A Good Week

Each Monday, we welcome the new week with a havdalah ceremony and today was the first of the new school year. All of the children and teachers gathered together in a big circle and Ali started the music. The Community Room was dark and we lit the tall braided candle. It really glowed in the dark room! Jeffrey held the kiddush cup up in the air and we all sang the blessing over the grape juice. We continued with the sweet smelling spices, as Sam walked around the entire circle of children and teachers, stopping to let each of us inhale the sweet scent. Then Aden held the candle up high, the rest of us held our hands up as we said the blessing over the fire. We tried to catch the reflection of the flames in our fingernails. When we were done singing, Avery and Aden entinguished the flame in the juice and we wished each other a shavuah tov, a good, sweet week.

Havdalah is traditionally done on Saturday night, to mark the end of Shabbat. If you'd like to try it at home the full ceremony (takes just a few minutes) can be found here:
Havdalah Blessings- Words
Havdalah Blessings- Music (play a clip or download the whole thing for 99 cents)