Oct 11
In Shorashim (‘roots’ for nursery) and Shteelim (‘saplings’ kindergarten), we are starting to feel like a community. When someone is absent, other children ask, “when are they coming back?”, and say, “I wanted to play with them today”. We introduced the various jobs that children might have, so they have started to work on caring for each other …
Oct 14
For the past month, our sixth and seventh graders have been planning a Sukkot celebration for the entire Jewish Enrichment Center. Finally, our big day arrived! What a scramble to get everything ready! After all of our prep work was done, our language for giving instructions to younger children rehearsed, we took some time to …
Oct 10
Over the past two weeks, Shorashim has been learning about the holiday of Sukkot. Sukkot is a fall harvest holiday that is traditionally celebrated in a hut outside called a סוכה (sukkah – a hut/tent). In order to better understand how a sukkah is made (and how much fun it can be inside one), we …
Oct 10
One quick review of what the Early Rabbis thought a סוכה (sukkah) needed to include, drawing on several years of research and experience, Lots of long, straight sticks for the structure (expertly scavenged and stripped), and leafy branches to go on top, A ball of twine, good lashing skills, and a few extra pairs of hands …
Oct 04
This week Shteelim (“saplings” for Kindergarten) made tissue paper flowers to decorate our סוּכָּה (sukkah) We learned new techniques from each other “She used two colors! That’s cool!” “What? How did he make 3 layers?” We made so many in all different צְבָעִים (tzvaim– colors) “Which one should I- Oh! Red! Red! Red! I …
Oct 28
This sukkah represents freedom. The round table represents equality. This sukkah shows a scene from when the Hasmonean kings were in charge. King Alexander Yannai refused to do the ritual in the Temple the way the people believed it should be done, and they pelted him with etrogrim (etrogs, a fruit we use …
Oct 27
Here in Beit Shorashim v Shteelim (nursery and kindergarten) we are exploring our feelings about סוכות (Sukkot). One way we explored our feelings about סוכות (Sukkot) was by building our own סוכות (sukkot). We explored our feelings about סוכות (Sukkot) is by shaking the לולב (lulav) and אתרוג (etrog) We explored our feelings about סוכות (Sukkot) by listening to music …
Oct 27
We did it! After planning… Building… Gathering natural materials for building and decorations (and enjoying a beautiful fall morning during Sukkot)… More building… Poster-making… And setting up the space, The יום רביעי (yom revi’i, Wednesday) group got to show our younger friends our three-part סוכה (sukkah) city exhibit! We have the “wilderness” exhibit, inspired …
Oct 23
This week in Shalom Chaverim we prepared for a trip to visit the sukkah together! We prepared our own special kibud (snack!) to eat in a special place– the sukkah! We d measured out the ingredients together into a big bowl, and then we mixed and mixed. (A challenge for developing fine motor strength and …
Oct 21
Yes! Sukkot is Zeman Simchateinu – The Time of Our Rejoicing. We took our first-ever Jewish Enrichment Center field trip, to the Garfield Park Conservatory. It was ninety straight minutes of, “You absolutely have to see this!” and “Look at that shape!” We took notes, drew pictures, took a ton of photos, and developed …
