Hi Parents!

This is my first year at Isaiah, and I’m enjoying teaching your children immensely!

Our first Unit was about each students’ own self discovery of what is Jewish music, and what makes Jewish music Jewish, and coming up with their own list of answers. These are questions students we will be trying to discover meaning to throughout the year, and there aren’t any right or wrong answers. We have done musical analysis, by listening to songs, and filling out a Jewish music questionnaire I created, and as well each writing their own observations.We have watched and discussed many fun modern Jewish music videos, many of them parities on pop culture songs, which is always fun for kids and adults alike.

Here are a few links to fun Rosh Hashanah music videos that we watched and discussed.

"Dip Your Apple in the Honey" by the Fountainheads:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlcxEDy-lr0&list=PLA391E2989A537E1C&index=37&feature=plpp_video

"Book of Good Life" by the Maccabeats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRaQSbuTiBg&list=FLiVuUI6T4ysjL9BiW9SBWvQ&index=5&feature=plpp_video

We began our study into what nusach is, through the look at specific nusach for the High Holydays.

We are just finishing up our second unit, where we learned about the transition of Temple to synagogue, and Priest to Cantor, and sacrifice to prayer.

I have been teaching the students many fun new melodies of songs lyrics that they already know.

In addition, the last two sessions, Cantor Korn has joined us in the classroom and taught cantillations.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at MinaPina03@aol.com.