Page 36 - Jewish News_February 2020

36A February 2020 FOCUS ON YOUTH

Celebrate the “Birthday Haggigat Hanukkah

of the Trees” at Temple Emanu-El

immersing their senses with activities By Sabrina Silverberg, MARE, Director of Education
and exercises in the garden and con- ach year, Temple Emanu-El Re- was dedicated to a different segment of
tinuing to learn by doing. The concept ligious School (TEERS) holds a the Hanukkah story and featured activ-
of recycling to help save our trees is Efamily education day, a Sunday ities inspired by that segment. Children
another connection easily introduced morning when parents and grandpar- created Maccabee shields and edible
in the context of the holiday. Teaching ents join TEERS students to engage in dreidels. They decorated Star of David
respect for all living things and for our hands-on, meaningful Jewish learning. cookies that soon after disappeared!
planet while talking about Tu B’Shevat This year, the family education day The Hanukkah education day was
provides students with the knowledge was held on December 15, and was ti- framed with the Jewish values of re-
they need to begin to form positive tled Haggigat Hanukkah – the story of silience, courage and faith. As one
lifelong behaviors and habits that pro- Hanukkah. It provided a great oppor- TEERS mother put it, “The program
tect and preserve our ecosystem. tunity to kick off the Hanukkah season today was great. We learned a lot about
Many Jewish preschools and re-
Education ligious schools dub the holiday, the with laughter, fun and joyful learning. the history of Hanukkah and had fun,
too. My daughter loved it!”
More than 150 parents, grandpar-
Corner “Birthday of the Trees.” It captures ents and children of all ages were in For more information about Tem-
By Laura Freedman the attention of children when they attendance. The program began with ple Emanu-El Religious School and
associate parties with a holiday. Their
a special visit from the “man of the
family programs at Temple Emanu-El,
ature captures the fascination background experience with parties is hour” – Hanukkah hero Judah Mac- please call 941.378.5567.
of young children. They enjoy filled with exciting gatherings and fes- cabee – and a hilarious play that was
Ndiscovering the many variet- tivities. Educators can bring that joy performed by the Gesher class (7
th
ies of beautiful flowers, the multitude to a recognition of the trees and plants grade). The festivities continued with
of colors and shapes of leaves, and the in our world. A celebration recogniz- a Hanukkah story walk that included
life cycles and parts of plants. Early ing the contribution of trees and the symbolic foods, Hanukkah crafts and
childhood and primary-age children plant world is important and a whole educational activities that provided
learn best by doing and experienc- lot of fun for everyone. Children can time for family reflection. Everyone
ing through their senses, and the plant sing “Happy Birthday” (Yom Huledet enjoyed playing with dreidels and sam-
world is suited well for that sensory Sameach) to the trees, snack on broc- pling gelt, doughnuts and latkes with
learning. coli and dip treats to remind them of homemade applesauce. Each station
This month, we celebrate the holi- the trees, and create artwork and group
day of Tu B’Shevat, a celebration of projects incorporating natural materi-
plants and new life. It is a lovely way als that they may find on nature walks
to “marry” children’s wonder to the in celebration of the trees. All of these
beauty and significance of nature. activities focus on trees!
Outdoor classrooms have become Tu B’Shevat is one holiday that
a special addition to many schools. piques the interest of children of all Skylar and grandmother Sandi Chapnick
The goal of these unique spaces is to ages – planting, nurturing, creating, re-
give students opportunities to inter- cycling and celebrating, all in appreci-
act with nature. In the natural setting, ation of our planet earth and our trees.
they experiment and explore different Get together with that special little one
textures and species of flora. Teachers in your life (a child, grandchild, niece,
can introduce the life cycle of plants nephew or “grandfriend”) this holiday,
with hands-on gardening and a chance and spend some time discovering the
to tend to their plantings. Helping chil- beauty of nature through the eyes of
dren connect with nature and under- children.
stand the importance of our trees and Laura Freedman is the Director of
all they do for us is a bridge for them to Early Childhood Education at The
want to take good care of them, again Gan at Temple Sinai.

STAY CONNECTED

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Theo Levey-Baker and dad Cooper Raquel Vieira and mom Jaime

ATTENTION
STUDENTS

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Join us for a special morning at Hunsader Farms as we explore APPLICATION WINDOW JANUARY 1 - APRIL 6
the playground, feed the animals, enjoy a train ride, and
participate in age-appropriate Shabbat blessings, songs, and The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee will award more than $90,000
movement with Rabbi Michael Shefrin. Bring a picnic lunch if you’d in education scholarships to eligible students for the 2020-2021 school year.
like —we’ll treat you to an ice cream dessert!

WHEN WHERE COST $5,000 $4,000 AWARDS VARY
Saturday, Hunsader Farms This Event Jacqueline Siegel- Ned and Janet Sinder
February 29 5500 Co. Rd. 675 is FREE Frascella Scholarship Scholarship The Jewish
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Rabbi Michael Shefrin at 941.371.2788.
$500 Renewable Get more information
and download the
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For more information contact
Lisa Feinman at lfeinman@jfedsrq.org
or 941.706.0034 The Larry & Mary Greenspon Family Campus for Jewish LIfe
580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232