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P'shat is where we gain simple understandings. Kindergarten and 1st graders should start here.
1. I know the symbols and ritual items used on the Yamim Noraim
The Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days) have lots of different symbols and ritual items. Each one helps us welcome the new year in its own special way.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each holiday symbol below to find out what it is. Do you know when we use each of these symbols? Do you know what they symbolize?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can match the symbols to their meanings.
2. I can put the fall holidays in order
All of the Yamim Noraim are celebrated in the fall during the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Rosh Hashanah comes first on the 1st and 2nd day of Tishrei. Yom Kippur is on the 10th. Sukkot begins 5 days later on the 15th and lasts for 8 days. Simchat Torah comes right after Sukkot on the 23rd of Tishrei.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Let's take a trip through the Yamim Noraim. Make sure you fly in the right order!
Now see if you can put all the Jewish holidays in order starting with Rosh Hashanah.
3. I can use the Hebrew names of the holiday
The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah. The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year, is called Yom Kippur. The Festival of Booths is known as Sukkot and the celebration of the Torah is called Simchat Torah.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you know the Hebrew names of all of the holidays.
4. I can match each holiday with its appropriate season
All of the Yamim Noraim (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah) are celebrated in the fall when the leaves are changing colors and apples and pumpkins are ready to be picked in the fields. We can think of them as the "fall festivals." We celebrate this season by eating apples on Rosh Hashanah and decorating our sukkot with pumpkins, gourds and more during Sukkot.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Take our holiday quiz to see how much you know about the Yamim Noraim and their season.
5. I can recite the holiday b’rachot (blessings)
There is a special blessing that we say when we do something for the first time in a new year. Since everything we do on Rosh Hashanah is new its a great time to say "Shehecheyanu." On Sukkot, in addition to Shehecheyanu, there is a blessing just for sitting in the sukkah. Imagine that - a blessing just for sitting! There is also a blessing when you shake the lulav and etrog.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Listen to these blessings and try to sing along.
6. I can match the rituals with each holiday
Every holiday has its own special customs and rituals. On Rosh Hashanah we eat apples dipped in honey and hear the shofar. On Yom Kippur we don't eat any food. On Sukkot we sit and eat in a sukkah and shake lulav and etrog. Finally on Simchat Torah we dance around with the Torah.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Watch these videos to learn about the holiday rituals.
7. I can connect Jewish values to the holidays
Middot are Jewish values. A value is a belief or behavior that we all believe is important. Some Jewish values are kindness, bravery and love. You can find a list of many more middot below. Think about all that you've learned about the Yamim Noraim. What values do you think are important for these holidays? What values to these holidays inspire us to act on?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "RENEWAL" badge!
1. I can describe the Torah as a scroll that has five books
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
The Torah contains the Five Books of Moses. These five books (B'reisheet, Sh'mot, Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim) tell the story of the Creation of the world and the birth of the Jewish people. A Torah is written on a scroll by a trained expert called a Sofer, or scribe.
2. I can show my understanding that a portion (or selection) from the Torah is read each week in synagogue
Each week we read a different portion from the Torah scroll. Each portion is called a "parsha." There are 54 parshiot (portions) in the Torah. Since there are only 52 weeks in the year, sometimes we read a double-portion.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on our Parsha Picker to see all of the Parshiot.
3. I can use the words "Torah" and "parsha" in proper contexts
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Now that you know what the Torah is and what a parsha is, see if you can fill out this Madlibs using these two key words.
4. I show appropriate behavior around a Torah scroll
Because the Torah is so special to the Jewish people we behave differently around it than we do when we're playing soccer, doing gymnastics or even just playing with our friends. We always want to show respect to the Torah.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you know how to show respect to the Torah. Just put each action in right category.
5. I can ask good questions about the Torah stories
The most important part of Torah study is asking questions. And the best kinds of questions are "why" and "how" questions. Why did God say that? Why did Moses do this? How was Miriam feeling about this? When you learn about a story from the Torah, make sure to ask lots of questions!
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "LEARNING" badge!
1. I know the symbols and ritual items used on Shabbat
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each Shabbat symbol below to find out what it is. Do you know when we use each of these symbols? Do you know what they symbolize?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can match the symbols to their meanings.
2. I can put the parts of the story of Creation and Shabbat in the correct order
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Creation of the world. After making light and darkness; waters below and heavens above; land and oceans; sun, moon and stars; birds and fish; animals and people - God saw all that God had created and said that it was "good." Then God rested from all of God's work and gave us the gift of Shabbat so we could rest from our work as well.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click to play our Creation game and see if you can put the days of Creation in the right order.
3. I can use the Hebrew names of the holiday
Shabbat in Hebrew is called, well..."Shabbat!" Some people call it "Shabbos," which is really the same thing as "Shabbat." The word "Shabbat" in Hebrew is spelled שבת and it means "rest."
4. I can match Shabbat with its appropriate season
Shabbat is the only holiday that is celebrated every single week of the year. Shabbat is the 7th day of the week and no matter if its warm or chilly, rainy or sunny - Shabbat always comes! Shabbat begins on Friday evening and ends on Saturday night. That's because, when God was creating each day, God said, "There was EVENING and there was MORNING..." Did you notice how God said "evening" before "morning"? That teaches us that a Jewish day actually begins in the evening, not in the morning.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Check out this Jewish calendar. What do you see on Fridays that tells you when Shabbat starts? What do you see on Saturdays that tells you when Shabbat ends?
5. I can recite the Shabbat b’rachot (blessings)
Shabbat begins on Friday evenings. We light two candles, drink wine or grape juice and share challah. Practice the blessings so you can help make Shabbat beautiful with your whole family.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Listen to these blessings and try to sing along.
6. I can identify the rituals that we do on Shabbat.
Shabbat is the most special day of the week. There are lots of things we do differently on Shabbat. There are also many things that we try not to do.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Watch the video below to learn about Shabbat rituals.
Let's play a game. Click on the "Play Now" button and play our Remembering and Observing Shabbat game.
7. I can connect Jewish values to Shabbat.
Middot are Jewish values. A value is a belief or behavior that we all believe is important. Some Jewish values are kindness, bravery and love. You can find a list of many more middot below. Think about all that you've learned about the Yamim Noraim. What values do you think are important for these holidays? What values to these holidays inspire us to act on?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "HOLINESS" badge!
1. I know the symbols and ritual items used on Chanukah
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each holiday symbol below to find out what it is. Do you know when we use each of these symbols? Do you know what they symbolize?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can match the symbols to their meanings.
2. I can put the parts of the story of Chanukah in the correct order
The Chanukah story tells the tale of the Jews living in Israel when the Antiochus, the Greek leader decided he didn't want anyone living Jewishly anymore. Some Jews went along with this crazy idea just to keep the peace but others, led by the Maccabees, decided to fight against it.
After a terrible battle, the Maccabees overpowered the Greeks and got their Temple back. There was a lot of cleaning up to do and only enough oil for the lamp for one day. Thankfully, a miracle occurred and the oil lasted for eight days.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Check out this video of the Chanukah story
See if you can put the parts of the Chanukah story in the right order.
3. I can use the Hebrew names of the holiday
חֲנֻכָּה (Chanukah) means "re-dedication" and it reminds us of how the Maccabees cleaned up the Temple in Jerusalem and re-dedicated it for use. Chanukah is also called חַג אוּרִים (Chag Urim), which means, "the festival of lights."
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you know the Hebrew names of all of the holidays.
4. I can match Chanukah with its appropriate season
Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. It comes at the darkest time of the year - just when we need more light! Chanukah lasts for eight days. Jews aren't the only ones who celebrate a festival of lights at the darkest time of the year.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
How many different "festival of light" holidays can you see in the picture below?
5. I can recite the holiday b’rachot (blessings)
There are two blessings we say when lighting the Chanukiyah (three blessings on the first night.) The first blessing thanks God for commanding us to light the Chanukiyah. The second blessing thanks God for all the miracles happening all around us all the time. The third blessing, said only on the first night is the Shehecheyanu blessing, thanking God for letting us reach this special moment.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Listen to these blessings and try to sing along.
6. I can identify the rituals that we do on Chanukah
On Chanukah we light the Chanukiyah each night for eight nights, we play s'vivon (dreidel), and eat levivot (latkes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts.) And, of course, we exchange gifts!
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Watch this video to learn about the holiday rituals.
7. I can connect Jewish values to the holidays
Middot are Jewish values. A value is a belief or behavior that we all believe is important. Some Jewish values are kindness, bravery and love. You can find a list of many more middot below. Think about all that you've learned about Chanukah. What values do you think are important for Chanukah? What values does Chanukah inspire us to act on?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "MIRACLES" badge!
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1. I can identify the kippah and tallit as special Jewish symbols that we wear
When you play soccer or go to dance class you wear special clothing. When Jews do Jewish things they also wear Jewish clothing. Click on each piece of "Jewish clothing" below to find out what it is. Do you know when we wear each of these? Do you know what they symbolize?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each symbol below to find out what it is. Do you know when we use each of these symbols? Do you know what they symbolize?
2. I behave appropriately in t'fillah (prayers)
T'fillah is a very special time. To honor it, we behave differently during t'fillah than we do when we're playing soccer, doing gymnastics or even just playing with our friends. We always want to show respect during t'fillah.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you know how to show respect during t'fillah by playing our game!
3. I can identify a Mezuzah, Torah scroll, Aron Kodesh, and Ner Tamid
Some Jewish objects can be found in our homes and synagogues. Others are only found in the synagogue.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each symbol below to find out what it is. Do you know when we use each of these symbols? Do you know what they symbolize? Which of these are usually only found in a synagogue?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can match the symbols to their meanings.
4. I can show my understanding of Judaism as a way of life that guides us even when deciding what to eat
We make choices every day: What to wear to school, what to do with our friends, and even, what to eat. The Torah is great at helping us make good choices and keeping kosher is the way that the Torah helps us make good choices about what to eat.
5. I can recite blessings over food including: Hamotzi, pri hagafen, minei m'zonot
There is so much to be thankful for - especially all of the delicious food we get to eat. Jews show thanks by saying blessings and there are different blessings for different kinds of foods.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
For bread we say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ
For grape juice we say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגֶּפֶן
For cookies and other baked treats we say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי מְזוֹנוֹת
See if you can match the blessings to their foods.
See if you can unjumble the blessings.
Can you place the missing words in each blessing?
6. I can use Jewish vocabulary to mark significant life moments (mazal tov, shehecheyanu, yom huledet sameiach)
CONGRATULATIONS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It's so nice to be able to share these words with a friend or family member when they've done something wonderful or are celebrating a birthday. We can say these words in Hebrew also. We can even sing them!
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Watch these videos to learn about the holiday rituals.
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "LIVING JEWISHLY" badge!
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1. I know the symbols and ritual items used on the Purim
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each holiday symbol below to find out what it is. Do you know when we use each of these symbols? Do you know what they symbolize?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can match the symbols to their meanings.
2. I can put the parts of the story of Purim in the correct order
The Purim story is an amazing tale of bravery and courage.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Check out this video of the Purim story and then challenge yourself to put the story in the correct order.
See if you can put the parts of the Purim story in the right order.
3. I can use the Hebrew names of the holiday
Purim means "lots". Not as in, "I ate lots of cookies", but as in "casting lots." To cast lots means to make a decision. We call this holiday Purim or "casting lots" because it was on this day that Haman cast lots and decided the day on which he would punish all the Jews for not bowing down to him.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you know the Hebrew names of all of the holidays.
4. I can match Purim with its appropriate season
Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which falls in late winter/early spring (usually around March). It is one of the happiest holidays we celebrate and its comes just in time. After a long dark winter we need a little joy and celebration to prepare us for the re-birth of spring.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Find a calendar (hanging on your fridge or maybe on mom or dad's iphone) and see if Purim is on that calendar.
5. I can recite the holiday b’rachot (blessings)
There aren't many special blessings that we all say on Purim but there are lots of great Purim songs. There is a blessing that we say whenever we eat Hamantaschen. It's the same blessing we say when we eat any kind of cookie or cake. Look back to last month's learning and see if you can remember the blessing for cookies!
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
There aren't many special blessings that we all say on Purim but there are lots of great Purim songs. Listen to a few below.
6. I can identify the rituals that we do on Purim
Purim is so much fun. We dress up in funny costumes, eat hamantaschen, send gifts called mishloach manot and hear the story of Esther from the megillah - the scroll of Esther.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Watch these videos to learn about the holiday rituals.
7. I can connect Jewish values to the holidays
Middot are Jewish values. A value is a belief or behavior that we all believe is important. Some Jewish values are kindness, bravery and love. You can find a list of many more middot below. Think about all that you've learned about the Yamim Noraim. What values do you think are important for these holidays? What values to these holidays inspire us to act on?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "JOY" badge!
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1. I know the symbols and ritual items used on Passover
There are so many symbols and ritual items used on Passover.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Click on each holiday symbol below to find out what it is. Do you know when we use each of these symbols? Do you know what they symbolize?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you can match the symbols to their meanings.
2. I can put the parts of the story of Passover in the correct order
The story of Passover is probably the greatest story ever told!
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
One of our favorite movies that tell the story of Pesach is the Prince of Egypt. You'll have to pay to watch it so ask ima or aba but its worth it!
See if you can put the parts of the Passover story in the right order.
3. I can use the Hebrew names of the holiday
Passover in Hebrew is פֶּסַח (Pesach). The word פֶּסַח means, "pass over". The name reminds us of how God "passed over" the homes of the Israelites during the 10th plague to save the first-born sons. פֶּסַח is also called חַג הָאָבִיב (Chag Ha'aviv) or the Spring festival since Passover always falls in the spring.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
See if you know the Hebrew names of all of the holidays.
4. I can match Passover with its appropriate season
Jewish holidays, like פֶּסַח (Pesach), tell the story of the Jewish people. They are also connected to certain seasons of the year. פֶּסַח is also called חַג הָאָבִיב (Chag Ha'aviv) or the Spring festival, since Passover always falls in the spring. Since Passover is all about new beginnings spring-time is the perfect season for פֶּסַח. After a long and cold winter, everything is being re-born. Trees are growing new leaves, plants are sprouting from the earth and fruits and vegetables are beginning to be harvested. One of the symbols on the K'arah (seder plate) even reminds us of Passover's connection to spring. Do you remember which symbol that is?
5. I can recite the Passover b’rachot (blessings)
There are so many blessings that we say on Pesach. At our seder we say a blessing for each kind of food we eat. We begin with a blessing over wine or grape juice. Then we say a blessing over vegetables (that's karpas). After the re-telling the Passover story we say the blessing over bread (even though we eat matzah on Pesach.
We don't just say blessings over food - we also say lots of blessings for all of the mitzvot (commandments) we are doing at the seder. There's a blessing for eating maror (the bitter herb), a blessing for washing our hands, and a special blessing for eating matzah.
Every blessing begins with the magic words:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
When what we're doing is a mitzvah (commandment) we add these words:
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Play our Passover Blessing Match Game to test your blessing knowledge. Drag each food to it's proper blessing.
6. I can identify the rituals that we do on Passover
Pesach is full of rituals. The biggest one is the seder!
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Watch these videos to learn about the holiday rituals.
7. I can connect Jewish values to the holidays
Middot are Jewish values. A value is a belief or behavior that we all believe is important. Some Jewish values are kindness, bravery and love. You can find a list of many more middot below. Think about all that you've learned about the Yamim Noraim. What values do you think are important for these holidays? What values to these holidays inspire us to act on?
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "FREEDOM" badge!
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1. I can identify the Israel flag and the magen David
This is a picture of the Israeli flag. The Israeli flag has two blue stripes and a Magen David, a Star of David in the middle. The two blue stripes may remind you of another Jewish symbol that we wear when we pray. Can you figure out what symbol the Israeli flag reminds us of? Click here to jump back up to our Living Jewishly section from earlier this year to refresh your memory.
The star in the middle is called a מָגֵן דָּוִד (Magen David), which means "Shield of David" - we usually call it the Star of David. Some people think that King David had a shield in the shape of a star.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Let's play a game with the shape of the מָגֵן דָּוִד.
2. I can show my understanding that Israel is the homeland of the Jews and is also the home to many different types of people from all over the world
Israel has been a home for Jews for thousands of years. In fact, God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that Jews would always have a home in Israel. But Jews aren't the only ones living in Israel. There are lots of different kinds of people living there: Muslims, Christians, Druze and many more.
PRACTICE makes PERFECT
Kululam brings people of all backgrounds and beliefs together to sing. Watch the video below and see how many different types of people you can find. Can you tell if they are Jewish, Christian or Muslim? What languages do you hear?
3. I can show my understanding that Israel is a country in which every person is free to live as they choose and practice their own beliefs
Israel is a democracy. A democracy is a type of government where the people can take part in the decisions that affect the way their community is run. In Israel, everyone has an equal voice whether they are Jewish, Christian, Muslim or any other religion. And democracy in Israel isn't just about voting. Israelis are free to live as they wish and believe whatever they want.
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you've completed all of the challenges above and you've "SHOWN what you KNOW" then you've earned the "HOPE" badge!
