Martine Nabarro – Primary Hebrew Teacher

New Student Orientation

This week we had our final Kindy Orientation session. It has been wonderful to meet the children and welcome them into our classrooms. There have been many familiar faces of students with big brothers and sisters already at Emanuel as well as some new friends to meet. We are now all very excited for 2020!

On Friday 29 November 2019 we will welcome many of the children who will be joining Years 1-6 at Emanuel next year to spend the day with us. The purpose of this day is to build familiarity with our school and to start meeting some of the children and teachers. We look forward to a lovely day!

Year 2 Siddur Presentation

This week’s Year 2 Siddur Presentation was a meaningful Pathways event that allowed our Year 2 children to be welcomed to Years 3-6 prayers in preparation for Year 3 next year. It was lovely to share such a special milestone with so many parents, grandparents and friends.

Thank you to Mr Carpenter, Morah Gaida, Morah Miri, Morah Becky, Morah Shirley, Stacey Rosenfeld, Mrs Esra and Mrs Strub for their efforts to organise this memorable event.

The Home School Partnership in Jewish Learning

This week, students across the Primary School have been practising some Hebrew songs in preparation for their end of year presentation events.

The enthusiasm has been palpable and different grades have come together singing the same song. One cannot help being reminded of the power of community. It is important to reflect on this during our current troubling times. Our children cannot learn the Hebrew language in isolation. It is an integral part of our rich culture. They cannot learn the language without eating the food, doing Israeli ‘Ruach’ dancing, singing the songs and watching the movies. Experiential learning is very much part of Emanuel School’s teaching philosophy and we do everything possible to bring our traditions, the Hebrew language and Israel alive for our students. This kind of learning prompts reflection, change and action in the form of new skills, attitudes, mindsets or practices. What that means for us is that we are hoping to cultivate a deep emotion in our children in response to their learning about Judaism and Israel.

This learning could be extended beyond the classroom with more parental involvement in the teaching of Chaggim and Jewish culture. Please join with us in exposing your children to Israeli and Jewish culture. Wherever possible, listen to Hebrew songs together, eat falafel and hummus and at Pesach eat chocolate matzah. We also welcome and encourage our children to bring in books, CDS or items connected to Israel and Judaism from home. In this way we can reinforce to the children that there is a vital connection between home and school. The children need to understand that the school and their families are united on the same journey to help them develop their Jewish culture and heritage and to strengthen their connection to Israel. Let us celebrate our culture and traditions with our children in partnership. Without a doubt, this will serve to facilitate richer learning for all of our students and ensure that our community continues to thrive for years to come.