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Today we closed out 6th grade Machane this year reflecting on what we learned and what we are taking with us.

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No S’more 6th grade for this crew! Celebrating the end of the year and learning what 7th grade is all about with S’mores!

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I can't believe our time together is nearly at an end. I've truly enjoyed working with your children this year. We closed out Hebrew studies by making home made alef bet bingo cards and playing rounds of bingo for prizes. In Judaic Studies, we heard about each other's Hebrew names and origin stories for those who wanted to share.

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Today we continued working on our Hebrew. Students have been working hard all year, and have been doing a great job and making good progress! In Jewish Studies, students had a chance to learn about names and Jewish tradition. Students shared their Hebrew names and what they learned about the people they were named after. It was a terrific discussion!

Next week will be the last session for this school year, and it will include early dismissal. I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by!

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Our last time leading the morning blessings at Temple Beth Ami!

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Third graders having a fun time making matzah lasagna!

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Exploring the different ways to play Gaga, an Israeli game of competition!

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Today we discussed the meaning and significance behind our names.

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Today we had another great class of Hebrew and Jewish Studies. Students continued to make good progress on their Hebrew, moving forward with their Hebrew levels. In Jewish Studies, we read a graphic short story about the Israelites receiving the 10 Commandments. We also learned about the holiday of Shavuot and the counting of the Omer. Next week we will be doing a lesson on names. We are asking students to come in with their Hebrew names and who they are named for, as well as any information or story about that person. Hebrew names can be written in English transliteration or Hebrew.

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We are nearing the end of our third grade journey but our Hebrew studies weren't showing signs of stopping. We saw numerous students complete levels in the curriculum and they keep moving forward. I hope they practice over the summer so they don't lose their skills! In Jewish studies, we read a play about the Israelites receiving the ten commandments... and what goes wrong when Moses doesn't quickly return from his trip up Mt. Sanai. The photo is from our play.

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Our 6th graders were such incredible leaders during t’filliah today both leading our morning blessings and some Israeli Dancing. Afterwards, we got to finish up our art projects!

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What an amazing day we had! Our first season was able to meet with their second grade buddies and work on Lego projects. Our second session students we had an intense Gaga tournament.

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Happy May!

Today we learned about Shavuot. We discussed how Moses must have felt breaking the Ten Commandments in frustration.

Also, we spoke about our Hebrew names and who we’re named after. Please make sure to tell your kids their Hebrew names or send it in on paper.

We are going to do an activity with our Hebrew names.

Thank you!

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Today we learned about the significance of the Counting of the Omer, Lag BaOmer, and Shavuot.

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Creating our bookmarks for donation at art!

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We are so incredibly proud of our incredible 4th graders for their incredible leadership during our Friday night service May 2nd. After dancing it out to Ziben Ziben during t’filliah, we FINALLY got to do some cooking!

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Our 3rd graders showed such ruach in t’filliah dancing their hearts out to Ziben Ziben! Afterwards they dove into discussing the Jewish value of manhigut (leadership). Asked them what they learned during our discussions!

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Today we acted out the 10 commandments. Some groups showed what not to do and what we should do. We all agreed that we’re not perfect but G-d doesn’t want perfection.. rather humans trying their best!

Hope to see many of you on Friday night for our 4th grade Shabbat!

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Today we had a lively discussion about the Ten Commandments.

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Today was another great day with students working hard! They continued to make good progress with Hebrew. In Jewish Studies we learned about the Ten Commandments. Students learned about their meaning, and why they are still relevant to our lives today.

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6th grade had such a relaxing day creating beautiful artwork!! Take a look!

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Our 5th graders showed incredible leadership during t’filliah!! Afterwards they went to cooking where they made delicious matzah lasagna!!

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Our fourth graders spent the day prepping for their 4th grade service this Friday!

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Another busy day in Classroom 14 studying our Hebrew and during Jewish studies, finding ways to show (through acting and art) that the 10 Commandments are still relevant today. The photo here is of a group of students putting on a short play about one of the ten commandments.

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Adding to the collage of Dede Bandaid work at Beth Ami!

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Creating our versions of the art from famous Israeli artist, Dede Bandaid!

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After our morning T’filliah, our 3rd graders hit the Gaga pit for a grade tournament!

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Today we discussed Yom Haatzmaut in class and watched different videos about Israel.

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Today students continued to make progress in their Hebrew learning. Everyone is working hard as they move forward. In Jewish Studies, students learned about the diversity of Israel and its importance to the Jewish people. We saw a video about the different cultures, religions, ethnic groups that makeup Israel, and how they all interact to make Israel whole. We then moved into a lively discussion about Israel and its significance.

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When you play Golden Boy to celebrate Israel’s birthday, you know our 6th graders are gonna get on that Bimah to show off their skills! Afterwards, we traveled to 4 different cities in Israel and learned some interesting facts about them!

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5th graders came with a lot of ruach today to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut! After some Israeli dancing, the student a travelled to 4 different cities in Israel to learn more about the history there!

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In honor of Israel’s birthday, our 4th graders travelled to 4 different Israeli cities to learn a bit more about them. Ask them which one was their favorite!

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We had such a fantastic day celebrating Yom Haatzmaut!!! After some Golden Boy dancing at t’filiah, our 3rd graders went visiting 4 Israeli citie: Tel Aviv, Negev, Jerusalem, and Gailiee.

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Today, many of your students demonstrated significant learning in our Hebrew curriculum. So many students are proudly reading beyond simple letter sounds at this point in the year. We have students in every level from red to blue, each of them making such wonderful efforts to progress. I'm extremely proud of each of them.

We also did Judaic Studies, learning about the different people's, languages, cultures, and countries of origin who now make up the citizenry of Israel. Your students made thoughtful observations of new things they'd learned about Israel today. Ask them to share some of what they learned!

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Exploring cities in Israel

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Visiting the cities of Israel, we built the tallest tower to celebrate the inventions of Tel Aviv!

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We had a terrific class as we returned from break! We got back in our rhythm studying Hebrew. In Jewish Studies we read a book called “The Whispering Town”. It told the true story of how the Danish people rescued Danish Jews during World War II. Then students decorated a stone that they could use to remember someone or something they cared about.

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We had a great day back at Machane after our spring break. I hope everyone had a wonderful and enjoyable Pesach! After our Hebrew skills work, we read a book called the Whispering Town. It is a wonderful and age appropriate book about the Holocaust. I encourage you to ask your children about the rock they decorated in case and how it relates to the book we read.

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Welcome back!

Today we read the story, “The Butterfly" by Patricia Polacco: This is a children’s picture book about a young French girl, Monique, who discovers that her family is hiding a Jewish girl named Sevrine in their basement during the Nazi occupation. It is based on the real experiences of Polacco’s aunt, highlighting friendship, courage, and the French Underground.

We discussed what we already knew and answered questions (in an age-appropriate way). We discussed that as Jews we need to know our history to ensure it never happens again. Lots of parallels current events.

We finished our time with completing chapters 1 & 2 in our new Hebrew texts.

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Our 6th graders worked so hard over the year to prepare for their service that was last night. And boy did they blow us away!!!! We were too pumped to have them back in T’filiah with us, we decided to celebrate with a mock wedding!!

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Our leaders in 5th grade truly made us so proud at our 5/6th grade service last night! To celebrate, today we enjoyed participating in a mock Jewish wedding to learn more about our traditions.

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We truly missed seeing our brilliant 4th graders these past 2 weeks. We had so much fun with them learning about Jewish weddings and actually got to participate in our mock wedding! Ask your kiddos what their favorite part was (besides cake)!

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We had an amazing time welcoming back our 3rd graders from Pesach break! How did we celebrate you may wonder? By throwing a wedding of course! Ask your kiddos what it was like to observe a wedding filled with our Jewish traditions!

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Excellent service led by the sixth graders on Saturday. Today we watched a video ("Daniel's Story") from the Holocaust Museum depicting a family's experience during the Holocaust and discussed the importance of remembering what happened.

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Apologies to parents in Ms. Gail's third grade class. I've been accidentally posting to the wrong sub-padlet all year! Here is last week's padlet post from class on 3/15/2026.

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Apologies to parents in Ms. Gail's third grade class. I've been accidentally posting to the wrong sub-padlet all year! Here is last week's padlet post from class on 3/15/2026.

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A colorful day in Machane, third grade (classroom 14)...

https://padlet.com/akaton1/a-day-at-machane-tba-2025-2026-ikkwghiy14ogb4kd/wish/PR3NWxoD1w61Zb0O

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We had an extra small second session upstairs in classroom 14 and I missed all my students who didn't make it today. After working on our Hebrew, we spent time discussing the Four Questions of Passover, their meaning and the meaning of other symbols of the holiday. Then we practiced the four questions. Finally, I asked the kids what would they ask if they could create their own additions to the four questions of the Haggadah. Pictured in the photo are a few examples of what they they came up with. Chag Pesach Sameach!

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We had a special guest visiting class this morning. He doesn’t look Happy! I don’t think he liked the way the Passover story turned out!

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Today we had so much fun creating decopodge Seder plates!

The students had fun coloring each Passover plate item and decorating with tissue paper.

If yours child’s need some more time to dry, it should be good by tomorrow.

We also practiced reading the 4 questions!

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Our t’filliah has not been the same with our 6th graders practicing for their service! We can’t wait to have them back when we return from Passover break!

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Today students continued making good progress in Hebrew. As part of our Hebrew bloc, we reviewed the four questions. Students learned what the questions meant; then we practiced reading and chanting them. From there we went through the Haggadah. Students learned about the order of the blessings and Seder activities and customs included in the Seder. We also reviewed the story of the Israelites rescue from slavery. We wrapped up with a fun Jewish folk tale about Herschel. I hope all of you and your families have a wonderful Passover, and that the students all enjoy their break! We look forward to resuming after the break! Hag Pesach Sameach!!

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Our incredible 5th graders took lead during our morning blessings again, and did an incredible job! Then, in art they created beautiful bookmarks for themselves and for donation!

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Our 4th graders got competitive today in a Gaga tournament!! Ask them what Gaga means in Hebrew and where it was invented!

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Our 3rd graders worked hard today on their siddurim covers!! Ask them to show what they made and how to spell their name in Hebrew!

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Today we made final preparations for the service on April 11. Bring your parsha projects completed to it and continue to recite the prayers on your own before April 11.

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Art! 5th grade made bookmarks…to keep and also to donate.

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5th grade helped lead the morning blessings at t’filah and then headed to art where they worked on a collage.

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Today we continued making great progress in Hebrew. The students are all working hard and moving forward nicely. In Judaic Studies, we learned about Joseph. We saw a video clip of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. We then discussed how Joseph ended up in Egypt and went from being a slave to being second only to Pharaoh in the whole kingdom. Students then drew a picture of how they would make their own coat if they had one like Joseph.

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We're still working on Hebrew (and flying ahead). Today's Judaics lesson was about Joseph and the family drama that unfolded as Jacob/Israel chose a favorite son.

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Today we talked about the story of Joseph, reviewed this week's parsha, and continued to prepare for the 6th grade service in April.

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6th graders today prepared for leading their 6th grade service. Before hand, they discussed the importance of guarding our speech.

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With the 6th graders in their pull out service, our 5 th graders took lead over our morning blessings. Afterwards we got to art!

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The fabulous 4th graders worked hard on presents for children at the NIH Children’s Inn. We discussed a lot about tikkun olam and how we play a part in it.

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After leading the Mi Sheberach during t’filliah, our 3 rd graders participated in tikkun olam by creating gifts for kids at the NIH Children’s Inn.

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Yesterday we learned about Jacob and his dream. We envisioned what he saw and felt during his time in the wilderness alone.

We began new Hebrew workbooks. We are transitioning to learning prayers and began with Modeh Ani.

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We had a fantastic overnight retreat at Camp Letts, celebrating Shabbat and camp activities together in the sunshine! Scroll down for more photos!

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Improv games with a special TBA community guest to emphasize the importance of our words, how they are interpreted, how they makes us feel, etc.

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Students continued working in Hebrew. They continue to make good progress in reading and blending letters and vowels. In Judaic Studies, we began learning about Passover. We saw a brief video on Egyptian hieroglyphics and began learning the story of Passover and why we celebrate this important holiday. It’s hard to believe Passover is almost here. It seems like we just started the school year. It always goes by so fast!

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Today at Machane we had a great day of progress in Hebrew. So many students passed new stripes or graduated to new belt colors altogether. If you want to know how things are going, ask your student to try some of the Hebrew "homework" (sent to you via email by Becky Frank). The "homework" is an app that the students play in our Hebrew resource room and the kids love it. If your student is still in the white workbook, I strongly recommend that you try playing these games at home with your student. And if they have learning challenges, I also recommend that you take advantage of the free tutoring we offer in between Sundays.

Our Judaics lesson was about the exodus from Egypt. Students listened to a short story telling of the difficulties of slavery in Egypt and God's intervention via Moses, who led them to freedom. Then, the students watched a video explaining how the ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics to "write" rather than using letters like we do today. The students then told a portion of the slavery-to-freedom story of Passover with their own original hieroglyphs. (See picture). Have a great week!

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Today we planned for our Parsha Projects (due a few days before 6th grade service to be displayed on April 11) and continued to prepare for leading the service.

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Our 6th graders spent the first part of our time together creating presents for children at the Children’s Inn. Afterwards 6th graders practice with our cantor for our 6th grade led service