By Ramona L. Brand, Director of Youth Learning
Move Over Flat Stanley; Dov the Bear is in Town.
Deepening the connection between religious school and home practice is an important mission of the Religious School.
Our goal is for students to have the Jewish ritual and holiday traditions they learn in school translate into action at home. Dov the Bear is helping our first graders do just that! Each week one of our first-grade students take Dov home with the intention of ‘doing Jewish’ together.
Students bring Dov back to class the next Sunday and share their adventures. Dov has enjoyed Shabbat and Hanukkah in his stays, and cooking and eating special foods. We have a growing Dov Report Board at school chronicling Dov’s adventures and the bonds made between the bear and the families he visits!
Religious School Hanukah Party was LIT!
On Sunday, Dec. 5 students enjoyed the first in-person, in-door holiday celebration since Purim of 2020.
There was lots of excitement for the morning and activities for all ages to enjoy. Older students moved through a series of stations that included dreidel games, music, and stories, Hannukah puzzlers, make your own dreidel, Kahoots games, Gaga, Menorah beanbag toss and other assorted activities.
Younger students enjoyed festivities in their classrooms that included glow in the dark Hanukah dance party, dreidel hunts, crafts, games, stories and singing. Without a doubt the favorite activity for all was the Decorate (and eat) your own Donut, which rivaled any fanciful pastry concocted on the Great British Baking Show!
The morning concluded with a beautiful Hanukiyah lighting enhanced with special prism glasses to bring out the glow. After the school party, the teen had a wonderful Hanukah event just for them. Special thanks to all the parents and teens who assisted in making this a wonderful way to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
January Religious School Calendar:
Sundays: Jan. 9,16, 23, 30
Wednesdays: Jan. 5, 12, 19
Pre-K meets: Jan. 16, 30
Grades 8 – 10 meet: Jan. 9, 23/ 10 a.m. – noon
Chaverim Katanim: Jan. 16 / 9:30– 10:30 a.m.
Contact Ramona L. Brand at 804-355-3564 ext. 111 or r.brand@bethelrichmond.org to learn more about our vibrant Jewish education and our remarkable congregation or visit http://www.bethelrichmond.org/education/brown-religious-school/ to find a registration form.
Temple Beth-El Tot Shabbat Services: Saturday, February 5
For families with infants – 5 years old / Open to the entire community
We will celebrate Shabbat and the Festival of Lights. Families can enjoy a Shabbat service geared for young children and filled with music, stories, movement and more. A musical, meaningful service designed for wiggles.
Meet at 10 a.m. in the Kiddush Room at Temple Beth El, 3330 Grove Ave. Parents must be vaccinated to attend, and masks must be worn by all people over the age of 2 years.
These photos feature Temple Beth-El students engaging in a variety of learning activities throughout the past month, including the Hanukkah Party and reports on Dov the Bear.
