Gan Camarillo Preschool: Looking beneath the surface! Rosh Hashana

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Looking beneath the surface! Rosh Hashana - Kindergarten #2

The symbolic foods of Rosh Hashana

We learned a song that helped the children master the 4 names of Rosh Hashana:

Rosh Hashana, Rosh Hashana is the head of the year

Yom Hadin the day of judgment

Yom Truah, Yom Truah the day that we blow shofar

Yom Hazikaron, Hashem remembers all we did.

"The Hidden Reason"

In class we discussed the different foods we eat on Rosh Hashana and the reasons behind them. We used the term "The hidden reason".

Round Sweet Challah

The round Challah reminds us of the cycle (circle) how we come back around to the beginning of the year each year. We ask Hashem that the coming year will be smooth. We add extra honey for a sweet year.

We did an experiment to show the children the differences between a round shape and a usual challah shape.

Muka is rolling a not smooth shape (usual challah)

and Max rolling a smooth round tire.

The children were able to see that when they rolled the tire it was much easier, that was one of the ways they understood the concept.

Sweet things Activity

We did an activity where the children thought about the sweet "spiritual things" they do every year. These are the things that Hashem finds sweet!! After saying it they got to taste honey and jump a step up.

Some of the things they said; "When I was one I smiled at people and made them happy", "When I was two I said something sweet like a Brachah and that made Hashem happy", "When I was three I started to light Shabbat candles", "I started wearing a Yarmulka and Tzizit and that made Hashem happy", "When I was four..."

When we got to five, we asked the children what are you going to do this year that is even better and sweeter than last year? It was so sweet to see how the children understood that every year we grow physically and spiritually.

Sweet Carrots

The hidden reason fot eating carrots:

In Yiddish- carrots are called "Merren". This word also means "more" in Yiddish. We ask Hashem for more good and happiness in the new year.

Head of a Fish

The hidden reason for eating a head of a fish is; we want to be like a head at the top, like a leader and not like a the tale at the bottom.

The children had a chance to lead the group holding a flag. We spoke about the responsibilities of a leader. A leader does his best to take care of the group.

Apples dipped in honey

The hidden reason for eating apples dipped in honey is to ask Hashem to give us a year with a lot of sweetness. When we do mitzvas , it is giving sweetness to Hashem. In class we picked some sweet mitzvas we want to do this year for Hashem.

Pomegranates

The hidden reason of eating pomegranates is because pomegranates have plenty seeds.We ask Hashem to give us a year with 'plenty' health, goodness and happiness.