JKHA launched an exciting new initiative entitled Theme of the Year. This year’s theme is החודש הזה לכם—make YOUR month meaningful.
The goal of the initiative is to bring the lessons and teachings of the Torah to life each month, thereby gaining a deeper love and understanding of Jewish values and reinforcing their relevance and significance in daily lives. This will be accomplished through a year-long, experiential learning endeavor that is complemented by related activities, trips and chesed projects. Each month, a different grade will assume the mantle of leadership in guiding the monthly meaning programs.
To launch the program, lower and middle school students gathered together in the auditorium. They were introduced to the theme for the month of Tishrei—personal growth. At JKHA, students learn hands-on how to achieve personal growth and to set attainable goals at an age-appropriate level. The eighth graders, who are the monthly meaning leaders this month, created a video explaining the theme of the year, the tzedakah of the month, as well as launching the first school-wide project: growth pennants.
Under the leadership of the eighth grade, all JKHA students will participate in a school-wide growth pennant project. Each student is tasked to come up with one goal for the year and to share that goal with the greater community. Growth pennants were also sent to parents so that families can continue this project at home together.
Each month the school will highlight the incredible learning going on throughout the building. The library will also work in tandem with the program and feature books that relate to that month’s theme. Additionally, the grade for that month will determine where the month’s tzedakah will go. This month, the eighth graders have decided to send all tzedakah collected to The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation. This organization embodies the value of personal growth. The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation has launched many successful programs that promote and enhance the teachings of the Chofetz Chaim, such as viewing others favorably and speaking in a proper and respectful fashion. The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation offers many growth-oriented programs for children in schools and also provides learning opportunities for adults.
