JKG Sunday 10.18.20

2nd Year B’nei Mitzvah: Sukkot and Simchat Torah & Pursuit of Justice

Learning about the origins and traditions of Sukkot and Simchat Torah.
Discussing the theme of Bitachon (Trust/Security) as it relates to Sukkot.
Learning when these holidays occur in the year and comparing them to the Hebrew calendar.
Looking at real text from the Torah and identifying key words in it.
Thinking critically about conflict resolution based on the words of the Torah, and helping our peers think of solutions to their conflicts.
Playing an “agree/disagree” game with laws from the Torah, and comparing these laws to laws that we have in our society today.

Learning about the three mitzvot of feeding the hungry.
Discussing food waste and discussing our ideas to help solve hunger/food waste in our local communities and/or globally.
Looking at a “food cycle” chart to see how much goes into the food we eat, and watching two short videos of alternative, creative ways to reduce food waste and feed the homeless.
Analyzing pictures of social situations from the perspectives of each person in the photograph through story-writing.

What is the mitzvah of Lifnei Aver?
What are stumbling blocks, and what do they have to do with Lifnei Aver?
What are some ideas you have for helping hungry people, and/or reducing food waste?
What are Peah, Leket, and Shichah?

Playing a categories game to explore ideas about groups and how we organize ideas.
Thinking critically about which Jewish rituals and ideas we connect with, and discussing what makes us our Jewish practice different from one another.
Creating virtual fridge magnet sentences to describe each denomination of Judaism.

What do you think all the Jewish denominations have in common with one another?
Are there any practices or rituals that intrigued you that you’d like to learn more about?

Jamming out to a Sukkot song by the Maccabeats!
Acting out silly scenarios about welcoming guests into our homes and Sukkahs, giving examples of what it's like to be a good host and what it's like to be a bad host.
Playing a Sukkot video game.

How can the entrances to our homes be more welcoming and accessible?
What can you do personally to be more welcoming and hospitable?
How can you incorporate the value of Hachnasat Orchim into your classroom at JKG and in school?

Doing a word search as a class to learn about the different words associated with Sukkot.
Listening to a story about Sukkot, while learning the double meaning behind the holiday (we celebrate the end of the harvest season, while also representing the temporary huts that the Israelites used while wandering in the desert for 40 years after being freed from slavery.)
Playing a lulav and etrog (the plant and fruit that we shake under the sukkah) shaking video game!

Discussing our favorite Jewish traditions and ways we like to celebrate Jewish learning.
Playing freeze dance with the Torah to celebrate Simchat Torah.
Engaging in the traditions of Sukkot and Simchat Torah through a game of Simon says.

Getting to know the lulav and etrog (the plant and fruit that we shake under the sukkah) and shake-shake-shaking them under an imagined sukkah.
Reading a mysterious story about Sukkot, and playing the game "Sukkot Charades" to act out different Sukkot traditions.
Creating our own edible sukkahs out of graham crackers, icing, and pretzels to learn about the rules of building a sukkah.

Playing fun and silly games to learn about the lulav and etrog (the plant and fruit that we shake under the sukkah).
Watching an interactive story to learn about Sukkot traditions.
Hearing a prayer that is said on Sukkot.

Jewish Kids GroupsOctober 18, 2020Comment