Captions for pictures: S in the most delicious way! Pre-K students had a 'mock matzah factory" before tasting real Matzah. Second and Third graders make Charoset .

A Wednesday Religious School Chocolate Seder was a tasty way to review the Haggadah. 

 

By Ramona Brand, Director of Youth Learning

 

Celebrating the “Yoms”

 

The end of the school year comes rushing toward us after we return from Passover/Spring break. 

 

With only a handful of class sessions remaining there is still so much curriculum and many holidays to cover.  The modern Israeli Spring holidays, sometimes known as “The Yoms” line up in rapid succession beginning approximately two weeks after Pesach and concluding about a month later.

 

These holidays, commemorating events of both world-wide and Israeli significance are sometimes called the Israeli High Holidays. Taking place about a half year after the religious High Holidays, the “Yoms” commemorate crucial secular events that have shaped modern Israel and create a counterpoint between the ancient and the modern. 

 

Like the religious High Holidays, the “Yoms” take approximately a month from beginning to end. Interwoven is the religious Counting of the Omer, Lag B’Omer and Shavuot framing the secular holidays. Balance between religious and secular, as Maimonides, one of our most respected and influential Torah scholars, wrote, was essential to living a harmonious and successful Jewish life. 

 

The celebration of Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Ha’aztmaut and Yom Yerushalayim are deeply embedded into the Israeli psyche and culture. At the religious school our students are learning the importance of the historical events that created these holidays. 

 

In a short period of time, we try to give our students, through sensory experiences, an idea of how and why these holidays are celebrated. We count the Omer during T’filah, we hear the Israeli Declaration of Independence, we examine historical and modern maps, we make and taste typical Israeli foods, we sing Hatikvah and play field games for Lag B’omer. 

 

A Young Family Shabbat celebrated Israel’s 78th birthday with songs, stories, flag making and an Israeli style dinner. Our 7th grade students who have been studying the Holocaust this year, will create and present a Yom Hashoah presentation to their  2nd -6th grade schoolmates. 

 

Our 5th and 6th graders have been engaged throughout this year in a Class-to-Class friendship project with Alonim Beit El school in Hadera, writing letters, exchanging videos and then meeting over Zoom to celebrate together. We will conclude our school year with a school wide Israel program to strengthen our bonds and deepen our connection to our friends in Israel and the “Yoms”.

 

Young Family Events

Free and open to the community

 

Young Family Shabbat: Saturday, May 2nd

Our final Young Family Shabbat is open entire community for families with children birth to 5 years. To RSVP email Ramona at r.brand@bethelrichmond.org 

 

• Saturday Services at 9:30am – 10 a.m. followed by yummy breakfast. 

               May 2

• Services and meals take place in the Kiddush Room at Temple Beth-El. 

3330 Grove Ave. 

 

Young Family Sunday Playgroup

Chaverim Katanim means “little friends”. We invite all community members to our new Sunday morning playgroup to socialize in a relaxed atmosphere with friends old and new. For friends ages birth to 5 with a parent, grandparent or caregiver.

 

 May 3

Location: Temple Beth-El Religious School / 601 N. Parham Rd. 

Room: Butterfly Room

Time: 9:30 - 10:30am

No Fee! 

 

Email Ramona at r.brand@bethelrichmond.org to RSVP or register at 

https://www.bethelrichmond.org/event/yfs202526

 

May Religious School Calendar

Sunday classes 3 & 17/ meets 9 am – noon.

Wednesday classes: 6 & 13/ meets 4:15 – 6:15pm