After learning Parshas HaShavua in depth each week, the Junior High School boys and girls made respective siyumim on Sefer B’reishis last week during breakfast.
Since Parshas B’reishis, Rabbi Mordechai Rovner (JHS rebbi) has been recording a weekly video that thoroughly covers the major points and themes of the parshah. Rabbi Rovner, Morah Mashie Kopelowtiz (Judaic Studies Curriculum Coordinator & Instructional Leader K-8), and Mr. Teddy Richter (Director of Educational Technology) work together to create an EdPuzzle, an interactive lesson that incorporates the video with relevant questions, that is sent to the JHS students (and fifth grade) each week.
This new program enables students to grasp the relevant parshah knowledge and develop the skills necessary to learn Chumash on their own. Students and teachers have praised the program, and parents are particularly proud of their children who now have the ability to contribute high-level divrei Torah to the Shabbos table every week.
At the siyumim, students gave divrei Torah that highlighted the connection between the Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael. Shalom Peled, Yona Canter, Ezra Barth, Leah Vaysband, Naomi Matatov, and Maya Davidov referenced different moments from the beginning, middle, and end of Sefer B’reishis that emphasized the importance of Eretz Yisrael. They spoke about how the very Rashi in the Chumash describes how the land was given to us, the various promises Hashem gives to the Avos, and how Yosef HaTzadik insists that his bones be buried in the land.
Special thank you to Rabbi Rovner, Morah Mashie, Mr. Richter, Rabbi Knapp, Rabbi Nat, Morah Schussheim, and Rabbi Steinberg for all their help organizing this beautiful program and special siyum. We are looking forward to coming together at the end of Sefer Sh’mos for another celebration of talmud Torah.
