Chanukah celebrations at Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva were in full swing last week. Throughout the chag teachers used the opportunity to connect Chanukah to other class subjects. Kindergarten practiced addition and subtraction through playing dreidel, and other early childhood classes practiced counting using art projects depicting nerot on menorahs. The early childhood center’s projects adorned the walls of the spacious beit midrash where they held their monthly rosh chodesh assembly. There they sang and danced to Chanukah songs with a live guitar. Parents joined in on the fun, celebrating Chanukah together. The early childhood center was also visited by a bubble show. The performers made cylindrical bubbles so large that students and teachers were able to stand in them.
Among the many fun and educational activities that occurred was the third grade Chanukiah exhibit. Third grade students each year are challenged to build a unique Chanukiah. They then showcase their creations for the rest of the lower school to see. Among the many creative Chanukiot were ones rigged with LED lights, edible ones and interactive ones, such as a ring toss Chanukiah. The children beamed with pride to display their work. Other grades celebrated Chanukah parties in class, and the fourth grade marked a siyum on Parshat Vayeshev by creating scenes from the parsha using healthy foods.
On Wednesday, December 28, RPRY hosted a Chanukah party for over one hundred guests at the Young Israel of East Brunswick. Rabbi Unterman, the shul’s new rabbi, led the crowd lighting the Chanukah candles. There were games, crafts and prizes, and a warm atmosphere filled with simcha.
Both lower school and middle school each enjoyed a ruach filled Maccabia over Chanukah. The teams competed in sports events, Torah bowls, games and special projects. Many of these special programs help the students to develop leadership, organizational and planning skills, as well as engage in teamwork, collaboration, creativity and artistic expression. They also provide opportunities to develop self-confidence that complements those of the formal classroom.
