Bring-A-Friend Days

During our past two weekday sessions, our JQuest students were allowed to bring a friend who doesn't attend our school with them, and quite a few of our Edot students took us up on the offer. For most of the session, we joined the students and their friends from the Shira and Y'tzira tracks, and together we shared the Hanuka story and its celebration. By the time each day's session was over, our friends had learned a bit about the historical events the holiday commemorates, and how we celebrate it today.

We began each session in the Beit Knesset, where everyone put on a name tag and then listened as I read a very brief summary of the historical events of the holiday.

During each session, Rabbi Greninger joined us for a few minutes, in order to welcome the friends.

Once I had finished reading the summary of the story, we divided everyone into 4 groups. Each was assigned to create a skit depicting one fourth of the Hanuka story that I had just read. We asked that the skit take about 2 minutes to perform, and also added in a "twist." Each group was assigned to perform its part of the story using a well-known American or English set of characters to portray it - a different set of characters for each group. Once each group performed its skit, the audience was asked to guess which set of characters they portrayed.

The four groups went to four different rooms and were guided by either a teacher or T.A. as they put together the skit. We devoted 20 minutes to this part of the activity. By 4:40, we had all gathered back in the Beit Knesset, to enjoy the performances. And enjoy them we did!

The first group was assigned to use characters you would find in an American Western film:

The second group shared their part of the Hanuka story in the style of a Star Wars movie:

For the third part, we asked the group to present it in the style of a Harry Potter film:

And finally, we were treated to the last part of the story by a set of Disney characters:

Most of the skits lasted far less than 2 minutes, but that's OK. When each group had completed its performance and the audience had guessed which characters they were using to tell the story, I asked the group to perform the skit two or three times again, each time faster than before. So if their initial skit took a minute to perform, they then had to perform it in 30 seconds, then 15 seconds. This is where everyone really had a good time - both the performers and the audience. Best of all, friends who came to JQuest had a chance to meet and interact with other friends, as well as with other JQuest students.

With only half an hour left before our Hanuka assembly in the Sanctuary, each track went back to its own classroom for more fun and games. In our Edot classroom, we played the dreydl game, using Starburst candies to ante into the pot (and eating a few as the game progressed!).

Everyone received a dreydl that they could take home with them (along with their Starburst candies). We have a very impressive group of dreydl spinners - our students were sharing their tricks with their friends who proved to be very quick studies!

Below are some shots my TA's captured of what Hanuka fun looks like!

Some students decided to try some other Hanuka games I had in the classroom - here, the game of Hanuka Concentration is being played - having to match up pictures of Hanuka items or stories with the English description.

And a Hanuka version of the "Where's Waldo?" books was very popular.

You have to find the five Hanuka objects pictured in the large, white Hanukiya somewhere on the page its on or on the opposite page. Definitely a challenge!

Seemingly within the blink of an eye, it was time for us to pack up the candy and dreydls and go up to the Sanctuary for a Hanuka assembly of all the 3rd-6th grade classes. Each day, the assembly began with a rousing rendition of a Hanuka song. Below, we're singing "Oh Hanuka" led by our music director, Ben, Rabbi Greninger, and our Teva teacher, Jojo:

Once we were all settled and in a fine Hanuka mood, Rabbi Greninger shared certain features of our Sanctuary with friends, and also asked them to volunteer something new they had learned about Hanuka during the session. Almost all the friends raised their hands to volunteer.

Then it was time to light the Hanuka candles and chant the blessings - one candle on Tuesday evening, the first night of Hanuka and two candles on Wednesday evening. As soon as the candles were lit and the blessings chanted, we immediately began singing "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), which is traditionally sung after the candles are lit each night.

With a final song, "S'vivon, Sov Sov Sov," ("Dreydl, Spin, Spin, Spin"), we ended the assembly just in time for dismissal. Thus ended two very, very successful "Bring-A-Friend" days at JQuest. This also marks the end of our first semester, and the start of our winter break.

 CHAG HA'URIM SAME'ACH! (HAPPY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS!)

AND A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2018!