1st/2nd grade 9/21/14
Dear 1st/2nd Grade Families:
Shalom! My name is Nia Taylor, and I will be your child's Judaic studies teacher for the 2014 - 2015 school year. This will be my 5th year teaching at PASJE, and I couldn't be more excited. As the daughter of two educators, I am passionate about teaching the next generation of American Jews about our unique and very important history, culture and values. During my free time, which is very limited these days, I love to cook, be outdoors, sing and paint.
What happened in class today?
1. Our morning began with me reading a book from my childhood titled When the Sun Rose. It tells the story of two friends and their commitment to friendship. As a class, we talked about the importance of respecting our classmates as we begin a new year at PASJE together. We all agreed to be kind and sensitive to one another.
2. We also talked all about Rosh Hashanah. Some of the things we learned and reviewed about this special holiday were:
Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, literally "head of the year") is the Jewish New Year.
The challah (traditional bread) that is eaten during Rosh Hashanah is round, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life.
Challah and apples are also traditionally dipped in honey to symbolize our hopes for a sweet New Year.
A shofar, an instrument made from the horn of a ram, is blown on Rosh Hashanah to mark the beginning of the New Year and our need to wake up to the call to repentance.
3. After a delicious snack of honey cake, apples, round challah and honey sticks each child made a Jewish new year card to give to someone or several people that are special to them. Please ask your child to tell you and/or show you the card he or she made, who they gave it to and why. (If your child does not have a card to show that means he or she gave it to someone in our class before they left school).
Looking forward to a rewarding and fruitful year,
Nia
P.S. Should you have any questions and/or concerns about the class, please do not hesitate contact via email, by phone and/or in person.
