Some Chesed For Shabbat!

When the Ruach kids entered the room on Shabbat yesterday, they learned of a special Shabbat project. Each child reached into a bag and picked out the name of a classmate and then made that classmate a card. Everyone was excited to see whose name they got. They worked hard to create a card while thinking about what colors and designs their classmates would like, even if they knew that they personally didn't like the same color.  I was pleased to see that everyone was happy about creating a card for a peer even if it wasn't their best friend. Some children did pick classmates they were closer to and added an extra bit of love and attention as they created detailed drawings and sweet messages for their friends. Once they created their card, they used their great name-recognition skills to place their card in their classmate's cubby. Everyone was so excited at the end of the day to see who made them a card! Their notes were sweet and meaningful and children's buckets were filled by both giving and receiving Shabbat cards. 

The Ruach class has been talking about doing acts of Chesed, kindness, throughout their time at school and beyond. Creating a card for someone else is a great way of adding a bit of Chesed to anyone's day. The class worked together, and as a result every child both gave, and received a card creating a community that cares and supports each other. Such a kind class!

shamayim kindness

During an activity today, there were no seats available for Lily.  Lily went back to the sensory table and  said that she wanted to help when there was room.  The children continued to work.  Several minutes later, Bella decided she was done.  Without prompting, Bella walked over to Lily and said "Lily, I am done.  You can have my chair."

The concept of chesed (love and kindness) is something that we talk about throughout our day.  We show kindness through actions and words.  We often refer to this as Bucket Filling.  Bella was a Bucket Filler today!

Sharing and Chesed

Chesed is the Hebrew word for "Kindness" or "Loving-Kindness." The children in Levana practice Chesed throughout the day.
Today, Hayley and Ellen shared the plastic toy people, willingly and politely; while saying "Please" and "Thank you." At this stage in their lives, sharing is being learned and introduced to them as a new concept. It is wonderful to see children go out of their way to be kind to one another. We hope to witness and capture more moments of Chesed amongst the children to share in the future.

Being Kind to One Another

The world stands on three things: Torah, worship and acts of loving-kindness. Chesed, kindness, is encompassed in Gemilut Chasadeem. In the classroom it is important for children to learn that being nice and kind to other people is not just a good thing to do, it's a Jewish thing to do. As we begin the school year and children make new friends, we are reminded of the Jewish value of Chesed. Lily and Hayley share the paints creating their apple still life pictures; Samantha and Nicolas share a moment of joy, Lindsey shows others her painting and Harold and I share a book.