Hanukah Spirit Week

What an eventful week we have had at PJA! We have celebrated Hanukah in so many fun and meaningful ways and added an extra dose of joy each day with a special school-wide spirit week. We have cooked and eaten so many latkes! We have learned about the Maccabees and we have discussed miracles. We have retold the Hanukah story in new creative ways. We have played dreidel games and shared chocolate gelt. 

In our Early Childhood program, students explored light, reflection, and shadows in a special Hanukah-inspired room. Every group from infants to preschool discovered ways to build, create, and play with light. Loose part materials allow unlimited potential for young children to discover and test out their own ideas around special holidays like Hanukah. Hopefully, with reflection they see the light in themselves and the ones around them. 

In the Day School, the beauty of shining light into the darkness with each candle we light was felt each day when we gathered together to communally light the Hanukah candles and sing a growing repertoire of Hanukah songs. We also emphasize the importance of figuratively spreading light in dark times through our acts of kindness, by showing kavod (respect) for one another, by reaching out to our kehillah (community), and by celebrating joyfully together. 

It’s no surprise that this year’s most requested Hanukah song was באנו חושך לגרש Banu Choshech L’Garesh. 

Though the night is cold and dark.
In our soul, there lies a spark.
Each of us, is one small light.
All together, we shine bright.

Let’s all try to keep that light shining bright as we head into winter break.