Within each of our kitot (classroom grades), there is at least one unique, culminating major event every year that serves as a touch-point for students to reflect upon their Talmud Torah experiential learning, and for families of those students to participate in, engage with, and to kvell about their students! One such event is our remarkable Kitah Vav (6th grade) Yad LaTorah Program, taking place this week.
Kitah Vav students spend a significant part of the first semester focused upon all things “Torah” as a natural complement to the beginning of their individual Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. Included among these studies is their exploration of the liturgy and meaning of the Torah Service, as well as the significance of reading from a Torah scroll. Before the completion of this unit, each student is given the opportunity to design and build a personalized Torah Yad (pointer), that they will be encouraged to use when they are called to the Torah as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, taking their places as members of our adult Jewish community. The actual assembly of their designed Yad (with the able assistance and support of family members) always takes place on the evening of our Yad LaTorah Program, where we also have the opportunity to hear from a local Sofer (Torah scribe) about some of the fascinating details relating to the materials and writing of a Sefer Torah, and why we don’t touch the Torah klaf (parchment) with our hands. Although in past years we have always done this project together in-person, the fact that this year’s Yad LaTorah Program is being facilitated via Zoom has allowed for even more participation by extended family members who live in different parts of the country or the world. Kol Hakavod to our Kitah Vav class and their creative and dedicated teacher, Rabbi Daniel Ettedgui, on the depth of their learning and the success of their achievements!
L’shalom,
Hazzan Jeremy Lipton, Head of School
P.S. Stay tuned for the Kitah Hey (5th grade) Virtual Living Museum Exhibit, coming to Talmud Torah beginning Sunday morning, March 7th and easily accessible to everyone afterwards through our website!