Back to School

Summers always go by so quickly!  If you're like me, then by the time summer vacation draws to a close, you're looking forward to the new school year - new friends to make, new things to learn, lots of fun activities to look forward to.

Our first day back to school for our Edot class was certainly interesting. Imagine 53 (out of the 61 registered) students, all in one classroom. It's hard not to meet at least a few new classmates when you're squeezed together. Fortunately, everyone seems to have had a good time (check some of the faces below).

During the first 20 minutes of our hour together,  students went on a "Get to Know Your Edot Classrooms" treasure hunt. This is my sneaky way of ensuring that they will get to know where everything is in the two classrooms we use. This activity was followed by "The Shekel Game," a very popular betting game in our class. Students were divided into 9 groups, and each group had to bet a certain number of shekels (Israeli currency) that they would be able to answer a question posed to them. The questions came from material that our Temple Isaiah 4th and 5th graders learned last year in four categories: Hebrew, Siddur (Prayerbook)/B'rachot (Blessings), Torah, and Holidays.

Just before we left the classroom to go to the Sanctuary for the all-school T'fila (prayer service), I introduced the students to our classroom tz'daka box and briefly shared with them the importance of giving tz'daka in the Jewish culture (it's a commandment!). Sometime during this academic year, our 6th graders will be making the very important decision as to where all the money raised by our K-6th graders will be sent.

We finished our first day back to school with a very spirited t'fila. Just before the end, Rabbi Greninger shared that during our usual t'fila service on Sunday, September 30th, everyone in attendance will become part of a "flash mob," in celebration of the Sukkot holiday which begins that evening. We are commanded in the Torah to rejoice during Sukkot, and the dancing flash mob experience will be a wonderful way to rejoice!

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone SHANA TOVA U'METUKA (A good and sweet year). May 5773 prove to be a year filled with joy, good health, and success for us all. Roll up your sleeves, and get ready for our Edot adventures in learning.