April 30- May 3, 2012

Picture this:  your children crawling on their hands and knees through the grass, running back and forth as quickly as possible and forming three straight lines, and screaming, “yes, sir!” to every question asked of them.   This is what your kids were busy . . . → Read More: Bringing Israel to Boston]]>

Kesher’s Week in Review

April 30- May 3, 2012

Picture this:  your children crawling on their hands and knees through the grass, running back and forth as quickly as possible and forming three straight lines, and screaming, “yes, sir!” to every question asked of them.   This is what your kids were busy doing on Monday, all the while with huge smiles on their faces.  This week, we had the incredible opportunity to host four IDF officers who were touring Boston from Haifa to create connections between our two communities.  This was such a unique opportunity for our kids to have an Israeli experience right here in Newton Centre.  The officers were warm, funny and open to answering all of the kids’ questions about their roles in protecting Israel, as well as about daily life in Israel.   We look forward to many more chances to make these amazing connections.

Shorashim continued their celebration of Israel by making a giant 3-D map of Israel, complete sand and cacti in the desert and buildings in Tel Aviv.  They took part in a book scavenger hunt, where they chose symbols and pictures of Israeli and then needed to find something similar in a huge pile of books all about Israel.  The kids continued learning by playing a game about people, places and things in Israel.

Nitzanim read about Rabbi Akiva and his connection to Lag B’Omer.   They learned about Rabbi Akiva’s teaching of ‘love your friend like you love yourself.’  They heard explanations of why we have the traditions of the holiday.  They then played a memory game with Lag B’Omer symbols.  Next week, the class will begin working on a special project:  please remember to send in shoe boxes!

Anafim has been working on their Yom Ha’azmaut festival for the school.  They looked at old newspaper headlines leading up to Israel’s Declaration of Independence.   The kids talked about why and how the Jews were able to get their own state.  They watched a video of Ben Gurion reading the Declaration of Independence.   The class also learned about the pioneers, or chalutzim who first lived in Israel.

Teenim did an in depth study of cities in Israel, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Tzvat, Haifa, and Eilat.  They placed their city on a map and taught their classmates little known facts about the city.  They then reached back into history to compete in a timeline competition, putting events in order starting with the First Aliyah in 1880, until present day Israel.

Kesher’s Week in Review

April 23- April 26, 2012

It’s such a small Jewish world.  I heard a few stories upon coming back from vacation of families running into each other en route to their destinations, bumping into each other during the week and playing Jewish . . . → Read More: Happy 64th, Israel!]]>

Kesher’s Week in Review

April 23- April 26, 2012

It’s such a small Jewish world.  I heard a few stories upon coming back from vacation of families running into each other en route to their destinations, bumping into each other during the week and playing Jewish geography with people they met while away.  My family had a similar experience during our travels as well.  While at Club Med in the Dominican Republic last week, we all tried and enjoyed archery.  The woman, Vicki, who ran archery happened to be Israeli.  My boys were really excited to hear Hebrew so far from home and from Kesher.  Vicki told us that she celebrates Shabbat at one of the restaurants with anyone who wants to join her.  On Friday night, we gathered with Vicki and 5 other families – one from Newton with whom we had traveled, two from Israel, one from Paris, and one Israeli transplant now living in Las Vegas.  We lit candles and said the brachot together over wine and challah.  We joked about the frenzied buffet going on around us while we were enjoying this moment of peace together.  Our kids were amazed that there we were, on an island in the middle of the Caribbean, doing the same thing we do every Friday night together at home, and that people from all over the world were doing the same thing with us.  As we celebrated Israel’s 64^th birthday this week, and the fact that Israel is a place that all Jews are connected to, I was able to think back to last Shabbat and what a wonderful moment it was to have a connection with Jews from all over the world.

Shorashim are getting more and more proficient in understanding the Jewish calendar. Every day, they try to figure out the day of the week, the date, the name of the month, the phase of the moon — and now — the day of the Omer. To enhance their understanding of the Omer (the 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot), they made original board games with partners. They also use their beaded Omer-counters to find the correct number of weeks and days that have passed since Pesach.   Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) fell on Wednesday and Thursday. We honored the soldiers by discussing why a country needs an army. The Shorashim silently watched a YouTube video of the minute-long siren blast during which Israelis stop what they are doing (even driving) to stand and think about the soldiers. Next Monday, we will hear more about the Israeli armed forces from our visitors. Hopefully, the Tuesday students will be able to attend, as well.  In celebration of Israel’s 64th birthday, the students each painted their own beautiful interpretation of an Israeli flag on a colorful background. Happy Birthday, Israel!

Nitzanim began the week by discussing the journey the Israelites had after leaving Egypt and slavery, beginning once the Israelites crossed the Sea of Reeds and culminating at Mount Sinai.  The Nitzanim considered what would be needed for such a long and troublesome trip leading to the land of Milk and Honey.  They discussed what they thought Manna (the food provided by G-d in the desert) tasted like.  The class then learned about the Omer- the period we count between Passover and Shavuot.  They learned the blessing said every day when counting the Omer.  The had a chance to make an Omer counter- some out of beads, and some out of Cheerios (representing the Barley harvest in the time of the Temple).  The Nitzanim also learned about two important modern holidays which fall during the Omer: Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Day of Rememberance) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day).  The Nitzanim watched a video of the siren in Israel on Yom HaZikaron and stood for the minute of silence.  They then transitioned from a solemn moment to one of celebration – Yom Ha’Atzmaut.  The Nitzanim celebrated Israel’s 64th year by making a windsock with the Israeli flag and colors of Israel.

Anafim learned about two important remembrance days. The first was Yom Ha’shoa.   They heard stories taking place in The Netherlands/Holland and Poland and saw how many heroes could be found in such hard times.  Next, they learned about Yom Hazikaron.  They learned about the reason for remembering that day. We talked about different parts of the ceremonies that take place in Israel including standing still during the siren and asking ourselves what’s different between how people commemorate that day in Israel vs. the United States. Anafim will begin working on our own ‘Tekes’ which will share with other grades later this month.

Teenim had a special guest speaker this week – our own Ronit.  She gave the kids a chance to look at Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem and then debate whether or not it is still an appropriate choice as a national anthem.  She gave the kids a chance to review what they knew about Israel and then opened the floor for the class to ask her anything they wanted about her Israeli experience.    They also took a look at a quote from Chaim Weizman: “The state will not be given to the Jewish people on a silver platter.”   They discussed what Weizman might have meant when he said this.   They then examined the poem “The Silver Platter” by Natan Alterman that explores this same quote.  Please ask your children about their interpretation of the poem!

April 9 – April 12, 2012

Why was this week different from all other weeks?   Because it was Pesach at Kesher!!  We had matzah for snack, recounted stories from our families’ seders, and shared the projects we completed last week.   We topped it off with special activities for the . . . → Read More: Pesach at Kesher]]> Kesher’s Week in Review

April 9 – April 12, 2012

Why was this week different from all other weeks?   Because it was Pesach at Kesher!!  We had matzah for snack, recounted stories from our families’ seders, and shared the projects we completed last week.   We topped it off with special activities for the second half of the week.   Teams competed in Pesach trivia, went on a Kesher-wide scavenger hunt and worked collaboratively on a Spring mural, now hanging on the walls of the gym.   During the scavenger hunt, the kids worked in small groups as super sleuths to collect letters around the building from clues.  Once they had all the letters, they had to unscramble all of the letters to spell out a phrase that led them to a special surprise!    The days leading up to vacation were fun, energetic and filled with smiling, happy faces!   It was a perfect send off to the end of Pesach and spring break!

Kesher’s Week in Review

March 26 – March 29, 2012

Everywhere I’ve gone over the past week, there are signs of Pesach coming.  From the aisles in Shaw’s, filled with macaroons and tam tams, to friends’ homes who are frantically cleaning and lugging out a new . . . → Read More: Signs of Pesach]]>

Kesher’s Week in Review

March 26 – March 29, 2012

Everywhere I’ve gone over the past week, there are signs of Pesach coming.  From the aisles in Shaw’s, filled with macaroons and tam tams, to friends’ homes who are frantically cleaning and lugging out a new set of dishes, to the rooms of Kesher, where our kids are creating haggadot and learning about freedom.  One of the really wonderful things about this holiday is the sense of community it brings.   Even sharing a knowing smile with someone at the supermarket as I add chocolate covered matza to my cart connects me to another Jew on a very basic level.  At Kesher, this sense of community doesn’t just happen once a year, in preparation for a holiday.   There have been a number of opportunities for us to feel connected to our community over the last couple weeks – the Shabbat dinners, both last week and tonight, and the mom’s night out last night, that many were able to attend.  These community times, separate from the 5:45 pick up are so essential to having that feeling of Kesher, connection, to each other.  It would be wonderful to take the spirit of Pesach, that feeling of connection to the larger Jewish community, and make it last throughout the year, as we strive to do at Kesher.

In Shorashim, the class learned about the order of the seder  – the seder of the seder!  They cut and pasted the parts in order to use as a visual reminder during their families’ seder this year.  They continued to work on a special book they will bring home, that each child has helped add to and create.  They are all so excited to learn and create so much in preparation for Pesach!

In Nitzanim, the kids learned what is allowed and not allowed to eat of Pesach and the reasons why.  They also talked about the differences between the Sephardi and Ashkenazi traditions, and experienced them firsthand by making haroset from each tradition.  The class then worked on their afikomen covers, which they decorated and will bring home for their seders!

In Anafim, the kids continued working on their own unique Haggadah.   They are tracking their progress on a large poster in the classroom, and every day get closer and closer to their goal of incorporating all of the parts of the seder.  The kids are using their prior knowledge, as well as combing through various haggadot to learn new pieces.  This week, they included all the way through korech and shulchan orech. 
In Te’enim, the class spent the week pondering the question “what does it mean to be free?”  They looked at the poetry of Yehuda HaLevi, as he wrote about the sfardi diaspora.   They looked at Haym Salomon and his role in the American Revolution.  They then looked at Natan Sharansky and the Soviet Refusniks.  The class then discussed what the Pesach seder might look like to these three individuals.  They also talked about how these three individuals might have understood the commandment to feel as if he had personally come from slavery.  

Save the dates!!

    Kesher’s upcoming events:

March 15 – March 31: Kesher Newton’s 3rd Annual Online Auction:  Kesher Newton’s Spring auction ends tomorrow night! There are camps, restaurants, baseball tickets (yes, the season is nearly here!!) special playdates with several of the teachers,  much more.
http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=147399622

Sunday, April 29:  Kesher bowling day at Lanes and Games in Cambridge.   Bowling and lunch!  Evite to follow soon.

June 3 – Kesher Spring Dinner:  Pictures wanted!  Do you have pictures that you’d be willing to share of special events and celebrations for a slide show during the Spring Dinner?  Email those images to Merav Rosen at:  rosenad@rcn.com.

Re-enrollment is underway and thanks to all of you who have returned your forms already!  Please get your form in asap to ensure a space for your child next year. Contracts will be sent home electronically in mid-April along with the financial aid form.

Coming next week:  Pesach preparations!

Check it out:  Our facebook page (“like” us at Kesher Newton) and website (http://keshernewton.org/), complete with pictures from our classes.

Ways to help in the classroom:  Help us keep our school green – please take your child’s class recyclables, as the church does not have a recycling program.  For more classroom volunteer opportunities, please contact pam@keshernewton.org.

Community outreach:  As part of our ongoing effort to spread the word about Kesher and reach out to potential new families, please think about your circle of family and friends, and if you can think of a few people who you think might be interested to hear more about Kesher, please send me their information and I am happy to reach out to them. Year after year, we find that almost all of our new families come to Kesher because they know current families, so keep up the good work with your referrals!

The Israel’s Dance Festival’s over, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to dance!  Come to an all-ages weekly Israeli Folk Dance Session, 6-8 every Wednesday, JCDS Gym, to learn some new dances and listen to some great Israeli music in a fun, energetic environment.  Parents and kids are all welcome, together or separately.   Basic steps for absolute beginners from 6-630, then program open dancing (and teach a new dance or two) until 8PM.  No previous experience necessary!  The session takes place in Watertown in the gym of the Jewish Community Day School, 57 Stanley Ave.  For additional information, contact karger@mit.edu

**If you have a post for the Kesher community to be included in Week in Review, please send it to pam@keshernewton.org

Kesher’s Week in Review

March 19 – March 22, 2012

This is the time of year that feels like it is the beginning of a quick spiral to the end of the school year.  My inbox is filled with notices about end of year PTO events, camp scheduling, and even . . . → Read More: Spring has sprung!]]>

Kesher’s Week in Review

March 19 – March 22, 2012

This is the time of year that feels like it is the beginning of a quick spiral to the end of the school year.  My inbox is filled with notices about end of year PTO events, camp scheduling, and even re-enrollment forms for fall programs (hint, hint!).  We seem to wake up from the deep slumber of winter and skip right over spring into summer.  Spring is a time of awakening and renewal to be savored.    How fortunate we are, as Jews, to have Chag haAviv – holiday of the Spring, Passover.  It gives us a chance to pause and to truly appreciate the wonder of this season; to do a thorough cleaning, both spiritually, as well as of physically through our houses, searching for chametz!  As we shake off the feeling of being stuck inside all winter, it is the perfect time to discuss freedom with our children, both in a historical context and equally as important, what it means in their young lives.  Enjoy this gorgeous weather and welcome in the Spring!

In Shorashim, the kids acted out the Pesach story.  They did a wonderful job pretending to make bricks, find a baby in the Nile, run away from Egypt, save the shepherdesses, and hear G-d’s voice from the burning bush.  Ultimately, they all crossed through two walls of water onto dry land as the Egyptian chariots approached.  They also played tic-tac-toe in two teams.  Everyone who could answer the question about the story that was posed to them (and they all could!), got to put a mark on the board for their team.  A good time was had by all!

In Nitzanim, the kids read the story of Pesach.  They learned the song and the hand motions for the parts of the Seder.  The kids also learned the similarities of how kids in Israel celebrate Pesach, by watching ‘Shalom Sesame Passover in Israel.’  They began their afikoman cover project, which will be ready to be used during your family’s seder!

In Anafim, the kids started working on their Pesach unit by exploring ways of how to write their own unique Haggadah.   They included their own family traditions.  There was room for individual writing, personal thoughts and their own decorating styles.   So far, they began with kadesh and moved to the magid.  The haggadot will be ready to be used during the Pesach seder!
In Te’enim, the class looking at the parts of the seder in depth.  They each took a section of the seder to understand the meaning, the tradition and the symbolism to then teach it to their peers.  They also heard the story of Pesach, read directly from the Tanakh.  The kids compared what they previously knew of the story to what the ‘actual’ story is.  There were several parts, both included and not included, that surprised them.  Ask them what those parts were!

Save the dates!!

    Kesher’s upcoming events:

March 15 – March 31: Kesher Newton’s 3rd Annual Online Auction:  Kesher Newton’s Spring auction has launched! There are camps, restaurants, baseball tickets (yes, the season is nearly here!!) and much more.
http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=147399622
The auction is still accepting donations. If you’d like to donate anything — from a service (cooking, yardwork, design, etc!) to a merchant certificate (restaurant, show tickets, vacation to name a few) to anything else, please be in touch with Rachel Kalikow, rkalikow@mac.com or Asya Shestopal, ashestopal@verizon.net.

March 29, 2012 at 7:00-9:00 PM:  Kesher Mom’s night out at the home of Pam Pistiner, 27 Chester St, Newton.  With spring in the air and flowers starting to bloom, come for an evening of style and check out the the Stella and Dot spring line to try on and enjoy. Any purchase made will benefit Kesher Newton, as a portion of all sales will be donated back. The pieces are so irresistible and affordable, you’ll be certain to find a little something special for yourself or for someone else! Swing by for a drink and take a break from the kids while enjoying some much needed girl time with other Kesher moms!    To view the collection or shop the Trunk Show online, go to: http://www.stelladot.com/style/trunkshow/a6ce77d8-6ef0-11e1-ad30-005056b55330  RSVP directly to pam@keshernewton.org.

March 30 – Shabbat Dinner at Kesher.  Dinner will be held March 30th at 5:30pm.  Questions – email  pam@keshernewton.org or becky@keshernewton.org.  Sign up ASAP!
http://keshernewton.wufoo.com/forms/kesher-family-shabbat-dinners

Re-enrollment is underway and thanks to all of you who have returned your forms already!  Please get your form in asap to ensure a space for your child next year. Contracts will be sent home electronically in mid-April along with the financial aid form.

Coming next week:  Mom’s Night Out!  Kesher Shabbat dinner!

Check it out:  Our facebook page (“like” us at Kesher Newton) and website (http://keshernewton.org/), complete with pictures from our classes.

Ways to help in the classroom:  Help us keep our school green – please take your child’s class recyclables, as the church does not have a recycling program.  For more classroom volunteer opportunities, please contact pam@keshernewton.org.

Community outreach:  As part of our ongoing effort to spread the word about Kesher and reach out to potential new families, please think about your circle of family and friends, and if you can think of a few people who you think might be interested to hear more about Kesher, please send me their information and I am happy to reach out to them. Year after year, we find that almost all of our new families come to Kesher because they know current families, so keep up the good work with your referrals!

Community posts:  Kesher parent Marsha Klein invites you: to a reconstuctionist havurah,  Saturday, March 24th, 2012 9:30am-noon, 1310 Centre St.  for breakfast, Torah study and Shabbat morning service.  For more information: www.shirhadash-ma.org

Kesher teacher, Liad Carmel, invites you to Hebrew Play Live!, a family concert for children 0-5, Sunday, March 25.  Move and groove at this fun-filled interactive musical performance, in Hebrew.  For more information – http://hebrewplay.net

The Israel’s Dance Festival’s over, but there’s still plenty of opportunity to dance!  Come to an all-ages weekly Israeli Folk Dance Session, 6-8 every Wednesday, JCDS Gym, to learn some new dances and listen to some great Israeli music in a fun, energetic environment.  Parents and kids are all welcome, together or separately.   Basic steps for absolute beginners from 6-630, then program open dancing (and teach a new dance or two) until 8PM.  No previous experience necessary!  The session takes place in Watertown in the gym of the Jewish Community Day School, 57 Stanley Ave.  For additional information, contact karger@mit.edu

Kesher’s Week in Review

March 12 – March 15, 2012

Passover is just 4 weeks away.  Being that this is our year of holidays in the Kesher curriculum, we need that much time (at least!) to spend learning about this significant part of our tradition.  It is said that . . . → Read More: Passover is coming….]]>

Kesher’s Week in Review

March 12 – March 15, 2012

Passover is just 4 weeks away.  Being that this is our year of holidays in the Kesher curriculum, we need that much time (at least!) to spend learning about this significant part of our tradition.  It is said that the Passover seder is the most observed Jewish tradition.  In my class this week, we talked about our favorite Pesach memories.  Some involved food, some the haggadah, some the distance traveled, and some the people who join us at our seders.  As we spend the next several weeks learning about Pesach in our classes, use this time with your children to ask them about their favorite memory of the holiday and involve them in planning your family’s seder next month!

In Shorashim, the children participated in an interactive story of Pesach.  As their teachers read the story, the kids listened very carefully for details, searching for pictures that corresponded to the story.  The children were so excited to recognize the pieces of the story right in front of them as it was read.   They also colored in pictures of baby Moshe and created the reeds out of construction paper in which his basket was hidden.  These pictures, and more to follow, are on the bulletin board in their classroom – go check them out!

In Nitzanim, the kids shared their prior knowledge of the holiday, as well as heard the Pesach story.  In several groups, the kids read and then acted out several Midrashim, such as why Moshe spoke with a stutter and was saved from the Pharaoh’s anger.  They also played broken telephone using words relating to Pesach.

In Anafim, the kids finished their Purim unit with a wonderful creative project.  The kids each painted a mask – both the outside and the inside.  They thought of a moment in their lives when they felt like they needed to show the world a certain face, but they felt differently on the inside.  The Anafimers were very thoughtful in their explorations and explanations.  It was so wonderful that they felt comfortable enough with each other to share these personal memories.

In Te’enim, the class also finished their Purim unit.  They ended with planning a party in ancient Persia, which was a culmination of a week of researching the time period during which Purim occurred.  They created menus, invitations, dress codes and guest lists that were appropriate for the time period.   We then began our Pesach unit, beginning with posing the question, “What does it mean to be free,” and completing an exploration of various Haggadot.
 

Save the dates!!

    Kesher’s upcoming events:

March 15 – March 31: Kesher Newton’s 3rd Annual Online Auction:  Kesher Newton’s Spring auction has launched! There are camps, restaurants, baseball tickets (yes, the season is nearly here!!) and much more. http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?auctionId=147399622

The auction is still accepting donations. If you’d like to donate anything — from a service (cooking, yardwork, design, etc!) to a merchant certificate (restaurant, show tickets, vacation to name a few) to anything else, please be in touch with Rachel Kalikow, rkalikow@mac.com or Asya Shestopal, ashestopal@verizon.net.

March 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM :  Kesher Roked will participate in Boston’s 36th Annual Israel Folkdance Festival, Kresge Auditorum at MIT in Cambridge, MA.  It is a lovely Link to the festival site: http://bostonfestival.org/ for tickets and information.  Come cheer on and support the Kesher dancers!

March 23 and 30 – Shabbat Dinners at Kesher.  Dinners will be held Friday, March 23rd at 6:00pm and Friday, March 30th at 5:30pm.  Questions – email  pam@keshernewton.org or becky@keshernewton.org.  Please RSVP by March 18. http://keshernewton.wufoo.com/forms/kesher-family-shabbat-dinners

Schedule info:  Next Tuesday (March 20) Kesher will be open from 3-5:45, and next Wednesday (March 21) Kesher will be open from 12:30-5:45 due to MCAS testing. For Wednesday kids who aren’t used to coming early, please remember to bring a dairy (no peanut/tree nut) lunch.

Re-enrollment is underway and thanks to all of you who have returned your forms so quickly!  Please get your form in asap to ensure a space for your child next year. Contracts will be sent home electronically in mid-April along with the financial aid form.

Coming next week:  Kesher Shabbat dinner!

Check it out:  Our facebook page (“like” us at Kesher Newton) and website (http://keshernewton.org/), complete with pictures from our classes.

Ways to help in the classroom:  Help us keep our school green – please take your child’s class recyclables, as the church does not have a recycling program.  For more classroom volunteer opportunities, please contact pam@keshernewton.org.

Community outreach:  As part of our ongoing effort to spread the word about Kesher and reach out to potential new families, please think about your circle of family and friends, and if you can think of a few people who you think might be interested to hear more about Kesher, please send me their information and I am happy to reach out to them. Year after year, we find that almost all of our new families come to Kesher because they know current families, so keep up the good work with your referrals!

Community posts:  Kesher parent Marsha Klein invites you: to a reconstuctionist havurah,  Saturday, March 24th, 2012 9:30am-noon, 1310 Centre St.  for breakfast, Torah study and Shabbat morning service.  For more information: www.shirhadash-ma.org

**If you have a post for the Kesher community to be included in Week in Review, please send it to pam@keshernewton.org

March 5 – March 8, 2012

Be happy – It’s Adar!   This couldn’t have been more accurate this week at Kesher.  Beginning on Saturday night, we had our second Havdalah of the year.  Many families were in attendance and a true sense of community was . . . → Read More: Be happy – It’s Adar!]]> Kesher’s Week in Review

March 5 – March 8, 2012

Be happy – It’s Adar!   This couldn’t have been more accurate this week at Kesher.  Beginning on Saturday night, we had our second Havdalah of the year.  Many families were in attendance and a true sense of community was felt by everyone.  A Te’enim parent, Lisa Goodman, along with the students from Te’enim, led the entire community in a lovely ritual to end Shabbat and welcome the new week.  Kids and their parents sat together in a circle, lit candles, smelled fragrant spices and created a shared, special moment.
Next, our kids and families gave of themselves, as they prepared and organized a birthday-in-a-box.  Arranged in an efficient assembly line, the kids worked collaboratively to pack goody bags.  In the meantime, parents worked together to wrap the box and add the items that had been donated by all our generous families.  Not only did we complete this great mitzvah of providing a child in need with a birthday party that he deserves, but we accomplished it as a community.

Following our tzedakah project, we added to the sweetness of the night with an ice cream sundae for everyone!   And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, everyone spent the rest of the evening Israeli dancing.

On Tuesday, we had our Purim Shpiel – The Megillah According to Walt Disney.  All of the hard work of preparing the Shpiel was obvious!   Becky, assisted by Sarah, did a wonderful job of organizing the entire experience.  The kids were fantastic at showing off their acting chops, and everyone in the audience loved the performance!

And last but not least, what is a Kesher Purim without our Great Purim Relay?? Wednesday and Thursday were filled with wacky Hamantashen, kids and teachers in costume, trivia, cheering and of course, our fun-filled relay!   Kids spun around the dizzy bat, shaved balloons, ran three-legged across the gym, balanced eggs on spoons held in their mouths, hulla-hooped and free threw basketballs.  Of course, no Purim Relay is complete without kids shoving their faces into bowls of whipped cream, frantically digging for a hershey’s kiss!   Big thanks to our teachers who organized this wonderful annual event!

The entire week was filled with ruach and community and fun – all of the elements that make Kesher the wonderful place that it is!

Save the dates!!

    Kesher’s upcoming events:

March 15 – March 31: Kesher Newton’s 3rd Annual Online Auction:  Don’t forget, Kesher Newton’s Spring auction launches next week on March 15th! There will be camps, restaurants, baseball tickets (yes, the season is nearly here!!) and much more. We are still accepting donations. If you’d like to donate anything — from a service (cooking, yardwork, design, etc!) to a merchant certificate (restaurant, show tickets, vacation to name a few) to anything else, please be in touch with Rachel Kalikow, rkalikow@mac.com or Asya Shestopal, ashestopal@verizon.net.

March 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM :  Kesher Roked will participate in Boston’s 36th Annual Israel Folkdance Festival, Kresge Auditorum at MIT in Cambridge, MA.  It is a lovely Link to the festival site: http://bostonfestival.org/ for tickets and information.  Come cheer on and support the Kesher dancers!
March 23 and 30 – Shabbat Dinners at Kesher.  Dinners will be held Friday, March 23rd at 6:00pm and Friday, March 30th at 5:30pm.  Please sign up through the “wufoo” system that was sent out via email this week.  If you did not receive it, please email either pam@keshernewton.org or becky@keshernewton.org.  Please RSVP by March 18.

Coming next week:  Our Passover units begin!  Though we sadly said goodbye to Mara Pollets, our Kitah Gimel/Nitzanim, we welcome Tal Damti to our staff on Monday!

Check it out:  Our facebook page (“like” us at Kesher Newton) and website (http://keshernewton.org/), complete with pictures from our classes.

Ways to help in the classroom:  Help us keep our school green – please take your child’s class recyclables, as the church does not have a recycling program.  For more classroom volunteer opportunities, please contact pam@keshernewton.org.

         Kesher’s Week in Review

                                                       February 27 – March 8, 2012

Parents coming to pick their kids up this week walked into the gym to a slight change in our shirah routine.   Instead of kids . . . → Read More: Shifting our Circles]]>

         Kesher’s Week in Review

                                                       February 27 – March 8, 2012

Parents coming to pick their kids up this week walked into the gym to a slight change in our shirah routine.   Instead of kids crowded onto the carpet, squished into the corners and leaning against walls, we now had the spacious expanse of the middle of the room.   Though this change came about through necessity, as our shared space was being used to store play scenery, it continued over the course of the week, well after the scenery was gone.  What took its place was a larger circle, where kids had space to sit, teachers could fit among them, and voices could sound throughout the open space.  Instead of parents only being able to sit near children on the “non-wall” sides, parents could now sit alongside their child, wherever their child sat on the circumference of the circle.  It felt more inviting, it felt open and it felt different.

How often do we go through our days, through our familiar routines of getting our kids to school, getting to  work, getting dinner ready, putting the kids to bed, all the while feeling like a finely tuned machine (at least on the good days)?  If we could make some small shifts in our thinking, in our rote routines, how would that feel?  The saying goes, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’  But, just because something isn’t ‘broke,’ that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved upon.  Small changes may teach our children that questioning the status quo can be a good thing, whether the result is success, or merely a lesson learned.   Like shirah, why not think about moving your own personal circle to the center of the room and see what it opens up in your life?

Next week, Mara will spend her final week at Kesher.  She is making a move to Kansas to begin the next chapter in her life.  She is excited for her move and saddened to leave the children, families and staff at Kesher.   She will be incredibly missed.  We are down to our final candidate in our search for her replacement and as soon as we make the decision, I will let the community know.

This week, the Hebrew classes have been finishing up their third units and diving right into their fourth units.

In Kitah Aleph, the kids have successfully learned all of the letters of the aleph-bet!   They are now showcasing their skills by each creating a book that summarizes all of their knowledge.  They are using this book as a way to review letters and the words they learned associated with those letters.   The kids are also starting to learn their colors, starting with the colors of the Israeli flag – cachol and lavan (blue and white).

In Kitah Bet, the kids finished their projects, in which they described their dream rooms.   They then jumped right into their very first experience with verbs!  Becky is  beginning with four verbs – to sit, to read, to drink, and to eat.  They are creating active sentences, incorporating all of the vocabulary they have learned thus far, and using the singular masculine and feminine conjugations of the verbs.

In Kitah Gimel, the students have moved on to the next unit, and have started learning how to tell time in Ivrit.  Mara is utilizing the words from the last unit, centered around the house so that they kids can talk and write about things they are doing at various parts of the day in certain parts of the house.

In Kitah Daled, the kids are learning about verbs.  They are studying the distinction between shoresh (root) and infinitive forms.  They are playing memory and decoding every day.  They have recently loved playing around the world!

In Kitah Hey, the kids are making their own melone (dictionary).  They are drawing pictures of the words or making inventive definitions, for example for chalav (milk):  moo-moo mitz (juice).

In Kitah Vav, the kids are having a lot of fun playing Hebrew Bananagrams!  They are currently finishing up their City Unit.  Liad asked the kids to write a guide to a city, so the kids created their own cities, including Black Hole City, Candy City, and Ball City.  They wrote about where to go and what is interesting to do in their city, as well as directions to get around.  They also illustrated a map, complete with stores, streets, and sites.

In Kitah Zayin, the kids are also playing Hebrew Bananagrams, using our current vocabulary to create as many linked words as possible.  After deciding what vocabulary they really want to know more of, they are becoming experts at clothing and food.  They are applying this knowledge to “Life in the City,” to talk about restaurants, stores and directions.  Ask your kids about the funny story about a fish store that we read together!

Save the dates!!

    Kesher’s upcoming events:

Tomorrow!  Saturday, March 3, 7:00-8:30 – Family Havdalah, featuring Israeli dancing!  Also, we will be collaborating with Birthday Wishes, an organization that provides birthday parties for homeless children.  We will be packing goody bags, and putting together a birthday-in-a-box.  A BIAB is a gift wrapped, all inclusive party for children in need.   We are really looking forward to this collaborative mitzvah project and this tzedakah themed Havdalah celebration.  We will also have an ice cream social to top of the night!

Tuesday, March 6, 5:15-5:45 – Kesher’s first Purim Shpiel!   - Come watch our kids perform their rendition of The Megillah According to Walt Disney.   Laughs guaranteed!

March 15 – March 31: Kesher Newton’s 3rd Annual Online Auction:  Find fabulous discounts for summer camp, theater, baseball, spa, hotels and more and support Kesher Newton.  For more information or to contribute something, contact Rachel Kalikow, rkalikow@mac.com or Asya Shestopal, a.shestopal@verizon.net.

March 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM :  Kesher Roked will participate in Boston’s 36th Annual Israel Folkdance Festival, Kresge Auditorum at MIT in Cambridge, MA.  It is a lovely Link to the festival site: http://bostonfestival.org/ for tickets and information.  Come cheer on and support the Kesher dancers!

March 23 and 30 – Shabbat Dinners at Kesher.  More info to follow soon.

Coming next week:   The great Purim relay on Wednesday and Thursday!

Check it out:  Our facebook page (“like” us at Kesher Newton) and website (http://keshernewton.org/), complete with pictures from our classes.

Community Connections and Mitzvah opportunity:  Our neighbors in the church, the Centre Street Food Pantry, are looking for the following foods to add to their shelves for the following month: meals in a can, meat in a can, jams and jellies, shelf-stable milk (either powdered or Parmalat).  Any of these staples can be brought to Kesher and we will make sure the Pantry, and a family in need, receives your generous donation.

Lost and Found:  If your child is missing a jacket, sweater, water bottle, etc. please check our lost and found in the office.

Ways to help in the classroom:  Help us keep our school green – please take your child’s class recyclables, as the church does not have a recycling program.  For more classroom volunteer opportunities, please contact us!

Shabbat Shalom,
Pam

Kesher Newton is a nationally-recognized alternative to traditional Hebrew School, where children learn Jewish culture and Hebrew language in a spirited, camp-like environment. Kesher’s innovative curriculum challenges students intellectually while fostering Jewish commitment, joy of learning, and active community participation. Kesher Newton is an independent, pluralistic community, that is welcoming to all.

On this . . . → Read More: Welcome to Kesher Newton]]> SHALOM!

Kesher Newton is a nationally-recognized alternative to traditional Hebrew School, where children learn Jewish culture and Hebrew language in a spirited, camp-like environment. Kesher’s innovative curriculum challenges students intellectually while fostering Jewish commitment, joy of learning, and active community participation. Kesher Newton is an independent, pluralistic community, that is welcoming to all.

On this website you’ll find information for current Kesher Newton families, prospective families, and members of our extended community. Please contact us with any comments, questions, or suggestions on our web site.

Kesher Newton is on twitter. Follow @keshernewton to see our latest tweets.

You can also find Kesher Newton on Facebook. Become a fan by visiting our page.

Kesher is licensed by the state of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Kesher in Cambridge

Visit the website of the original Kesher in Cambridge – at www.kesherweb.org, or contact kesher@kesherweb.org.