When we came into school on Monday we saw a poster that said “6th-8th graders. Friday. 12/9/16.10:20. Oolam. Be there.”

We continued to get more of these posters, one per day. Anticipation was building up and people were constantly trying to find out what was happening. Until Friday. On Friday we played Minute to Win It. Minute to win is when we play a series of ten games with only one minute to win! The games continued to get more and more creative as they went on. For example, in one of the last games you had to wear a pair of tights on your head that had a tennis ball in them and using the tennis ball you had to knock down five full water bottles in a row. While we were playing the 5th grade came to watch and cheer along. These games were really fun and I hope to do this again.

Thank you, Ms. Davi!

Fanya Fenton

Interview with Moshe

Millea and Moshe are students in the Beit Midrash. Millea has interviewed Moshe about what he has been learning in Judaic Studies this week. Below, you can peek at their conversation.

Millea: What is one thing you have learned this week in JS?

Moshe: I've learned about lighting the chanukah candles, and the rules about lighting them.

Millea: What are some laws?

Moshe: There are different levels of observance. You don't have to light as much as you think!

Level 1: One candle per household

Level 2: 1 candle per person in the household

Level 3 is to go by night. Hillel says 1 candle on the first night, and 8 candles on the last night. Shammai says 8 on the first night, and 1 on the last night.

Level 3 - Ashkenazim: Each person in the household lights per night

Level 3 - Sephardim: Each household lights 1 chanukiah by night.

Millea: How many candles do you light on Chanukah?

On December 7, Middle school parents joined us in learning with Rabbi Albert, during Open Beit Midrash. This was our last of four sessions about the middah of gratitude.

In Al HaNissim, we thank Hashem for the miracles of Chanukah. We went back to the question: why do we celebrate eight nights of Chanukah? We learned that smaller miracles, the hidden ones are just as important as the big ones.

We should all find something small to say thank you for this Chanukah.

Chanukah Sameach!

Millea Kenin

Open Beit Midrash About Gratitude - Friday November 18th, 2016

Last week we had a visitor. Rabbi Albert from Beth Jacob came to OHDS to teach the Middle Schoolers about gratitude. We started a four session project about gratitude. The first person to express gratitude in the Torah was Leah, and she named her son Judah, which comes from the same root of “todah,” which means “thank you.”

In open Beit Midrash this week, we continued our learning about the OHDS middah, gratitude. Rabbi Albert taught us how in one story, when Judah admits that he is wrong, that he might have been saying thank you.  We learned that maybe there is a deeper meaning of the Hebrew word for thank you, todah.

Photo by Millea Kenin

Millea Kenin

WBBM students share 

work samples from last quarter classes 

Sukkot class - Dr. Beliak and HaMorah Ofra (Ivrit)

In this class, we studied the third chapter of Masechet Sukkot. The chapter reviews the physical and spiritual requirements for a kosher Lulav and Etrog. The students have organized the material into a pamphlet for the Sukkot holiday. We also looked at the differences between worship on Sukkot in Temple times and post-Temple times. Below you will find two examples of the pamphlets created by the students.

Sukkot Pamphlet - by Chana

What Makes a Kosher Lulav - By Millea

Tefillah
HaMoreh Eliav

In Tefillah class our goal was to understand the origins, meaning, differences and background of the Amidah. We started the year going from the sources of the Amidah in the Tanakh. We've learned the story of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Shmuel, and how her prayer inspired the Amidah and prayer in general. From there we continued to the Mishna, Gemara and Halacha. We saw that the last Bracha that was added to the Shemonei Esrei (18), and made it 19 brachot, was also added by Shmuel Ha-Katan (from the time of the Mishna). He added “Birkat HaMinim” by the request of Rabban Gamliel. We learned about the Amidah of Shabbat and everyday, Holidays and others. We also focused on the Amidah of Rosh Hashanah: number of Brachot, ideas and purpose. For their final project, students wrote their own Tefillah for a particular occasion.

In these samples below you can see a Tefillah for Chanukah (above) and one for a bar mitzvah (below).

Teshuva - HaMorah Bat Sheva - At the end of the class, students were asked to reflect on what Teshuva means to them and how they can apply their understanding of Teshuva to their lives. 

Here is a sample of each final assignment

Reflection

Teshuvah means repentance, but it also means something deeper, what does it mean to make Teshuvah. As a class we explored this topic and through it, I completely changed the way I understood Teshuvah.  The way I used to make Teshuvah was to say sorry quickly and get it over with, I did not even think about  the mistakes I had made. This year however I thought more about all the mistakes I had made and even noticed that I had made mistakes with G-d. At first when I wrote all my entries I was thinking that all I needed to do was fill up the page to get it over with, but by the end of the class I was really thinking because I really felt bad.

The hardest part for me was finding that I was not being as angelic as I had at first thought and that the character traits in other people that I didn't like were things that I did. It was hard for me because I wanted to change myself and yet I knew it wouldn't just happen I found myself thinking if other people would just act like this or that then I could be nicer and a better person. I eventually realized that Teshuvah is not about changing other people, it is about changing yourself. After realizing this, it was easier for me to change myself because I was could notice things I did not like in other people and see I had that same character trait. After Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were over I felt a relief, because I was beginning a long process of making Teshuvah. Even though I knew it was the beginning I knew I was at least getting somewhere.

Sefaria sourcesheet - 

Students were also asked to create a source sheet on Sefaria, choosing sources that would help them teach a small group about Teshuva. The students were encouraged to add their own writings/drawings to the source sheet as well. 

This picture represents the understanding that after you say sorry three times for something you have done wrong, it's up to G-d. I made three tallies one for each time you say sorry. In this picture the hand is in a black and white stripes, just like someone in jail, it represents jail because you still feel trapped even after you've said sorry to someone three times.
1. Well , we all know what guilt is. That uneasy queasy feeling that we have done something terribly wrong that can never be fixed… But how is regret different?

   An eccentric but wealthy, elderly acquaintance tells you to meet him at 2:30 pm on Sunday afternoon at Starbucks for coffee. At 2:00 pm you are busy watching a great movie and decide not to show up to the 2:30 meeting. That evening you find out that this elderly gentleman made the 2:30 appointment with 10 people, you being one of the 10.Only five out of 10 arrived at the meeting. To each of the five who showed up, your eccentric acquaintance gave a bank check for $50,000 dollars. Now you know what regret is. The feeling of missed opportunity. When you find out that you missed out on 50 grand for a stupid movie, you feel regret, not guilt. When we go against the will of God, the feeling we are supposed to have is regret. What a lost opportunity! We lost a piece of eternity!

   (from http://www.aish.com/h/hh/gar/atonement/Four_Steps_to_Change.html)

   
   
2. Siddur Ashkenaz, Weekday, Shacharit, Amidah, Repentance 1
   

   (undefined) Return us, our Father, to Your Torah, and draw us near, our King, to Your service. Cause us to return to You in perfect repentance before Your face. Blessed are You, O Lord, Who desires repentance.

Open Beit Midrash - October 24th-28th

This week in Open Beit Midrash, we watched videos about Parshat Trumah. We learned about how B’nei Yisrael donated jewelry to build G-d's Tabernacle, the Mishkan. We learned what parts were needed to build it. The Mishkan had to be portable, because the Jews had to move it as they traveled through the desert. We learned that we have the choice to use our precious jewelry to build something bad like the Golden Calf, or something holy like the Mishkan. We also looked at a 3D tour of the Beit Hamikdash.

These videos were an introduction to a course that will be offered in this second quarter of the year about the Batei HaMikdash (the two Holy Temples). One of the videos was a recreation of the First Beit HaMikdash on Minecreaft. Since some students are interested in working on their final project on Minecraft, it was important to show them what the potential of this tool can be. (note from HaMorah Bat Sheva)

Millea Kenin

B”H

Dear middle school parents,

Today WBBM students were introduced to their course choices for the next quarter. Below you will find the course descriptions, as well as the form students had to fill out. Please, go over these courses with your child/ren and discuss their choices with them. We will finalize the course choices by Friday, next week.

Students’ final projects from this past quarter showed deep learning, creativity, depth of understanding, commitment and growth. We will share some of the work samples on a different post in this blog. You will be able to see your child’s work during our Parent Teacher conferences.

On behalf of the WBBM team, I thank you for the support you continue to provide and for the opportunity you have given us to teach and learn with your child.

B'Shalom,

Bat Sheva

Summary of Quarter Courses - November/December 2016

Story Behind Tefillot Dr Beliak -- Block A

What is the Biblical context behind some of the prayers we say every day? Does a prayer’s meaning change with time and context? Many of the words we say every day come from the Torah. We will look at VaYehi Binsoa HaAron, Birchat Cohanim, and Ma Tovu to learn what the context of those prayers are in the original stories in which they are first spoken. The final project will be an illustrated children’s book in which each person explains the origin of one prayer.

Jerusalem (Jewish History)-- HaMorah Ofra -- Block A

This year we celebrate 50 years since the unification of Jerusalem. In this course we will learn about Jerusalem’s history. We will start in the Tanach period and up to modern times. We will focus on turning points in Jerusalem’s history and important figures who have changed Jerusalem. We will also learn about why Jerusalem is a holy city to the three monotheistic religions and especially the role Jerusalem plays in the Jewish year. We will go on virtual tours in the city, use maps and movies to understand the city well (since we can’t take a tour ourselves physically). The final project will be to create a clip in Hebrew explaining the role of one part of Jerusalem in Jewish history or one important person. The project will be done in pairs.

השנה אנחנו חוגגים 50 שנה לאיחוד העיר ירושלים. בקורס נלמד על ירושלים לאורך הדורות, מתקופת התנ"ך ועד ימינו, דרך אירועים משמעותיים, אתרים חשובים ודמויות מרכזיות בתולדות העיר. נכיר את מאפייניה היחודיים של ירושלים, נלמד על קדושת העיר לשלוש הדתות המונותאיסטיות, על מקומה של ירושלים בלוח השנה היהודי ונחזק את הקשר שלנו לעיר הקודש.

מכיוון שאין לנו אפשרות לטייל בירושלים, נערוך סיורים וירטואליים באתרים השונים, נלמד באמצעות תמונות, מפות, מקורות וסרטים.

פרויקט הסיום יהיה להכין קליפ הסבר בעברית על אתר בירושלים או על דמות מרכזית שפעלה בירושלים. פרויקט הסיום יעשה בזוגות.

Halachot of Chanukah -- Rabbi Fox --Block B

We will study the laws, history, and meaning of Chanukah. The Chanukah story is not only an interesting one historically, but one that is also very relevant for today. We will analyze the laws in depth, through the reading of texts in the Gemara, the Shulchan Aruch, and comparing and contrasting sources. We will focus on the Chanukah candles, and also discuss other customs of the day and of the Tefillah.

Crime and Punishment-- HaMorah Bat Sheva/HaMorah Mimi -- Block B

This class will look at the correlation between the transgressions of Chava and Adam, and Cain and Havel in Sefer Beresheet (book of Genesis), and their "punishments". The class will take a very close look at the text, with support of traditional and modern commentaries. For their final project, students will interview school and community leaders about their understanding of these two passages and create a mini-documentary video about it. This class will be co-taught by HaMorah Bat Sheva and HaMorah Mimi.  

Parents and Children in Tanach-- Dr Beliak -- Block C

What is the responsibility and relationship of a parent to a child? What is the challenge of a child when learning from a parent? We will look at texts about parenting and childhood from several books of the Tanach. We will look at what makes someone a parent and the expectations from children. For the final project each person will choose one Biblical story and look at the motivations and actions of a parent/child team, analyzing the reasons for each person’s actions. You will write internal monologues for both characters.

Gemara Sanhedrin -- HaMorah Ofra -- Block C

Chapter 4 of Sanhedrin - We will learn about the court system in the time of the Mishna and Gemara. We will learn about the physical aspect of the court as well as the two different approaches the court could deal with in legal disputes: either through a monetary compensation (Dinei Mamonot) or capital punishment (Dinei Nefashot).

מסכת סנהדרין פרק רביעי - דיני ממונות.

נלמד על מערכת המשפט היהודית בתקופת המשנה והגמרא, ננסה להבין מהי מחלוקת, כיצד חכמים חולקים על חכמים מדורות קודמים להם.

הקורס יהיה בעברית.

Beit HaMikdash I and II-- HaMoreh Eliav -- Block C

This course will focus on the history of the two Batei Mikdash and the role of the Beit HaMikdash in the history of the Jewish people. What was the Beit HaMikdash? What is the relationship between the King of Israel and the Beit HaMikdash? Who is more important the king or the Cohen Gadol? This course will look at history, archeology, architecture and politics and will involve reading selections of Tanach, Mishna, History texts and Midrashim. We will also look at research about the time period. The final project will be a research project about the Batei Mikdash.

הקורס יעסוק בהיסטוריה של בתי המקדש ובמקום החשוב שלהם בעם ישראל. מה היה בבתי המקדש? מה הקשר בין המלך של עם ישראל לבית המקדש? מי היה יותר חשוב, המלך או הכהן הגדול?

נלמד בקורס היסטוריה, ארכיאולוגיה, ארכיטקטורה ופוליטיקה, ונשתמש במקורות מהתקופה ההיא - תנ"ך, משנה, ספרי היסטוריה ומדרשים.

בנוסף נשתמש במחקרים חדשים ובגילויים חדשים על התקופה.

הפרוייקט הסופי יהיה עבודה קצרה (באנגלית) עם שאלת חקר על בתי המקדש - עם עזרה והנחיה שלי.

הקורס יהיה רובו באנגלית אך נלמד גם מילים בעברית ונשלב טקסטים בעברית.

***

Name: ____________________` Advisor: ___________________

Choosing Beit Midrash Courses: 2nd Quarter 2016

1. You will take 3 JS courses (or two courses and an independent study project)
2. Please rank your course choices in each Block.
3. Please note the block letter next to each course.  Courses with the same letter are offered at the same time.

JS Courses

My Ranking	Course Name	Teacher	Block
	Story Behind Tefillot (Tanach)	Dr Beliak	A
	Jerusalem (Jewish History)	HaMorah Ofra	A
	Halachot of Chanukah	Rabbi Fox	B
	Crime and Punishment	HaMorah Bat Sheva	B
	Parents and Children in the Tanach	Dr Beliak	C
	Beit HaMikdash I and II	HaMoreh Eliav	C
	Gemara Sanhedrin (Ivrit)	HaMorah Ofra	C

7th and 8th graders must do an independent project this year.

Please indicate if you have a topic for an independent project:  no/yes

The topic is: ___________________________________________________I need / have a partner. (new partner: not from an earlier independent project)

Partner name _______________________________

Rank your first _________  and second choice ____________ block for the project.

Gmar Chatima Tovah!

Chag Sameach!

OHDS supports American Jewish World Service (AJWS) in their effort to collect donations for the victims of  Hurricane Matthew in Haiti and the Dominican Republic

    Middle school student council

Yom Kippur D’var Torah

by Seth Elkins, 8th grade

וַיִּבְרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ אֶת־הָֽאָדָם֙ בְּצַלְמ֔וֹ בְּצֶ֥לֶם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בָּרָ֣א אֹת֑וֹ זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה בָּרָ֥א אֹתָֽם׃

בראשית א:כז

    

Tonight is Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is about being holy and forgiving. During this holiday we hear the word “Holiness” a lot, but do we know the true meaning of what holiness is? This is one question I had about Yom Kippur. It is very hard to define a word as complicated as holiness, so this semester I decided to take a course about Kedusha, (holiness) with Dr. Beliak. “And G-d created man in His image, in the image of G-d He created him; male and female He created them." (Beresheet/Genesis 1:27) This means that G-d made us to be like Him. We also learned, “Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy." (Vayikra/Leviticus 19:2) This means that we are holy because God is holy.

Dr. Baruch Levine, Jewish philosopher and commentator, says that people who act like G-d are holy. G-d does chesed (kindness) by helping people in need; and we do chesed, for instance, by giving to the poor. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch says that being holy means to be ready to do the right thing. In order to do the right thing, you need to be more self aware; which makes you the way G-d wants you to be. In result you are in G-d's image. For example, if you drink too much wine, you get drunk, and that is not holy. But wine can be holy if we use it in the correct time and with the correct mindset (Kiddush on Shabbat and holidays). Therefore, anything can be holy if we are aware of the right time and place to use it.

In conclusion, it is important to be holy because it makes you the better version of yourself; the version that G-d wanted you to be, by acting like Him, and by being ready to do the right thing.

Gmar Chatima Tovah and have an easy fast,

Seth Elkins