Ben Porat Yosef students from Early Childhood through eighth grade enjoyed special Chanukah programming throughout last week. Grades 1 through 8 joined together for Hallel every morning during tefillah, an especially beautiful part of the chag. Each day Rav Ronen, Rosh HaYeshiva, lit the school chanukiyah with the students; singing and dancing in celebration of the chag followed.

The Early Childhood grades experienced exciting educational opportunities using Chanukah themes. Pre-K students learned about positive and negative space by creating a giant chanukiyah with tape, painting all around it and removing the tape to see the image they had created. All of the classes enjoyed the delicious latkes and Chanukah-shaped cookies they had made, and whose aromas filled the school hallways.

B’not sheirut circulated among the classes, introducing new and fun Chanukah games to the children. The elementary and junior high grades participated in a spirited Chanukah Maccabiah, using the themes of Israel and Chanukah. Grades 4 through 8 divided into Am Yisrael, Medinat Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael, while Grades 1 through 3 divided into six teams: Sivivon, Kad, Ner, Shemed, Chanukiah and Shemen. The teams participated in exciting challenges throughout the day and cheered each other on. They showed team spirit and beautiful sportsmanship; the second and third place teams congratulated the winning team with chants of “Kol Hakavod!” after each contest. The junior high took an active role in conducting Maccabiah by planning and preparing songs, cheers and special projects for the younger students.

The week of events culminated in a Chanukah chagigah celebration.