February 2024 | Adar 1 5784

Kindergarten-2nd Grade Monthly Newsletter

Kindergarten children using their senses to learn about Havdalah

What did our students learn?

The past few weeks have been spent learning about the holiday of Tu B’shvat, the ceremony of Havdalah (the end of Shabbat) and Torah stories we find in the book of Genesis.

For Tu B’shvat, the classes explored the life cycle of a tree and we discussed all the many ways trees benefit the world.

The Kindergarteners moved their bodies like a tree, the First Graders learned the blessings for fruit that comes from trees and the Second Graders discussed the seven species needed to celebrate the holiday.

Then it was off to learn about Havdalah, the end of Shabbat. The children learned that it means separation and we discussed things that are chol, ordinary and kodesh, things that are holy.

All K-2 students explored the Torah stories of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel. There was a Jewish value connected to each story and each grade's classes discussed those values in a different way.

Second graders playing the game "Would You Rather..."

What did our students do?

During enrichment, the Kindergarteners and First Graders learned the expression "shavuah tov," wishes for a good week. Their wishes for a good week were drawn/written onto a paper dove.

When learning about Adam and Eve, the classes played a game of "Would You Rather" where they answered a series of questions with 2 choices that reinforced the concept of free choice. The students made a gratitude jar and connected the project to the story of Cain and Abel.

The Family Table

The students have really enjoyed our discussions about the rituals of the holidays and the Torah stories. Here are some questions and conversation starters that you can discuss with your learner:

• What does the word Havdalah mean?

• How do we use our five senses to celebrate Havdalah?

• Why are trees important to the world?

• Who were the first people in the Garden of Eden?



• What are you grateful for?

Student's Corner

Second graders during Hebrew through Movement

Here are some of the many thoughtful comments we heard from our students:

• “I love trees! That is where my apples come from.” 

• “I think I like Havdalah even more than Shabbat because I love smelling the spices.”

• It must have been really pretty in the Garden of Eden with all the beautiful trees and animals.”

• What fruit do you think was on the Tree of Knowledge?



• It is pretty cool that trees can have a birthday!