5th Graders Reflect on Chanting Torah for the First Time

One of the most meaningful Jewish milestones during their elementary years at The Davis Academy is when our 5th grade students chant Torah publicly for the first time. Below are three reflections from students who recently participated in this very special experience. As you read their reflections, note the sense of accomplishment, the connection that they feel to the Torah and to the process of studying Torah, and the confidence that they have in looking toward the future as literate and engaged members of the Jewish community... 

Student 1:

 We just finished our fifth grade torah services and I am so proud! All of fifth grade worked so hard preparing for this moment. To prepare for our services, all of us had to learn trope. Everyone started by learning three clauses, “Echnachta, Sof  Pasuk, and Katon”. After that, we got our lines. All of our lined contained something from those three clauses, but some of our lines had more. Because of some of our lines having more trope than just the three clauses, we all learned them separately from the people that did not need to. After everyone learned the tropes, we needed to start knowing our lines. We practiced for days, and then when we knew them well, we had a final run-through. After that, the day had come. Inside the chapel, it was as if there were a hundred people in there! That was the most challenging part. When my class and I were done, there was a huge wave of relief because everyone did amazing! When I was done, I felt proud. I had finally read from the torah, for my first time! Also, my mom, dad and brother were there to see me do it. My verses were about sacrifice rules, which can apply to anything, and leaving stuff for other people. My first verse shows how If you disobey a rule, you will almost already be different, but if you are not, then you slowly start doing less rules, and so on. To make sure that does not happen, just do the right thing. My next two verses show how leaving food, or anything for other people to have is a mitzvah! That can apply to donating, or any other form of giving. In the future when I can give more, and there are rules to follow, this will impact me! It is not only the translation of my verses but also learning trope. When I am thirteen, I will have my Bar Mitzvah. Most of the trope in my verses will be from the clauses I have already learned, and I won’t have to read from the torah for my first time. I am super proud of what I have went through because it will impact me forever.

Student 2:

            First it was 5A, then it was 5B, and finally it was 5C.  Our Torah service has come to an end.  It had its ups and downs, and there were some difficult parts while getting ready and during the actual service.  I had a very fun time preparing, and I know this won’t be my last time reading from the Torah.  Not only will I do the exact same thing for my bah mitzvah, we talked about using the Torah for real life.  People use the Torah to get there points across, express, and be wise.  After I was done reading from the Torah, I thought about how we learned about the Torah at a young age, read from it when we are in Fifth Grade, read from it on our bah or bar mitzvah, and it will stick with us for our whole life.

           I also feel so deeply about this, because I love that sweet relief I get when I’m finally over with something.  That feeling makes me feel like I’m walking on air, and nothing can stop me.  Reading from the Torah is somewhat like a presentation, but also not.  Like a presentation, you have to do it in front of everybody, including your family and/or friends, which is another reason I loved the Torah service so much, and you will be preparing for it for a while, and it feels so good to get it off your chest.  You get this burst of accomplishment and pride.  

I put doing it in front of family and friends a reason I loved the Torah service so much, but that’s also a reason it was difficult.  During you reading from the Torah, you think about what if you mess up and your friends and family see.  It can be very scary when everyone’s looking at you.  Might I add, you’re reading a completely new language with no vowels, while trope is being something you just learned.  Hebrew is very difficult, and that is what makes the end of the Torah service so pleasing.  I also love it so much, because everyone has their own trope.

My trope said, “You shall not place a stumbling block before the blind, or insult the deaf.  You shall fear your God.  I am the Lord.”  My interpretation from this is that we shouldn’t use people’s disabilities to our advantage.  We may have more power, but it’s no fair to treat them differently because we can.  This line along with everybody else’s I feel is very holy.  I’m glad I got to read from the Torah for the first time, and I’m excited to do it again, soon.

Student 3:

We have just finished our Torah services and I’m so proud of myself. I think I did a fantastic job and so did my peers. There where a few challenges along the way,  I had to learn how to read trope, read from the Torah, sing the trope, learn how to read without vowels, and we had to go up to the beemah and actually perform in front of our families. The absolute hardest thing was learning how to remember tropes but Mr. Weismark helped us along the way. In the end there where a few rewards that came out of it like learning how to read from the Torah, the feeling of pride and relief afterwards, and seeing friends and family watching us live a big moment in our Jewish paths. My take away from my verse was that you should wait until everything is juicier and bigger and better before taking it. Just be patient. Serve others before you serve yourself. My future connection to my verse and service is that when my Bat Mitzvah comes I will be able to think I’ve already done this once before and I know I can do it. I will also have the strength to say I’ve read from the Torah. This verse will be important in my life because it will be a reminder of how my Jewish past and years at the Davis Academy have helped me throughout my Jewish path. It will be a beautiful reminder of how so much effort can absolutely pay off in the end and how happy of a moment it would and will always lead to. My verses is exactly what the way I think everyone should live should look like and how you have to be kind and show kavod to really get what you want in the end. Overall I think this Torah service has definitely made an impact and a mark on my life and Jewish path. It is a teacher of what I can accomplish in just a few months with the support of my family and friends.

Student 3:

Ask a Davis Academy student what "LOVE" means and they're likely to tell you something unexpected. LOVE means: Living Our Values Everyday. Below are beautiful pictures of a project undertaken by Jamie Rindsberg, our guidance counselor for grades 3-5. She has been exploring The Davis Academy's menschlichkeit values (to which this entire blog is devoted) with her 5th grade students. See below for examples of the thoughtful ways that our students think about what it means to LOVE at The Davis Academy. 

Great Questions asked by 4th Grade

At a recent Kabbalat Shabbat our 4th graders posed a series of questions inspired by the prayers that they were leading. When you read the questions below consider the level of depth and meaning they contain. Sometimes we struggle to find an entry point into Jewish prayer. These questions provide a great starting point and definitely had the adults in the room engaged and reflecting that morning. Kudos to Morah Rivkah for helping the kids arrive at these thoughtful prompts.

Hannah: L’cha dodi reminds us to keep and remember the Sabbath day.  When was the last time you celebrated Shabbat.

Jackson:  In L’cha do Shabbat is described as a bride. What do you think the bride looks like?

Lawrence: During elohai I feel like the prayer is getting me ready and active for praying. How do you feel during elohai?

Ethan B.: The prayer we are about to pray is Elohai.  Do you stop at least once a day to appreciate the gift of your life?

Ben K.: When you wake up, what are you thankful to God for?

Josh B:  We say the Barchu and Shema eveytime we pray. Do you remember to think about what it means or do you just say the words?

Jake : We proclaim that God is one.  What is one word you would use to describe God’s power?

Ben R.: V’ahavta is about loving Adonai. How do you show love to God?

Josh C.:  Yes, we pray about loving God.  What presents do you think God gave to us to show God’s love to show how much he cares about us?

Olivia:  During v’ahavta we say, “teach them faithfully unto your children”.  Are we all making sure to teach with our words and our actions?

Lily:  During Shabbat how close do you feel to God when you’re saying or singing a prayer?

Sarah: In singing Mi Chamocha we are celebrating our freedom.  Have you helped someone to become free lately? Free from fear? Freedom to have equal rights?

Molly: Mi Chamocha is also about putting yourself in your ancestor’s shoes. Have you stopped this week and put yourself in someone else’s shoes?

Ethan L.: When I think about Eternity utters a day, I think about how lucky we are to have Shabbat.  A break from the everyday.  What do you think about when we sing this song?

Scott:  Have you truly ever stopped and thought about what Shabbat rest is?

Leah: We speak of God’s holiness during the Amidah.  In what ways do you feel God’s holiness in your life? Or even right now?

Jenna:  Do you ever stop, reflect, and take a second to think about what God has done for you? For us?

Maker Monday meets Community Service

Maker Monday, led by our 21st century learning specialist, Stacy Brown, is a highlight for the many kids that choose to participate in this learning activity during their recess time. An endless font of creativity, Stacy Brown draws upon her vast expertise and passion to design learning experiences that wed technologies with our Menschlichkeit Values. For the first Maker Monday of the 18-19 school year students had a chance to make "light up" pill boxes that will be donated to a local senior living center. Participating students put a lot of ruach (spirit) into their pill boxes and a good time was had by all. The best part is that their efforts are in service of others.

Understanding Tzedek

One of our Menschlichkeit Values at The Davis Academy is "Tzedek." Meaning "justice" and/or "righteousness" this value is meant to help give our community language for reflecting on and acting upon the gap that we find between the way the world is and the way we think the world should be. In this journal entry, 5th grader, Hannah Herman, articulately conveys a deep understanding of Tzedek and explains how her Davis journey has helped her find a feeling of empowerment in this vital area. 

Journal #15

            Last Thursday we went to Camp Jenny, and it was an experience that I will never forget. I think that Camp Jenny is doing an amazing thing for children who are less fortunate. I enjoyed getting to see everything that this camp offers, and how lucky the people who go there get treated. Normally, these kids would not be able to go to summer camp, but with the help of Camp Jenny, and Camp Coleman for hosting them, they are able to attend sleep away camp. At Davis, we learn about how everyone should be treated equally, and no one should be left out on the streets. We are so fortunate that we can buy anything that we need, but the children who go to Camp Jenny aren't. Our purpose at Camp Jenny is to volunteer and donate to give these children a great summer camp experience. Our tzedakah project is so important because it gives children who don't have much some joy and happiness. Going there influenced me because people don't realize how much they have, until they see how little someone else has. This field trip has prepared us for the middle school, and life. Everything that we have done this year has shaped and molded us into smart, considerate, compassionate children, and when we walk out of those doors for the last time, we will walk out changed.

25th Anniversary Day of Menschlichkeit

On February 5, 2018, The Davis Academy held a day of menschlichkeit in honor of our 25th anniversary. Why February 5th? Because February 5th= 2/5!

Below are some captioned pictures that convey some of the many different activities and experiences that made this day an authentic celebration of our school values: wisdom, community, righteousness, spirit, and respect.

Making new curtains for our school Ark.

Making new curtains for our school Ark.

Spending time learning about therapeutic dogs.

Spending time learning about therapeutic dogs.

Making new curtains for our school Ark.

Planting a daffodil garden in memory of children who perished in the Holocaust.

Making cards for Jewish Family and Career Services.

Special visitors and guest teachers.

Planting a daffodil garden in memory of children who perished in the Holocaust.

Loading lunches and other supplies for the Zaban Couples Shelter.

Special guests and experts informing our kids about disease and disabilities.

Sandy Springs PD came for lunch, recess, and a special presentation.

Bringing world heritage sites to life for Maker Monday.

Lunch with Sandy Springs PD.

A special panel of community rabbis. 

Presenting car seats to Sandy Springs PD.

Making lunches for Zaban Couples Shelter.

Sandy Springs Fire Department came for lunch.

Getting organized for Camp Jenny. 

Decorating special windows. 

2nd Grade Siddur Celebration at Berman Commons

The Davis Academy 2nd grade has a very special tradition that takes place on the last day of school before Winter Break: our annual visit to Berman Commons for a Siddur and Shabbat Celebration.

As you may know, each December, The Davis Academy 2nd graders receive their very own prayer books during a special ceremony called Kabbalat HaSiddur. Any Davis Academy student can tell you all about what that ceremony means to them and how they feel about their Siddur.

What you may not know is that the week following Kabbalat HaSiddur, our 2nd graders travel to Berman Commons, our local Jewish assisted living community, to do a revue of that same ceremony. Residents of Berman Commons gather in one of their beautiful common areas. Our children sing their heartwarming songs and then interact with the residents. The singing is wonderful, but it is the interaction, from generation to generation, that makes the whole thing truly sacred. Knowing that our children and the residents of Berman Common share a common love and appreciation of Jewish tradition is something that inspires and brings joy to everyone in the room, and for good reason.

Here are some pictures and a short video of that very interaction.

Kabbalat HaSiddur 2017

Here at The Davis Academy we often say the words "L'dor Vador" which mean "Generation to Generation." That's because we cherish the responsibility and privilege of helping transmit our Jewish values and Jewish story across the generations. 

Sometimes instead of saying Ldor Vador, Judaism speaks about the same idea of integenerational sharing by using the image of a great chain of connection, a sharsheret kabbalah. 

When I envision this sharsheret kabbalah I don't see a chain made of iron and steel. Instead I see a chain made of diamonds and rubies, of precious stones and gems of all kinds. I see it sparkling, luminescent, reflecting light in myriad directions.

And when I look even closer I see that inscribed on each precious jewel there are the fingerprints of those who have carried and been carried by this chain. I see a link in the chain resting at the entrance to Abraham and Sarah’s tent. I see Moses carrying the chain across the Red Sea. I see King Solomon bringing the chain into the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem and the Prophet Ezekiel contemplating the chain by the waters of Babylon. I see Queen Esther and the Maccabees and Rabbis Hillel and Shammai. I see the thousands of towns and villages all across Europe and Asia where our ancestors lived. I see tears of pain and suffering and tears of joy and redemption. I see a Star of David, the Statue of Liberty, and the Israeli Flag. I see Hebrew letters, and Yiddish phrases, and Sephardic songs, and notes in the Kotel and so much more.  I see the stories and blessings, names and dates, and hopes and dreams of all who came before.

Here's something else that makes this chain of connection unique: the harder we pull on this on it, the stronger the chain becomes and the stronger we become. The tighter we cling to it, the more light we see in the diamonds and rubies and sapphires and the more light we discover in ourselves and in our Kehilah.

This morning, each 2^nd grade family in our Davis Kehilah added a new link and a new light to this great chain of connection, this sharsheret kabbalah, that connects us from generation to generation. This morning, the sharsheret kabbalah is stronger and more beautiful than it has ever been before.

Living Values

Last week I received a truly moving email from one of our 5th grade parents. With their permission I am sharing it here because this blog is all about showing how The Davis Academy community lives our Menschlichkeit values. And this story is a beautiful illustration of precisely that. Upon re-reading the email I am also fairly confident that this is one of the most moving stories about Tzedakah and Slime that I've ever heard! With so much going on in the world it is heartwarming and inspiring to know that our students know how it feels to make a positive contribution and difference. 

Dear Rabbi Micah,

I want to share a story with you about two Davis 5th graders who raised money for the Humane Society this past week. During a recent play date Ashley Dryburgh and Samantha Iroff  were talking about how sad it was that so many animals were impacted and displaced by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

They made a plan to raise money to help the Humane Society and help all those animals who needed assistance or a place to go after the storms hit their areas. So they put their plan into action.

Being huge fans of making slime, they created a company called Caribbean Slime. They produced many batches of slime in various colors and textures to sell. All proceeds of the slime sales would go to the Humane Society. With their plan in place, they sold door- to- door in their neighborhoods and at the Newtown Park Dog Park in Alpharetta where many where so impressed by their philanthropic and entrepreneurial spirit that they made generous donations!

Together the girls raised $270 and this past Sunday, October 1st they brought their donation to the Mansell Road Humane Society campus. They were greeted by very grateful volunteers and some really cute puppies.

Humane Society manager Reco Mitchell explained to the girls that they had taken in 150 animals from the Houston SPCA and 100 more from the Tri-State Animal Shelter in Miami, some animals were hurt and injured, and that their donation would go to very good use!

They girls also learned that an old Home Depot off of 400 and exit 7 is being used as a temporary animal shelter with overflow from the Mansell campus.

My husband Mark and I as well as Brian and Nicole Iroff are thrilled and proud of our daughters' accomplishment and how they thoughtfully engaged in this mitzvah of helping our community! We wanted to share their story with you. 

Thank you, and thanks to the Davis Academy for fostering these type of values in our children every day.

A Perfect Moment

I was so happy to see Mrs. Shapiro's 3rd grade class writing letters to U.S. Soldiers in our beautiful Lower School Sukkah. It's a gorgeous day and stumbling upon this special activity was truly heartwarming. The Sukkah itself is a symbol of peace, security, and protection. How perfect that Mrs. Shapiro and her students were writing letters to our members of The Armed Forces who work so hard and sacrifice so much that we might all live in peace and security!

What it's all about

I was scrolling through Facebook and saw a post that reminded me what it's all about here at The Davis Academy. It was a post by one of our Davis Academy parents, Sean Coffey. I'm sharing it here with his permission.

It's amazing how our children teach us. Last night as I sat with my daughter helping her with homework, my mind kept thinking about the horror of Las Vegas. As I thought about all the hatred and evil in this world, she began to discuss Gimilut Hasadim which is Hebrew for "doing acts of loving kindness". I began to think about how little I think about this concept and how the world would be a better place if we all thought about this more. So I asked her to write me a note on my phone so I can remember the words and the meaning. 

Sean and I have talked about this before: the fact that Davis Academy parents have so many meaningful moments of learning from their children. Sometimes these moments have the effect of not only teaching us, but of giving us tremendous hope for the future. I'm grateful to Sean for letting me share his beautiful Facebook post which is such an authentic expression of what it means to be a part of The Davis Academy and how we live our values.

Tashlich Rocks

Did you know that every Davis Academy student participates in a beautiful Tashlich program during their 4th grade year? It's one of the many meaningful Jewish moments and milestones that line the Davis Journey.

Here are some pictures of this year's 4th grade class!

“Let It Go! Let it Go! I’m throwing my sins away!” Songwriting at Tashlich. #davis4 pic.twitter.com/9fkAeaYji3

— Caroline Patterson (@Patterson4th) September 27, 2017

Yom HaShoah 2017

Yom HaShoah is one of the most sacred days on the Jewish calendar. It is the day that we honor the memory of the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust as well as those who survived to tell their stories. It is the day that we renew our commitment to never forgetting and never allowing such an unfathomable atrocity to occur again to any people.

We mark this occasion not only by lighting traditional Memorial Candles on both campuses, but in several other significant ways.

First, we partner with the Breman Holocaust Museum to bring a Holocaust survivor to share their story with our older students. This year we were honored to welcome Mr. Herschel Greenblatt. Our Jewish Life Leadership students will lead a short memorial service before he shares his remarks.

Next, our 7th graders visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. on their 7th grade trip which takes place during the week of Yom HaShoah. This visit is a culmination of many months spent studying the Holocaust in 7th grade Jewish Studies. Check out Twitter #Davis7 to see the 7th graders on their trip.

While our 7th graders are in D.C. our 6th graders spend a day with their peers at the Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell. There they jointly write victims' names on stones for QofA's daffodil garden.

Lastly, our Lower School choir, The Magical Melodies, sings each year during the community wide Yom HaShoah ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery. Their beautiful voices add a dimension of hope and joy to an otherwise very somber celebration. This year's commemoration was rainy and cold but our students didn't complain a bit because they understand the solemnity and significance of the occasion. The back of the memorial is in the picture below.

3rd-5th grade Magical Melodies rehearse for the community wide Yom HaShoah Ceremony 

A Profound Meditation on Judaism's Most Important Prayer

Recently I had a chance to do some spiritual creative writing with The Davis Academy's 3rd grade students. Gathered in our beautiful Kaufman Chapel on a quiet Thursday morning I asked the students to reflect on the Shema, Judaism's central prayer. To encourage their creative process I gave them the "title" for a poem, essay, acrostic, or other form of creative writing. Since the Shema proclaims the Unity and Oneness of God, that "title" was "One."

I received many thoughtful responses, but one response nearly knocked me out of my desk chair. It was written by Jordan Ulin and is shared here with his and his parents' permission.

"One"
To listen and absorb all the raw
sound of the world. Absorb
all the sounds and make them
all one sound that creates a song.

To listen. To absorb. Raw sound of the world. To take those sounds and create a song. It takes a truly open heart to come to this appreciation and be able to express it in words. At least that's my opinion. 

After I shared this piece with Jordan's parents, his father sent me a follow up email. In that email, Jordan's father said that Jordan had further explained what he meant: "He explained that essentially God created all the sounds and song was the way to return it to Him." Jordan's father also explained that a drawing that accompanied the piece, "was supposed to represent the world comprised of different music notes." 

I am so grateful to Jordan for sharing such a thoughtful and profound meditation on the Shema with me and with all who read this blog post. I can honestly say that my experience of reciting this special prayer is enhanced by his wisdom and insight. 

1st Grade Cards Make an Impact

Empowering students to understand how they can make a difference in the world from a very young age is an important part of The Davis Academy curriculum. The sooner children realize that they can make a positive impact in another person's life, even a stranger, the better. Click here to see a truly heartwarming video that features many Davis Academy 1st graders and highlights a special partnership with JF&CS and their Aviv Celebrations program.

Adar Started Early at The Davis Academy

The Hebrew month of Adar has always been a season of rejoicing for the Jewish people. Rosh Chodesh Adar (the beginning of the month) is next Monday. But if you ask me, Adar started early at The Davis Academy.

Everywhere I looked today I saw reasons for the Jewish people to rejoice. And I can only assume that others at Davis saw some of what I saw, but also saw much that I didn't see. Which means that these few observations only scrape the surface of the joy that permeated The Davis Academy today.

Our teachers are the best. When asked to dance during the MiCamocha Ms. Patterson was a great sport. 

This morning's Lower School Kabbalat Shabbat was a full on celebration. Led by a dedicated and prepared group of 1st grade children, we had a chance to learn about some of the "rules" that help us be good, kind, and caring people wherever we find ourselves. During his visit, Rabbi Berg, from The Temple, informed us that this week marks the 150th anniversary of the organized Jewish community in Atlanta. He shared 3 important stories from the history of The Temple and asked our young students the lessons that they thought each story taught. Those who know The Temple's proud commitment to Tzedek won't be surprised to hear that our students understood these stories in those terms: always do the right thing, we are all equal, if we have faith we can rebuild that which has been ruined, it's what's inside that really counts. These are the meanings that they derived from Rabbi Berg's visit.

Rabbi Berg shared stories, but asked us to find the meaning.

Meanwhile, our 4th grade students proudly wore the hand-painted Tefilin that each of them created in their Jewish Studies class under the guidance of Morah Kelly Cohen. They made quite a strong impression and sent a powerful message that Judaism is a creative, engaging, and imaginative tradition with lots of room for innovation.

Middle School Kabbalat Shabbat featured a class of 8th grade students confidently leading the Shabbat blessings and performing a skit based on this week's parsha. We weren't planning for a skit, but the kids asked and Mr. Weismark, their teacher, and he wanted to honor their ruach (spirit). At the end of Middle School Shabbat I put out a call for students to participate in our upcoming Rosh Chodesh Adar Shabbat (taking place next week). The Jewish people can rejoice in the fact that I was literally inundated with volunteers. It's a happy moment when the pen can't move fast enough to capture all the requests to participate.

Our new dining hall is having a profound effect on the experience of eating at The Davis Academy. Students and faculty break bread together. Folks take the extra couple of minutes to finish conversations and enjoy one another's company before heading back to the flow of the day. Having a chance to nourish ourselves in a communal space is forging new and deeper connections for all of us. It is a joy to be a part of. I had a great time singing Bim Bam with the 1st grade instead of reciting the traditional Birkat Hamazon. It was touching to see our brand new kitchen staff smiling and watching the kids celebrate the meal.

5th graders read their own interpretation of Birkat Hamazon on Fridays. 

Some of our wonderful kitchen staff!

Just before lunch I had a meaningful person moment. My daughter, in kindergarten, lost her first tooth. Just this morning I told her I thought it would be a couple of weeks, but darn if one of those enticing apples in the dining hall didn't do it. Ms. Goldstein, one of her teachers, brought her to my office in tears. Mrs. Shafron, our head of school, came by to offer reassuring words. We bravely marched to Nurse Wendy's office for the "main event" where we found a couple of children kibbutzing with Nurse Wendy as they took their midday meds. I could see my daughter's heart pounding through her shirt as Nurse Wendy gently and speedily plucked the tooth. Tears gave way to a brand new smile as the other girls in the office gathered around to see Nurse Wendy's handiwork. It had the feeling of a rite of passage celebrated in the context of an authentic community. It was a beautiful thing to witness, made more beautiful by the fact Nurse Wendy had taken a tooth from each of the other girls in the office at an earlier time! Just thinking about the amount of teeth Nurse Wendy has pulled, how could one not rejoice? It was also heartwarming to receive a call from Morah Rebecca Good who has known my daughter for her whole life, saying how touched she was that my daughter had shared this milestone with her.

A New Smile for My Daughter

The day is far from over, and I'm just one person, but if you ask me, the joy of Adar has come early to The Davis Academy. Feel free to chime in if you witnessed any of this or something else today!