We search for Chametz!

Before Passover, we empty our cupboards of bread, cereal, crackers, cookies, pasta, and pretzels.  Before Passover starts, we search for chametz, and put it away out of our kitchen until the holiday is over.
Last week the Tel Aviv children went on a chametz search in our classroom kitchen (Dramatic Play Center).  We collected all the chametz-foods that need to rise as yeast breads and other baked goods.  Then we put it away in the TBSCC closet to make sure no chametz gets into the food we cook for Passover.

We've Got That Chanukah Feeling

The Etzim class has been abuzz with Chanukah activity over the last two weeks.  We've made every variation of chanukiah imaginable - paper strips, stamping, gluing, playdough, snack, and, finally, our gorgeous menorah tiles!  We're learning new songs, reading new books, and playing Chanukah Bingo (check out Ben and Josh!)  What a joyful time of year!

Keep Blowing Ellen!

Ellen came in on Friday to give us a lesson in blowing the shofar.  There are several different shofar calls used on Rosh Hashanah. The tekiah is one long blast. The teruah is nine short blasts. The shevarim is three blasts. And the tekiah gedolah is a single long blast, much longer than the plain tekiah.  Check out the reactions of Josh and Reed as Ellen blows the tekiah gedolah!

What do you like about being free?

At circle time we talked about how the story of Passover teaches us about slavery and freedom and the right of all people to be free! After I read, Moses God's Brave Servant we asked the children "What is one thing you like about being free?"

Rachel- "If you are captured you can change your mind if you want to be free."

Eli- "This morning I had a fight with my brother and I could just walk away."

Ezra- " I can play with my brother whenever I want to, except when he has to do his homework."

Freedom is not an easy a concept for preschoolers to grasp. I was amazed at some of the children's responses. We will continue to talk about the story of Passover and remember how brave Moses lead the Jewish people out of Egypt.

Bucket Filler = Giving Mishloach Manot

Purim is celebrated by giving mutual gifts of food and drinks! Today the Sunshine and Tel Aviv partnered up and made Mishloach Manot Baskets for some very special people!

At circle time we asked the children "Who do you want to make a Mishloach Manot Basket for? Who here at TBS do you appreciate?" The names went on and on Ellen, Daniel, Mom(Rebecca),Rabbi Jay, Rabbi Todd, Maria,Mary Ann, Tina... Tel Aviv made the cards and the Sunshine children decorated the bags. Then the Sunshine and Tel Aviv children worked with a partner and put together individual Mishloach Manot bags that the Tel Aviv children will hand deliver today and tomorrow.

What a wonderful, beautiful tradition!

I'm A Latke !!!

 

What do you get with a mandalin, potatoes, and a lot of cooperation??? Boys and girls worked together to prepare latkes. Can you see the amazed look on their faces when the potatoes were shredded and magically appeared underneath the mandalin? It was a lot of fun preparing and eating this delicious holiday treat.

Some boys and girls decided that they were 'eaters' not makers. So much fun