2 minute read
Letters from Cuba
LETTERS FROM CUBA
הבוקמ םיבתכמ
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By Michelle Janoschek, Math Specialist, Literacy Specialist
Tamarim (5th graders) read Letters From Cuba, the story of Esther, a young Jewish girl who flees Poland in 1938 and settles in Cuba. The book is written in letter format, with Esther writing letters from Cuba to her little sister, Malka, who is still in Poland with the rest of the family. Characters in the book come from different countries, religious backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and social classes. In havruta discussions, we asked essential questions, which helped guide their learning. These included: How do immigrants learn to navigate their new countries and define what home means? What contributions or influences affect one’s identity over time? In a related assignment, Tamarim were asked to think about and write about one aspect of their identity. Throughout the unit, the students wrote their own letters to special people in their lives, as well as to Ruth. In May, the author, Ruth Behar, surprised us with a visit. Tamarim could hardly believe that an author was coming to visit us! They had many questions that focused on characterization, the history of Jews in Cuba, the anti-semitism that Esther experienced, and how the community came together to support Esther and her family. Lastly, Tamarim shared several ideas that Ruth could think about if she were to write a sequel. She truly was an inpiration for many of our budding authors! Ruth noted in an email after her visit, “I am so moved by all that they have learned from Letters From Cuba and their brilliant ideas about the characters, the scenes, and the sequels.” Ruth later sent each student a personalized postcard, bookmark, and a signed bookplate, all wonderful mementos of their time together. One of our students, Sylvia Bargar ’24, excitedly told her grandparents, Carol and David Greenfield, about meeting the author and the gifts. They, in turn, generously donated a hardcover copy of the book to each Tamar student to keep, so they could put their signed bookplate into their own book. There were many smiles and delighted remarks around the room when Sylvia passed the books out. Building on the letter-writing that Tamarim did while reading the book, each student wrote a thank you letter to Carol and David, which Sylvia delivered. What a beautiful culmination to an amazing unit. We are so proud of all of their hard work!
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