $5 gift card to Target!! Those super-readers will have the opportunity to continue earning prizes by helping review potential new books for the library.
Storytime: In 4th, 5th and 6th grade we jumped back in time to the pre-Colonial era. We read "Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom" by Tami Lehman Wilzig. Luis de Torres was a converso (a Sephardic or Spanish Jew who converted to Catholicism but secretly practiced Judaism) who was an interpreter aboard Columbus' voyage in 1492. The students took notes during the story, and then we played "Jewpardy" in which the answers were all from the story. Each class divided into teams and there was lots of enthusiastic competition!
News from Shira (Sunday Morning Song Session) Welcome back to Shira Josh. We sang some of Josh's favorites and got moving on Sunday morning.
News from Tefillah (Wednesday Evening Prayer Session) No Tefillah this past week due to Rosh Hashana. But a giant todah robah to Tefillah Deb for coming to lead children's services.
News from Small Group with Deb Small group Hebrew is going great! The students already know and can read words with 10 Hebrew consonants and 5 Hebrew vowels!! They can also sing the Hebrew Alphabet Song flawlessly!
