New Traditions

It is always fun to be in on the ground floor of a new tradition.  The Etzim class has been joyfully joining their neighbors, Adamah, for Shabbat.  Each week a different helper from each class lead the blessings as we join together in prayer, reflection, and song.  We love sharing our space with each other and extending our friendships.  Thank you Adamah!

Home Sweet Home!

Friday was a busy day!  We reconstructed our plane, and prepared to fly back to Needham!  The Tel Aviv class spent two fantastic fun weeks in Israel together!

Charlotte was the ticket collector, Micah R stamped our passports, Micah G and Elias were the pilots, Zach and Josh helped serve refreshments!  Our helper of the week Micah G, led us as we said the blessings over the candles, wine, and challah.

Can you imagine...we made it back just in time to celebrate Shabbat with the entire TBSCC!  That's what we call great timing!  Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat is Here

 

Harrison and Ethan led the Keshet class in our weekly Shabbat celebration. The children are proud that they have learned the blessings and are able to lead their classmates as Shabbat Helper, and the challah 'always tastes so fine!' Today the children raised the possibility of having Shabbat outdoors. We decided that when we return from our break, we will celebrate at our picnic table in the playground. We're looking forward to some warm, sunny weather! 

Shabbat Is Here

Eva led her Keshet classmates in the Shabbat blessings on Thursday, and was happy to share the challah that she proudly carried in with her in the morning. The children also made their own challah, and played at the Shabbat table throughout the morning. Many of the children like to wear kippot and practice blessing challah and wine and lighting candles in their play. They know that for us, Shabbat comes early, and that it is a warm and happy time.  

A Busy Thursday

The Keshet class continued with the Purim celebration on Thursday, joining all of TBSCC in the sanctuary for performances and songs that brought the Purim story to life for us. We enjoyed new friends Julie and Marisa who helped us in the classroom. Our week ended with our Shabbat; Ben did a wonderful job of leading us in the blessings.

Shabbat is here....

Today we celebrated Shabbat with family and friends!  The children had the opportunity to create puppets and crowns for Purim.  On the the rug we used wooden blocks, straws, and magnatiles to build traps for Hamen and cool castles! 

Thank you all for coming!  Sasha and I hope you all enjoy your family time over February break!

Much to Celebrate

Today in the Keshet class we celebrated our Chanukah Shabbat. Many candles to light and blessings to say together.  Joseph led the Shabbat blessings and we all admired and enjoyed the beautiful challah that he and his family made with love and skill. The children were delighted that this challah contained a special sweet treat, chocolate chips! Each week we notice the children growing more familiar and fond of the rituals that we observe on this special day.

Shabbat Scenes

The Keshet children grow each week in their enjoyment of our Shabbat celebration. There is an air of excitement and a sense that something special is going on. We celebrate with blessings, food,  song, and stories; over time, these all add to our understanding that Shabbat is a special gift given to the Jewish people, and that it is a day to rest, give thanks, and enjoy time with our family and friends.

Our visit to Adam's Sukkah!

On  Friday we walked over to Adam's house to enjoy a Shabbat snack in his sukkah.   When we arrived we gathered around the small table in the sukkah and talked about the similarities and differences between Adam's sukkah and the TBSCC sukkah. Their responses, "Adam has a scarecrow and little pumpkins, Adam's is made out of wood too and you can see the sky."

Then we sang our welcome song, said the blessings and enjoyed a yummy Shabbat snack!   Last but not least we hung the colorful coffee filters that we made in Lunch Bunch up in Adam's sukkah.

Adam, thanks for inviting us over to your house for a visit in your sukkah!

Our First Shabbat Together!

First we spent some time outside playing on the playground. Josie and Zach enjoyed spending time in the kitchen area, making goldfish cakes. Molly and Charlotte decided to play house and care for Molly's baby. They put the baby on the swing, fed her and changed her diaper multiple times. It is so nice to see the children playing and connecting with both their new classmates and their old friends.

At circle time we read Sammy Spider's First Rosh Hashanah, sang our welcome song, picked our first STICK PERSON for next week (very exciting stuff Adam will be our leader for the week), and talked about our hopes for the Jewish New Year. During free play we braided our own challah and had the opportunity to make New Year cards.

We ended the day by gathering together for delicious group Shabbat snack...We said the blessings, sang songs, ate challah and apple cake! It was a wonderful ending to a fantastic and fun first week!

Sasha and I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Celebrating Shabbat Together!

Celebrating Shabbat together always feels so good! We said the blessings together and then we

all enjoyed a delicious Shabbat snack!

Shabbat Shalom!

Celebrating Shabbat on Thursday!

We always enjoy celebrating Shabbat on Thursday ! We make challah, say the blessings and enjoy a special Shabbat snack (challah of course).

Yesterday Sarah asked if we could "decorate bags for the challah we take home?" I looked around the Children's Center for brown bags and could not find them. I gathered paper, markers and staplers put them on the red table and asked, "Do you think we can make our own challah bags with paper, markers and the staplers?" Sarah's response, "Let's cut the paper in half, staple it but leave it open at the top, and then we can decorate it."

Field Day!

First we all enjoyed a long Shabbat snack together! Then we had the opportunity to explore Avery Field! We found dandelions, insects and ran along the rocky path on the outskirts of the field! Some of the children initiated an imaginary game of baseball. Last but not least we all enjoyed playing parachute games!

Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat on Thursday?

We celebrated Shabbat today! We made raisin cinnamon challah, sang Shabbat songs, and joined the rest of the Gimmel Team for a delicious Shabbat snack!

Shabbat Shalom!

Our Last Shabbat Helper Of The Year

Sami was our last Shabbat Helper for the year. She calmly helped to recite the blessings over the candles, grape juice, and Challah. She was very eager to look in her backpack and find the Challah. She then excitedly walked around the classroom, proudly showing her classmates and teachers "The big Challah" that she brought. Thank you Sami. It was delicious!

Our Shabbat Helper

Sophie was our Shabbat Helper this week. She calmly helped to recite the blessings over the candles, grape juice, and Challah. Today was also her school birthday celebration. What a fun-filled day!

This Week's Shabbat Helper

Molly is this week's Shabbat Helper. She was very focused as she helped to recite the blessings over the candles, grape juice, and Challah. All the Rainbow children and teachers know that Molly does not care for the Challah. She enjoyed eating apples slices instead. She stated "I don't have to eat it if I don't want to". "When I am ready I will just eat it". Very well stated, Molly! Thank you for being such a wonderful Shabbat Helper!

This Week"s Shabbat Helper

Josh is this week"s Shabbat helper. He took this job very seriously and calmly helped to recite the blessings over the candles, grape juice, and Challah. He started off his special day with his dad bringing him to school and by telling us proudly, "My dad and I are going to fix the toolbox when I get home." Josh, we hope that you had a lot of fun helping your dad. We look forward to hearing all about it next week!

This Week's Shabbat Helper

Ilan was this week's Shabbat Helper. He took his role very seriously and helped to recite the blessings over the candles, grape juice, and Challah. He made sure to close his eyes to really feel the light and warmth of Shabbat. He helped his mom, Abby, to knead and braid the delicious Challah. Almost everyone wanted seconds and some children even wanted a third piece. Yummy!

This Week's Shabbat Helper

This week, it was Audrey's turn to be the Shabbat Helper. She quietly and calmly recited the blessings over the candles, grape juice, and Challah. Not only did everyone enjoy the delicious Challah, but we also got to enjoy more chocolate Matzah to go along with it. Yummy! Happy Passover!