Seekers Updates 3/2-3/3: Purim!

Kita Alef with Stephanie
This week, we learned about Purim. We started with our usual "Shalom Ma Shlomchem" game, and each student practiced leading the aleph-bet song. Then we worked in our Hebrew coloring books and met one on one with Stephanie to work on our letter recognition.
After the break, we watched a video about Purim and noticed which things became topsy turvy in the story. One student shared that we should celebrate Purim by having a backwards day. We learned that for Purim we have a se'udah where we have a topsy turvy party. Then we all made our own masks.

Kita Bet with Batya
Today, Kita Bet learned 2 new letters, tzadi and tzadi sofit! The children are getting better at reading words! In Judaics, the children learned about the importance of creating a beautiful and pure sanctuary. Batya burned some special frankincense incense from Israel, so that children could experience some of what was burned as sacraments in the second temple in Jerusalem.
"It smells so good! It's good to have a good smell in the sanctuary," said one student.
"Romemu is one of my sanctuaries," said another.
"Kita Bet is our sanctuary also!" said two others.
We also got to be actors at Seekers! Batya was telling the story of Purim while we each got to act our the different characters in the story! "I loved being the make up artist of queen Esther!" said one student. "And I felt powerful to be King Achashveirosh!" said another.



Kita Gimmel with Yardena
This week, we started class with the spirit of Purim. We played with balloons to increase trust between the students, and to build a sense of unity among the class. We played Purim bingo and then worked in our Hebrew books. In the second hour, we learned about the story of Purim. We discussed why the women in this book are special and why they stand out. The kids directed their own human sculptures with their friends, each time choosing a different part of the Purim story to portray. We ended class with our favorite game: Court. I play the judge and the kids are the lawyers. We talk about different dilemmas and the kids have to communicate their point of view in a deep and respectful manner. This week we talked about the King's decision to get rid Vashti after she refused to come to his party.




Kitot Daled & Zayin with Heather
During the first hour class, Kita Daled worked in their Hebrew binders and we played some Hebrew games. For the second hour in both classes, students brainstormed what they know about Purim. Then they received index cards with the Purim story in a scrambled order. Students worked together to put the story in the proper sequence. Then we walked through the story together and made any corrections to the timeline. Students learned about the four mitzvot of Purim, as well as the broader idea of Purim being a time when that which is hidden becomes revealed. We thought about the places where, like in the Purim story, God does not seem to appear directly, and how we can look around to find the hidden good.

Kitot Hey & Vav With Yonatan

This week, we continued to make progress with Hebrew reading and transitioned to the Judaics lesson in the second hour. We discussed the story of Purim, Megillat Esther, se'udot Purim, mishloach manot, and gifts to the poor. We learned that "Purim" means "lots," as in gambling. Since "lots" refers to a game of chance, the idea of "pur" and "purim" highlights luck. During Purim, we celebrate our good fortune in the resolution of the Purim story and also good fortune in general! The students also learned a Hassidic interpretation of the name "Esther" - that is refers to hester, or "hiding/hidden" in Hebrew, indicating the hidden presence of Hashem in the story. God's name is not mentioned once in the Megillah, and this is one explanation. We then watched a movie about the story of Purim and shared what we would dress up as for Purim.