blogs/masa

Last Friday at Masa, we began our day by discussing the various ways that we could judge people with the scales weighted in their favor. It was interesting to see all of the different ways we could reshape the stories we had in our minds about why people might have done something that upset us!

Then we split into groups for nature or crafts. I am impressed by the students’ commitment to making their work beautiful, and I think Jonathan’s group enjoyed learning about nature by opening up and eating black walnuts!

We came back together to welcome Shabbat. The children certainly made a joyful noise at Mini Minyan! We had many sweet moments after lighting the Shabbat candles, as parents and children took turns blessing each other.

On Sunday, we continued to explore the verse from Pirkei Avot that told us to get a teacher, find a friend, and judge everyone favorably. This idea led us towards discussions about forgiveness and the Days of Awe. Our younger students then focused on thinking of ways to celebrate the birthday of the world, while the older students explored the ideas of T’shuvah, T’fillah, and Tzedakah, as well as learning about the Jewish calendar cycles.

Our first through sixth grade students are continuing to learn the Hebrew language through the  Hebrew Through Movement curriculum. We teachers have been surprised at how much they retained, in spite of the fact that they didn’t have Hebrew Through Movement lessons after Danielle went on maternity leave last year. I am very glad to see that the children not only enjoy the curriculum, but remember what they learn! I am also looking forward to seeing how much they will learn with a full year of instruction!

The holidays are beginning this Sunday night! Please be sure to register your children (as well as yourself).

If you were thinking of signing up for Sexuality and You: Bodies, Communication, and Jewish Values, please do so ASAP. Without sufficient registrations, the class will be canceled.

Coming up:

September 27, Friday Masa, 4:00-6:00. There will not be Mini Minyan or Potluck this week.

September 29, Sunday Masa, 9:30-12:30.

September 30 and October 1, Rosh Hashanah: Programming for Masa-aged children will begin at 10:00 on Monday and Tuesday.

October 9, Yom Kippur: Programming for Masa-aged children will begin at 10:00.