My Beis Hamikdash 💛

This week we started our Chanuka unit! Before we can truly understand the miracle of Chanukkah, we spent time learning about the Beis HaMikdash — Hashem’s home!
We learned about the Kohanim and Levi’im, the special people who served in the Beis HaMikdash. The children loved pretending to take on these important roles! We talked about how our own homes are a mini Beis HaMikdash when we fill them with mitzvot.

Tools of the Beis HaMikdash

The Menorah

In the Beis HaMikdash stood a big, beautiful menorah that brought so much light. The Kohen Gadol would light it every single day. Here you can see Eli F. showing us how the Kohen Gadol would light the menorah.

Ashira, reminded us that in our homes, our Shabbat candles bring light—just like the menorah did in the Beis HaMikdash.

The Aron Hakodesh

Inside the Aron Hakodesh were the Luchot HaBrit, the Tablets Hashem gave to Moshe on Har Sini. The children had so much fun carrying our classroom “Aron” around, pretending to be Kohanim.

Yosef is showing us our own Torah items at home — siddurim, chumashim, tehilim, and Torah books that help make our homes holy, just like the Aron made the Beis HaMikdash holy.

The Kiyor

The Kiyor is a special sink the Levi’im used to wash the Kohanim’s hands before they did the avodah (their holy work).

Chana, demonstrated how we wash our hands in the morning — one hand at a time, three times each — to get ready for a new day.

The Lechem HaPanim

Each week, the Beis HaMikdash had Lechem HaPanim, special showbread placed on the Shulchan (table).

Eli B. is showing us how it was done by the Kohenim, and Maya is pointing to our weekly challah, which also brings holiness and reminds us of the Lechem HaPanim in our own homes.

The children got to draw their own homes and think about what makes their house a mini Beis HaMikdash.

Yehudis, worked so thoughtfully, drawing every single bed in her home — she wanted to show all the places where her family rests and gathers.

Maya focused on the roof of her house.

Playing house in our new play area.

Together we built a wonderful imaginary neighborhood map, placing each child’s house on it along with Tzedakah Lane, the fire department, and other real and imagined landmarks the children invented.

Exploring the Chanukah story through a variety of materials

We had such a wonderful time on our library trip this week!

Thank you to the Camarillo Fire Department for helping us get ready for Chanukah!

Our approach is simple: before children step into a holiday, we prepare them for the real moments they’ll meet at home. Captain Tony showed us with a Menorah how we can be safe! We also got to see what is inside their fire truck!

Thank you to Rabbi Lang for coming to our class and leading a beautiful farbrengen for Yud Daled Kislev.  Yud Daled Kislev is a very important day in Chabad history — the wedding anniversary of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin. Chassidim celebrate it as a day of blessing. The Rebbe once said that this day “bound me to you, and you to me,” showing the deep connection between the Rebbe and every Jew.

K Kria

Teaming up for a fun Tzeire game!

Academics

We have been working on number recognition this week. Here our PKs trace numbers 1-20.

Theo playing a ten frame game.

Shabbat Shalom!

My home, Hashem's home!

At Gan Camarillo, we’re intentional about laying the groundwork before teaching any Jewish holiday. Before introducing the Chanukah story, we explore something children already know deeply—home. By noticing what makes their homes warm and precious, they can better understand how treasured Hashem’s home, the Beis Hamikdash, was to the Jewish people. When the foundation feels familiar, the deeper meaning comes alive.

Our friends were invited to paint their own homes while looking at actual pictures of their home.

Using our imagination and creating cozy spaces representing our homes.

We than introduced Hashem's home. 

A place where the Jewish people felt Hashem's presence.

One of our favorite times a year that we get a taste of what the real Beis hamikdash was like.

Zak, learning about the Kiyor where the holy Kohanim would wash their hands and feet before their important work.

Noticing friends helping each other wash our hands.

The Aron Hakodesh held the tablets. We practiced holding the poles.

The Lechem hapinim was the miraculous show bread . Counting out 12 loaves. 

                       

The Beautiful Menorah! The Kohen would light every day! Our friends turned into the Kohan Gadol and pretended to pour olive oil in the golden Menorah. Zalman, comes from the actual Kohanim family! He took his job quite seriously this week.

                                                        

Some friends decided it needed some work done. 

                                                       

Watching their faces light up as they lit the Menorah was truly precious and a hands on way to experience what the Jewish poeple felt before the story of Chanuka took place. 

                                                         

                          We have been busy preparing our special Menorahs that we will be taking home!

Enjoying the sun and sand together! 

Happy 4th Birthday to Ariella!