Apr 25
We’ve been celebrating holidays for weeks in to Anafim v’Alonim (“Branches” for 4th Grade and “Oak Trees” for 5th Grade)! We ate hamantaschen, and read Megillat Esther (Book of Esther), and constructed the Fortress City of Shushan to celebrate Purim. Then, we turned our focus towards Pesach (Passover): delving into the Torah Story, exploring Eliyahu …
Dec 02
This week the children in שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten) have started getting ready for חֲנֻכָּה (chanukah)! The first thing we did was read some חֲנֻכָּה (chanukah) story books, which sparked a lot of memories of eating latkes (potato pancakes), lighting חֲנֻכִּיָוֹת (Chanukiyot– Chanukah Menorot (plural form of menorah), and playing …
Oct 27
It’s been a very busy month in Anafim V’Alonim (“Branches” for 4th Grade and “Oak Trees” for 5th Grade)! We’ve celebrated Jewish holidays together, we’re learning t’fillah (Prayers), and we are charged with ideas about תְּשׁוּבָה teshuvah. We are defining תְּשׁוּבָה teshuvah as ‘returning to the path I want to be on’, and we have …
May 01
The families of שָׁלוֹם חֲבֵרִים (Shalom, Chaverim! – Welcome, Friends! for ages 0 – 3 and their grown-ups) are exploring the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Explorations included decorating their Hebrew names, finding Hebrew-letter cards in the sensory bin, tracing Hebrew letters, building with blocks with Hebrew letters on them, Hebrew-letter floor puzzles, and making Hebrew-letter cookies! …
Apr 14
Things in שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten) have been ready busy as we have been getting ready for Pesach (Passover). Children practiced the Hebrew words for Seder plate foods, tasted Seder plate foods, sang songs, and hosted pretend play Seders. Each child designed their own Seder plate that they can use at a Passover celebration. Some of the …
Jan 16
For the next few weeks and into our new theme Eliyahu Ha’Navi, we’ll be paying special attention to listening and partnership. This week children worked in partnership with one another. Working with a partner takes different kinds of listening. What does listening look like? Sound like? Feel like? One of the ways we explored was …
Oct 18
We’ve been so busy preparing for our Sukkot Harvest Party. Making treats to share. Shaking the lulav and etrog. And playing some new Sukkot Ivrit (Hebrew) games. We can’t wait to celebrate the season’s bounty with you. See you Sunday at 9:15!
Sep 13
Shorashim (‘roots’ for nursery) and Shteelim (‘saplings’ for Kindergarten) are starting the year off on the right comunal foot. On our very first day together, children were already practicing talking and listening to a partner. We read a story where a whole community works together to help a child make her family’s Rosh Hashanah (Jewish …
May 30
It was a short week in Beit Nitzanim, but we filled it it up with joyous Hebrew play… … and designing a masterpiece. See you next week!
Apr 23
It’s spring quarter (can you believe it?), and by now Nitzanim children know A LOT of strategies for helping themselves and each other during זמן עברית (zeman Ivrit–Hebrew time). “Sit in a quiet, calm place.” “Talk in a regular voice.” “Practice many times.” “Give a friend an Aleph-Bet chart.” “Say to a friend, ‘I don’t …
