September 23, 2012 - Kindergarten- Second grade

The early grades, kindergarten through second grade, of Temple Israel Religious School began their session on Sunday, September 23, with a bagel and juice snack-----the perfect way to join together to recite, in Hebrew the traditional blessings over bread and wine, or in our case, over bread and apple juice. We began our study of Torah by actually looking at a real Torah.

We went into the Sanctuary, and up onto the Bimah and opened the doors to the Aron Kodesh, the Holy Ark, and there they were--the Torahs dressed in their finest High Holy Day white mantles. Temple Israel is fortunate to also have six small Torahs, and the children learned how to hold the Torah, remove the coverings, and learned the parts that make up the Torah. Rabbi Olshein joined us with the B'nai Mitzvah Club.  We were able to open one of the larger Torahs so that everyone could get a good look at the Hebrew words inscribed on the parchment.  As we rolled up the Torah, we said a Shehecheyanu, a prayer for firsts.

Back in our classroom, we listened to a Rosh Hashanah story, and talked about the importance of saying "I'm sorry".  Just as God created the world, we can create a new beginning with acts of goodness and loving kindness.  We identified some of the customs and symbols of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. 

We listened to music as we made Rosh Hashanah cards with colors and paste, and stencils and cut outs.We colored a set of game cards with symbols of the Holy Days, and we will take them home to cut out and play a matching game. 

Rabbi Olshein showed us how six little hands could make a Jewish Star. 

Our morning concluded with a special tashlich service at the Intercoastal, where we sang songs and recited prayers.  We are fortunate to be able to just walk across the street from the Temple, and have this beautiful waterway to cast our bread, or symbolic sins into.   L'Shana Tovah!!