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!
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:
A few examples:
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:
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.
Amazing First Days
We are officially open!
There was much excitement and the halls were bustling with activity as students, parents and teachers gathered for the first days of classes. Our students in Grades 3-6 returned on Wednesday, September 16th for a day of review fun and games. Some highlights:
Reviewing the Hebrew alefbet through Twister with a twist:
Hebrew Bingo:
And of course, everyone’s favorite activity – GaGa! Excuse the blurry pictures – its a fast-paced game!
It definitely was all fun – but not all games! The 6th Grade decorated Torah covers to be given to our newest students in Kindergarten-Grade 2 at our Simchat Torah Consecration ceremony:
Look what they created!
On Sunday, September 20th the younger students came too…and enjoyed a full morning! Among the activities – Hebrew games, time in the Art Room and Kehillah (Community Time):
On Monday, September 21st, nearly 70 teens joined us for the first night of 7th Grade and the South Hills Jewish Community High School (SHJCHS) Program. Once again, it was great to be together!
Finally, many of our students joined us for the Torah Center Yom Kippur Programming – as participants or as Madrichim – student aides. Despite the solemn mood of the day, many smiles were seen in the classrooms and hallways:
Thank you to everyone – our teachers, parents & teens – who made the day a success!
What a week!
Coming Up:
- Erev Sukkot Services THIS Sunday, September 27th will begin with noshing in the Outdoor Sukkah (weather permitting) at 5:45 pm followed by services at 6:30 pm.
- Erev Simchat Torah Family Celebration on 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!