Joan DeSantis Homes
Joan DeSantis Homes
11700 Plaza America Drive
Reston, VA 20190
ph: 703-447-0062
JoanDeSa
Kitah Dalet
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Welcome
4th Grade Hebrew
Please visit often to discover resources for Hebrew practice and optional enrichment activities for your whole family.
My name is Mo'rah Yo'chev'ed
but everyone calls me
"Mo Yo"
Contact me by email:
or text: 703-447-0062
NEW ASSIGNMENTS ************************************
Practice:
The Four Questions - Mah NishtanahKiddush for Friday night
Bonus video!!!!
Mo Yo's Nature walk along the Potomac River
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Nisan - March/April
Why do we dip a green vegetable into salt water (or vinegar) at the beginning of our Seder?
(Ask this question at your seder and see if anyone can guess the answer!) Hint: How did the Israelites get to Egypt in the first place? Which one of our forefathers had something of his "dipped"?
Keep practicing your line for our class service on May 17th:
Yigdal (video)
We also learned a new tune to "L'cha Dodi" from earlier in the year. We may be learning this for our class service, so check it out now:L'Cha Dodi
Keep up the pracitice:
Review all Hebrew consonant and vowel sounds for upcoming games and drills!
Helpful Hints >> Hebrew Vowels (Video)
Hebrew Letter Pronunciation Guide (Video)
Hebrew Pronunciation Part 1 (Video)
Hebrew Pronunciation Part 2 (Video)
Hebrew Pronunciation Part 3 (Video)
Adon Olam (Video)
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Adar - February / March
Purim
Persian Marriage Contract "Ketuba"
In Megillat Esther, our heroine became the bride of King Achashveros and saved the Jewish people. It is traditional for Jewish children (and grownups) to dress up in costumes and have parties and carnivals at this time of year.
Question: Why is Purim such a special day to the Jewish people?
Answer: Because we could translate Yom Kippurim (Day of Atonement) as a "day like Purim" (Yom=day; K' = like or as)
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Sh'vat - January / February
Tu B'Shevat "New Year of Trees"
In Israel, the weather is more spring-like. Families go on outings to plant trees, one for each child.
The Torah teaches us the importance of planting trees for future generations. Trees give us shade, fruit, paper, and a habitat for wildlife. The Torah itself is called "A Tree of Life." How appropriate that the Torah honors trees with their very own holiday!
OLD ASSIGNMENTS **************************************
(First Day assignment)
Hebrew Birthday Activity
Click here to find your Hebrew birthday
Print out a birthday certificate and bring it to class to hang on the wall!
(September 12th) Read the "R" sound and the "D" sound
We reviewed these sounds in class today.
(September 19th) Read the Hebrew sounds in Shabbat
Practice using the "Shabbat" home practice sheet.
(September 23rd) Practice reading the short "e" vowel sound as
in "emet"
(September 30th) Practice reading the "i" vowel sound as in "mitzvah"
(This vowel often sounds like "ee" as in "feet")
(October) Practice the Shema and V'Ahavtah prayers (see YouTube below)
(November) Practice the Mi Chamocha prayer (see YouTube below)
Practice the V'Shamru prayer (song sheet is coming home)
(December) Learn the Blessings over the Candles for Hanukah - Enjoy!
(January) Practice vowels and learn the words to Adon Olam
(February)
We learned more about the hymn, Yigdal. Each of us practiced our own line.
We learned some new Hebrew words this week while assembling our Hebrew dictionaries beginning with gluing the letter "Alef" and a cutout of the hymn "Adon Olam" on page one.
Students practiced writing their Hebrew names on the front of their "machberot."
"Eeparon" = pencil
"Devek-stik" = glue-stick
"Toosh" = marker
"Machberet" = notebook
"LaKachat" = to take
"LaSim" = to put; to place
"Shem" = name
(March)
We began learning about the Kiddush from the root "K-D-Sh" - which means Holy. When we recite the Kiddush, we are making the Shabbat day holy by making it special. We set a beautiful table, eat extra special foods, recite prayers, sing Shabbat songs, and spend time with our friends and family. We honor this day givien to us by G-d by trying our best to make this special day truly wonderful for our whole family.
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Tefillah - Online Prayer Practice:
Once we begin our study of Hebrew prayer, I will ask students to practice at home using our textbook site. Now is a good time to become familiar with the site.
Go to: Behrman House
Click on: Families
Click on: Click n' Learn Prayer at Home
Click on the Hebrew words to practice reading along.
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Here are some prayers we'll be learning this year:
(click on any of the above prayers to practice at BehrmanHouse.com - free registration required)
Tefillin contain the Shema and V'ahavta prayer: One box is placed on the forehead; the other box is placed on the arm; the straps are wound around in a specific pattern to hold the boxes in place; tefillin are worn while praying on weekdays, but not on Shabbat or Holidays.
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NEW
"Mo Yo" on YouTube
Now learn your Hebrew prayers by video!
V'shamru
The Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah?)
Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals)
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Lesson Schedule
Sept 9 - May 19 Hebrew Through Movement (Modern Hebrew)
September 9-30 Hebrew Decoding Review
Helpful Hints >> Hebrew 101 Aleph Bet for Grownups
Hebrew Letter Pronunciation Guide (Video)
September 23-30 Hebrew Prayer: Barechu (video)
October 3 Hebrew Diagnostic Assessment
Oct 10-Nov 28 "Yesh Lanu Llama" (Modern Hebrew Reading)
Helpful Hint >>> Scroll Down for some transliteration
Oct 10-Nov 7 Hebrew Prayer: Shema Yisrael /V'Ahavta (video)
October 28 Mitzvah Mania (Field Trip)
November 11-14 Hebrew Prayer: Mi Chamocha (video)
November 18-28 Hebrew Prayer: V'Shamru
Dec 2-Jan 10 Hebrew Drills/Games (Hebrew for cHanukah)
December 16 Class Hanukkah Party (games, food, fun)
Dec 9-Jan 6 Hebrew Prayer: L'Cha Dodi (video)
January 9-30 Hebrew Prayer: Adon Olam (video)
February 3-27 Hebrew Prayer: Yigdal (video)
March 3-10 Kiddush for Shabbat Evening (Friday Night)
March 13-20 Four Questions (Passover)
April 3-14 Kiddush for Shabbat Evening (continued)
April 17-May 5 Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals)
May 5-May 12 Service Practice
May 17 Class Service (Friday Evening 7:00 pm)
May 19 Final Hebrew Review
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Througout this site you will find enrichment activities that you may explore throughout the year.
Page down to explore the Jewish Calendar for seasonal activities.
More activities will be added as the year goes on.
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(Optional Enrichment Activity)
Learn the Hebrew Days of the Week
Today is ________. Ha'yom Yom ____________.
Kitah Dalet meets on Yom Ree'shone (Sunday) and Yom Re'Vee'ee (Wednesday).
We go to Shabbat services on the evening of Yom_____ and the morning of Yom _____.
I go to school on Yom_____, Yom ______, Yom _____, Yom _____, and Yom _____.
I practice my sport or musical instrument on Yom ____, Yom _____, and Yom _____.
Sing:
Yom Rishon, Avodah, Yom Shaini, Avodah, Yom Shlishi, Avodah, A-vo-dah.
Yom R'vi'i, Avodah, Yom Hamishi, Avodah, Yom Shi'shi, Avodah, A-vo-dah.
Yom Shabbat, Yom reenah, Yom Shabbat, Yom simcha, Yom Shabbat, m'nucha, M'nucha.
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Click here for:
Shabbat Shalom, Kitah Dalet!
Family Service 6:30 (1st Friday of the Month)
Friday night service 7:00 pm (every Friday)
Saturday Shabbat service 9:30-12:00
Hope to see you there!
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Lead your own Havdalah service at home!
(Optional Family Enrichment Activity)
Introduce the tradition of reciting "Havdalah" with your family as Shabbat departs each Saturday night. Click here for How To Havdalah instructions.
(Courtesy of Chabad)
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(Supplement to class activity)
Read Modern Hebrew with Shiri the llama
Yesh Lanu Lama ("We Have a Llama")
Meet Shiri, the big, pretty llama who has come to help the teacher and the students in the classroom.
One of the students, Dani, was afraid of Shiri, because she was big and hummed: "mmm, mmm,mmm."
Dani hid under his desk until the teacher came over to him and explained that Shiri was a good llama who came to help the teacher and the students. Now Dani and Shiri the llama are Chaverim (friends).
The students will learn to read and understand many simple Hebrew words and phrases in class. See how many Hebrew words you can teach your parents!
(Here is the transliteration for parents at home. Books will be sent home for family reading when we start the unit. )
(Optional Family Enrichment Activity)
Lama: llama
Shiri : Shiri (name of the llama)
Dani: Danny (a boy in the story)
Kitah: class (Kitah Dalet = 4th Grade)
Ani (I or I am)
Gadol/G'dolah: Big (male / female)
Katan/K'tanah: Little (male / female)
Ya'feh/Ya'fah: Pretty/Nice (male / female)
Ha...: The ... (HaMorah = The teacher)
B'...:In... (B'Kitah = in a classroom)
Ba...: In the... (BaKitah = in the classroom)
Morah: Teacher (female)
Talmidim: Students (male/male & female)
Ro'eh/Ro'ah: He sees /She sees
Po'chaid/Po'ched'et: He is afraid / She is afraid
Ba/Ba'ah: He comes /She comes
Shulchan: Table (Desk)
Tachat: Under
El: to
Yeled/Yaldah: Boy/Girl
Omair/Omeret: He says /She says
Now see how many Hebrew words your parents know. Try putting the words together in simple phrases such as:
Ani yelled (I am a boy)
Ani Talmida (I am a girl student)
Shiri G'dola (Shiri is big)
Ha-yaldah yafah (The girl is pretty)
Dani pochaid (Dani is afraid)
Dani tachat ha-shulchan (Dani is under the table)
Ha-morah ro'ah (The teacher sees)
Kitah dalet k'tana (4th Gradeis small)
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Parents:
Go to the Behrman House* website and register under the
"Family" section (It's free!)
(This company publishes our textbooks and also offers educational products. No purchase is required.)
Explore the site for reading practice and fun games.
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A word about snacks...
I understand life in the fast food lane...
However, our snack on Wednesday must follow the laws of Kashrut.
Also, because of many students' food allergies:
NO peanuts, NO peanut butter, NO tree nuts.
Some ideas (Go Naturally Colorful):
1. Pear, grapes, apple, clementine, or banana
2. Carrots, celery, or raw veggies
3. Any snack-size food with a Kosher symbol (Heksher) on the label.
Students may eat a snack during the first 5 minutes of class on Wednesdays, then put it away and wash their hands. Pretzels will be provided in the classroom for students who don't bring a snack from home. (Parents, pretzel donations are welcome throughout the year!)
Periodically, we will have small snacks as part of our study of Jewish traditions. All packaged food must contain a Kosher Heksher. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked treats must be prepared at the synagogue.
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(Hebrew Practice Activity)
***************************** Highly Recommended **************
Practice Hebrew three times per week:
Students:
Be sure to practice at least 30 minutes per week:
3 days x 10 minutes = 30 minutes
Duck family in Broadlands, VA
Parents:
Students who are practicing regularly begin to discover that reading Hebrew is easier than they first thought. They will be less frustrated when we begin learning new prayers.
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Students:
Practice reading Hebrew online at: Behrman House*
Click on: Families
Click on: Learn Hebrew
Select any word on the list to get started.
Click on the Hebrew words to practice reading along.
Parents:
Go to the Behrman House* website and register under the
"Family" section (It's free!)
(This company publishes our textbooks and also offers educational products. No purchase is required.)
Explore the site for reading practice and fun games.
Congregation Sha'are Shalom
Join your family and friends at Shabbat services
On Friday nights you will hear the prayers we are learning in class.
7:00 pm Kabalat Shabbat (Every Friday) New Time!
Special Shabbat Themes:
6:30 pm Family Service (1st Friday each month)
7:00 pm Parasha Players Shabbat (2nd Friday)
7:00 pm Birthday Shabbat (3rd Friday)
7:00 pm Musical Shabbat (last Friday)
7:00 pm Musical Shabbat (last Friday)
9:30 am Shabbat morning services (every Saturday)
Check the bulletin for Jr. Congregation and Mini Minyan dates!
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The Jewish Calendar
(scroll down for Jewish holiday activities)
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(Click here to Learn the Hebrew Months)
*************************************************************************************************************************************September:
Elul / Tishrei - September
Shana Tovah!
Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur
"Good & Sweet" Joan DeSantis 2011
Watch the music video "Dip Your Apple" by the Fountainheads
In between the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) & the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) are 10 Days known as the "Days of Awe." At services we will read the Torah story of the Binding of Isaac in which Abraham is commanded by G-d to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. At the last moment, G-d sends an angel to stop Abraham. He provides a ram caught by his horns in the thicket as a substitute for the boy. We learn of G-d's promise to never ask for a human sacrifice again.
This is a good time to say "I'm sorry" to everyone we may have hurt - even if it wasn't on purpose. The Hebrew word for saying "I'm sorry" is "Teshuvah."
We enjoy apples, honey, and challah for a sweet New Year!
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Tishri - October
Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Simchat Torah
Chag Sa'me'ach!
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(FamilyEnrichment Activity)
Home Rituals: Candle Lighting for Shabbat and/or Festivals Light the candles, then recite the blessing while covering your eyes:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat (Yom Tov).
Praised are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Sabbath (Festival) candles.
Say the B'racha for sitting in the Sukkah
Computer activities for Sukkot:
Play "Jewpardy" for Sukkot
WATER - GESHEM
Why is water so important? At the end of Sukkot (Shmini Artzeret) we add the line "Masheev Ha'ruach u'moreed ha'geshem" to praise G-d "who makes the wind blow and the rain fall." Why is this important in Israel?
How much water do YOU use each day? How can we conserve water to be kind to Earth?
Fun sheets about water from the EPA (click on the links above)
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See the Torah scroll unraveled at services on Simchat Torah
Sofer (Torah Scribe) original watercolor by Joan DeSantis
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Cheshvan / Kislev - November
Thanksgiving 
While celebrating Thanksgiving, think about how this American holiday is really very Jewish!
Kislev/Tevet - November/December
Hanukah Challenge!!
Build your own Hanukiah (Hanukah Menorah) using materials you find in your home.
Bring it to share with your classmates during the week of Hanukah!
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How do YOU spell Hanukah?
Chanukkah, Hanukah, cHanukkah...
חנכה , חנוכה
From which Hebrew prayer did the Macabees take their name?
(hint) Make an acronym in Hebrew: M-K-B-I מ כ ב י
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The Fast of the 10th of Tevet is observed in this winter month.
"And there was light" - Joan DeSantis 2006
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Get ready to ask the Four Questions at your Seder on the Behrman House site by clicking on the Holidays section.
Nisan - March / April
Passover
"Next Year in Jerusalem!"
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Iyar - April / May
Yom Ha/Atzma'ut - Israel Independence Day
Yom Ha'Shoah - Holocaust Memorial Day
L"ag B'Omer (33rd day of Counting the Omer)
Teach your friends to say some new Hebrew words:
Shalom (Hello)
Ma Shlom'cha? "How are you" (to a boy)
Ma Shlom'aich? "How are you" (to a girl)
Tov, todah "Fine thanks"
Ahta Maivin Ivrit? "Do you understand Hebrew" (to a boy)
Aht M'vina Ivrit? "Do you understand Hebrew" (to a girl)
Kain, K'tzat. "Yes, a little"
Ahni Americai "I am an American" (boy)
Ahni America'it "I am an American" (girl)
Shalom, L'Hitra'ot! (Goodbye, see ya')
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Teach your family to sing Ha-Tikvah, Israel's National Anthem:
Learn to sing "Hatikvah" - the Israeli National Anthem.
(click on the blue title above to find a recorded version online)
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Sivan - May / June
Shavuot
Celebrate the receiving of the Torah
at Mount Sinai
Antique bookends representing the 10 Commandments
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אב
Av - July-August
Tisha B'Av
(9th of Av)
At the end of the summer Jewish people observe Tisha B'Av as a day of mourning and read from the Book of Lamentations (Aicha). In ancient times, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed on this day - not once, but twice! It is, therefore, one of the saddest days on the Jewish calendar. We can have hope, however, because we believe that the Meshiach (Messiah) will come on Tisha B'Av, bringing peace to the whole world!
A Good & Sweet Year 5773!
Joan DeSantis Homes
11700 Plaza America Drive
Reston, VA 20190
ph: 703-447-0062
JoanDeSa
