What is the hardest word to say?

We had another visit from Ellen and her friend the Ziz.  Together, they told the class a story about the Ziz's quest to find the hardest word to say.  The children enjoyed "flying" around with Ziz, over mountains and trees to find the word--the word "SORRY".  Ziz ended his part of the visit by giving the kids little kisses in their hands.  Everyone then had the opportunity to touch and smell the etrog and shake the lulav.

Sukkot Symbolism

One interpretation of the lulav and etrog compares the 4 species to  4 major parts of the human body. The Etzim class learned that the lulav comes from a palm tree and represents the spine. The etrog or citron, represents the heart. The haddasim or the branches that come from a willow tree represent the lips. Finally, the aravot or the branches of the myrtle tree represent the eyes. Etzim students created their own human faces using the 4 species of Sukkot. They also had the opportunity to learn the importance of reusing and recycling materials from nature.

Levana Shakes the Lulav

Hannah, Joey and Mason take turns shaking the lulav all around while Zachary holds the lemon-fragrant etrog. Levana children are becoming very knowledgeable about Jewish autumn celebrations and traditions.

In the Sukkah with Rabbi Jay

Today we took a trip to visit the sukkah located along the edge of the parking lot.  We were joined by Rabbi Jay who introduced the children to the idea of a sukkah as we sat inside.  Rabbi Jay read us a story about a sukkah and a squirrel.  We also learned about the etrog and the palm leaves which make up the lulav.  With the help of Rabbi Jay, several of the children held the etrog and the lulav together and shook them high, low, to the left, to the right, in front, and in back of their bodies.  We remember that G-d is everywhere as we celebrate Sukkot.  We also gazed up through the openings in the roof of the sukkah to see the sky.  Rabbi Jay told us of a time long, long ago when the Jewish people lived in huts like our sukkah.  We remember those times as we celebrate the harvest each year at Sukkot.

Exploring Sukkot

The Keshet class was excited to visit with Rabbi Jay in the sukkah this morning.  We explored the sukkah, noticing the beautiful decorations: greens, pumpkins, and some lovely creations that were hanging from the roof.  We all looked out through the roof to see the blue sky and the clouds floating way above us.  Rabbi Jay explained how the Jewish people had lived in huts like ours long, long ago.  He also shared the lulav with us.  The kids had a chance to shake the lulav: in front, behind, to the right, to the left, up high, and down low.  Rabbi Jay explained that this was a way to remember that God is everywhere.

We took our paper crafted apples with us to the sukkah and hung them on the walls to add some bright color to this wonderful place.  We plan to return to the sukkah on Thursday and to have our celebration of Shabbat inside.  Please feel free to stop in for a look around the sukkah when you bring your child to school.

In the Sukkah with the Rainbows

This morning Rabbi Todd and the Rainbows enjoyed some time in the Sukkah.The Rabbi showed us the lulav and etrog. We shook the lulav in all directions, smelled the lemon scent of the etrog, wove some branches through the sukkah walls and enjoyed our snack together inside the lovely sukkah.