Gan Camarillo Preschool

Friday, April 24, 2026

Let's Stick Together!

Lag BaOmer is coming up, and it’s the perfect time to learn about Rabbi Akiva. He was a famous Rabbi with thousands of students, and we still learn his teachings today. But he didn’t start out that way, Rabbi Akiva only began learning Torah at the age of 40! He was once a simple shepherd, and one day, while looking at a rock that had a hole formed by dripping water, he had a powerful realization. Rabbi Akiva understood that if soft water could make a hole in hard rock through persistence, then he too could learn Torah if he kept trying and didn’t give up!

The children each wrote on their own rocks something new they would like to learn or improve.

Ashira, shared that she wants to learn how to tie her shoes. Yossi C. and Theo both said they want to learn more Torah, and Eli B. said he wants to learn how to fly!

To bring his story to life, we had a very special visitor, Rabbi Yosef Muchnik, who came dressed as Rabbi Akiva, joining our class as a beginner. The children became wonderful Morahs and proudly taught him the Alef-Bet!

Working together to solve the Alef-Bet game!

Rabbi Akiva, started out as a simple shepherd, but he worked very hard and became a great rabbi with 24,000 students! Sadly, his students did not always treat each other with kindness and respect, and many of them became very sick during Sefirat HaOmer and passed away. On Lag BaOmer, the sickness stopped. Because of this, Sefirat HaOmer is a quieter, more serious time. We have special customs, like not listening to music, not having weddings, and not cutting our hair.

It is a special time to focus on “Ve’ahavta l’reacha kamocha”—loving and being kind to one another. We began by writing thoughtful kindness notes to our friends and mailing them in our mitzvah mailbox!

We did a “sticky” experiment! The children were each given one stick to hold and break—it was easy! Then they held 13 sticks together, and no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t break them. One by one they tried, but the sticks stayed strong when they were together and united. That’s just like us—when we stick together, we are so, so strong!

One act of kindness we saw this week, out of so many, was especially sweet, when our friends remembered that Avraham likes vanilla more than chocolate, and made his birthday cupcakes just the way he likes them. That is a true example of “Ve’ahavta l’reacha kamocha”—caring for others just like we care for ourselves!

Soccer time! Running, kicking, laughing, teamwork… it’s all in one game!

Pre-K Kria

We learned the letters Peh and Feh.

K Kria

Kubutz party! Moshe led the Kubutz song.

Academics

We played “Where is the Afikomen hiding?” to reinforce the concept of prepositions of place.

To celebrate Earth Day (April 22) we learnt about the importance of “the three Rs” (reduce/reuse/& recycle.)

Aftercare

In our aftercare program, learning comes to life through nature walks. Children collect leaves, flowers, and small treasures, then turn them into creative collages. Along the way, they explore textures, colors, and the world around them building creativity, curiosity, and a deeper connection to nature.

Shabbat Shalom!

It's never too late!

This week we started our Lag B'aomer unit.

We have been counting the Omer everyday from after Pesach till the holiday of Shavous! Ella, helping Morah place our footstep numbers going up the mountain where we will receive the Torah on Shavous.

We began learning about Lag Ba'omer, focusing on the special story of Rabbi Akiva. He was a famous Rabbi with thousands of students, and we still learn his teaching today. He didnt start out that way, Rabbi Akiva only began learning Torah at the age of 40!

Rabbi Yosef came in dressed as Rabbi Akiva and role played not knowing the Alef Beis.

He never game up and even with a late start he became one of the most famous Jewish Rabbis in our history.

Reuvi, helped Rabbi Akiva find the Alef for his name.

During the whole week we showcased these holy Alef Beis letters that were created by Hashem and given to us.

During circle time, our friends had fun showing the Rabbi Akiva puppet where their first letter of their name was.

Oliver, matching the Alef Beis.

Working hard on our miniature Alef Beis book.

Learning our shapes while learning our letters.

Making delicious Alef Beis cookies. Shaina, showing Rabbi Akiva her letter!

Delicious!

Taking in the sun and discussing very important topics! ;)

Soccer time fun! Teamwork and laughter!

Friday, April 17, 2026

Gan on the GO, how did we leave Egypt?

At Gan this week, after returning from our Pesach break, we explored what happened to the Jewish people after leaving Egypt. How did they travel? This led to a discussion about the many ways we travel today, compared to traveling by foot or animal in those times.

Reuvi, visualizing what it might of felt like walking on desert sand.

We took this opportunity to discuss transportation.

Graphing from slow to fast.

What types of animals were in the desert?

Eliara, using paint to make different track marks.

We want to wish a big thank you to Mr. Cohen, Akiva’s father, who is a pilot!

He shared not only how he flies airplanes, but also so much information about how an airplane works, giving the children a real-life connection to modern travel—such a special experience!