---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Esther Revivo <estherrv@xxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: in response to Judi First off, Judi my heart goes out to you and your school. We went through the same type of trauma when Ella Abukasis was killed in 12th grade by a kassam in Sederot. The below activity needn't be done the very first lesson after you return. But of course for at least a week no learning will be feasible; the students will be emotionally unable to learn except for poems like that which Avi sent and relate to loss or songs like Elton John's "Light a Candle" that I taught at our mekif when Princess Diana died. When something happens and we need to talk (in Hebrew in weak groups; English in good groups.) I do the following activity. I also do it at the end of the year. Desks are pushed aside and we sit in a circle. ONLY the person holding my keys has permission to talk. I write questions on the board. Sometimes we go clockwise and I allow kids NOT to talk ; usually later on they'll ask for the keys wanting to respond to someone else. Even the teacher cannot talk without holding the keys! Here's an example of questions I've written in the past especially during tough times security wise: 1- Is something bothering you? Who do you talk to when you have a problem? Practically speaking, what can you do to worry less? Can we help you? 2- Tell us about 2 things you like at school and two things you don't (AND you must give a suggestion to change the 2 things you don't like !!!!!) No names of teachers or other pupils allowed. 3- How do you feel about what happened? What do you think we can do to honour her/ his name? How can we help her/ his family at this time? 4- Name one thing you like about yourself and one thing you wish you change. After Ella's death (she was no longer my pupil but we're a small ulpana so everyone knew her and many girls from Sederot knew her closely from Bnei Akiva) there was hugging and crying but I feel it was healthy and the kids thanked me for doing the activity. Homework was to write condolence letters to her parents and family. Now, a quick change in topic and no disrespect intended. Regarding those who go out on early pension, even if you can't take out the Shanat Shabbaton money until the due date, the Bank Habenleumi does offer a 15,000 or so NIS loan at prime - 1 (about 2.5 %) No need for arevim as they have our money to cover the loan. And, many thanks for the Take Action website which I forwarded to our 7th grade teachers. May our nation know no other such tragedy (one of the Shabbas men left a wife and 3 children here in Netivot) and may we display more Ahavat Yisrael to those different from ourselves. (I am not talking down to anyone; I include myself in this advice. We are so durned polarized it is terrible.... like the old joke: 2 Jews stranded on an island have 3 shuls: mine, yours and the one neither of us prays in!) Esther Revivo ----------------------------------------------- ** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org ** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx ** ** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** -----------------------------------------------