During the Aseret Yemei Teshuva and for the current midah focus, early childhood and lower school students are learning about the importance of saying selicha—I am sorry. The divisions participated in a tashlich program during Aseret Yemei Teshuva that focused on starting the year right and thinking about ways to make good choices. They wrote out or drew a picture of what they could do to do better this year. They then went to a “body of water” to release their strips of paper. These strips will also be used to decorate the school sukkah to remind them of their good intentions and of saying selicha to their family, friends and Hashem.

Middle School engaged in an Aseret Yemei Teshuvah challenge, given to them during a Tzom Gedaliah program to help add meaning and reinforce the message of these days. Students first learned background on the fast day and then were charged by Rabbi Rubin to see themselves as part of a larger community and look out for one another; to examine themselves and their actions and put their best foot forward to start the new year. For the Aseret Yemei Teshuva challenge students received a bingo board before Rosh Hashanah with specific mitzvah-related challenges, one for each day, to motivate and enhance the time before Yom Kippur.

Middle School students also took part in a hatarat nedarim. Rabbi Sukenik led everyone together as they participated in a process to nullify any vows or commitments that were made this year, either explicit or implied that they couldn’t keep. Seventh and eighth graders also had the opportunity to hear an inspiring Shabbat Shuva message from Rabbi James Proops from Suburban Torah in Livingston.