Category Archives: Classroom Experiences

A Review of Chanukah Torah 2020

Posted on December 28, 2020 by rebleib1

I am privileged to share some Torah that I developed over the course of Chanukah 2020 with the help of my students, family members, and friends. As always, I enjoy hearing from readers in the comments if you have any … Continue reading →

Posted in Chanukah, Classroom Experiences, Halacha, Holidays, Talmud / Daf Yomi, Tefillah | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

To Stop this Plague, Avoid Social Distancing

Posted on June 30, 2020 by rebleib1

I recently had the fortune of finishing two areas of learning right around the same time with my 8th graders – Parshat Korach and the book of Shmuel Bet. Much to our surprise, we discovered that the two sections, separated … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Nach, Parshat Hashavua | Leave a comment

A Fool for Love: The Meeting of Chesed and Emet

Posted on June 22, 2020 by rebleib1

I just finished my first year of teaching in a new location, and I finally have the time to write up the conclusions of a learning experience I had with my 7th Grade Advanced Chumash class a few months ago. … Continue reading →

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What I Learned in My First 2000 Days of Teaching

Posted on April 14, 2020 by rebleib1

In honor of my 1000th day of teaching, shortly before the end of my 6th year of teaching, I made the daily announcements for my school over the intercom (a lifelong dream) and brought in treats for my students. I … Continue reading →

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Some Suggestions for Daf Yomi Cycle #14

Posted on July 29, 2019 by rebleib1

With the end of Daf Yomi cycle #13 upon us this January and cycle #14 beginning immediately thereafter, we will soon find ourselves awash with celebratory tributes and articles extolling the extraordinary growth of the program and Talmud Torah itself … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Communal Matters, Jewish Education (meta), Talmud / Daf Yomi | Leave a comment

Meet the Bar Papas, a Transnational, Intergenerational Nuclear Family

Posted on May 4, 2017 by rebleib1

I came across something tonight rather by accident, which led me down a rabbit hole from which I am still trying to re-emerge. In preparing a unit on the history and people of Gemara for my 6th graders, I came … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Jewish History, Talmud / Daf Yomi | Leave a comment

I Have Seen the Future of Jewish Education, and It Is Us

Posted on January 7, 2014 by rebleib1

A great deal has been made lately of the latest in Jewish educational technology, a sweeping program called Mercava. I have written frequently on this blog about the importance of integrating technology in the Judaic studies classroom and have broadly … Continue reading →

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Our Goal in the Classroom: 6th Grade Mishna/Gemara

Posted on July 31, 2013 by rebleib1

Continuing a series on classroom methodology which, despite protestations from a non-teacher friend of mine, I cannot imagine anyone but teachers finding interesting. What if we viewed Mishna and Gemara, as the Amoraim did, not as separate disciplines appropriate for … Continue reading →

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Our Goal in the Classroom: Seventh Grade Chumash

Posted on February 26, 2013 by rebleib1

This post is conceived to be of particular use to other Jewish educators, and perhaps to parents of my students, but it is not expected to be of much interest to the general public. The public at large can expect … Continue reading →

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Hoda’ah and the Meaning of Thanksgiving

Posted on November 21, 2012 by rebleib1

I just posted about the Halachic propriety of Thanksgiving, but perhaps a Hashkafic take is in order as well. I’ve been learning Shemoneh Esrei with my Sixth Graders, and just the other day we got to the final three Berachot, … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Holidays, Tefillah, Thanksgiving | Leave a comment