Dear Parents,
This past week our matriarch, Sarai, greeted the children in our Torah class. She told the learners about her and her husbands, Avram's story (Parshat Lech Lecha) about having faith in God and journeying into the Land of Canaan (Israel). They committed to leaving their community, who practiced idol worship. Avram and Sarai started a new life as monotheist, committed to believing in one God.
Sarai told the kids about her getting older and not having any children, as of yet. How she was jealous and upset with her maidservant, Hagar. Avram wanted to live in harmony with his nephew Lot and therefore compromised to do so. Both her and Avram agreed to a Covenant with God, thus beginning a new life, starting with new names, Sarah and Abraham.
In our discussion in class I asked how can we communicate with God? Some of the kids answers were; "saying Prayers and wishing", "saying prayers in our heart", "God hears our voices through Prayer, Mitzvot, talking & even thinking". The kids also made their own Covenant with God. Listing things that they would like God to do for them and what they think God wants them to do.
I am excited to introduce our next Unit. Shabbat and Friday night Table prep. Our class will learn the Mitzvot, history, meaning behind the Shabbbat table rituals. We will be exploring the following rituals:
Kiddush
Candle Lighting
Separating and baking Challah
Challah at the Shabbat table
Hand washing
Birkat HaMazon
We will cap off the Unit with a project, Shabbat Boxes for those in need. This will take place right before Chanukah and will be a wonderful culmination of our continuing studies of Jewish Values.
Looking forward to an exciting semester ahead! Cillia Kleiman
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