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Introduction
My name is Rabbi Yehuda Rapoport. My family and I moved to Seattle five years ago and this will be my sixth year teaching at Seattle Hebrew Academy. I am so excited to start the year. We have so much to learn.

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N e w s l e t t er 8. 3 1 . 1 2 V o l u m e 1, I s s u e 1

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Seattle Hebrew Academy, 1617 Interlaken Drive East, Seattle, 98112 Rabbi Yehuda Rapoport // shagimel.wordpress.org // YRapoport@sha613.org // 206.323.5750

Establishing Routines
In the beginning of the year we will introduce a lot of classroom routines and expectations. For example, when students arrive in class they will know to: 1. Use the bathroom and get a drink before class starts. (We want to minimize bathroom trips in the middle of class.) 2. Put any H.W. that might be due on my desk. 3. Get their materials (workbooks, pencils, etc.) from their cubbies and have a seat. 4. If it is still early, do work in machberet. When class starts we: 1. Take attendance. 2. Say the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Say HaTikvah. 4. Say Birkat HaTorah (the Blessing on learning Torah) 5. Sing Moshe Kibeil Torah MiSinai, the first Mishna in Pirkei Avot. 6. Sing the names of all the Parshiyot of the Torah

Learning Goals
Reading and Comprehension Students develop their Hebrew comprehension, literacy and reading fluency. Writing Students keep a daily journal to practice writing with meaning in Hebrew. Their writing skills are developed in each content area. Speaking and Listening Students are immersed in a Hebrew language environment. They are constantly hearing Hebrew in the classroomas the year progresses students are encouraged to speak more and more.

Content Areas
Chumash Students study Lech Lecha, VaYera and Chayei Sarah. They learn to read and comprehend the text and make meaningful connections to their lives. The TalAm curriculum uses music, art, reading and writing to immerse the students in the world of the Chumash. Shana Yehudit (ShY) This is the second major half of the TalAm/Judaics curriculum. While students learn about the Chagim (Holidays) and other topics relevant to Jewish and Israeli life and culture they are also learning Hebrew. The learning of Hebrew reinforces the learning of Jewish practice and culture and vice-versa. Parashat HaShavua Each week we study the Parashat HaShavua.

Homework
Each week, on Friday, a homework packet will go home with a Shabbat Newsletter. The Shabbat Newsletter will tell you about what kita gimel did that week. It will also have questions to be asked at the Shabbat table about the Parashat HaShavua and other topics learned that week. The homework packet will contain work for each night of the week, Monday through Thursdaythis homework should not take more than 15 minutes a night.

Communication
I would love to talk with you. If you want to schedule a time to talk go to the link I will send you by email and write yourself into one of the slots. If none of those times work for you let me know I we will figure something out.

Parent Signature______________________

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Expectations Grading
Classroom expectations are consistent with Project SHAlom. A Torah atmosphere must be one of respectrespect for oneself, ones friends and ones parents and teachers. Students are expected to be ready to learn and be helpful. They are responsible for doing all of their assignments and handing work in on time. We apply the lessons we learn in all of our Torah subjects to how we should act in and out of school. We regularly review and discuss these expectations.

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Seattle Hebrew Academy, 1617 Interlaken Drive East, Seattle, 98112 Rabbi Yehuda Rapoport // shagimel.wordpress.org // YRapoport@sha613.org // 206.323.5750

Students will be given rubrics to help them define their different responsibilities (e.g. journaling, TalAm workbooks, speaking, etc.). Work will be evaluated based on those rubrics and the goal is for students to be able to self-assess their progress. Students are not expected to become fluent in Hebrew or be able to understand every pasuk perfectly. However, each student is expected to try their best and make progress.

For the Shabbat Table

Here are some questions to ask your child(ren) on Shabbat:
1. Can you say/sing the 12 Chodashim (months)? 2. What three things was Avra(ha)m told to leave? 4. What do you think is harder: leaving your country, your family or your home? 5. What are three ways we get ready () for Rosh Hashana? 6. What is this weeks Parasha? 7. Can you name 3 mitzvot from this weeks Parasha?