Kitah Zayin

Dear Kitah Zayin families,

Rabbi Pein's class: Shalom! This week, we discussed Jewish peoplehood through photography.

We discussed the six pillars of Jewish peoplehood ( Six Pillars of Jewish Peoplehood) and how we demonstrate them through our own lives. We then analyzed different photos and how they represent the different six pillars.(Six Pillars of Jewish Peoplehood).

We watched/will watch this compelling video and will discuss how we see ourselves as playing a part in the Jewish story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8_8z2quiBs)

Next week, we will work on our Final Assignment which is to create a photograph that reflects a personal connection to the Jewish People. We will write a ‘Photographer’s Note’ – a short text of up to 50 words that includes meaningful insights into the photograph and its’ Jewish connection. We hope to enter some of our photos in the Beit Hatefusot (Israel Diaspora Museum’s) Jewish Lens contest for 2019-2020.

I hope to see your child next week so that we may complete this unit together! It has been a lot of fun and I have enjoyed spending time with Kitah Zayin, studying photography, and analyzing photos as a means of expressing Jewish identity.

Morah Betsy's class: We watched a short video called "The In Group." In the video, Eve Shalen reflects on an experience she had in 8th grade when the need to belong affected the way she treated one of her classmates. Eve summarized by noting, "Often being accepted by others is far more satisfying than being accepted by oneself." Eve also said, "It was as if the outcasts had been created by the group out of a need for them." We saw how the pressure of inclusion, exclusion and peer pressure affect our daily decisions. When asked if anyone saw parallels to the events surrounding the Holocaust, many hands quickly shot up and a lively conversation ensued.

**Dates to add to your calendar:

Wednesday 3/27/19 Zayin class trip to HHRECNY exhibit in White Plains during class hours

Wednesday 4/24/19 Zayin Mitzvah presentations

Friday 4/3/19 Zayin family potluck and class participation in service

L’shalom,

Rabbi Wendy Pein

and Morah Betsy