The fifth graders at BPY completed a two-part pre bar/bat mitzvah program in which they learned in depth about two very important mitzvot.

In the first program, the children were lucky to learn all about Birkat Hamazon and its importance from Shimmi the puppet. Shimmi the puppet (who was Rav Nirel) explained how Birkat Hamazon is separated into four parts, each written by a different author, such as Moshe Rabbeinu and King David. The students were placed into groups and competed in a Kahoot game to test their knowledge of Birkat Hamazon. How does one celebrate learning Birkat Hamazon? With a delicious deli sandwich, of course! A make-your-own deli sandwich lunch was served to the fifth graders, which ended off with a resounding Birkat Hamazon sung by all.

The second program focused on the mitzvah of Shema. The Shema contains a most central idea of Judaism—Hashem is our God and He is One! Students learned that the Shema is divided into three sections, with each section explaining different mitzvot we need to do. The first section of Shema commands us to love HaShem. The students were able to connect the second section of the Shema to Sefer Shoftim, which they are learning in class. This section tells us that if we follow the mitzvot, we will receive many berachot, lots of rain and bountiful crops—however there is a warning of what will happen if the mitzvot are not followed or worse, if idols are worshipped. In Sefer Shoftim, fifth grade is learning that when Bnei Yisrael follows Hashem, there is peace and quiet in the land, but when Bnei Yisrael worship idols, the land has no blessing and Bnei Yisrael is punished.

The third section alludes to the mitzvot of tefillin and mezuzot and directly mentions the mitzvah of tzizit. After such dedicated learning, the students were excited for their Shema project. Each student painted a canvas with the Shema and now have their very own beautiful artwork for home. Kol hakavod fifth grade!