Religion School News

During the first half of term, we have focussed on the High Holidays. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we took some of the younger students to Oakwood Park to do Tashlich: symbolically throwing away our mistakes from the past year, in the form of bird seed, which of course pleased the local ducks on the pond in Oakwood Park. However, we didn’t just focus on our mistakes. We celebrated our achievements in the past year, and chose some positive aims for the year ahead, all sealed by eating Honey Cake. Other highlights of the trip were the excellent playground, and the opportunity to wave to the trains from the railway bridge (see photograph), with one train driver whistling in response.

During Sukkot, we had Tefillah in the SPS Sukkah, and found out about the four species that make up the Lulav. Several students waved the Lulav, and we wondered whether we could grow our own Lulav in future. We will be looking into buying a Willow or perhaps a Myrtle to plant in the synagogue garden this Tu Bishevat. However, both the Palm and Etrog are used to warmer climates, and will need to grow in a greenhouse or conservatory. Before Simchat Torah, we had a fantastic visit from the Liberal Judaism youth group, LJY-Netzer, who ran fun educational activities for the students. LJY-Netzer also have a full range of holiday activities, including Hadrachah (leadership training), and you can find more details on their website: www.ljy-netzer.org. 

On Simchat Torah itself, we organised activities for children, including making our own Torah Mantle costumes, and creating model Torah Scrolls out of sweets! During November, Ruach will be visiting the Hugh Myddelton nursing home, as our Mitzvah Day project. Throughout the term, we will be collecting Tsedakah contributions for World Jewish Relief’s International Disaster Appeal. You can read more about the charity’s work at: www.worldjewishrelief.org/support-us/appeals. 

For our very youngest members and their friends, our parent and toddler group, Mini-Ruach, was back in October, after a short break for the High Holidays. The next session of Mini-Ruach will be on Friday 10th November at 10am. Meanwhile, our popular Friday Children’s Service will be on Friday 3rd November at 4.15pm, and our monthly Tots Service will be on Saturday 18th November at 10am. 

Finally, after the Chanukah break, we hope to repeat the success of last year’s History Project, where we asked adult members of the congregation to come into class to talk about their childhood memories. This time the theme will be “Israel,” to tie in with the younger students’ Jewish Studies curriculum.