A Whirlwind of Activity…
As always, things are happening at the Torah Center…Hurricane Sandy can’t stop us! Our hallways are warm and dry and full of activity. Take a look at what our students have been up to these past few weeks…
Our Pre-K class learned all about the rituals of Shabbat and made candlesticks to help them celebrate at home:
Kindergarten students took a tour of the synagogue and learned about many of the ritual objects it contains, including the Ner Tamid, the Everlasting Light. They had fun making their own:
The 1st Grade students made miniature Torah scrolls and arks to put them in:
Our 2nd Grade students made ‘Creation mobiles’ as they learned about the days of Creation leading up to Shabbat – the day on which God rested.
Our 3rd Graders were hard at work practicing their Hebrew letters and vowels:
But there was also time to lend a hand…the 3rd Grade helped our Caring Committee make Shabbat bags by decorating an essential piece – the challah cover!
Our 4th Grade students talked about the Creation story and tried their hand at creating:
The 5th Grade practiced for the upcoming Family Service. Hope you are planning on joining us THIS Friday!
And continued learning about the Prophets in Mrs. Oshlag’s class:
A 10th Grade student cheerfully ran the bagel sale (to raise money for the class trip to Washington, DC):
And the Madrichim (Student Aides) were AWESOME as usual…the Torah Center wouldn’t be the same without them!
Another great week!
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NEW!!!!!!!! The Return of the Trivia Question on THE BLOG!!!!!!!
Here is how it works: the question will be posted here on the blog. Help your child to find the answer and then 1) post it in the comments below, or 2) email it to me at [email protected] or 3) write it down on a piece of paper (if you can find a writing utensil!) and send it via child messenger to the Education Office. Your choice…just make sure you take the time to participate as your child will get a prize for knowing the correct answer. Let the games begin!
Last Week’s Trivia Question: What is a prayer book called in Hebrew? Answer: Siddur
[Thank you to everyone who answered last week…if your child did not receive their prize for answering correctly, please have him/her come see me next time we have class]
THIS WEEK’S TRIVIA QUESTION: What is the Hebrew word for Prayer?
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Coming Up:
Our next Shabbat LaMishpacha Dinner and Family service of the year is THIS Friday, November 2nd! Please let Lori in the main office know if you are able to attend the dinner. The cost is $15 for adults, $5.50 for children under 14. Can’t make it to the dinner? Join us for the service. This is a “don’t miss” event! See you there!
Don’t forget to “fall behind” this Saturday evening – set your clocks back an hour and enjoy an extra hour of sleep!
There will be NO TORAH CENTER classes on Sunday, November 4th, due to Yom Limud, (a day of learning) for our teachers.
Calling all Bakers! On Sunday, November 4th, join Jr. J-Club (Grades 4-6) for an afternoon of baking yummy treats for the Election Day Bake Sale. Join us from 2-4 pm in the Temple kitchen. Please RSVP to Jodi Kart at [email protected] to let her know that you’ll be attending.
On Tuesday, November 6th, join other J-Club Members (Grades 7-8) and volunteer at the Temple Election Day Bake sale! Contact Eileen Geffrey at [email protected] to sign up for a two hour time slot to help. This activity will fulfill a Kehillah requirement and also count towards community service hours your child may need for public school.
Kindergarten Family Day is Sunday, November 11th from 9:30 am – 12 noon. Please plan on joining your children at Torah Center for activities that will allow you to learn and experience Judaism together.
3rd Grade Family Day is Sunday, November 18th from 9:30 am – 12 noon. Please plan on joining your children at Torah Center for activities that will allow you to learn and experience Judaism together.
On Sunday, November 18th there will be a combined Youth Groups outing for J-TEAM (Grades 9-12) and J. Club (Grades 7-8) at Dave and Busters at the Waterfront from 1-3 pm. It’s an incredible deal – $10 will get you a $10 power card AND lunch! Rides are available. Please RSVP to Jodi Kart at [email protected] or Marsha Morgenstern at [email protected] to let them know that you’ll be participating!
Bring it on, Heshvan!
The Hebrew month of Heshvan, which began this week on Tuesday night, is sometimes known as the ‘bitter month.’ Why? Because its days celebrate no holidays! But that doesn’t mean that it is a boring month; far from it! Things are happenin’ as usual in the Torah Center. Take a look at what is keeping us busy these days:
The 4th grade parents came in and decorated siddur (prayer book) covers for the books that their children will receive during the December Family Service. A lot of hard work and love went into the project; the students will greatly appreciate the gift from their parents. But shhhhhhhh….. its a secret for now!
During Kehillah (Community Time), our Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students met with Rabbi Locketz in the Beit Ha’Tefila to look at the Torah scroll. (Thank you to Mrs. Levy and one of our terrific madrichim, Tanner, for holding the scroll open for so long!) Since the Torah reading cycle just began again, it was cool to see the very beginning of the Torah. Some of the students even recognized the first letter – a bet!
The Pre-K class learned about Tzedakah and decorated special Tzedakah cans to take home and use with their families.
Throughout the Torah Center we are so fortunate to have so many talented madrichim (student aides) who assist the teachers in making our school a success! Here one such awesome madricha teaches a prayer in the Torah service to the 6th graders:
And our 5th graders worked equally hard at their Hebrew studies. This week they began the Avot v’Imahot – the prayer that speaks of our ancestors.
But it wasn’t all work and no play…there was time to have a good time too!
Another amazing madricha focuses intently on the lesson being taught to the 4th grade students:
The 4th grade students were paying attention as well – although they were probably wondering what their parents were up to in the Community Room! December is a long time to wait to find out…
On Monday night, in the Jewish High School, the 10th grade Confirmation class enjoyed their class time with Rabbi Mahler. It’s not to be missed!
And the 8th grade class got down on the floor (literally) with magazines, scissors and glue sticks to look for images that persuade, document or entertain; the ‘whys’ of taking pictures:
Hey Heshvan – We’re just getting started!
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A big thank you to Helaine Labovitz for all she has done during the past four years as the Education Secretary. Here’s to wishing her good luck in all her future endeavors!
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NEW!!!!!!!! The Return of the Trivia Question on THE BLOG!!!!!!!
Here is how it works: the question will be posted here on the blog. Help your child to find the answer and then 1) post it in the comments below, or 2) email it to me at [email protected] or 3) write it down on a piece of paper (if you can find a writing utensil!) and send it via child messenger to the Education Office. Your choice…just make sure you take the time to participate as your child will get a prize for knowing the correct answer. Let the games begin!
THIS WEEK’S TRIVIA QUESTION: What is a prayer book called in Hebrew?
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Coming Up:
3rd Grade students and their families are invited to the Bagel Brunch and Family Minyan on Saturday, October 20th. Please join us for bagels at 10:00 am followed by a family friendly Shabbat morning service at 10:30 am. Please let Helaine know of your attendance plans.
5th Grade Family Day has been POSTPONED. Stay tuned for the new date!
Our Jewish High School students will be joining Beth El teens on Sunday, THIS October 21st at 10 am to clean up Gilkenson Road (our “adopted” road). Participation will fulfill a kehillah requirement. RSVP to Rabbi Locketz at [email protected]
On Sunday, October 28th there will be a combined Youth Groups outing at Mt. Lebanon Ice Rink – ICE SKATING – from 2:10-4 pm. All Temple Emanuel Youth Group participants are invited for the fun! Please RSVP to Jodi Kart at [email protected] or Marsha Morgenstern at [email protected] to let them know that you’ll be participating!
Join our Youth Group Advisors Marsha Morgenstern and Jodi Kart on Monday, October 29th at 7:40pm for an important Parents Meeting concerning youth involvement here at Temple Emanuel. Please plan on attending…your input is needed! RSVP to Jodi Kart at [email protected] or Marsha Morgenstern at [email protected]
Torah, Torah, Torah!
Simchat Torah is THE fun holiday – klezmer music, dancing with the Torah scrolls, parading with flags, singing Rabbi Mahler’s ‘Sukkah Song’ one more time, both ending and beginning again the Torah reading cycle, the Consecration of our newest Torah Center students, and lots of yummy desserts make for one awesome celebration!
As part of the day’s activities, students decorated flags, played games, heard stories (thank you, Mrs. Altschul!) and learned about the Torah scroll with Rabbi Mahler:
During the rockin’ service, we welcomed our newest Torah Center students:
Each received a mini Torah with a beautifully decorated cover created by one of our 6th grade students:
On Wednesday, with all the holidays behind us (whew!) classes resumed as usual. Our 3rd graders reviewed their Hebrew letters and continued their discussions about what it means to be ‘Partners with God’:
Our 4th graders practiced their Hebrew reading:
Our 6th graders discussed where to send their Tzedakkah money and learned the days of the week in Hebrew:
Another great week!
Stay tuned for a new feature…starting next week, the return of the weekly trivia contest – with a twist!
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Coming Up:
A 4th Grade Parent Program is planned for THIS Sunday, October 14th from 9:30 am – 12 noon. Please plan on joining your children that morning for the minyan and then stay to help personalize a special gift for them. Shh…it’s a secret! RSVP to Helaine at [email protected].
3rd Grade students and their families are invited to the Bagel Brunch and Family Minyan on Saturday, October 20th. Please join us for bagels at 10:00 am followed by a family friendly Shabbat morning service at 10:30 am. Please let Helaine know of your attendance plans.
5th Grade Family Day has been POSTPONED. Stay tuned for the new date!
Our Jewish High School students will be joining Beth El teens on Sunday, October 21st at 10 am to clean up Gilkenson Road (our “adopted” road). Participation will fulfill a kehillah requirement. RSVP to Rabbi Locketz at [email protected]
On Sunday, October 28th there will be a combined Youth Groups outing at Mt. Lebanon Ice Rink – ICE SKATING – from 2:10-4 pm. All Temple Emanuel Youth Group participants are invited for the fun! Please RSVP to Jodi Kart at [email protected] or Marsha Morgenstern at [email protected] to let them know that you’ll be participating!
Join our Youth Group Advisors Marsha Morgenstern and Jodi Kart on Monday, October 29th at 7:40pm for an important Parents Meeting concerning youth involvement here at Temple Emanuel. Please plan on attending…your input is needed! RSVP to Jodi Kart at [email protected] or Marsha Morgenstern at [email protected]
'Tis the Season For Rejoicing
Happy Sukkot! Known as ‘Z’man Simchateinu’, ‘the season of our rejoicing’, Sukkot is a holiday filled with excitement and joy. It is aptly named – with so much going on here in the Torah Center during the past few weeks, there is much to celebrate. The smiles are contagious!
Our Yom Kippur programming was a blast despite the solemn mood of the day:
And the Sukkah was fun to decorate!
After the Family Sukkot Service it was time to “dwell” in the Sukkah and take a turn at shaking the lulav and etrog (our Temple President was a natural!):
On Monday night, our Jewish High School students enjoyed their time in the Sukkah too:
And yesterday students in grades 3-6 visited the Sukkah as well. Eating, singing, dancing, lulav and etrog shaking…It was a fun time for all!
And now – on to the next holiday! So…
Chag Sameach… Have a joyous Simchat Torah!
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Coming Up:
Our first Shabbat LaMishpacha Dinner and Family service of the year is TOMORROW Friday, October 5th! Please let Lori in the main office know if you are able to attend the dinner. The cost is $15 for adults, $5.50 for children under 14. Can’t make it to the dinner? Join us for the service. This is a “don’t miss” event! See you there!
Simchat Torah Family Day Program Dinner and Service on Sunday, October 7th, 4 -7 pm (no regular Torah Center classes that morning); Come participate in fun activities (4 pm), eat a FREE Hot Dog Dinner (5:15 pm) and stay for our Family Simchat Torah Service during which we will welcome our newest Torah Center students (6 pm)! A great evening for the entire family! RSVP for dinner to Helaine at [email protected]
A 4th Grade Parent Program is planned for Sunday, October 14th from 9:30 am – 12 noon. Please plan on joining your children that morning for the minyan and then stay to help personalize a special gift for them. Shh…it’s a secret! RSVP to Helaine at [email protected].
3rd Grade students and their families are invited to the Bagel Brunch and Family Minyan on Saturday, October 20th. Please join us for bagels at 10:00 am followed by a family friendly Shabbat morning service at 10:30 am. Please let Helaine know of your attendance plans.
5th Grade Family Day is Sunday, October 21st from 9:30 am – 12 noon. Please plan on joining your children at Torah Center for activities that will allow you to learn and experience Judaism together.
Save the date! Our Jewish High School students will be joining Beth El teens on Sunday, October 21st at 10 am to clean up Gilkenson Road (our “adopted” road). Participation will fulfill a kehillah requirement. RSVP to Helaine at [email protected]
A Sweet New Year to All!
Welcome 5773! May this New Year be a year of health, happiness and sweetness for everyone! Here in the Torah Center we celebrated in style with our special Rosh Hashana programming. Thanks to all the teen and adult volunteers who made it possible! A good time was had by all:
Some other pictures from this week’s Torah Center Experiences:
Another great week!
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Coming Up:
Jr. J-Club (grades 4-6) and J-Club (grades 7 & 8) visit Simmons Farm on Sunday, September 23rd, following Torah Center classes, with one of Temple’s NEW Youth Directors, Jodi Kart, for a fun filled afternoon. RSVP to Jodi at [email protected] so that we can purchase the tickets at the group rate. We are also looking for parents to help with the event… please let Jodi know if you are available.
Torah Center Yom Kippur Programming for Kindergarten-6th Grade on Wednesday, September 26th at 9 am
Teen Yom Kippur Service for Grades 7-12, Wednesday, September 26th at 11:45 am
Sukkot Family Day Program Dinner and Service on Sunday, September 30th, 4 -7 pm (no regular Torah Center classes that morning); Come decorate our outdoor Sukkah and participate in fun Sukkot activities (4 pm), eat a FREE Spaghetti Dinner (5:15 pm) and stay for our Family Sukkot Service (6 pm)! A great evening for the entire family! RSVP for dinner to Helaine at [email protected]
Our first Shabbat LaMishpacha Dinner and Family service of the year is on Friday, October 5th! Please let Lori in the main office know if you are able to attend the dinner. The cost is $15 for adults, $5.50 for children under 14. Can’t make it to the dinner? Join us for the service. This is a “don’t miss” event! See you there!
A Great Start to a New Year
Welcome Back to the Torah Center!
What a week!
Sunday kicked off the year with an Open House – an opportunity for parents to meet with teachers and learn about the curriculum. The younger students brought their parents to class while the older students joined their parents in the Sunday Morning Minyan before parting ways – parents to meet with teachers and students to ‘Hebrew Boot Camp’ in the Social Hall. It’s amazing how much Hebrew was remembered (and forgotten) over the summer! It was a day full of activity and excitement…
After Torah Center a brave few joined us for the Shofar Blowing Workshop…ear plugs anyone?
The Jewish High School met on Monday night. The evening started off with an awesome BBQ Dinner. Good food, good company, a little learning thrown in…who could ask for more?
Wednesday was a beautiful day both inside and out! A great start to midweek classes…stay tuned for more pictures next week!
L’shanah Tova u’Metuka – A Sweet and Happy New Year to all!
Coming Up:
Torah Center Rosh Hashana Programming for Kindergarten-6th Grade Monday, September 17th at 9 am
Teen Rosh Hashana Service for grades 7-12, Monday, September 17th at 11:45 am
The End of the Year…Already?!
Wow! It’s hard to believe that Torah Center and Jewish High School classes are done for the year! Mazal tov to our fabulous Faculty and awesome Madrichim for a terrific year… and to the students and parents – we couldn’t have done it without you! Here are some highlights of the last few weeks…
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The Pre-K students learned what it means to be created B’tzelem Elohim, in God’s image, and decorated picture frames to help them remember how special they are:
Our Kindergarteners made flower necklaces as they talked about all that they learned:
First Grade students learned about Shavuot and played Jewpardy to review all the holidays discussd throughout the year:
The 2nd Grade made a game to help with their review of the Bible stories they learned:
The 5th Grade played ‘Prophet Lotto’ as part of their reveiw:
The 5th Graders also got to try their hand at Micrography, the scribal practice of employing minuscule script to create abstract shapes or figurative designs, an art form used by Jews for over a millennium. They looked at examples of microcraphy and then created their own pictures using symbols of peace or Israel, and writing Hebrew words from the prayers of peace learned in class.
During the 6th Grade Torah Day, students and parents got a close-up look at the Torah scroll:
Afterwards, the 6th Grade finished up their participation in the Eco-Connection with a Skype call to Carmiel-Misgav, Pittsburgh’s sister city and region in Israel. What awesome T-shirts!
Our 7th, 8th, & 9th Graders learned a lot from the personal story of Fritz Ottenheimer, a Holocaust survivor, who came to visit on the last night of class. He was joined by Moritz, a young German man who is working at the Holocaust Center this year as part of the Action Reconciliation Program for Peace. It made for a very interesting evening!
The 9th Grade finished up their study of the Israeli Minisry of Tourism’s different Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) posters by creating their own to commemorate Israel’s 64th birthday:
All in all, a great end to a great year!
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Coming Up:
Don’t miss Temple Emanuel’s annual Bagel Brunch Bash! The event is FREE and will be Monday, May 28th (Memorial Day) from 10:00 to noon, rain or shine at the Upper St. Clair Community & Recreation Center Outdoor Picnic Pavilion at Boyce Mayview Park. Please RSVP to Temple at 412-279-7600 or [email protected] ASAP.
On Sunday, June 3rd at 6:30 pm, Temple Emanuel is hosting an enjoyable evening of food, friendship and conversation. There is no cost for this Family Event. Look to the weekly Torah Center email for more inf
ormation.
Celebrating Israel's Birthday
Last week we celebrated Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and had a blast! With a schedule of special activites throughout the morning, it was a day to be remembered…Happy 64th birthday, Israel!
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Here’s a look at what kept our students busy on Sunday morning:
Our Bedoiun tent was a good place to rest and have refreshments – without dealing with the heat of the desert, of course. Mrs. Altschul read stories to our younger students and everyone enjoyed learning about the Bedouin people and culture during their visit to the tent. Hummus anyone?
In Jerusalem (aka the Torah Center Hallway), students visited the Kotel (Western Wall), one of the holiest sites for Jews. After admiring the fine work done by our 6th graders (way to go!), students had the opportunity to write prayers to insert in the wall:
In the gym, it was recess time! What fun it was to learn some Israeli playground games:
Rousing renditions of HaTikvah could be heard during music with Mr. Rosenthal:
In the Negev, students ascended Masada by correctly answering trivia questions about Israel:
And in the artroom students made postcards depicting their favorite parts of Israel:
The morning ended with a show by the Spirit of Israel 2012 Delegation – teens from our sister city/region, Karmiel-Misgav. It was a lot of fun to watch!
Another great morning!
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Coming Up:
Our last Shabbat LaMishpacha Dinner and Family service of the school year is this Friday, May 4th! This is also Shabbat Limud – the service at which we thank and honor our teachers and Madrichim for their commitment to The Torah Center. Please let Lori in the main office know if you are able to attend the dinner. The cost is $15 for adults, $5.50 for children under 14. Can’t make it to the dinner? Join us for the service at 7:30 pm. This is a “don’t miss” event! See you there!
After Pesach Mayhem
It is wonderful to be back in the Torah Center!
A special thank you goes to Marci Barnes for filling in for me during my maternity leave… for helpings things to go smoothly in my absence. And of course, a big thank you to Helaine Labovitz, the Education Secretary, for her continued support as well.
With the eating of matzah behind us, time seems to be flying by as we we count down the weeks to the end of the year (just ask your children, they know how many Torah Center classes are left!). There is still so much left to do – mayhem – in the form of excitement and good (is there any other kind?!) chaos ensues!
A glimpse of what has been happening these past few weeks:
Our Pre-K students were joined by other soon-to-be-kindergarteners for Kindergarten Orientation. The morning included hearing a story, taking a pretend trip to Israel, decorating flower pots and planting flowers for Earth Day:
The Parent Connection concluded with a ceremony honoring our 1st Graders for reading at least 8 books with their parents. Way to go!
The 2nd Grade students made challah…the sweetest bread ever!
The 6th Grade worked on HaKotel (the Western Wall) to be used during next week’s special program for Yom Ha’Atzmaut:
Thanks to everyone who brought in cereal (and other food) boxes! Be sure to stop by next Sunday and see what you helped us to create!
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In the Jewish High School, the 7th Graders painted ceramic butterflies that will become part of the San Diego Jewish Academy’s Zikaron V’Tikvah (Remembrance and Hope) project, an evergrowing collection of handmade butterflies created to memorialize the children who lost their lives in the Holocaust. For more information on this worthwhile project, check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=N362ncgPEvI
Our 9th Grade students have been studying Israel through a curriculum that uses posters from previous Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebrations:
Stay tuned for pictures of next Sunday’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebration!
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Coming Up:
9th Grade Parents are invited to join Rabbi Locketz for an important meeting regarding next year’s Confirmation Class THIS Monday, April 30th at 6:30 pm. Please let Helaine know of your attendance plans.
Our last Shabbat LaMishpacha Dinner and Family service of the school year is on Friday, May 4th! This is also Shabbat Limud – the service at which we thank and honor our teachers and Madrichim for their commitment to The Torah Center. Please let Lori in the main office know if you are able to attend the dinner. The cost is $15 for adults, $5.50 for children under 14. Can’t make it to the dinner? Join us for the service. This is a “don’t miss” event! See you there!
Pesach is coming!!
While Jewish families everywhere are planning what to serve for the Passover Seder (Friday night, April 6th and Saturday night, April 7th!), students in the Temple Emanuel Torah Center are getting ready for Passover in their own way.
The 4th Grade made Passover tile/trivets in Art Class to use on their Seder tables…
Our third grade students worked with Hebrew teacher Mr. Karp to learn the Four Questions…
And the 6th Graders reviewed the Four Questions in music with Mr. Rosenbloom…
The Kindergarten classes made “Matza Men” in Art Class…
The 2nd Grade had a model seder ….
And so did students in Grades 3-6!
Whew!! Lots of prep for Passover!! Everyone should enjoy the time off for the next two weeks!!
No Torah Center or JHS Classes until after Passover when classes resume Sunday, April 15th. Chag Sameach!!