Morah Wendy

Vayikra Class-  6th Grade Mitzvot and Tzedakah Work

The Vayikra Class has spent their year studying Mitzvot, Tzedakah and a variety of Halachot; Commandments, Charity and Jewish Law.  The students have studied the tenants of a variety of Jewish practices that they will take on as they approach becoming a Bar/ Bat Mitzvah.  Each student has chosen a community service project that they will initiate and implement during the next year to support populations in need.  We have studied tenants from Torah, Talmud and Mishnah that depict concepts and provide text to many current social justice issues.  Many current topics have been centered around anti-semitism and cultural/ racial bias, researching events of ethnic and religious oppression and persecution in present day refugee and internment camps.   Learning about global issues relating to these humanitarian conflicts and violations enables the students to learn about new populations beyond their immediate daily lives.  Below are links to videos that we have shared in class centered around humanitarian issues and Jewish celebrations.  Please also check the Vayikra blog for more specific resources that our class uses for their routine work.  

Misty Copland and 31 Ballerina Pals Dance in a Mesmerizing Video for Covid-19 Relief

https://www.fastcompany.com/90502273/misty-copeland-and-31-ballerina-pals-dance-in-a-mesmerizing-video-for-covid-19-relief

Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra Shares Passover Coronavirus Medly

https://padlet.com/wendygonsenhauser/7vbqxb3am5kvdz7y

The Shmot Class has spent their year studying the Jewish practice of Tikkun Olam-  Repairing the World.   The students have studied the effects of climate change through a variety of mechanisms and discussed ways that they might have a personal impact and enlist others to make a contribution to mitigating global warming for our future.  As a class, we also center this study through a Jewish lens, using resources from the Talmud and Torah along with many other current resources.  We also learn about Israel's contribution to the global community as it has faced many environmental challenges in its short history.  Israel's leadership within the field of sustainability and conservation has been profound as its technological invention pioneers new methodologies in the field as well.  Below are links to videos that we have shared in class centered around the environmental issues and Jewish celebrations.  Please also check the Shmot blog for more specific resources that our class uses for their routine work.  

Making a Home Composter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA3q07paNbE

Milk Jug Rain Barrels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXi1B1tpluM

What is Yom Ha'Atzmaut?- Israel Independence Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXg5e1sg5s

When You Believe - One Voice Children's Choir in Normandy- Commemoration of the Soldiers who died in the D-Day Invasion and Holocaust survivors- in English, Hebrew and French

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jAtB_UBWh0&t=300s

Purim Groggers from Reyclables

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvshRe255dM

Our Planet- Fresh Water

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2DU85qLfJQ

Our Planet- Grasslands and Deserts 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmtXC_n6X6Q

Israeli Innovation Helping Implement the UN's Sustainable Developmental Goals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv_jXw1FNwM

Recent Oil Spill in Israel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez2TyyZpg40&t=36s

The 7th graders are dedicated to their last Tzedakah project this year. They have decided to raise funds for AIDS United. It is ironic that they had chosen this cause because they wanted to assist with something of a global pandemic nature that affected people of all cultures, all ages, and all socio-economic means. At the time they chose this cause and organization they had no idea that we would be facing another pandemic.

" ...To Work it and watch over it."    (Genesis 2:1 )

Earth Day Video- 50th Anniversary (enjoy this 15 minute activity spending time outdoors to connect with nature)

https://www.plt.org/educator-tips/earth-day-activities/.

Earth Day 2020- Unify Livestream (Where we are now, and where we began with Earth Day- 1970.  How the quarantine is providing time to rethink our future.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I0sFyDKKBA

Kids Try Passover Seder

Enjoy this video showing different children responding to facts and questions about the seder from HiHo kids!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2OSpBqZUI4.

Unity in Times of Crisis

Israeli Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze Faith Leaders Come Together for Joint Prayer Amid Coronavirus Pandemic.

https://www.algemeiner.com/2020/04/07/israeli-jewish-christian-muslim-and-druze-faith-leaders-come-together-for-joint-prayer-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR2c_yABdhffy3fKvGjZdGmvHNiWgQWY_BjWhDOCsdWx029oAf9G-rLyQ3E