The annual third to fifth grade WDS Bracha Bee took place on Thursday, February 1, an exciting build up to Tu B’Shevat. The “bracha buzz” in the days leading up to the Bracha Bee was electric. Students were heard testing each other in the lunchroom, in the hallways and on the bus. The Bracha Bee itself was a beautiful Kiddush Hashem, not even because the students were able to rattle off their brachot, but through the midot that were on display throughout the Bracha Bee.
When students got out, the entire room, including their fellow Bracha Bee finalists, gave them each a huge applause. After each correct answer, fellow classmates roared in celebration. WDS fifth grader Ayla Ehrenhaus was the Bracha Bee champion! Liah Helft (fifth) was the runner up. The highest-finishing fourth grader was Alex Loren, and Aviva Nahmod was the highest-finishing third grader. These hour students went on to represent WDS as a team at the regional Bracha Bowl, hosted by Manhattan Day School, on Tu B’Shevat. Everyone was so proud of all the students and wished the WDS representatives hatzlacha rabba.
On Tu B’Shevat, WDS also had its middle school Bracha Bee. The three finalists were Seth Berkowitz (eighth grade, third place), Ori Romm (seventh grade, second place) and Molly Peiper (sixth grade, first place). The questions included complicated and lengthy brachot. Impressively, the students went round after round, showcasing a thorough knowledge of their brachot and a deep understanding of all that we asked them to study. As with the third to fifth grade Bracha Bee, the students not only knew their brachas beautifully, and have clearly made brachot an integral part of their lives. Rabbi Klinger, rabbi in residence for WDS, noted, “This was just an incredible atmosphere of camaraderie and respect from all the students who participated. The students were being so supportive of one another.” WDS Head of School Rabbi Dani Rockoff added: “I was so proud of our students for their commitment to proficiency in learning the laws and practical application of brachot leading up to Tu B’shvat. Though the Bracha Bee is competitive, students also support one another. Kol hakavod!”
