The children in the early childhood were very excited about Yitzchak and Rivka’s upcoming chasana and prepared all week. The kindergarteners discovered that after Rivka married Yitzchak, a nes happened and her challah stayed fresh from week to week, just like Sarah’s. In honor of this, the children learned about the mitzvah of hafrashas challah, one of three special mitzvahs Hashem gave to Jewish women. They helped measure, mix and knead challah dough, and watched as their morah separated some dough for Hashem. But wait, there was more to do. Morah explained that Hashem loves kinderlach so very much, and their brachos are especially precious to Him, so when children make a bracha, they should remember others who need help in some way. She made the bracha and read aloud a long list of people in need of a refuah sheleima, a shidduch, etc., names sent in by the yeshiva family. The children responded with a resounding “amen.”
The big day finally arrived! The children got together and, using puppets, excitedly reviewed the parsha. From the 2-year-olds through pre-1a, everyone participated enthusiastically answering questions—true parsha mavens. Together, they accompanied puppet Yitzchak and Rivka down the aisle, cheering loud “mazal tovs” as Yitzchak stepped on a (plastic) glass. Lively singing and dancing followed, and even a festive “seuda.” A special thank-you to the kindergarten and pre-1a children for baking a delicious cake and challah. It was so yummy!