On Sunday, May 2^nd, our Torah School celebrated Yom Ha' Atzmaut.  Even though it was officially two weeks earlier, our school couldn't fit it in until the 2^nd.  The weather totally cooperated with us and we were able to be outside all morning with cool lovely temperatures. 

Once again, taking advantage of our Temple's actual Jerusalem stone, we wrote prayers/notes to put in the cracks of "The Wall".

Everyone got to make their own necklace with a wooden Hamsa (hand) for decoration.  It was wonderful seeing all of the kids wearing theirs at the end of the morning. 

The sand art station was very popular with the children doing their own designs using sand (to represent the desert in Israel). New this year was a pen-pal station.  I now have many letters to send to the children in Shar HaNegev.  Hopefully, we will get responses back from their school.

As always, the most popular area was the food section.  The classes each made their own Israeli salad, chopping tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers and mixing them with oil and lemon juice. There was plenty of pita bread to be stuffed with the Israeli salad, falafel, pickles, olives, lettuce, hummos and tahina - YUM!  Nobody minded decorating their own sugar cookie with blue and white icing (the colors of the Israeli flag).  

Myrna, as always, brought so much joy to our celebration with her singing.  We ended the beautiful morning with everyone waving their flags and singing the Israeli national anthem, Hatikva.  Happy 62^nd birthday Israel!

L'Shalom,

Cathy

P.S. Make sure to register for the 2010-2011 school during school hours on Sunday, May 16th and May 23rd!