KITAH ALEF—SIMHAT TORAH   OCTOBER 4, 2015

שלום Kitah Alef students and families:

We had a wonderful time with the rest of the school and in our own class.  At breakfast, we ate a special cereal of Cheerios + Ancient Grains–we talked about how these are the same grains, wheat, spelt, etc., harvested by our ancestors, when they lived in sukkahs in the fields.

With the rest of the school, we joined the minyan for prayers in the sukkah.  We shook our virtual lulavs and etrogs in all directions.  For hoshana rabbah, we beat the willows.  As we listened, we realized that they sound like rain, something we pray for in Israel for the next crop.

Back in the classroom, we learned about Simhat Torah, the “rejoicing in the Torah.”  We finish Deuteronomy and begin reading Genesis again.  There is a parade of the Torahs (the Hakafot), with the congregation carrying flags, sometimes with apples on the top.

STORY:  To show the relationship between the fall holidays, I read a story written by a friend of mine called King of the Apples.  This large apple was picked and ended up in a refrigerator.  He hears the family talking about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, then Sukkot, and finally Simhat Torah.  But he is not chosen for the first three holidays.  He wonders what will happen to him.  Will he become apple sauce?  Ask your child what happens.

CRAFT:  Each child made an original flag to bring to the Simhat Torah Hakkafot service.  The Hebrew says Simhat Torah. As you know, we march seven times around with the Torah; then we read the end of Deuteronomy and the beginning of Genesis.  We realize that learning never ends.

We did a review paper on the fall holidays.  Everyone did a fantastic job.

We went out to the sukkah again, this time for snack.

Our Hebrew letter today is ת “tav.”  Some ת words are Torah, tefillin, tapuach (apple).

We like to close with songs—today, the color song, Torah Sive Lanu Moshe, and We’re Going to the Sukkah.

SOME NOTES:  There is no class next Sunday, October 11.

On October 18, we will be building Jerusalem in legos.  PARENTS OR ANOTHER ADULT MUST ACCOMPANY CHILDREN IN THE ALEF CLASS.  PLEASE WEAR SOCKS, AS WE WILL BE TAKING OFF OUR SHOES.

Cheryl and I enjoy being with your children—they are wonderful!

Esther and Tzipporah (Judy and Cheryl)