The countdown to Chanukah is on… time for Chanukah related crafts, mitzvah-oriented gift giving, youth group activites and more!

On Saturday night, J-TEAM (our youth group for students in grades 9-12) kicked off the Chanukah season with a Pre-Chanukah Progressive Party complete with good food, grab-bag gifts and lots of fun!

On Sunday, it wasn’t ALL about Chanukah… our Kindergarten students and their parents came together for a morning of activites to finish up their unit about Shabbat. To add to the challah cover and placemat they made previously, the morning’s projects included decorating a Kiddish cup and candlesticks to be used at home during their own family’s Shabbat observance:

Our 3rd Graders made prophet puppets to display what they have learned in Mrs. Schake’s prophets class:

As part of Mrs. Schlesinger’s Israel class, our 6th Graders learned about different immigrant groups in Israel and even dressed the part:

Sunday morning also included the annual Mitzvah Mall, the chance to make donations to worthwhile organizations including Temple’s Caring Community, the Children’s Village, the Humane Society, SHIM, Ronald McDonald House, JNF, and Invisible Children. In return for a small donation, students received a beautiful Chanukah or holiday card acknowledging the donation along with a description of which mitzvah goes along with the work of the organization. In essence – easy holiday shopping for a good cause!

The 1st graders waited to hear about the different organizations:

It was difficult to decide which organizations to visit! An older student explained what the Children’s Village is all about:

A 4th Grader visited the Humane Society table and met Max the dog:

Following Torah Center, J-Club (Grades 6-8) spent the afternoon at the Young Chef’s Academy preparing Chanukah foods:

The countdown continues… stay tuned! Have a great week!

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Coming Up:

Jr. J-Club  (grades 4-5) is hanging with the Bead Lady THIS Sunday, December 18^th from 12:15-2 pm following Torah Center.  Cost is $12 and includes a pizza lunch and 2 bookmarks. RSVP to Jayna Rubin at [email protected]