Dec 14
After a lovely and deep Teshuvah theme, we have the gift of spending this last week before break doing all things Chanukah! The children in Nitzanim v’Anafim (“Buds” for 1st-2nd grades and “Branches” for 3rd grade) love Chanukah, and it’s been so much fun to make Chanukah cards and decorations, play sevivon (dreidel) and Chanukah …
Dec 13
Last week, 18 teens (6th-12th grade) celebrated Chanukah together at our Teen Chanukah Party! We made latkes… We dipped candles… We played dreidel… We designed light catchers… And we decorated cookies! We are so glad to celebrate together, and hope you’ll join us for our Purim Party!
Dec 06
The children in Shalom, Chaverim! (“Welcome, Friends!” for ages 0 – 3 and their grown-ups) were immersed in Chanukah play. They used Chanukah candles and sevivonim (dreidels) to paint or manipulate play-dough. They explored the textures and shapes of these objects while engaging in sensory play with colorful rice. They placed candles of different sizes and colors …
Dec 06
Anafim v’Alonim (“Branches” for 3rd-4th grades and “Oak Trees” for 5th grade) was abuzz this week with final projects and celebrating Chanukah! Children painted and collaborated… Dreamt big…
Nov 16
The children in Shalom, Chaverim! (“Welcome, Friends!” for ages 0 – 3 and their grown-ups) are starting to explore Chanukah. They used a variety of media to place Chanukah candles into chanukiot (menorahs or candle-holders) including foam shapes onto contact paper, felt Chanukah shapes, real candles in play-doh, and a toy Chanukah set. In this way they …
Dec 09
This week, we have spent lots of time celebrating! We have been celebrating finishing up our final projects for our תֵּבָה (Teyva – “Ark”) theme, and have been getting ready to celebrate חֲנוּכָּה (Chanukah)! In Nitzanim (“Buds” for 1st grade), this has looked like lots of joyous singing and dancing. On Tuesday, we had a special series …
Dec 13
There are a number of super awesome ways we’ve been remind ourselves about the holiday and story of Chanukah. We’ve played variations of sevivon (dreidel), fun vocabulary games in ivrit (hebrew), and working with Shrinky Dinks. Yes- Shrinky Dinks. Who doesn’t like making itty bitty tiny things?! Children have used shrinky dinks to create different …
Dec 12
This week the children in Nitzanim (“Buds,” for first and second grade children) are hearing the Chanukah story with three different endings! The endings come from First Maccabees, Second Maccabees and the Talmud (Shabbat 21b). Nitzanim children listened to the story during kibud (snacktime), with each ending on a different day. Together with Morah Shterna …
Dec 21
This week in Anafim v’Alonim (“Branches” for 4th and “Oak Trees” for 5th grade), children have been putting the finishing touches on their Chanukah projects. These exemplify the range of ideas and learning styles that make our kevutzah (learning community) so wonderfully complex! Some children created a diorama, some made their own memes; others composed music, produced a …
Dec 18
This week in שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten) we have been playing our version of the narrative associated with Chanukah. We did a lot of building, but the children are planning on making a short movie as well and spent time making props, so the viewers will know who are the …
