Why are you hiding?

What better way to start the Purim story than the two Jewish heroes that we look up to till today 2,000 years ago!! Mordechai and Esther!

There is  A LOT that has changed from that many years ago but walking into Mordechai and Esther's home we would have felt quite comfortable with all the same Jewish objects we use today!

Each holiday, we emphasize the main take away which is how do they feel more empowered now knowing Mordechai and Esther?

Friends were invited to write and draw what they already do and want to do just like our two heroes.

We then started the actual Megillah story! Nechama, used a unique technique to create her Shushan scene. Using paint and scrapers. 

The King Achashverosh, hosted a big feast and showed off all items that were stolen from the Beis Hamikdash!

He wanted to show off a lot of things and especially his Queen Vashti. Leah, acted out what happened when Vashti was unkind to the Jewish girls, her face broke out in pimples and a tail started to grow! There was no way she was going to the King and with Haman's advice she was no longer the Queen. 

Many girls wanted to try out to be the Queen we learned they prepared many many months and each of them got a no from the King!

Chana, acted out as Esther talking to Mordechai how nervous she was to be chosen. Mordechai reassured her if Hashem wants it to be than it is for a reason!

Creating a fun Purim sign using colorful paint and tape! This will create a neat negative art effect. 

We spoke about the difference between how the King lived to how Esther and Mordechai felt comfortable. 

We each created our own castle using real castle pictures for inspiration.

Using blocks to create a 3d effect. 

Some of our friends used rulers and pencils to create their castles. 

While learning about the Purim story, one thing that always came up is the question, "Where was Hashem?" How can he let Jewish girls be treated badly by Queen Vashti and how did Hashem let Esther be chosen instead of staying in her comfortable Jewish home?

Hashem is always there even if He sometimes seem HIDDEN.

We learned this is the reason we dress up on Purim.

Nechama, using marble art to create her mask to be hidden on Purim.

We love creating art to display on our windows so friends can come visit and see. 

Dressing up and decorating a  black silhouette of ourselves! It was so much fun to recognize each others side profile.

Kindergarten Kria 

                  Practicing our Cholom sound by using a small ball in our playdough letters. 

 English Academics 

Working on our math skills.

I am like Mordechai and Esther!

Starting our Purim unit by getting to know Mordechai and Esther in our dramatic play area that turned into their Jewish home!

Filled with Mitzvahs they quickly got comfortable and were excited to learn how they are JUST LIKE these two Jewish heroes of the Purim story!

Using our Mordechai and Esther puppet to help us read the Mitzvah notes!

How proud Tal and Ariella was to share their Mitzvah!

Throughout the week we emphasized different Mitzvahs we do just like Mordechai and Esther!

Giving Tzedaka!

Chaya Mushka, lighting Shabbos candles just like Esther did!

Learning our Alef Beis, just like Mordechai would teach the small children!

Making Challah! Esther's home smelled just as delicious as our homes with her yummy Challah. Yosef, making Challah out of playdough.

Of course this week we had to make homemade Challah dough!

Checking for blood in the egg and getting our hands messy and busy to help kneed the dough!

We brought all these ideas together by making a Jewish home project.

Creating our own Jewish home and how we fill it with Mitzvahs.

How are YOU like Mordechai and Esther?

Zalman "I say Shema with Mommy."

Ariella "I say a Bracha on Challah."

Yosef " I love my Mommy and Tatty and I also get dressed."

Eli "I help my Mommy and Daddy."

Tal "I drink water."

Levi "I like to Daven with Tatty in the morning."

Ayal "I like to get dressed on my own."

Chaya Mushka M "I say a bracha when I wash my hands."

Chaya Mushka F "I take care of Noam for Mommy."

Yocheved Sara " I love my Mommy."

Reuvi "I hug Yossi."

Happy girl :)

Bonding outside together.

Zalman using his whole body to move a tire across the sandbox.

Making a delicious cake together.

We want to wish a warm welcome to Reuvi Conboy!

 

Keeping Kosher

This week we learned some of the Mitzvahs found in Parshas Mishpatim. 

Keeping Kosher , we created our own diagram what is meat, milk and pareve. 

Shai and Eli learning that a kosher animal has to chew their cud seven times by creating a interactive cow project. 

kindergarten Kria

We learned a NEW vowel this week! Cholom- which makes the 'oy' sound. 

By throwing a ball OVER our friends just like the Cholom looks like a ball going over. 

Making the sound while trying to catch the ball.

Proudly singing the new Cholom song and enjoying some cholom treats. 

Prk kria

learning the letter Nun. Can we make our own?

English academics 

We have been learning about the Presidency and the White House

 Playing a Presidential themed matching game.

Since it was raining on Tu Bshvat (which we were so happy the trees were getting to drink) we waited patiently for the sun to come out  so we can plant!

Playing football together!

How are you feeling?

We were so excited when the sun came out in the beginning of the week, so we could catch up on all our Tu B'shvat  planting! The process of planting provides great skills. Learning how to dig just enough, spatial awareness to make sure we give each seed enough space. Most importantly, patience while we wait for it to grow!

This week we focused on our emotions! We have so many different types of feelings and sometime in a matter of minutes! Learning to identify them and allow all of them to feel safe was our main goal.

Creating a fun project showcasing what they were feeling that morning. 

Using a mirror to check out our facial expressions. 

Thank you to Morah Keren's husband Daniel for creating a beautiful board filled with all types of emotions.

Zalman, trying to match his face to an expression he sees. 

Making a face!

Practicing our football skills.