Page 41 - Jewish News_December-2020

FOCUS ON YOUTH December 2020 41A

Community Day School students enjoy visit

from area Chabad rabbis

he seventh- and eighth-grade faith and devotion. They talked about celebrating Rosh Hashanah in times tested during the holiday.
students in Hershorin Schiff what it is like to be a rabbi. Students of the pandemic. They learned how “By fostering in our students an
TCommunity Day School’s Cul- asked questions about what life is like Chassidic Jews were not able to make appreciation for those who may be
ture Class were expecting a visit by for Orthodox Jews in Sarasota. Despite their annual journey to Uman, Ukraine, different than themselves, we believe
one Rabbi Steinmetz, but they ended some differences, the students learned which resulted in protests in Israel and they will become global citizens who
up with the bonus plan as both Rabbi that there are many more ways in many Chassidim being stuck at the can engage with others cooperative-
Levi Steinmetz of Chabad of Down- which we all are alike. border of Ukraine. ly and will be more empathetic,” said
town Sarasota and his father, Rabbi The students have been learning During Sukkot, the class watched Ben-Herut. “We are grateful to the rab-
Chaim Steinmetz of Chabad Lubavitch about current events in Israel and the the Israeli film Ushpizin, which fol- bis for their time and for sharing their
of Sarasota & Manatee Counties, impact of the pandemic on Jewish lows a Chassidic couple whose faith is beautiful faith with our students.”
stopped by for an outdoor, safely dis- people in Israel and all over the world.
tanced visit. At the beginning of the school year, led
The rabbis shared the history of by Hebrew and Jewish studies teacher
Chassidic Jews and described their Snait Ben-Herut, the class talked about

Serving Preschool - Grade 8

Socially distanced classes with low student:teacher ratios
Instruction tailored to each student's individual needs
Extensive outdoor learning and play in every grade
Hebrew and Spanish offered for all students
Daily fine arts
Community Day School Board Co-chair Mitch Blumenthal, Head of School Dan Ceaser,
Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Rabbi Levi Steinmetz Athletics opportunities for all K-8 students
Medical professional on-site
Bring Hanukkah to your Convenient hours for working parents

children’s classrooms Flexible online learning option available for grades Pre K-8
Accredited by FCIS, FKC, and Prizmah

This program is Sponsored by
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee 941-552-2770 | communityday.org
By Mary Collier, Chair, Heller Community Relations Committee 1050 S. Tuttle Avenue | Sarasota, FL 34237
ave you ever thought about through a virtual Zoom interaction.
the impact you might have Parents would read the Hanukkah
Hon your child or their class- book provided or talk about their fami-
Temple Emanu-El Religious School student Raquel Vieira shakes the lulav mates by bringing a bit of Hanukkah ly traditions through a scheduled Zoom
as mom Jaime and Rabbi Michael Shefrin look on
to classrooms during December hol- meeting with their child’s class. We en-
iday times? “Hanukkits” will soon be courage parents with young children to
available for purchase and will provide think about getting in touch with their
everything needed to teach the story children’s teachers to discuss how they
of Hanukkah and the dreidel game in can bring Hanukkah to the class. It
classrooms PreK - 3 grade. Kits will might help ease some of your “Decem-
rd
include dreidels and gelt for every ber Dilemma” concerns.
child in the class, dreidel game instruc- The Hanukkits program is spon-
tions and a PJ Library book that relates sored by PJ Library, PJ Our Way, RE A D — S I NG — DA NCE — G AT HE R — GR OW
to the holiday. The Jewish Federation of Sarasota- ®
We realize COVID-19 brings chal- Manatee and Temple Sinai. PJ Library has partnered with The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
to provide families raising Jewish children with the gift of free, high-quality
lenges or makes it impossible for most For more information, please con- children’s books, music, and resources that foster deeper engagement with
parents to volunteer in classrooms this tact Heller CRC Director Jessi Shes- Jewish life in our community.
year. Our goal is for parents to pro- low at 941.343.2109 or jsheslow@ Join one of our PJ programs below
vide the kits to their child’s teacher jfedsrq.org. to start enhancing your family’s Jewish journey.
and request engaging in the classroom
Children Ages 6 mo. thru 8 years

Sign-up at JFEDSRQ.org/PJ
Sasha, Alisha and David Leopold enjoy a sukkah craft
at Temple Emanu-El’s family Sukkot celebration

Children Ages 8 thru 12 years

Sign-up at pjourway.org

For more information, contact
Jessi Sheslow
jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
941.343.2109 PJ Library Sarasota-Manatee is generously

Students at Fruitville Elementary enjoyed Hanukkits in December 2019 funded in part by Edie and David Chaifetz.