Last week, Racheli Weiss’ sophomores launched their Yad Hayotzer project in the art room under the careful guidance of Mrs. Mantell-Winslow.

Students in Racheli’s Nach class first learned about one of the most interesting prophecies in Sefer Yirmiyahu, when God told Yirmiyahu to visit the house of a potter and watch him work on the potter’s wheel. Students reenact this prophecy by creating their own clay creations, giving them the chance to “become” the potter in the prophecy. Students experienced the capabilities of clay and how it can be molded to fit one form or another, impressing upon them the power of Hashem, who molds all our lives, and our own power to mold our lives in positive ways.

Last year, students created clay washing cups. This year, they are making beautiful vases for plants to decorate the offices of faculty members. Students are excited to make use of our professional kiln this year, too, a new addition to our art program and one Frisch plans to utilize frequently.

This prophecy from Yirmiyahu is especially important during these next few weeks, as it has become part of the Yom Kippur liturgy in the piyut: כחומר ביד היוצר—like clay in the hands of the potter. How powerful for the students to contemplate this awesome message as everyone prepares for Aseret Yemei Teshuvah and, we are confident, to commit to molding their lives to do good and help inspire positive change in the world.

“This annual project that the Nach students participate in is one of my favorite projects of the whole year,” said Racheli. “It’s a great example of experiential learning and the way several disciplines—in this case, Nach, tefillah and art—can complement each other in a truly dynamic way.”