5.6.21
What a sweet morning we shared reminiscing and reflecting on Ruth Rosenthal's 36-year career at Brandeis Marin! Even before our school Tefillah, the day began with a special alumni-only tribute (with more than 90 Zoom friends from around the planet!). If you missed Tefillah today, you're in for a treat - and if you ever wondered what the word "retirement" really means, pay close attention to what our Kindergarteners have to say! Mrs. R's top FIVE special take-aways from a life at Brandeis Marin:
Keep your eye on the calendar and take note of these upcoming events:
As the school year winds down, the celebrations ramp up! We hope you'll join us for one of these extra special Tefillot (plural for Tefillah) we have coming up - don't miss out!
EVERY THURSDAY AT 8:30am Zoom Link: Live Zoom Tefillah Meeting ID: 485 875 2203
Join us on Thursday, May 20 as Brandeis Marin participates in the National Bike to School Days! There are two meeting spots, Brookside Elementary in San Anselmo with Melissa Freeman and Jonathan Emanuel, and the SMART train station near Embassy Suites in San Rafael with Steven Friedman and Michael Janes. Dust off the helmet and get your bike tuned up!
All student participants receive a swag bag with goodies including a gift card to Jamba Juice. Fun, friends, and helping the planet - let's do this!
This year the 8th grade learned about the politics of early American history beginning with the formation of our republic and the Constitution, moving through slavery and its role in the economies of the North and South, and the racism that followed the Civil War. Last week we welcomed a special guest, Dr. Rhondda Thomas, professor of English literature at Clemson University, who has begun a project identifying the unmarked graves of African-American enslaved people and laborers buried on the school's South Carolina campus (once a plantation owned by Vice President John C. Calhoun). Dr. Thomas joined us from Clemson on the grounds of the memorial landmark she's establishing. You can watch the video of our classroom session, and visit callmyname.org to learn more about her important work.
Steve Friedman Middle School Social Studies
Middle school students took a break from their studies recently to honor Earth Day by cleaning up Armory Creek, which runs behind the Brandeis campus. Bordering on Marin County Open Space, the creek serves as an outdoor classroom for Brandeis students. It felt great to get out and take care of one of our favorite spots in nature!
Rich Seymour Middle School Science
The Old City of Bethlehem
This week on the virtual adventure to Israel, the 8th grade students met with Noor A'wad, a Palestinian Muslim living in Bethlehem for an eye-opening conversation.
Noor shared his personal story of growing up in Jordan and the West Bank, gave us a brief tour of Bethlehem, and took questions from the students. Their questions reflected the complexities of life in this very special place. They asked Noor about media and stereotyping, misconceptions about life in Palestinian territories, and what his solutions to the conflict would be. He spoke of people recognizing and accepting one another as a first step to any conflict.
This conversation echoed our visit to the Old City where we focused on the things that bring the people of this small, densely populated area together. Belief in one God, deep connections to religion, culture, and family, all were evident in the buildings, shops, and street art of this special holy place.
Beverly Pinto Jewish Studies
The Student Council is at it again! With acts of antisemitism on the rise, our students leaders decided to raise awareness - and money - for the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organization committed to fighting antisemitism and hate groups. For every $5 donation to the ADL, you can get one of their handmade Jewish Star Charms as recognition of your support. With your help, and together as a community, we can work to fight antisemitism! It's SO easy to give - just scan the QR code above with your phone, or click the button below!
Happy Mother's Day!!
180 North San Pedro Road • San Rafael, CA • 94903 415-472-1833 • www.brandeismarin.org |