Sukkot is in the Air!

Sukkot is a favorite around here…its a lot of fun decorating the sukkah and shaking the lulav and etrog! Our sukkah looks beautiful; now if only the weather would cooperate!

 

On Sunday, Pre-K through 2nd grade students made decorations to hang in the sukkah. They visited the outdoor sukkah, learned about the symbolism of the lulav and etrog and got the chance to give them a shake.  Ms. Freed also helped them to sing Rabbi Mahler’s Sukkah Song – a much anticipated holiday highlight!

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Our older students in grades 3-6 learned about Ushpizin, the mitzvah of inviting guests into the Sukkah. Besides the traditional Jewish ancestors, they shared who else they would invite and the question they would ask given the chance:

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A few examples:

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Join us for our First Fridays Shabbat Service THIS Friday to see more!

 

On Wednesday, between the rain drops, the older students visited the outdoor Sukkah to see their work and take a turn at lulav shaking: 

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Happy Sukkot!

 


Coming Up:

  • Erev Simchat Torah Family Celebration THIS Sunday, October 4th. There will be NO TORAH CENTER classes in the morning. Instead – the celebration begins at 4:30 with family activities and crafts.  Followed by a FREE pasta dinner at 5:30 and a special Simchat Torah Family Service beginning at 6:30.  As part of the service, we will be welcoming children in Grades K-2nd as our newest Torah Center Students. RSVP to Paula or Dawn at [email protected] to let us know that you’re coming!
  • Save the Date! Sunday, October 11th is 4th Grade Family Day! Join us as we take the food collected during the High Holiday Drive over to the South Hills Interfaith Ministry Food Pantry. More information to come – check you email.  
  • Save the Date! Students in Kindergarten-2nd grade and their families are invited to come to Simmons Farm for an afternoon of fall activities on Sunday, October 25th following Torah Center Classes. Look for the flyer coming your way for more details.

Over 1300 pounds…

…that’s how much food the 4th Graders and their parents took to SHIM last Sunday!

A big thank you to SHIM (South Hills Interfaith Ministry) Executive Director Jim Guffey for helping us to weigh and sort all of the food we brought, for giving us a tour, and for telling us about of all the great things happening at SHIM.

By the way – the 4th graders only weighed 895 pounds…how cool that we brought in so much more food than that! Another big thank you goes to everyone who participated in Temple’s annual food drive – you helped us make a difference!

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Back at Temple there was a lot of creative energy – 1st grade visited Ms. Dreyfuss, Lydia and Maddy in the art room and made their own mini-Torah scrolls:

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And kindergarten sang with Mrs. Margolis:

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All in all…a great morning!

 

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Coming Up:

~ Our next Shabbat LaMishpacha Dinner and Family service of the year is Friday, November 1st! Please let Lori in the main office know if you are able to attend the dinner. The cost is $15 for adults, $5.50 for children under 14. Can’t make it to the dinner?  Join us for the service.  This is a “don’t miss” event! See you there!