Jewish Arts Culture and Torah School

JACTS Registration Forms

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:47:00 +0000

Student Name _______________________________ Confidential Registration Page 1 of 3

School Director,
Rabbi Sara Shendelman
510-644-2956
moretorah@aol.com
http://jewishacts.blogspot.com/

Registration 2010-2011

PLEASE PRINT

Student Information Please fill out a separate form for each child

Student’s Name _____________________________________________________________________

Last First Hebrew?

Age ________ Date of Birth ____/____/____ Grade entering ______ School____________________

Student’s Address _______________________________City__________________ Zip____________

Home Telephone __________________________ Other Telephone __________________________

Child lives with Mother Father Other Please specify:

Parent/Guardian Information Please provide information for each adult child lives with, continue on back if necessary.

Name _____________________________ Name _______________________________

Last First Hebrew Last First Hebrew

Home address if different from student Home address if different from student

________________________________ ___________________________________

Home Phone _______________________ Home Phone _______________________

Cell Phone_________________________ Cell Phone____________________________

E-mail____________________________ E-mail_______________________________

School information should be sent to: ⁮ Mother ⁯ Father ⁮ both ⁮ Other Guardian

Emergency Information

Please provide the name of a friend or relative who can be reached on Sunday if parent is Not available.

(Please be sure they have consented to act on your behalf)

Name_______________________________ Phone ________________________

Relationship to Child__________________________________________________

Name_______________________________ Phone ________________________

Relationship to Child__________________________________________________

Student Name _______________________________ Confidential Registration Page 2 of 3

Publicity Release for Minors

We occasionally submit pictures of our activities for publication and/or post them on our website. Please tell us if we have your permission to publish pictures of your child(ren). As a matter of policy we DO NOT identify children by name.

_____ I hereby consent to the publication of photographs, video or quotes by my son/daughter in print or

on the JACTS website for the school year 2010-2011.

_____ No, I do not give my permission.

Parent’s Signature: Date

Field Trip Permission Slip

We occasionally walk away from school grounds to nearby parks, recreation centers, etc. during class as part of the curriculum.

I give permission for my child _______________________ to accompany his/her class on field trips during the school year 2010/2011.

Parent’s Signature: Date ____________________________

Additional Information

Does your child have any medical/ condition requiring special care?

If yes, please describe and indicate precautions needed and/or medications taken: _____________________________________

Does your child have any allergies, including FOOD ALLERGIES

If yes, please specify dangerous FOODS and indicate precautions needed:

Are there any learning or behavioral difficulties that we should be aware of? (Confidential) continue on back:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Please specify your goals for your child’s learning and participation at JACTs

Student Name _______________________________ Confidential Registration Page 3 of 3

Chochmat HaLev membership?____________ Synagogue/Other Affiliation ________________

Any conversions or adoptions in your family? _________________

Has your child had any previous Jewish education? ____ if yes, indicate name of school and years attended

Enrollment Policy:

There is a $50 registration fee which can be waived if payment is made all at once.

Tuition: Checks should be made payable to JACTS

⁯Sunday Class Aleph $500

⁯Sunday Class Bet $750

⁯B’Nei Mitzvah $1200

⁯Weekday Aleph/Bet TBD

If paying full tuition will present a financial hardship, note the adjusted amount your family can pay for tuition. All adjustment requests are subject to both need and availability of funds.

OUR 2010-2011 / 5770-2071 SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS!

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:29:00 +0000

We look forward with joy to the beginning of our new school year.

Classes will be held on Sunday mornings, and Wednesdays afternoons.

Please call the director, Rabbi Sara Shendelman to reserve a place and to discuss which class would be best for your child. Any questions are welcome.

There will two classes on Wednesdays, one for younger, one for older students.

Click here for 2010/2011 Registration forms
Classes begin September 14th and September 16th.

Help Us Celebrate Our Chai (18th) Year !

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Dear Parents and Friends of Alumni,

It has been a while since we have had the pleasure of working with your children and seeing you. Your children have gone on to high school, and many to college, careers and marriage.

We have continued our teaching, connecting families and students to their Jewish heritage and communities. We were told by one former student that we had really changed the way that she viewed the world and what she wanted to do in it. Another said we had helped him learn to think, and to feel more compassion.

More fulfilling lives, expansion of ways of thinking, connection to the wider family of Jewish Community, and an understanding of the way Judeo-Christian traditions influence the world, are all gifts brought to the children through the work we have done with them.

There is a lot of need in the nonprofit community due to the depressed economy. In addition, due to shifts in the community that we founded here in Berkeley, we find our school in urgent need of financial support.

We know our school's work is important to the students we teach, that we make a difference in their lives and that we really love working with them. It is so fulfilling to have the consistant feedback for 20+ years - "that the Bar or Bat Mitzvah was so important for the family, so meaningful for the family and friends and was more wonderful than anyone expected"- somewhat of a rarity in the religious world.

On this emergency, I am asking for your support to keep our school alive. It means the world to me to continue this work I began about the time my children were born and they are now both in college. Every donation is very meaningful and tax deductible.

All tzedakah helps to heal the world and comes back to us ten fold! Donations can be sent to Jewish Arts and Culture School at 1743 Oregon, Berkeley, CA 94703. 501 C3 TAX ID # 04-3595200.

Blessings on your heads,

Rabbi Sara Shendelman
Founder and Director
Jewish Arts Culture and Torah School

Join us for uplifting, musical and spiritual High Holidays!!

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:50:00 +0000

Rabbi Sara Shendelman and Rabbi Avram Davis will be leading High Holidays this year in our beautiful space in the

South Berkeley Community Church

1802 Fairview St.

Berkeley, CA 94703

Directions

Service Times:

Erev Rosh Hashana

Friday, Sept 18th 7:00 pm.

Rosh Hashana

Saturday, Sept.19th at 10:00 am

Kol Nidrei

Sunday, Sept. 27th, at 6:30 pm

Yom Kippur Day

Monday, Sept. 28th

Shachrit 10:00 am

Yizkor 4:45pm

Ne'ilah 6:00pm

Please visit our website : http://nefesh.bravehost.com/Nefesh_High_Holidays/Welcome.html

Please RSVP so that we know how many books and chairs to provide. Donations can be made at the website. There will not be a fee for services this year, however, donations are encouraged to help contribute to the energy and finances involved in putting these services together.

If you have questions or would like to volunteer please email our event planner, Aliya, at aliyasdavis@gmail.com.

Classes starting Week of Sept 23, 2009

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:58:00 +0000

Enroll now for Jewish Arts Culture and Torah School Year 2009/2010!

Weekday classes will begin Wednesday, September 23 at 4:00 PM
The Sunday class will begin Sunday, September 27th at 10:00 AM

The weekday can be changed, or an additional class offered if parents
need a different day.

Please contact Rabbi Sara at MoreTorah@aol.com
or 510 644 2956

JACTS Director, Rabbi Sara Shendelman

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:47:00 +0000

School Director, Rabbi, Cantor Sara Shendelman is one of the best-known Jewish Renewal rabbis in Berkeley, California. She received Cantorial Ordination from Rabbis Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Shlomo Carlebach, the only woman to do so. She received Rabbi S'gan Smicha (rabbinic ordination) from Rabbi Gershon Winkler.

Rabbi Sara Shendelman was a leader in the early days of the Jewish Renewal Movement, from which she was awarded the title of Eshet Hazon (Woman of Vision). Sara has taught, led services, officiated and created ritual for 30 years. She holds an M.A. in Education and Developmental Arts from NYU.

Rabbi Sara Shendelman is the Founder and Director of the Jewish Arts and Culture School (JACTS), established in 1995. At JACTS, students are exposed to different ideologies existing within Judaism so that they can participate and feel comfortable in a variety of Jewish settings. Teachers use art, music, puppets, drama, discussion, dance and text to help students form a loving attachment to Jewish culture, spirituality and history. The curriculum includes Hebrew reading and writing, ritual traditions, Jewish calendar celebrations, Torah and Eastern European stories, Israel, Jewish distinctions, and mitzvot. The student body ranges in age from preschool through post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah and represents a cross-section of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, religious experience and family orientations. Parents and family members are included in the classroom and at celebrations.

Sara's beautiful singing can be heard on 3 music CDs which she has produced, including "I Did Lift You Up" and "Chasing the Gazelle." Sara's musical talents are shared generously in all her endeavors as rabbi, ordained cantor, professional singer, musician, wedding officiant, teacher and ritual leadership.

Sara’s writings have been cited in numerous books about Jewish culture and spirituality. Her published work includes the book: Traditions: The Complete Book of Prayers, Rituals; Blessings for Every Jewish Home (Hyperion).

Sara previously served as Cantor, Rabbi and Core Faculty for Chochmat HaLev, Wisdom of the Heart Center for Jewish Spirituality in Berkeley. Sara performs a lively and interactive service that introduces the Kabbalat Shabbat service and Friday night rituals through prayer, song, storytelling and more. She designed the program especially for those who are new or returning to Judaism, beginners to Shabbat practice, and families with children of all ages.

Rabbi Sara Shendelman officiates at gay, spiritual, interfaith, Jewish and diversely unique weddings. Providing marriage, spiritual, cultural and religious counseling, inspired lifecycle event cantorial services, rabbinic leadership for High Holiday, Shabbat and Festival services, ritual creation for all occasions, Bar and Bat Mitzvah tutoring, conversion assistance, mentoring, advocating and teaching in a compassionate, joyous, literally harmonious and personal atmosphere. For more information, consult her blog at http://sarashendelman.blogspot.com

Request and Blessing

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:02:00 +0000

Dear Parents and Friends,

   I hope you are all well and that you feel optimism about the direction we are taking as a country and a society. Every election is about declaring which values we want to guide our lives. We imbue our children with these values hoping to create for them lives full of meaning and the kind of community that supports a meaningful and loving life.
   As one of the educators working to help our children realize themselves, to find how to make life choices, and what kind of foundation they stand on, I am always aware of the fate of the world and my students journey being very much influenced by the extraordinary kind of teaching we do in Jewish Arts, Culture and Torah School. Furthermore, as an independent school, we have been able to fill a need for those who do not wish to join a synagogue, but want a Jewish and Spiritual education for their children.
   Everything has a natural ebb and flow. Currently, due to many factors, the amount of tuition and financial help we have is not enough to support the school this year. As we have no synagogue support, we live on the support of those who believe in our work.    I know things are tight now for many, but you know that whatever you give in tzedakah comes back to you, so to support us will be a good deed from which you will receive bountiful blessings. We teach our children to give of themselves and the health benefits, I recently read, last for 60 years. Let us model this for them and also save a school which was an invaluable experience for our children and for the whole family.

   Even a very small donation is really significant to us. I have a policy to never turn a child away, regardless of ability to pay.
Please help me support those who wish to make the story that the Torah was given to us for the sake of our children, a real
transimission from one generation to the next.
   We are a 501-c3 and all donations are tax deductible. You may send a donation to 1743 Oregon Street, Berkley, CA 94703.
  A blessing to you and our whole world,

Rabbi Sara Shendelman
Director and Founder, Jewish Arts, Culture and Torah School

New JACTS school year 2008/09

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:06:00 +0000

PARENTS MEETING, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 7:00 PM

Please come to the Parents Meeting on Tuesday, September 9th, at 7:00 PM at my home. We will discuss curriculum and anything else. Email me at moretorah@aol.com for the address.

SHABBAT HAVURAH

We will have a shabbat gathering once a month on a Friday night with the school havurah (group of friends). The first one will be hosted by Mike Talkowsky and his daughter Mia starting at 6:30 pm for pot luck dinner, some singing, a small service, and stories for Shabbat and holidays! Email me at moretorah@aol.com for the date and address.

CLASSES BEGIN: JACTS classes will begin the 3rd week of September:

Wednesday classes begin September 17th at 4:00 at my home on Oregon in Berkeley.
Sunday classes begin September 21st at 10:00-11:30 AM at Walden School.

Ages 4-7 years come every other week on Sunday.
Ages 8-10 or 11 years can choose to come to Sunday or Wednesday classes.
Ages 11 years and older can come to the Bar Mitzvah classes on Wednesday or Thursdays at 5 pm.

B'NEI MITZVAH CLASSES BEGIN THIS WEEK!

Bar and Bat Mitzvah classes will begin this week, Sept. 3rd and 4th.
BM classes are on Wednesday and Thursday at 5 pm.beginning this week at my home on Oregon.

REGISTRATION

Registration forms will be available at the first day of class.

SCHEDULE

Year schedule will be sent out via email.

SNACKS:
Would someone bring snacks for the first day on Sunday?
We don't have snack time on Wednesdays or Thursdays as I assume the kids are getting one
on the way over.

Please email me, if you have not, about which class you would like a place in. Membership at Chochmat is no longer required.

Blessings and see you soon!

Rabbi Sara Shendelman
Director, Jewish Arts, Culture and Torah School
moretorah@aol.com

Upcoming 2008/2009 High Holidays and School Year

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:45:00 +0000

Shalom!

Jewish Arts and Culture School and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program will be starting up again soon. Here is some preliminary info:

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah program will begin after Labor Day on Sept 3rd. Please let me know what day and time you want to come. Please let me know if you have friends who would like to know more about the program. We are asking all of this year's grads to do something together for RH and YK at our services. More about this in another email.

JACTS will start the 3rd week of Sept. Again, please be in touch with me. If we have the demand, we will again have a class for the older and younger kids on Sunday and a class of the older kids on Wed. with Avram and Sara. Let me know your desires on these classes also.

Avram and I are doing High Holidays this year in El Cerrito with a group we are calling "Team Shechinah." We have a wonderful group of people working with us. The services will be in El Cerrito at the EC Veteran's Center.

We need to know in the next few weeks if you and your family would like to join us as the capacity is limited. There will be childcare, but we will have very child friendly services.

We will need reservations for childcare so we will know how many to prepare for.

We welcome anyone who would like to work with the team to create the services.

Warm Regards,

Rabbi Sara Shendelman
moretorah@aol.com

From JACTS Director, Rabbi Sara Shendelman

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:01:00 +0000

Dear JACTS Families,

We have had an amazing year in our
curriculum with our students. Really brilliant teaching
and art and music, Hebrew and more. I am told by
parents that students are loving it, and so am I.

The JACTS class that Av and I have been teaching week-
days has also been amazing. Contact me about classes,
Sundays or weekdays for next year.

I am so grateful to all of our teachers, and all of our
students and all of our parents! May we hold to
spiritual community and love more fully and feel
the embrace of each other!

Shavuot: Giving of the Torah!

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:50:00 +0000

Shavout Begins on
June 8, 2008	6 Sivan 5768

Shavuot is a two day festival (one in Israel) it is to celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Shavuot falls on the fiftieth day after the beginning of Passover.

The Customs of Shavuot

(Much of the material in this section is adapted with permission, from Sefer HaTodaah of Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov)

What are the Customs of Shavuot?

Shavuot has a number of customs which are deeply ingrained in the celebration of the holiday. Among these are the following:

Staying up all night to learn Torah on the first night of Shavuot

Spreading greens and flowers in the synagogue on Shavuot

Eating Dairy Meals on Shavuot

Staying Up (Without NoDoz)

There is a custom among the People of Israel to stay up all night to study the Torah on the first night of Shavuot. One of the reasons given for this custom is that it is to "make up" for the behavior of a large number of Jews who were present at Sinai, at the "main event," so to speak, yet they went to sleep that night. And Hashem had to wake them up with peals of thunder and Shofar blowing, to receive the Torah.

It is said in defense of those Jews that they slept "l'shem shamayim," with good intentions, for they felt that they would be better able to absorb and withstand the experience of Hashem's Revelation, which they knew was coming in the morning.

Those who stay up all night should wash their hands in the morning as usual, but without making the "brachah," or blessing, of "Netilat Yadayim," which is made each morning when one has had a regular night's sleep. Neither should they say the regular "Birchot HaShachar," the Blessings of the Morning, which contain blessings which correspond to the various aspects of "waking up:" opening the eyes, standing up, getting dressed, etc. On Shavuot morning, they should hear these "brachot" from someone who had slept during the night, but who came to "daven," to pray, typically at an early hour, with those who had stayed up to "learn."

Spreading Greens and Flowers

There exists a beautiful custom of decorating the synagogue on Shavuot with flowers and greens, because of the vegetation on Mt. Sinai. Some have the custom of adorning the Sefer Torah with roses. That, in particular, seems to have been an ancient custom, because Haman criticized the Jewish People to Achashverosh because of their observance of that custom.

The custom once existed to bring trees into the synagogue, but the Vilna Gaon basically banned that custom on the basis of it being "chukot ha'goyim," "adopting the customs of the gentiles," who have adopted the custom of celebrating their holiday by the use of trees.

Eating Dairy Meals

There is a tasty custom of eating dairy foods on the first day of Shavuot. Some simply eat a dairy meal. Many observe this custom by beginning with dairy foods, and following it by meat, to fulfill the commandment of "And you shall rejoice," and for most people, "there is no 'rejoicing' without meat."

In this case, one has to be very careful to rinse the mouth carefully, and to wait an hour between eating the dairy and eating the meat! In the other direction, of course; that is, meat first, then dairy, rinsing the mouth and waiting one hour is not sufficient (unless one is Dutch)! Then, one must wait several hours between meat and dairy. The number of hours is determined, again, by custom. The time interval varies from six hours to three hours (German Jewish custom) to one hour (Dutch Jews).

When having dairy followed by meat in relatively close succession, one must also say Birchat HaMazon (the blessing after a meal), spread a different table cover and reset the table for meat. A hint that this is the procedure to be followed is the Shavuot-related verse, "Bring the first fruits of your Land to the House of the L-rd - Do not cook a lamb in its mother's milk" (the three-fold repetition of the latter part of the verse being the source for the prohibition of the meat and dairy combination).

There are a number of reasons offered for this custom, but, whatever the reason, it is an established custom, and as long as it is not illegal, immoral or (very) fattening, we continue to abide by it. Some of the reasons given are as follows:

The day that Moshe Rabbeinu was pulled from the water by the daughter of Pharaoh, was the Sixth of Sivan, the day on which we celebrate Shavuot. And Baby Moshe refused to nurse from a non-Jewish woman, so that Miriam, Moshe's sister, was able to get Moshe's real mother, Yocheved, to be his nurse.

Until the giving of the Torah, meat was permitted to be eaten without ritual slaughter. Once the Torah was given, all methods of killing the animal for the purpose of eating other than "shechitah," ritual slaughter, were prohibited. Since shechitah could not be done on Shabbat, and everyone agrees that the Torah was given on Shabbat, the Jews had to eat dairy.

The "gematria," sum of the numerical equivalents of the Hebrew letters making up the word, of "chalav," milk, is forty (letter "chet" (8) plus letter "lamed" (30) plus letter "beit" (2) equals forty) which corresponds to the number of days that Moshe studied the Torah with Hashem on the top of Mt. Sinai.

Mount Sinai has eight names, one of which is "gavnunim," because its appearance resembles that of cheese, "gevina," in Hebrew.

Until the giving of the Torah, the Jewish People were afraid that the milk of animals was prohibited under the category of a "limb from a living animal." This is one of the Seven Laws of Noach, which Noach transmitted to his sons, obligatory upon all of humanity, and which is the source of the prohibition of causing excessive pain to living creatures. Once the Torah was given, and "Chalav," milk, was included among the seven types of produce with which the Land of Israel is blessed, the Jewish People realized that milk was indeed permitted

The Story of Shavuot

Rabbi Sara Shendelman Brings Joyous Judaism Home

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:14:00 +0000

Bringing Joyous Judaism Home: Spiritual, practical and creative ways to connect with and live an extraordinary tradition
with Rabbi Sara Shendelman

Every Tuesday at 7pm,
May 20-June 24

Chochmat HaLev
2215 Prince St, Berkeley, CA 94705
510.704.9687 | US Toll-Free 888.383.HEAL (4325)
fax 510.704.1767
email: frontdesk@chochmat.org

Who are you as a spiritual being and how does Judaism impact this?
How do you help create your family's experience of Judaism?
There are a multitude of aspects to being Jewish—personal and interpersonal.

At the first session, subjects will be proposed and class members will choose what topics of Judaism are most relevant to them today and would most assist in their personal growth and bringing Judaism home. In co-creating a personalized class on Judaism, we will celebrate and transmit Jewish history, holidays, Hebrew, ritual, Jewish law, prayer, Torah, spiritual practice or meditation. We will also spend some time with Jewish songs, stories, Israeli dances, Jewish film, food, and making ritual objects (choosing from candles, mezzuas, challah covers, amulets and many more).

$98 tuition, $26 for materials
or $26 per class plus $26 for materials.
(No one turned away for lack of funds)

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:20:00 +0000

Shalom friends,

In 70 CE the second temple of Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jewish population was scattered in the Diaspora. 1878 years later, on the 5th of the Jewish lunar month Iyar, the State of Israel was declared by David Ben-Gurion.
Immediately after the declaration of the state of Israel, the War of Independence broke out with the young state fighting against the Arab nations’ attacks. This pendulum of joy and fear, peace and war, has become a significant part of Israel’s existence. Symbolically, we honor the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism on the day preceding the celebration of Independence Day.
The state of Israel became a melting pot of Jews who came from all over the world. The young state has made a difference in the lives of many people in Israel and in the Diaspora. The people of the young state made a difference in every possible area: science, music, agriculture, nature perseverance and tourism, to name a few.
This year, Israel celebrates sixty - a young state with a rich history and many accomplishments.

Yom Atsma'ut Same'ax!
Happy Independence Day!

WEEKLY HEBREW WORD

Transcription: Atsma'ut.

Part of speech: Noun, Feminine.

Literal Meaning: Independence.

Transcription: Degel.

Part of speech: Noun, Masculine.

Meaning: Flag.

Transcription: Shishim.

Meaning: Sixty.

WEEKLY HEBREW DECLARATION

Transcription:	David Ben Gurion: "al yesod haxlatat atseret ha'umot ha'me'uxadot, anu maxrizim bazot al hakamat medina yehudit be'erets Israel, hi medinat Israel!"

Literal Translation:	David Ben Gurion: "On the basis of the decision of the United Nation Assembly, we hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel, which is The State of Israel."

Context:	The partition plan to divide Palestine between Jews and Arabs was put to a vote in the United Nations on 29 November 1947. The result was 33 in favor of the plan, 13 against, and 10 abstentions. The division was to take effect on the date of British withdrawal from the territory (15 May 1948). Eight hours before the end of the British Mandate over Palestine, David Ben-Gurion read the Declaration of Independence and proclaimed the State of Israel. The joy and festivals of the establishment of Israel quickly turned into bitter defensive war against seven Arab armies that attacked the new state.

Watch a Video of David Ben Gurion announcing Israel's Independence. 1948

WEEKLY HEBREW SONG

The Israeli National Anthem

The Hope

Literal Meaning	Transcription	The Song
As long as in the heart, within, A soul of a Jew is yearning, And to the edges of the East, forward, An eye gazes towards Zion.	Kol od baleivav p'nimah Nefesh y'hudi homiyah Ulfa'atei mizrach kadimah Ayin l'tziyon tzofiyah.
Our hope is not yet lost, The hope of two thousand years, To be a free nation in our land, The land of Zion and Jerusalem.	Od lo avdah tikvateinu Hatikvah bat sh'not alpayim Lihyot am chofshi b'artzeinu, Eretz tziyon viyrushalayim.

Click to hear Hatikva - The National Anthem of Israel

WEEKLY HEBREW NAMES

Name:

Israel (Yisrael, Yisra'el)

Gender:

Male

Time of Appearance:

The Biblical Era

Meaning:

According to the Biblical explanation, the first part of the name "Israel" is derived of the verb

(lisrot, "wrestle"); the second half

of the name is

(El, "God").

This name was given to Jacob because he wrestled with God's angel.

History:

"Israel" is the name given to Jacob after he wrestled with God's angel; it is also the name of the Biblical kingdom of Israel, the land of Israel, the people of Israel and the modern state of Israel.

Citation:

"And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel, for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." Genesis 32, 28 (Hebrew version: Genesis 32, 29)

Name:	Tikvah (Tikva)
Gender:	Female
Time of appearance:	The Biblical Era.
Meaning:	A girl's name (in the Bible: a boy's name), which means: hope.
History:	There are two people called Tikvah in the Bible. One of them is the father of the husband of Huldah the prophetess. Also, the Israeli national anthem is called: "hatikva" - the hope.
Citation:	"So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe, now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college,,,." 2 Kings 22, 14 http://stevemorse.org/hebrew/translate.html

The Butterfly Project: Houston Holocaust Museum

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:10:00 +0000

In an effort to remember them, the Holocaust Museum Houston is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies.

The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition for all to remember.

Please facilitate the
“I Never Saw Another Butterfly” activity and collect as many handmade arts-and-crafts butterflies as possible.

Butterflies should be no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches.
Butterflies may be of any medium the artist chooses, but one-dimensional submissions are preferred.
Glitter should not be used.

Send butterflies by June 30, 2008, with the following information included:

Your name,
Your organization or school,
Your address,
Your e-mail address, and
The total number of butterflies sent.

If possible, e-mail a photograph of your butterflies, to butterflyproject@hmh.org.

Mail or bring your butterflies to:

Holocaust Museum Houston
Education Department
5401 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77004
USA

“Today,
I am the victim.
Tomorrow,
it may be you.”

John F. Kennedy

Shavuot: Giving of the Torah!

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:36:00 +0000

Shavuot is a two day festival (one in Israel) it is to celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Shavuot falls on the fiftieth day after the beginning of Passover.

Shavout Begins on
June 8, 2008	6 Sivan 5768

Lag B'Omer: 33rd Day of the Omer

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:28:00 +0000

Lag B'Omer

As Pesach flows into Sefirat Ha'Omer, (the counting of theOmer), which leads into Shavuot, Jews commemorate the loss of thousands of the students of the great 2nd century sage, Rabbi Akiva. Because of their lack of respect for each other, the students were struck with a terrible plague. On the thirty-third day of the Omer, the plague ended, but nearly all of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students had perished. To commemorate the tragic loss of these Torah Scholars, 33 days of the Omer are marked as days of mourning, during which observant Jews refrain from marrying, shaving, cutting hair and listening to live music.

In Hebrew, every letter has a numeric value. The "lamed" equals 30, and the "gimmel" equals 3, thus the name: Lamed Gimmel (L"G) Ba'Omer, literally 33 (days) in the Omer.

Rabbi Akiva persevered after this great tragedy and continued to teach those students who had survived the plague, as well as new students. Of his surviving disciples, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is also deeply connected with the thirty-third day of the Omer. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai spent his life studying the Kabbalah, the hidden esoteric aspects of the Torah. According to tradition, on the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai finished revealing his teachings, recorded in the famed book, the Zohar. He died that evening, and was buried in the cave on Mount Meron, near Safed, where he had lived.

There are several customs associated with Lag B'Omer:

Bonfires: Families and friends gather together for a bonfire or a picnic on Lag B'Omer, often on Mount Meron. There are several reasons given for this custom. One is that the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai were compiled in the Zohar (which means shining light) and the bonfires bring light to the world.

First Hair Cuts: Many have the custom not to cut a boy's hair until he is three years old, the age at which he first begins to learn Torah. Because this idea is tied into Kabbalistic thought concerning hair, many put off the ceremony, called an Upsherin, until Lag B'Omer.

Weddings: Because weddings are not held during the mourning period of the Omer, and because of the high spiritual energy of the day, many people choose to get married on Lag B'Omer.

Mount Meron: In Israel, tens of thousands of people travel to Mount Meron to celebrate the Yahrtzeit, the anniversary of the death, of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Per his deathbed request, his death is celebrated, rather than mourned.

Lag B'Omer ("The 33rd Day of the Omer") happens on the 18th of Iyar. The origins of the holiday begin with the time of Rabbi Akiva. The Talmud (Yevamot 62:2) states that 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva's students died from a mysterious plague. The Talmud says that this was because they did not show proper respect to one another. We celebrate Lag B'Omer as the traditional day that this plague ended (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, 120:1-10. Lag B'Omer is also the Yahrzeit, the anniversary of the death, of the Tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai who authored the Zohar.

Lag B'Omer is a time of dancing and singing. Families go on picnics and outings. Children go out to the fields with their teachers with bows and rubber-tipped arrows. All of the rules of the Omer period are suspended on Lag B'Omer and it is a school holiday in Israel.

On the eve of Lag B'Omer huge bonfires are lit. This is to remind us that during that time there were rules set down by others which told the Jews that they could not mark the new month by lighting bonfires and could not worship HaShem. Shimon Bar Kochba led this revolt against tyranny and the bonfire lighting was reinstituted.

Lag B'Omer Begins on
May 22, 2008	18 Iyar, 5768

Yom Ha'atzmaut: Israel Independence Day

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:27:00 +0000

Yom Ha'atzmaut

Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebrating the declaration of the state of Israel by David Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948, and the end of the British Mandate in Israel. Although Yom HaAtzma'ut is normally observed on the 5th of Iyyar, it may be moved earlier or postponed if observance of the holiday would conflict with Shabbat.

An official ceremony is held every year on Mount Herzl on the eve of Yom Ha'atzmaut. The ceremony includes a speech by the speaker of the Knesset. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel, along with many other religious authorities, have declared that Yom Ha'atzmaut is one of the Jewish holidays in which Hallel should be said.

For Jews living outside of Israel, celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut is a way to express solidarity with Israel. In Israel, it is a national holiday, so almost everyone has the day off. National celebrations occur and additional prayers are offered for the nation. There are parades, fireworks, and of course the heartfelt singing of Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem.

National Jewish Outreach Program brings you a brief summary of the dynamic history of the State of Israel:

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE CREATION OF THE STATE

CLICK HERE FOR A HISTORY OF THE STATE SINCE 1948

Israel Independence Day

Independence Day, Israel national holiday, marks Israel’s Declaration of Independence with the end of the British Mandate. It is the only full holiday in the calendar decreed by law without a tradition of hundreds or thousands of years.

Independence Day is on the fifth day of the Jewish month of Iyar (from the end of April till mid-May), the day in which David Ben-Gurion, the state’s first prime minister, declared the country’s independence in 1948. It was declared a full holiday in a law enacted in the Knesset in 1949. Over the years various traditions evolved to celebrate the holiday, and it is now marked by family picnics in scenic spots all over the country.

Independence Day celebrations begin on the evening of the fifth of Iyar with the end of Yom Hazikaron, the Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars, with special ceremonies marking the transition from mourning to celebration. The main ceremony is held in Har (Mount) Herzl in Jerusalem. During Independence Day, the World Bible Quiz is held in Jerusalem and the prestigious Israel Prizes are distributed to the year’s winners in a special ceremony.

Most businesses are closed on Independence Day, but cafes restaurants and other places of entertainment are open because it is not a religious holiday.

HOLIDAY CUSTOMS

Flags – Many Israelis fly flags from their houses, porches or cars, often with colorful decorations.

Entertainment Stages – Because of Independence Day’s profoundly secular nature, a tradition of evolved of free entertainment by performers, dancers and comics on stages set up in the center of cities and other communities on the eve of Independence Day. The shows are often accompanied by fireworks. The main streets of towns and cities are usually packed with people.

Barbeque - Independence Day has become Israel’s unofficial barbeque holiday with families picnicking huge amounts of meat in every green spot they can find in the country.

Visits the IDF camps – Many of the army’s camps are open to the public on Independence Day, offering Israelis a chances to see arms, navy ships, tanks and aircraft.

Israeli Movies - Local channels devote all of their programming to the holiday and often screen old Israeli movies which have become cult items.

Prayer – Even though this is a national and not a religious holidayt, religious Zionists tend to say a special prayer composed by the chief rabbinate. This prayer sometimes includes blowing a shofar (a ram’s horn).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Most sites in the countryside are usually packed on Independence Day, also because this is the only holiday in which both religious and secular Israeli Jews can travel. Since so many Israelis use this day to visits these sites, tourists might wish to stay inside the cities, the main streets of which are also full of people.

Yom HaZikaron Begins on
May 7, 2008	3 Iyar 5768

Yom HaZikaron: Israel Memorial Day

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Yom HaZikaron

Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day) wes originally established to remember those who fell in the many wars that Israel has had to endure

at the hands of the Arabs. Now it not only includes those in the IDF
(Israel's Defense Forces) but the people who have fallen victum to Arab terrorists.

Remembering those who have sacrificed to help create and maintain the state of Israel is a tradition. We remember the act of creation, the Exodus from Egypt, giving of the laws at Mount Sinai and other events in our
history as a people. The Jewish people are a people of a collective
history and memory.

In Israel it includes many national ceremonies for fallen soldiers in which senior public officials and military officers are present. The day opens the preceding evening with a one-minute siren during which most Israelis stand in silence, commemorating the fallen and showing respect. Many say prayers for the fallen soldiers. The official ceremony to mark the opening of the day takes place at the Western Wall, at which time the flag of Israel is lowered to half mast.

A two-minute siren is heard the following morning which marks the opening of the official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gathering which are held at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. The day officially draws to a close in the official ceremony of Israel Independence Day on Mount Herzl, when the flag of Israel is returned to full mast.

Yom HaZikaron Begins on
May 6, 2008	2 Iyar 5768

Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Remembrance Day

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:23:00 +0000

Yom HaShoah

Yom HaShoah ( "Holocaust Remembrance Day" ) was established by Israeli law by David Ben-Gurion the Prime Minister of Israel in 1959.

Commemorations range from synagogue services to communal vigils and educational programs. Many Yom HaShoah programs feature a talk by a Holocaust survivor, recitation of appropriate psalms, songs and readings, or viewing of a Holocaust-themed film. Some communities choose to emphasize the depth of loss that Jews experienced in the Holocaust by reading the names of Holocaust victims one after another dramatizing the six million who died. Many Jewish schools also hold Holocaust-related educational programs on Yom HaShoah.

On the eve of Yom HaShoah in Israel, there is a state ceremony at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes Authority. At 10:00am on Yom HaShoah, throughout Israel, air-raid sirens are sounded for two minutes. Public transport (including virtually all highway vehicles) comes to a standstill for this period, and people stop and stand silent. All flags on public buildings are flown at half mast.

Yom HaShoah Begins on
May 1, 2008	27 Nisan 5768

Counting the Omer And Making Each Day Count

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:20:00 +0000

From USCJ:

2008 -- Each year, near the conclusion of the second Pesach seder, we begin to count the omer. We count for 49 days, reciting the appropriate blessing every evening. Remember: The Jewish day begins at sunset; therefore, for example, if the 10th day of the omer falls on April 30, we recite the blessing for that day on the preceding evening, April 29. (Click here for the blessing you recite as you count the omer.) The 50th day is Shavuot. As you count the omer, spend some time thinking about important Jewish issues. The following questions and reflections may help get you started.

Here are great sites for Counting the Omer fun:
Calendar with blessings
http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/omer/omer_count.php
Counting the HOMER (Simpson)!
http://homer.jvibe.com/Welcome.html
Coloring holidays online, the J site
click on the "Jewish Coloring Book" link, and then move through the topics

Day 1 (16 Nisan) - Why do you think we recite the blessing for the counting of the omer during the evening?

Day 2 (17 Nisan) - Long ago, Jews brought a certain measure of barley (an omer) to the Temple each day as an offering to God. What kind of offering might you make today?

Day 3 (18 Nisan) - Think about the preparations that culminated in the celebration of Pesach this year. Do the rules, rituals, and restrictions associated with this holiday enhance your celebration? How?

Day 4 (19 Nisan) - Pesach brought us freedom; Shavuot brought us the Law. What does the linking of these two holidays -- and concepts -- teach us?

Day 5 (20 Nisan) - One name for Shavuot is Atzeret, which means a concluding festival. What does this suggest about the relationship between Pesach and Shavuot?

Day 6 (21 Nisan) - Pesach is a celebration of the Exodus, in which God demonstrates God's power by, for example, dividing the Red Sea. Do you think witnessing miracles alone can create faith in God?

Day 7 (22 Nisan) - Today is the last day of Pesach in the diaspora and we recite Yizkor in the synagogue. Why do you think it is important to recite the memorial prayer even on our most joyous holidays?

Day 8 (23 Nisan) The period during which we count the omer is called s'firah, counting. During this time we limit occasions for public rejoicing, and generally we refrain from holding s'machot, particularly weddings. What are the reasons for this practice?

Day 9 (24 Nisan) - When God spoke directly to the Jewish people before the revelation at Sinai, they were extremely frightened and asked Moses to serve as a go-between. What do you think frightened them?

Day 10 (25 Nisan) - Moses remained on the top of Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights receiving the Law from God. During that time, the Jewish people built the Golden Calf. Why do you think they did this?

Day 11 (26 Nisan) - Today we commemorate Yom HaShoah, although it really falls tomorrow, on 27 Nisan. Consider adopting a family or personal ritual, such as lighting a yellow Holocaust candle available from the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs, to help bring the remembrance into focus.

Day 12 (27 Nisan) - Shavuot is called by many names, each indicating a different aspect of the holiday. (For example, Z'man Matan Torateinu refers to the giving of the Torah.) What other names for Shavuot have you learned, and what does each teach you about the holiday?

Day 13 (28 Nisan) - Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. According to legend, this mountain was selectd because of its small size and modesty. What can we learn from this?

Day 14 (29 Nisan) - As we begin to anticipate receiving the Ten Commandments, consider the prospect of forming a society without such rules. Could it work? Would we want to be part of such a society?

Day 15 (30 Nisan) - Today is Rosh Chodesh Iyar. We recite a special prayer in honor of the new month. Add a private prayer for good health, sustenance, and peace.

Day 16 (1 Iyar) - Today is the second day of Rosh Chodesh. Why do we recite Hallel (psalms of praise) on Rosh Chodesh?

Day 17 (2 Iyar) - When Moses came down from the mountain and saw how the people were behaving, he lost his temper and broke the two tablets of the Law. What justification was there for his action?
Day 18 (3 Iyar) - Today is Yom HaZikaron, Remembrance Day (commemorated on 4 Iyar except when it would coincides with Shabbat). How have the sacrifices made by soldiers who have given their lives for the defense of Israel contributed to our lives?

Day 19 (4 Iyar) - Despite what had happened, Moses went back up the mountain for a second set of Laws. Would you have done the same?

Day 20 (5 Iyar) - Today is Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. What do you do to maintain your personal relationship with the Jewish State? What more might you do?

Day 21 (6 Iyar) - Consider the following: If it had been up to you to select Commandments, would you have chosen the same ones? What would you add? Which would you delete?

Day 22 (7 Iyar) - The commandment (mitzvah) to honor your father and mother is placed with those concerning our relationship to God and immediately before those concerning our relations with other people. What do you think is the reason for placing it in this bridge position?

Day 23 (8 Iyar) - The Ten Commandments is the only section of the Torah with two sets of trope. One is used for study and one for public reading. Why? What can we learn from trope?

Day 24 (9 Iyar) - When Moses descended from the mountain after receiving the Law, his face was lit up. What kinds of contemporary actions or events have this same effect?

Day 25 (10 Iyar) - On Shavuot, farmers brought their first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem, representing the five species the Hebrews found when they entered the Land. Find out what fruits these included.

Day 26 (11 Iyar) - Processions bringing gifts to the Temple were joyous affairs, similar to parades. What Jewish practices today include processions?

Day 27 (12 Iyar) - Sharing in an experience, such as a procession, can be a powerful tool in developing group identity and a sense of community. What other mechanisms can you think of that build identity and community consciousness?

Day 28 (13 Iyar) - First fruits could be brought to the Temple only by the farmers themselves, not by tenants or employees. What can we learn from this for ourselves, our families, and our congregations?

Day 29 (14 Iyar) - Today, children on some kibbutzim in Israel collect fruit from surrounding farms, and on Shavuot they bring it to a central location, where they celebrate with singing and dancing. Compare this to your own Shavuot celebration.

Day 30 (15 Iyar) - Find out why has it become customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot, and then plan your own Shavuot menu.

Day 31 (16 Iyar) - On Shavuot we read Megillat Ruth. Why is that text particularly appropriate for this holiday?

Day 32 (17 Iyar) - We learn in the Book of Ruth that Ruth, born a Moabite, was an ancestor of King David. What does this teach us about the value of those people who choose to convert to Judaism?

Day 33 (18 Iyar) - Today is Lag B’Omer, a popular holiday with Jewish schoolchildren worldwide and a day during s’firah on which we are permitted to rejoice. Find out why.

Day 34 (19 Iyar) - As Shavuot approaches, sfirah draws to an end. Note how many weddings are scheduled as soon as possible after this date!

Day 35 (20 Iyar) - According to an old custom, young children were given slates of Hebrew letters covered with honey to demonstrate the sweetness of Torah study. What practices might we institute today to achieve a similar result?

Day 36 (21 Iyar) - Plan to participate in an all-night Shavuot study session (Tikkun Leyl Shavuot). What might you want to study with friends or with a teacher?

Day 37 (22 Iyar) - Shavuot is also an agricultural festival. In what ways might those who live in urban and suburban areas relate to this aspect of the holiday?

Day 38 (23 Iyar) - Though Shavuot is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, there are only a few rituals specifically associated with this holiday. Can you name them?

Day 39 (24 Iyar) - The Torah describes the sacrifices and rituals that made each holiday special. How can we enhance the beauty of our observance of the festivals?

Day 40 (25 Iyar) - God gave us the Torah in the desert of Sinai. What can we learn from this? Why wasn’t the Torah given in the Land of Israel?

Day 41 (26 Iyar) - According to one midrash, God offered the Torah to many nations. Only the Israelites accepted it unconditionally. What does this say about our relationship to the Torah?

Day 42 (27 Iyar) - According to another midrash, God held Mount Sinai over the heads of the Jewish people until they agreed to accept the Torah. What lesson does this teach?

Day 43 (28 Iyar) - Today is Yom Yerushalayim. We celebrate the reunification of this holy city, which happened in 1967. What crucial events in Jewish history occurred in Jerusalem? Look for references to Jerusalem when you pray.

Day 44 (29 Iyar) - Shavuot is one of three pilgrimage festivals, when the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem. If we can’t go to Israel today for the festivals, how can we re-create the gathering of all Jews during these holidays?

Day 45 (1 Sivan) - Today is Rosh Chodesh Sivan. Make a wish list for the world for the new month.

Day 46 (2 Sivan) - To be kosher, a Torah must be painstakingly written on specially prepared parchment using only special ink and feathered quills. How does this affect our relationship to the Torah, and our treatment of it?

Day 47 (3 Sivan) - The Torah scroll is carefully paraded and kissed, then lovingly lifted, held, and dressed. What do we learn from the physical treatment accorded a Torah scroll?

Day 48 (4 Sivan) - It is written that when the Torah was given, the Israelites said “Na’aseh v’nishma" -- We will do, then we will understand. What can we learn from this declaration?

Day 49 (5 Sivan) - The Torah teaches that the entire nation stood at Sinai to witness the giving of the Law. The rabbis teach that even future generations were present at Sinai. What does this say about Jewish continuity?

Shavuot - Chag Sameach!

Passover Seder Plate and taste of Seder

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:56:00 +0000

April 13, 2008

Today we made a Seder Plate to use at our Seder, chopped our own charoset, went on a journey out of Egypt, traveled through the red sea, walked through a sandy desert, climbed a mountain and slid down and went through a very narrow place to get to our Seder in the shady garden side of Walden school. We sat at a round table set for a model seder, went over 14 parts of the seder, and through the 4 questions, 4 cups of wine, 4 sons, 4 names of passover, 2 dippings, 3 matzot....

How we made the seder plate:

Corliss prepared paper plates to color, cut and paste seder plate items onto. Another choice was to color a picture of a seder plate and paste it onto the plastic top of an aluminum take out container. The colored side was pasted face down on the top, so the plastic top sits like a bowl, with the food placed within it. It can be attached to the aluminum bottom so the seder plate food can be stored from the 1st to 2nd seder.

Mah Nishtana fold out book

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:12:00 +0000

We made a Mah Nishtana fold-out book on April 6.
You can do this at home using the following directions.

To make a 4 questions fold-out book:

Preparation:

Print out the 4 questions in Hebrew and English from here: http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/pesach/passover_flash_cards.php

Print out pictures for 4 questions from here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dzgrmnz_72ff82qrgc

Materials:

2 pages of construction paper
scissors
tape
paper glue or paste
crayons, colored pencils or markers

1. Start by taping 2 pieces of 8.5 by 11 construction papers together end to end - so the resulting paper measures approximately 8.5 by 22.

2. Fold the paper lengthwise in half, then fold the two halves in half again.

3. Open up the pages to reveal 4 parts.

4. Look at the 2 pages of questions printed from

http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/pesach/passover_flash_cards.php
Notice that there are actually FIVE questions - an introductory question followed by questions 1 through 4.

5. Cut out each flash card question from the printed page. Set aside the introductory question to be used in step 10 below.

6. Paste questions 1 through 4, one to a frame as if you are reading a Hebrew book, from right to left. You will place question one in the farthest right section, and end with question four in the farthest left section.

7. Look at the circle pictures for each question printed from http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dzgrmnz_72ff82qrgc

Each question has 2 circles associated with it, as there are 2 parts to each question. The pictures are in Hebrew order, with the first question's 2 circles on the top right, second question's 2 circles are on the top left, third question's 2 circles are on the bottom right and fourth question's 2 circles on the bottom left.

8. Cut out the pictures so the 2 circles for each question remain attached to each other, but separated from the other questions.

9. Paste the appropriate 2 circle picture to the appropriate question panel.

Let all the glue dry before proceeding to step 10 to add the Introductory question.

10. Fold the four panels like a fan, so the questions are on the inside and there is an empty panel on top that will open like a Hebrew Book, to be read from right to left. This top, empty panel is where the Introductory Question will go.

Paste the question beginning with "Mah Nishtana" here. You can also paste the graphic with matzahs and the number 4 on the front cover here as well as "Introductory question."

When you are done, the folded pamphlet should show the introductory question on the front page. When that page is opened from right to left, the panels should open up to reveal the question and picture explanation for each question.

Use it to practice and recite the four questions at the Seder! While we were cutting and pasting each question, we talked about the picture, its meaning and sang the words.

Enjoy!

The 4 Questions for the Seder

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:43:00 +0000

On Sunday, April 6,

1. We read a story about the Hebrew letter Vav and his cousin, "hook". His cousin was involved in slowing Pharoah down when we were escaping from Egypt.

This is an old fashioned, charming book that my youngest daughter loved. There is a chapter for each letter of the aleph bet that seems to engage young and old alike, and they are not well known stories; nor are they talmudic or kabbalistic - just simple tales with some relation to Torah events. I keep buying used copies and losing them. You can get one at amazon.com

2. We talked about the 4 questions, practiced singing them and made a 4 question fold out book to use at the seder.

Questions, answers and child singing the questions are at: http://kosher4passover.com/4questions.htm

You can learn how to read the Hebrew for the 4 questions at http://www.behrmanhouse.com/mahnishtanah/
Go to Behrman House's link: for the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah). Follow the link to the "Click and Learn Prayer" feature on Behrman Houses Family Site or go to this link: http://www.behrmanhouse.com/family/welcome.shtml
You'll have to register to use the site. There are great lessons for learning to read Hebrew and more.

3. View historic Haggadahs online at http://kosher4passover.com/haggadahs.htm

Writing Hebrew Letters Resources to print

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 02:48:00 +0000

Here's one of the Aleph-Bet Charts I use in class. You can download it here: http://homepage.mac.com/outigould/AlefBet/page5/files/AlefBetChart.jpg

Practice printing Aleph Bet Block letters
http://homepage.mac.com/outigould/AlefBet/page5/files/BlockPrint.pdf
(the page is backwards for learning Hebrew - writing practice should always begin at the far right and proceed to the left of the page)

Practice printing Aleph Bet "cursive" letters (This is how Hebrew is actually handwritten. Printing "block" letters are taught in order to reinforce recognition of the letters.)
http://homepage.mac.com/outigould/AlefBet/page5/files/CursiveGuide.pdf
Letters are organized according to progression of lifting pencil from paper to complete letter.

Practice sheet
http://homepage.mac.com/outigould/AlefBet/page5/files/AlefBetCURSIVE.pdf

Tu B'shvat Seders

solofreesail@gmail.com (solofreesail) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 18:34:00 +0000

January 21, 2000/7 Shevat 5760, Vol. 52, No.20

Seder for Tu b'Shevat is ripe with family, environmental values

RABBI MICHAEL KLAYMAN & RAHEL MUSLEAH
Special to Jewish News

Winter is a funny time to celebrate Tu b'Shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day. Bare branches still silhouette the sky and the earth seems to shiver instead of blossom.

In Israel, of course, the rainy season has passed and the first buds begin to appear around Tu b'Shevat, the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, which falls on Jan. 22 this year. In the United States, much more is left to our imagination.

One of the best ways to make the holiday feel as real as possible is to hold a Tu b' Shevat seder, a ceremony celebrating the fruits of Israel, adapted from the Passover seder. The Tu b'Shevat seder, once a kabbalistic ritual, combines both the tangible and mystical as it honors the most wondrous of birthdays - the Earth's. In contrast to the preparations for the Passover seder - a joyous but arduous process - the Tu b'Shevat seder can be readied with relative ease, and is an engaging event for children.

Four cups of wine or grape juice represent the changes in the seasons - dark red, light red, pink and white. Fruits and nuts mentioned in the Bible make a tasty and colorful array, ranging from those with coverings on the outside, like oranges; those with pits, like peaches and olives; and those that can be eaten both inside and outside, like figs and raisins. Like the symbols on the Passover table, the fruits and grains of Tu b' Shevat are ripe with values.

Here are some suggestions for a simple seder, based on the seven species of the land of Israel mentioned in the Bible. Each food is associated with a value, a text that reflects that value, and one or two kinds of action based on the value. Some of the quotes are from "A Garden of Choice Fruit: 200 Classic Jewish Quotes on Human Beings and the Environment," by Rabbi David E. Stein (Shomrei Adamah).

1. Hittah: Wheat (crackers)
Value: Survival - Wheat represents a staple of life. It is basic to breads, crackers and many other nourishing foods. Many of us take the food on our table for granted, while others who are less fortunate are not even guaranteed simple survival.

Text to recite: Im ein kemah, ein Torah. Literally, this verse means, "Without wheat flour, there is no Torah." If you can't nourish your body, you can't nourish your soul; if you can't feed yourself, you can't find time to study.

Action: Estimate the cost of a week's worth of food and give 10 percent to an organization such as Mazon - A Jewish Response to Hunger, a national organization that gives money to local groups that feed the hungry.

A Turkish custom related by Rabbi Hayyim Palache, who lived in Izmir in the 1800s, was to give 91 coins as tzedakkah or charity, on Tu b'Shevat, 91 being the gematria, or numerical equivalent, of the Hebrew word ilan (tree).

2. Se'orah: Barley (any cereal with barley)
Value: Appreciation - Barley is also a staple food, but its worth is often unrecognized or undervalued. The omer offered between Passover and Shavuot was a measure of barley, according to rabbinic tradition. While we remember the omer to this day by counting 49 days between Passover and Shavuot, we've forgotten the barley.

Text to recite: "If a person consecrates any land to God, its value will be assessed in these terms: 50 shekels of silver to a measure of barley seed." (Lev. 27:16)

Action: Take a moonlight walk around the block. Pay special attention to the way the trees whisper, the clouds scuttle across the sky. Collect anything you can find in a small basket - pine cones, seedlings, pebbles, twigs-and use it as a table decoration. Give a plant to someone who is not appreciated enough - a parent, teacher, friend, sibling, co-worker, spouse, even your gardener!

3. Gefen: Grapevine (grapes)
Value: Community - Like grapes that grow in clusters on a vine, we, too, live in communities essential to our well-being.

Text to recite: "The world is a tree and human beings are its fruit " (Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirol, 11th century Spain).

Action: Participate in a town beautification project or create one of your own. Buy trees or plants, invite neighbors and create a ceremony. Recite the blessing, traditionally used on seeing trees in blossom: "Praised are You, Adonai, Ruler of the Universe, who has fashioned a world without deficiency, and has placed within it wonderful creatures and beautiful trees for the delight of human beings."

Besides sending money for planting trees in Israel, buy Israeli products like Carmel tomatoes, Jaffa oranges, jams, chocolates and wines. Create a genizah - a room, closet or box in which to store sacred texts that refer to God. It is a custom not to discard sacred Hebrew texts - symbols of Jewish continuity - but to store and later bury them in a genizah to accord them the same dignity as human beings. Give old Hebrew texts to your synagogue's genizah, or bury them in your own yard so they go back to the earth.

4. Te'enah: Fig
Value: Torah - The midrash (moral tale) teaches that the Torah is like a fig. Every fruit has some inedible part, but all parts of the fig are good to eat.

Text to recite: Following the paths of Torah will hopefully lead to an era of peace, a time when "every person will call to his neighbor from under his vine and fig tree." (Zechariah, 3:10).

Action: Study or read together the biblical story of creation. Study and discuss the following midrash about Adam and Eve: "The Holy One took the first human, and passing before all the trees of the Garden of Eden, said: 'See My works, how fine and excellent they are! All that I created, I created for you. Consider that, and do not corrupt or desolate my world; for if you corrupt it, there will be no one to set it right after you.' " (Kohelet Rabbah)

5. Rimon: Pomegranate
Value: Mitzvot - If you count the seeds of the pomegranate, you will find 613, more or less - the number of mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah.

Text to recite: "May we be as full of mitzvot as the pomegranate is full of seeds." This verse, recited during the traditional Sephardic seder on Rosh Hashanah, reflects the classic connection between the pomegranate and mitzvot. Action: Choose one mitzvah (commandment) to follow for a week. One of the most appropriate for Tu b'Shevat is bal tashhit, do not waste. Take small portions of food. Conserve resources: Don't waste water, paper,electricity, or even money. Recycle.

6. Zeit Shemen: Olives
Value: Hope - From the time of Noah and the flood, the olive branch has been a sign of hope for an enduring future.

Text to recite: "God fed Israel honey from the crag and [olive] oil from the flinty rock." (Deut. 32:13). Olive trees grow anywhere - even under the most adverse conditions. As olive trees stand firm in all kinds of terrain, so Israel will endure and remain strong no matter what the circumstance. Sing the classic Tu b'Shevat song, "Atzei zeitimomdim" (The olive trees are standing).

Action: If there is someone you've hurt, near or far, extend the olive branch. Send a jar of olives, a container of olive oil, or any food made with olives, along with a note of explanation.

7. D'vash: Honey
Value: Concern for Living Things (Tz'aar Ba'alei Hayyim) - While originally d'vash referred to the honey-like date syrup, today honey comes from the hard work of bees, the most humble of creatures.

Text: Once, when Rav Abraham Kook was walking in the fields, lost deep in thought, the young student with him inadvertently plucked a leaf off a branch. Rav Kook was visibly shaken by this act, and turning to his companion he said gently, "Believe me when I tell you I never simply pluck a leaf or a blade of grass or any living thing, unless I have to." He explained further, "Every part of the vegetable world is singing a song and breathing forth a secret of the divine mystery of the Creation." For the first time the young student understood what it means to show compassion to all creatures. (Wisdom of the Mystics)

Action: If you have a pet, feed it before you eat. Make sure its water dish is filled and clean. Volunteer at a local animal shelter. Try not to buy products that are animal-tested or that exploit endangered species.

To conclude the seder, recite the following verse: L'Adonai ha-aretz u-m'lo'ah. (Psalms 24:1). The Earth and all its fullness belong to God. We are the caretakers of the Earth, and it is up to us to protect and preserve its beauty. Happy Tu b'Shevat!

Rahel Musleah and Rabbi Michael Klayman originally wrote this article for Jewish Family & Life! - www.jewishfamily.com. They are the co-authors of "Sharing Blessings: Children's Stories for Exploring the Spirit of the Jewish Holidays (Jewish Lights).

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