It’s Shavuot, the holiday celebrating receiving the Torah. I hope everyone has a chance to enjoy the holiday treat of their choice. This week, Jonathan’s class got the chance to make chocolate mousse, and Debbie’s class got an Israeli recipe for cheese pancakes.

All of the students have been learning about various aspects of the holiday, from learning the story of Ruth to talking about receiving the Ten Commandments. Debbie’s class came up with some commandments they think we need in our world today (scroll to the end of this post to read those).

We will have our end-of-year celebration with a Zoom Havdalah party on Saturday, June 6, from 6:30-9:00. Be prepared with some party food (whatever works for your family, but we recommend that ice cream be part of it!). We will move from the school year to the summer with havdalah, the Jewish ceremony that helps us to celebrate transitions. After the ceremony, we’ll have different rooms for games, chatting, or dancing! I will send out invitations with more details early next week.

This Sunday will be our last Sunday morning k’hillah gathering. Ellen’s class will be leading, and they will tell us the story of Ruth! We will have our age-group gatherings right after that. Meet at 10:15 for social time and journaling. Ellen's class will begin the story of Ruth at 10:30, and age group classes will begin at 11:00.

Age-group classes will continue through June 14th, and you can still schedule a story time for your student with Wendy or Carole. Both Wendy and Carole love drama, and that makes them great story readers!

Wishing you all chag sameach and Shabbat shalom!

Here are the commandments Debbie’s class suggested. I really appreciate the way our students are applying their values and observations of the world around them to the things we learn at Masa!

Shavuot- Matan Torah- Debbie’s class

Suggestions for commandments

• Daphna: When electing a president do an intelligence test

• Emmy: You don’t have to do paperwork when you get a dog

• Shea: Needed things shouldn't be expensive

• Daphna: Tax payment should be fair, according to what people have

• Shea: Everybody should be treated the same,doesn’t matter what color is their skin

• Emmy: Everybody gets food

• Daphna: Get money to animal shelters

• Emmy: Everybody gets a home

• Shea: Everyone should get health insurance

• Emmy: When there is a vaccine everyone should get it

• Daphna: You shouldn’t be charged money for urgent care (like an ambulance)