7th/8th Grade 3-9-14

Dear PASJE Parents,

Our class began today with a discussion of Purim. I read the beautifully written and illustrated book titled Esther’s Story by Diane Wolkstein. We learned that the story takes place in Persia in the 5th century BCE and is about Esther’s bravery in saving her fellow Jews. Some of my students raised the issue of celebrating the death of any enemy, even one who was trying to kill you. We have some very deep thinkers in class.

We continued our study of Jewish history by looking at the period 1900-1948 in the area now know as Israel. We discussed the frustration Jews felt during the Holocaust at being denied a safe refuge in British controlled Palestine.

Best wishes,

Terry Fayer