Sign In Forgot Password
Home

blogs/masa

Rejoicing With Torah

10/02/2018 04:52:17 PM

Oct2

Last weekend was another one filled up with celebrations, both Jewish and otherwise.

On Friday, the third through seventh grade students spent some time learning about the first portion of the Torah: Bereishit. They explored reasons why there might be two different versions of the creation tale, one right after the other, and discussed why the Torah includes stories about people disobeying G-d or killing a sibling in the very first chapters. One suggested that the story of the serpent tempting Eve and Adam was a way to remind us not to give in to peer pressure. Others discussed the ways that we can all sometimes feel as though our siblings get something better than we have (but we agreed that violence of any kind, let alone murder, is never the right choice!).

We also practiced some songs to share with the younger children and at the community Simchat Torah celebration on Sunday. 

On Sunday, we continued learning about Bereishit, and also prepared for Simchat Torah. The youngest children made flags and hats for the parade, and older children prepared by learning the Torah blessings. All of the children discussed reasons that we might start a story over again as soon as we finish reading it! 

On Sunday evening, many of you joined us for a final picnic in the sukkah, and a parade down Main Street, followed by a joyful celebration of the Torah. I enjoyed watching the younger children get a close-up look at the Torah, and seeing our oldest children get a chance to recite the blessings for the childrens' aliyah. I enjoyed sharing each of the holidays with our community, but I confess that I'm ready to enter a quieter part of the year!

As we enter the month of October in the secular calendar, and Cheshvan in the Jewish calendar, we'll be able to settle into our school year routine. Our first Friday with Mini Minyan and a community potluck is this Friday. Rabbi Brent will be reading stories for children ages 5-7 at 5 PM, Mini Minyan (for ages 2-7, led by Friday Masa students) will be at 5:30, and the community potluck begins at 6 PM. I hope that we'll see some of you there this week, or in the coming weeks!

There is no MASA this coming Sunday, October 7, due to the holiday weekend.

Over the next several weeks, we will continue learning about the weekly Torah portions, and will also work on our practice of gratitude for everything that we've got. Further ahead, Grandfriends' Day will be on November 18th, and we encourage families to invite grandparents, aunts, uncles, older friends, or any adult who is special to your children to come and join us then!

 

Sat, May 10 2025 12 Iyyar 5785