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.