In the window...

In the Keshet class we had a preview of things to come.  Chanukah begins on Saturday, but the children had a chance to see how wonderful it is to share the light from the first candle on our menorah with everyone nearby by placing it in the window.   

The kids were amazed to see the candles melted down "SO FAST!", and seemed to disappear as they burned and melted away so very completely.  We lit the wooden shabbat candles in play, and later tried out the class menorah which was fashioned from foil that we had used to protect our table when we painted on Tuesday.  Blue and silver - how beautiful!  We look forward to lighting both menorahs on Tuesday when we are together once again.

Rabbi Jay comes to call

Rabbi Jay came by to visit the Keshet class this morning.  He talked to us about the holiday that's coming up soon: Chanukah!  He shared a song with us that described how we will light the candles on the menorah, one more on each night of Chanukah.  We put the menorah in a window so we can share the light from the candles with lots of people.  During the holiday, we might give a present to someone we love to bring some light into their holiday.  Rabbi Jay also taught us about the dreidel, spun a number of our dreidels for us, and led us in the Dreidel Song.  At the end of his visit, he asked if he might return another day.  The children were excited by that idea and agreed that he should come back again.   Rabbi Jay then explained to the children that he has a room upstairs where we can go visit him.  He even has some toys to share.  We'll be sure to take Rabbi Jay up on his kind offer.

happiness

Rabbi Jay joined the sunshines today to talk about Chanukah and the importance of light during this holiday. He asked us how we can bring light and happiness to others. Lizzie, Jaedyn and Aleeza all talked about how their brothers make them happy when they hug them and play with them. A few pets were mentioned, as well - Maxie and Inky to name just two. We lit the Chanukah candles and sand two songs together. After, some children finished their sparkly dreidel hangers that will surely bring happiness to their homes and others made beautiful Chanukah cards for family and friends.