Kitah Zayin

Dear Kitah Zayin families,

In Morah Betsy's class we reviewed the waves of immigration and the 'push and pull factors' that contributed to the large numbers of Eastern European Jews immigrating to the United States. We traced the immigrant journey to America, including the entry process once an immigration station was reached. We used maps, antique photos of Ellis Island filled with immigrants, primary source poems about the trip in steerage and government reports. Some of the students reviewed the inspection questions that were used at Ellis Island in the late 19th century. Most said they could not answer all the questions and were surprised that new immigrants passed!

Rabbi Pein taught Morah Shapiro's class while she was at a Reform Jewish Educator's conference.

In the second part of Kitah Zayin, we studied the Aleinu prayer - it's history, meaning and that it contains one of the origins of the phrase "tikkun olam," repairing the world. We also compared traditional and Reform versions of the prayer. Then, our 6th, 7th and 10th grade classes convened for an end of school Tefilah during which we concentrated on concluding prayers, including the Aleinu. Our Confirmands (10th graders) presented their philanthropy project which is to raise money for Teen Mental Health through an upcoming 5K race in Croton, an example of actively working towards the ideal of tikkun olam as reflected in our prayers.

MITZVAH OPPORTUNITIES: Most students said they are comfortable with their progress/planning for their 18 hour mitzvah project. Projects will be presented at the end of April. Midnight Run is still looking for volunteers 2/2/19 and 3/9/19. Please RSVP to Peter Goldich at midnightrun@tinw.org or pgoldich@atco555.com. There is also room on the bus 2/19/19 to the HUC Soup Kitchen. Please reply to me for more information about how your 7th grader can make this a complete project! Share-A-Shabbat is looking for participants to visit a local group home for Shabbat once a month along with a temple leader. Let Betsy know if you are interested and I will fill you in with details.

l'shalom,

Morah Betsy and Rabbi Pein