Long Time No Blog

I am bad at blogging. We have come a long way with our Home Hebrew School model. Too bad I have not shared more information regularly. I am just not that person who posts on Facebook or twitters. I love to read what is going on with everyone else but just don't seem to be able to post stuff myself. Admittedly, I don't like to create a scenario that places me in a vulnerable position to be critiqued. I want to know what critiques might be coming my way and regular bloggers have to let that go. I am going to try to be a bit more open about myself, what we are doing, how the kids are responding, etc. So here it goes!

I love that we have taken this leap and continue to work toward educating our children Jewishly in a creative way. The kids have their moments. They certainly are not seeking to go back to the traditional Hebrew School model but they don't generally love what we do either. They have good moments and enjoy the camaraderie of the 4 boys. Most of the challenges are typical behaviors of boys being taught by their moms.

Despite the challenges, the kids really are learning so much. This week we are preparing for Tu B'Shvat. We created a table cloth with trees, center pieces to look like trees, and crates to fill with fruit that could come from Israel. The kids love the crafts.

Last week we went to a basketball game to see Israeli player, Omri Casspi, play. He is the first Israeli to be drafted by the NBA. Prior to the game, we learned about sports in Israel and learned the Hebrew words associated with the game of basketball.

The kids are getting better and better with Hebrew conversation, colors, numbers, blessings, etc. The younger kids are doing better at identifying the Hebrew letters and their sounds. The older kids are now reading Hebrew and focusing more on learning to translate what they are reading.

We have learned some prayers and continue to add on there. I am happy to say that the kids know what the prayers are about and not just how to recite them. We are planning to have the kids start to lead the prayers in the Junior Congregation service soon. As they lead each prayer, we are going to reward them with a badge of sorts on a piece of cloth that one day could be made into a tallis.

History these days is focusing on Israel, geography, historical Israeli "super heroes," and big events. History is always a highlight of our time on Sundays.

I love spending time each week reviewing the parsha. The kids don't enjoy the parsha time as much as I do. Sedra Scenes (author: Beiner) is generally a fun way to tell the story. The kids act out the story. Some stories are better than others.

More on tips and tricks we have discovered coming soon.