Only one more day =(

Wow, it has flown by.  I really can't believe that I only get to teach these wonderful students just one last day. We have studied pieces of Tanakh, Mishah, and Talmud. They have read about the "Jewish" life cycle, mitzvot that the father is obligated to do for his son, the importance of creating a strong name for yourself, and they read Rav Kook and learned about following your own path in life to serve G-d.

It really has been a whirlwind and I have been so lucky to work with a wonderful mentor here at Saligman.  She has been supportive every step of the way.  I will really miss the kids and the staff here. It's such a warm school!

Pictures to come soon! 

Wonderful things in a Jewish Day School Classroom!

Happy Purim from Pennsylvania

Me with my youngest "sister" =) 

Student teaching update.

I haven't started teaching yet, but I have been at the school for two days. It's a very small school, just one hallway.  But everyone is so nice and welcoming. The teacher I am working with is really wonderful and we've already started looking at my source sheets and my lesson plans.  Everyday they have presentations called "Stand and Deliver" where they are doing presentations about innovative technology and how it has effected the present day.  Some are very impressive.  Today I shadowed a student and followed her schedule.  It was interesting to see the other classes in the school that aren't Jewish studies classes. There isn't any Hebrew in the school except for Jewish texts and the Hebrew classes themselves.  It's a choice of the school to set up curriculum in this manner.

I can't wait to start teaching next Monday!! 

Article about Beth Sholom

I read about the synagogue when I was in Israel, which is how I knew I wanted to visit.

This is the article. http://www.jewishreviewofbooks.com/publications/detail/a-tale-of-two-synagogues

Beit Sholom Synagogue - Frank Lloyd Wright

The famous Beit Sholom Synagogue built by Frank Lloyd is a minutes drive from where I am staying outside Philadelphia! I went for a tour this morning. Next time you're in Philly you have to visit! It's magnificent! 

Valley Forge and arriving in Philadelphia

My dad and I left Friday morning to drive to Philadelphia. It was a wonderful trip since I normally live in Israel and we only see each other once a year! It was really a treat to spend some time with him! We stopped in Hershey, PA for the night and then went to Valley Forge in the morning. My dad and I are big history nerds! 

My dad with a statue of General Wayne. 

Memorial Arch at Valley Forge

After Valley Forge, I drove my dad to the airport and headed over to the home where I will be staying for the next few weeks. The family I am staying with is amazing! They have three wonderful children and have provided me with a lovely and warm living space. I am so grateful for their openness and hospitality! 

My temporary home! 

Tomorrow is the first day of school!! EEK!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Schechter School Visit!

Tuesday night I drove up to Oak Brook to have dinner with Katie, Jack, and Gail at Cheese Cake Factory. I also saw Katie and Rick's new home, which is gorgeous! Then I continued to Buffalo Grove to sleep at my cousins house to be close to the Schechter Jewish Day School that I observed yesterday. 

My aunt is friends with one of the teachers there and they put me in contact with her. The teacher was so nice and organized an amazing schedule for me! I had the opportunity to see tefilla, Hebrew class, two rabbinics, two bible classes, and a social studies class.  Every teacher I met was so welcoming and excited to have an observer in their classroom! And all the teachers were excited that I am going to teach in Philadelphia!  

Very frontal based seating arrangements. Very good to help these students stay focused.

Social studies classroom. I like the map of China! 

Where community tefilla takes place! 

Some beautiful artwork in the hallway. 

Circle seating. Great for class discussion, but chavruta learning was more challenging because they weren't facing each other. The class was discussing Hannah and her behavior.

Rabbinics! They are studying Lost Objects!!!! I knew everything!! =) Way to go Pardes! I liked this seating arrangement a lot. They are already ready for their chavruta time! 

This was my first time being in a Jewish Day School, and it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! I can't even begin to write all of the things I learned. I am so excited to get to Philadelphia and get started!! Thanks to all the faculty that made my day so successful!