In this week's parashah, Hashem instructs Moshe to begin a collection of the raw materials that would be used in the construction of the Mishkan (tabernacle)-the portable sacred space for Divine worship in the wilderness. Bnei Yisrael eagerly participates in this building campaign, gathering and donating precious metals and gems, spices and woods, oil and animal skins.  Hashem refers to this endeavor not as a fundraiser, though, but as an offering, a terumah; the word terumah relates etymologically to the Hebrew word for "raise up." G-d imbues the Jewish nation with the special ability, and mission, to take ordinary physical objects and spiritually elevate them. The goods gathered for the Mishkan serve as one example of the elevation of the mundane to the sacred. The Mishkan mirrored a similar concept with the display of the lechem hapanim, show bread, which adorned a table upon entry into the Mishkan. The lechem hapanim remains in its exalted spot in the Tabernacle continuously. Metaphorically, this offering reminds us that we encounter G-d in all our endeavors; we join G-d regularly and continuously through our worship and daily work. And what should that work be, as represented by the terumah and the show bread? To partner with G-d to continue to improve the world and raise up the purpose and function of the raw materials and resources Hashem provides us-whether gold and silver or flour and water-to a holy and exalted state.

Shabbat Shalom!

SHABBAT SHALOM FROM THE PRESCHOOL!

Morah Dorit and Morah Sarah's Class Sing

  

Preschool Shabbat in Pictures

CUT IT OUT!

Morah Bonnie and Morah Jenny's K'Ton Ton class work on their scissor skills. They are so engaged as they are working towards mastering this skill. 

RIP IT UP! 

Our Teenoki Alef class worked on strengthening their fine motor skills by ripping paper. Their Morahs filled their ball pit with all kinds of paper scraps and the yeladim got to rip away. What the children don't realize is that while they are having so much fun with this experience, they are developing their tripod grasp that is needed to use a pencil properly.

WRITE IT OUT!

In order to further enhance the children's learning about writing and how it is used in their everyday lives, Morah Marissa and Morah Nitzan's class created an "office" in their communication center. The teachers encouraged parents to send in examples of how they use writing in their everyday lives (i.e. grocery lists, to do lists, post-it notes, etc.). Now their office is open for business. When heading into the office, a student, Shaya asked, "Morah Marissa, will you tell me to have a great day at work?"

RIDE IT UP.....TO READ!

Morah Naomi and Morah Shoshi's Nitzanim class took an elevator trip up to the Akiba library to choose books. They were excited with all the choices and couldn't get enough to read!

MAKING PATTERNS

Ever wonder what Math looks like in preschool? Morah Dorit and Morah Sarah's Nitzanim class have been working on the math skill of patterning. They are using a variety of tools and discovering that there are countless ways to make a pattern.