Religious School News by Davina Kelly

In October, our religious school joined up with Congregation Kneseth Israel’s school in Elgin for a fun, educational morning celebrating Sukkot and Simchat Torah. We waved the lulav and etrog, planted some seeds, and sang songs for the end of Sukkot. For Simchat Torah, we had a Torah parade with songs, read from the end and beginning of the Torah, and together unwound - and rewound - an entire Torah. It was wonderful celebrating together, and we hope to host CKI early this year for Tu B’Shevat.

During the rest of Fall, all our students continued to practice their Hebrew during class and during tutoring. They also learned about Jewish artist Max Weber, who brought Cubism, along with other modern techniques, back to America in the early 1900s. Then they drew Chanukah pictures in the style of Cubism.

Our 7th graders continued to learn and discuss the Jewish view on various moral and ethical situations. They had a special guest teacher in a December class. Meanwhile, our first through fifth graders learned about Jews in America during the 1700s, and their role in the Revolutionary War. Furthermore, they began listening to stories about the Jewish prophets. So far, we have discussed Moses, Jonah, and the judge, Deborah.

We looked forward to celebrating Chanukah in December with the congregation. There was music, a craft, new games, cookie decorating, candle lighting, and latkes of course!