Bet Midrash Blog

The Dalet class finished their Chagall projects. What a fantastic display of ideas! This month we will learn about the artist Yaacov Agam, one of Israel’s most famous artists. He is best known for his early pioneering of ‘kinetic’ art. He worked in many other genres as well. We will be focusing on his “Star of Peace” for Ben Gurion University. The subtitle of the work is dated March 26, 1979 - the day Israel and Egypt signed their historic peace treaty ending three decades of hostilities between both countries. It depicts the six pointed Star of David and the five pointed Star of Islam. They are the same size. From one angle we see the Magen David and from another angle we see the Star of Islam. When looking directly at them they appear to be fused. More than ever symbols of peace give us hope. We will be celebrating the holiday of Tu Bishvat-the ‘birthday’ of the trees. The class will have a seder to enjoy the seven species associated with Tu Bishvat and write poems - odes to trees. We will continue reading Bible stories learning about the early kings of Israel. – Ann Krauser

This month in Kitah Hay was all about civil rights. Honoring MLK we looked closely at a picture with MLK marching together with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath (who was holding the Torah) from Selma to Montgomery. We talked about how important and inspiring the Jewish support of the civil rights movement was and also talked about Rabbi Heschel's famous quote - "I felt I was praying with my feet." We also talked about the importance of music in the civil right movements and listened to a few songs while dancing - "Down by the Riverside" and "We Shall Overcome." Rabbi Ariann visited the class to talk about the Women’s March and what it means to stand up for people who may be vulnerable or marginalized (we learned some new vocabulary!). The 5^th graders were quick to realize that the voice of children is also often overlooked! To turn words into action the students made amazing posters for the Women’s March that were used in the march in DC by BK members.

- Tamar Arieh

In Gan/Alef we have been exploring light and darkness and what's Jewish about colors. We've examined stories from the Torah looking for examples of how colors are used. We've also explored different artists' work and created our own colorful masterpieces. We absolutely loved scratching our black art paper to reveal vivid colors underneath – even the madrichim loved this project! Currently we are using our Torah stories to help learn about what makes a family. We will be working on our own family trees in honor of Tu Bishvat- the “birthday” of the trees. – Pia Kutten

Bet class has been busy getting ready for Tu Bishvat, the New Year of the Trees, which occurs on the 15^th day of the month of Shevat (February 10-11th). This holiday helps us learn the Jewish commandment of Bal Tashchit, do not destroy the earth. students thought of many ways we can help protect the earth and our environment. In Israel it is almost springtime and traditionally trees begin to bloom and new ones are planted. In this spirit we decorated clay pots and planted parsley, which can be used at the Passover seder. We will also have a Tu Bishevat seder, where the seven species of the land of Israel, mentioned in the Torah, are eaten. – Ellen Goldsmith