Shalom Shiraniks!
A big Mazal Tov to all who participated in last week's Shira Shabbatarama! The junior choir/Shira class did a wonderful job singing the tunes that made Shabbat so musical! 

We've been a busy bunch in Shira.  With the help of our TA's, the students are completing their Jewish Composer timelines in preparation for presenting them to the class after we return from winter break.

 During Bring a Friend Week, the 5th and 6th grade classes combined to retell the Hanukkah story with a twist - the students each had a portion of the story to tell, but they had to do it in the style of a popular film, TV show, game or cartoon!  (2013 was the world debut of classics like "The Hunger Games Hanukkah" and "Minecraft Maccabbees!"

5/6 and friends getting instructions for their stories

We broke into groups, choreographed and rehearsed the skits

Then it was performance time!

 After the skitswere finished, we all had a special Hanukkah tefillah in the Sanctuary.

We also practiced the Hanukkah blessings and learned the Hebrew words for the things we use to celebrate Hanukkah.

COMING UP:

The students will present their composer to the class on our first Sunday back from winter break - January 5th.  Parents - please help your child find a prop to use or wear that will help him or her "become" his or her Jewish composer (nothing elaborate required - a simple hat, a pair of glasses, a bowtie, etc. should suffice).

Also, we are beginning to learn the music of Dan Nichols in preparation for this year's Spring Fling, in which Shira will be Dan's "back up" group. To get a taste of what Dan Nichols does, here is a recent (November 2013) video of a performance of one of the songs we have been practicing with Joel - "Turn the World Around":