Holidays are a perfect time and way to celebrate the joy of being Jewish with young children. We celebrate through art, music, cooking, tasting, reading books, and becoming familiar with and learning the brachot. The story of each holiday is told in an age-appropriate manner. For Rosh Hashanah, we dip apples in honey and blow the Shofar. On Sukkot, we decorate a model Sukkah in each classroom, as well as the Synagogue Sukkah where we enjoy our daily snack. At Hanukkah, we make and eat latkes. We celebrate Tu B’Shvat and Passover with a school-wide Seder. Our older children take a special trip to the Model Matzoh Bakery where they learn to make matzoh themselves. Purim is a fun-filled and busy time, as we make groggers, costumes, and hamentaschen to eat.

 

A Shabbat celebration takes place in each classroom each week. A special snack is provided by the parent or parents who are the Shabbat guests. In addition to the brachot over the challah, grape juice and candles, we sing Shabbat songs in Hebrew and English.