Opting for Opportunity

This week in Parshat Vayeira we brought Avraham and Sara's tent to life! We learned two significant things that have to do with number 3! 

1. Hashem sent 3 Malachim (Angels) that looked like people to do Bikur cholim (visiting the sick) for Avraham (since he was recovering from his Bris).  Avraham always loved having guest and it made him really sad that there was no-one in sight to invite into his tent. It was too hot out, so no one was travelling.  Hashem made a miracle to send them on a mission and give Avraham the opportunity to do the special Mitzvah of Hachnasas Orchim (inviting guests into his home)!

2. While Sara was living, Hashem made 3 miracles happen in her home. Her Challah stayed fresh and fluffy the entire week. (We felt the difference between the hard challah and the soft challah and compared it to each other.)  The second miracle was that her Shabbos candles stayed  lit the WHOLE week! And the third, Hashem placed a constant cloud on top of her tent protecting them. 

We put up a tent in our classroom to make the lessons come to life!

Deep discussions in the tent

We have a lot of skilled friends tracing their own names!

Just like Avraham made sure to do the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim (inviting guests), we made our own "welcome" signs for our homes.

Different face play dough making

One way that Avraham did the Mitzvah well, was to make sure his guests have the yummiest food. It did not matter where the people came from or how they looked, he always had room for them and invited them!

The Pre-school class invited us to their classroom to enjoy some freshly baked cookies they prepared!

 It was a great way for us to see what the Mitzvah of "Hachnasat Orchim" looks like in real life!

Aleph Beis

This week we focused on the letter Daled. We examined the shape of how the little spout in the back are like hands, opening up for someone to give to them. The Gimmel being the letter before it is actually giving it money or things that it needs. We learn from here how the Daled is the beggar. Delet means door and it starts with the letter Daled. The Daled Knocks on people doors for Tzedaka (charity.) This tied in perfectly with the Parsha being that Avraham always invited guests who needed help! 

We had fun with band-aids, Matching the alef beis letters on the band-aids,  to the letter on the body.

 Just like Avraham was sick we brought that into our classroom by healing him with band aids and Aleph beis :)

Learning happens best when we use our entire bodies! We marched around the classroom with our hands behind our backs, to form the "Daled spout" so they can receive the tzedakah being given to them.

Our Gan family shared a few moments this week that really shined a light 

on how each child is so kind, empathetic, and thoughtful.

One of our friends hurt his leg one day and it was very hard for him to walk. All the boys took this opportunity to help hold him up to say the Brachah on his tzitzits, line up with the class, and support him by expressing times when they hurt their leg too and how long it took to heal! He had such a positive attitude towards it all even when all he was able to do was hop and crawl!  

One of the tots was crying by outside play. Menachem F not only went over to ask him what happened but called to other friends to see if they noticed anything as to why he was crying! 

Our friends gathered around him with love, and this brought lots of comfort to out tot friend :)

Will you be our guest?

This week we learned about the first Jewish person Avraham and his wife Sara. 

Through puppet shows and centers we experienced their kindness and specifically how they always invited guests to their home. 

Our friends first role played with a fun tent how to be a gracious host. 

Working hard on our Avraham and Sara's tent and the special mitzvahs you would see there.

It was now time to put it all to test and invite real guests! First we made delicious oatmeal cookies.

Leah, helped us check the eggs to see if they were kosher without any blood spots. Mordy, counting while he mixes to make sure his friends got a turn too.

Cleaning up after ourselves. 

Yossi, making a big invitation for the Pre-k class.

It was so fun to watch our Pre-k friends reaction when they got invited to our classroom.

Serving our friends first. The joy on Nechama's face when she got to serve her big brother Menachem was precious.

Enjoying some peaceful rain from the window. 

Paving our Path

 In this weeks Torah portion "Lech Lecha" we learn about Avraham's journey to Eretz Yisroel (land of Israel) . Hashem commanded Avraham to leave everything he knows, like his home and his family! Avraham had no idea where he was going but he left with z'rizus (enthusiasm) because Hashem told him to go! Avraham showed great Bitachon (trust in Hashem) and listened without questioning. He knew that if Hashem says for him to do, it will be good for him! We focused on this lesson throughout the week pertaining to our own lives.

 We had a puppet show with an IDF commander in chief expressing to the soldiers how much he cares for them and wants them to be safe and protected. After the commander said that, he made the soldiers do a lot of crazy and hard jobs! Why would he do that if he loved us and wanted the best for us? One of our friends piped up and said "Because that actually keeps them safe from the bad people and to protect them and everyone else"! 

The children traced a maze showing the journey of Avraham in his birthplace Charan, traveling  to the land of Israel.

Working on our balancing skills as we walk on 'Avraham's path."

 

  

 We played a game where Morah hid some things in a box. Whoever was brave enough would reach their hand in and feel what it is. Nobody knew what was inside but they just trusted it would be good! 

 Some friends got prizes from it! This taught us how we might not be able to see why we do Mitzvos that Hashem tells us, but it will end up being good when we are brave and trust that Hashem is only doing good for us!

Blindfold canvas painting.

We invited the children to get a taste of "Avraham not knowing where he was going" by painting blindfolded. 

Even without looking they turned out beautiful! 

Working on our project for the week

Star playdough making!

Hashem promised Avraham and Sarah They would have a nation (US- the Jewish people!) as many as the stars!

Keeping ourselves safe and working hard on remembering to wash our hands with soap, from playing outside!

Preparing for our Doughnuts with Dad day coming up next Friday!

Highlight of the week!

I am a STAR

This week's Parsha is Lech Lecha and we learned about Avraham receiving the promise from Hashem (G-d) that the Jewish nation will be as many as the stars!

Despite the blessing of how many there are we each are a star and individually cared for.

Our friends were invited to look at pictures of the millions of stars in the sky and paint their own.

Yossi working hard to make as many play dough stars as he could.

Leah using glitter glue to decorate her own special star and placing their very own face on it.

Our main goal this week was to make sure each child feels like the most beautiful unique star !

We sang a personalized song for each child on their 'star ride'.

Yossi, had a star yarlmuka and Mendy tried to see if he can count all of them.

Leah, so proud of her star mitzvah note.

We want to welcome Yossi Conboy to our class! Yossi Friedman helped make sure he had his cubby set up for him.

Thank you, Uncle Baruch for coming and doing a fun puppet show for us it's one of our biggest highlights of the week.

Enjoying Shabbos party together.

We have been getting really excited for our Donuts for dad next week.

Happy 4th Birthday Mendy Conboy, we love you!