When was the first Shabbat Party celebrated?

Every week we look forward to our Shabbat party. A time when we gather together, set the table beautifully and sing favorite songs.

Ever wondered when this all started?

We have been talking about Avraham & Sarah the first Jews ever! Avraham was the one who taught the world the idea that "Hashem is Everywhere, in everything!"

When we ask the children, "Where is Hashem?" they immediately answer, "EVERYWHERE!" 

The Tent of Avraham & Sarah was the address of the VERY FIRST Shabbat Party! We learn in this weeks Torah portion about 3 miracles that existed in their tent as long as Sarah was alive! Her Challah's remained fresh, her Shabbat Candles remained lit, and there was a Cloud on the top of the tent protecting it. 

It is from Sarah that we learn the beautiful traditions that Jewish women across the world have been practicing for thousands of years. In fact-- if we want peace and light (Hashem's presence) in our homes all week long (just like Sarah) we have the tools to draw it down! 

Observing these Mitzvah's of Challah & Shabbat Candles- we bring a special light into our home- Just like the very first people to observe Shabbat!

Our Weekly Shabbat Celebration looks like this...

Each child has a chance to place something on the table, in preparation...

Lighting the candles!

Making Challah...one of the highlights of our week!

Instruments accompanying our favorite songs...

Song: The Shabbat Angels 

(ask your child about the fun movements we do to accompany this song!)

WORDS: The Shabbat Angels, are peeking through my window. 

Mommy lights the candles, and Daddy goes to Shule! x 2

Shabbat Shalom, Shabbat Shalom, Shabbat Shalom, to every one of you!

Levi peeks through his chair window!

Animal Shabbat Shalom Song! (Ask your child about "walking down the street...and bumping into animals, and wishing them "Shabbat Shalom!"

This week we focused on Avraham and Sarah's son Yitzchok. 

A very special Jew who was now old enough and ready to find his wife.

Children love puppets, so through a puppet show, these characters and the story came to life! Avraham sent his helper Eliezer to where his family lived to help find a suitable match.

We focused on the kindness Rivka had, a girl that Eliezer met at the well.
Before taking water for herself, she offered it to Eliezer and his camels.
 

 

 

 

 

We wanted the children to experience "living" this kindness, so we role played that gesture in our classroom! It was also a chance to reciprocate the invitation that we enjoyed last week, being invited to the Mitzvah Menches class (when we enjoyed cookies and milk!)

 To reflect and give back- each child decorated a cup and we poured water for each child in the other class.

 

It was a real challenge for some to wait to drink before we served the other friends, but once they gave it to a child in the other class their face showed how worth it was!

 

 

 

 

 

Morah Rebeccas class pretending to be the camels at the well.

 

 

 

Rochel even had two humps!

 

 

Mock wedding!

 

Yitchak and Rivka's marriage was the very first Jewish wedding! what a great way for the children to learn about the different customs we do at a Jewish wedding!

 

Chanie the flower girl sprinkling flowers in honor of the bride and groom

 

 

Evi the Brides father helped her walk down the isle to her decorated chair

   

 

 

 

Levi Lang and Menucha were 'Yitzchoks' parents

 

 

Covering Rivka with a veil

notice the backdrop that our class worked hard decorating :)

 

 

 

 

 

Chuppah

 

 

 

Max was the ring bearer who helped Yitzchok give Rivka a beautiful ring.

 

 

 

Mazel Tov! After stepping on the glass, It was so much fun to dance!

 

 

 

Evi being DJ

 

Enjoying delicious wedding cupcakes!