Are you Keeping up with Talmud Torah? 

For those of you who have had a chance to get to know me a little, it should come as no surprise that my favorite part of my job is interacting with your children. I love greeting them everyday, talking with them during recess, visiting them in their classrooms , and, most of all, teaching them. During Sukkot, I had the opportunity to teach each and every class from Alef through Vav about the holiday. When the weather cooperated (as it did for all except two classes), I took each class into the sukkah for about 20 minutes. I asked questions and they literally dazzled me with their knowledge. On the few occasions when they didn't know the answers, I taught them one or two new things. We talked about the meaning of the holiday, a few of the rules about the sukkah and its "roof" (the "schach"), and identified the four species which we shake. We then made the blessing over the four species (lulav-palm, citron-etrog, willow-arava, and myrtle-hadas), and everyone got the opportunity to shake a set in all six directions. We also made a blessing for sitting in the sukkah, and had apple juice and Oreos! I had a great time, and I hope the students did as well.

An Outstanding Alef Class Activity

A unique assortment of homemade sukkot made by the three alef classes is presently on display in front of the Talmud Torah office. The sukkot come in many sizes, made of materials such as Lego pieces, sticks, boxes, crackers, leaves, fabric, and even banana peel!  All the students who participated in this volunteer activity agreed on how much fun they had constructing their own sukkah. You are invited to come see this truly magnificent display. Kol Hakavode to all our creative alef sukkah builders!

Hagworts Opening Program Begins This Year with a Bang!

 CIS Classes View Ushpizin, Award-Winning Israeli Movie
 

Dr. Levi's and Tamar's CIS classes had the opportunity to watch an award-winning Israeli film, Ushpizin (guests), which is about Sukkot. Prior to the movie, a Smart Board presentation was shared which included information about the origin and meaning of the word, ushpizin and also material about the movie. Students were given a questionnaire about various aspects of the film and how they related to deeper issues brought out in the movie, such as, the idea of miracles; leaving your past and living your present; hospitality-when is enough, enough and more. Students enjoyed the film, learned more about Sukkot and engaged in thought-provoking discussions about themselves and some of their beliefs.

Visit from Local Author 
 

Local author, Dori Weinstein, recently spoke to our Mekhina Bet through Gimel students. Her first book, Sliding Through the New  New Year, was written for 3rd- 6th graders. Dori has been travelling all over the United States speaking to children in Jewish schools and promoting her book.

She told the children how she got the idea for this book, as well as the entire series. Dori hopes to write 12 books in all, one for each month on the Jewish calendar.  Many of the rituals and traditions of Rosh Hashanah were incorporated into her book as well as into her presentation to our students.

The children were very engaged as they responded to Dori's questions and asked some of their own. They were so excited to meet the author in person. Dori even learned all their names and addressed them by name throughout her presentation.

We loved meeting you, Dori.   Toda raba!