NOVEMBER
2008
A major goal of the
Jewish preschool is to lead our children to feel, to understand,
to live, and to love Judaism. As early childhood educators,
we are responsible for knowing the how, the what, and
the why of children’s learning and development.
We must be tuned into each child’s developmental
needs (emotional, social, physical, intellectual and moral).
We must also create a Jewish atmosphere in which children
are sensitized to our rich Jewish Heritage. By weaving
the rich cloth of Judaism into our everyday curriculum,
by making the classroom environment Jewish, and by involving
parents in our programs, we foster and nurture the Jewish
identity of each family whose lives we touch.
This year, our annual
trip to the farm took on a whole new meaning. Instead
of picking pumpkins, the children and parent chaperones
rode on two big yellow school buses to Homestead Farm
and went apple picking. What fun everyone had as our toddlers
through four year olds were able to pick their own apples
and eat them right from the tree. What a perfect segue
into Rosh Hashanah and the New Year.
Throughout the month
of October, the children and classrooms were immersed
in Jewish culture, religion, and practice. Apples have
been explored by using the five senses. Shafrot have been
heard, traced, decorated and stuffed. New songs have been
learned and feelings have been explored. Fruit shapes
have been decorated and hung. The lulav and etrog have
been smelled, blessed and shaken (even cut open and tasted).
Rabbi Gorin joined
the children in the sukkah for “Shakin’ with
the Rabbi” as he taught them how to shake the lulav
and etrog. Cantor Helzner joined us for singing and dancing
as the children circled the sanctuary carrying mini Torahs
as practice for the seven Hakafote at the Simchat Torah
celebration later that week. The four year old classes
stayed behind and the cantor took out a big Torah from
the Aron Kodesh and showed the children how to handle
the Yad when reading from the “Read” Torah.
By starting off the school year with all of these wonderful
chagim, the children are truly immersed in Jewish life.
Rori Pollak
ECC Director
