ענפים (Anafim, “Branches” for 3rd-4th grade) are just beginning their last theme for this school year: שבועות (Shavuot, “weeks”). One of the sources that ענפים (Anafim) are exploring is a short text from ספר דברים (Sefer Devarim, the book of Deuteronomy) 16, which gives instructions about celebrating the summer harvest festival.
But as Anafim know, ספר דברים (Sefer Devarim) comes at the end of the תורה (Torah). And, drawing on the stories and ideas they explored throughout the year, ענפים (Anafim) are setting it in context. To reconnect with the תורה (Torah) texts from our first big theme of the year, some ענפים Anafim took stories about the Israelites במדבר (Bamidbar, in the wilderness) outside, and scavenged natural materials showing scenes from the different stories. Each group then presented their work to the others, reawakening everyone’s memories of the text they’d taken charge of. What better way to celebrate spring, and to celebrate a year of ancient texts, new connections, and radiant creativity?
