Sukkot celebrates the blessings and abundance of the fall harvest season for Jews around the world, completing the cycle of seasons begun at Pesach time. The early childhood classes at the Academies at Gerrard Berman Day School, located in Oakland, celebrated the harvest during the first weeks of school by learning about the themes of the new year, punctuated with joyous songs of the season. One of the primary areas of focus during this time of year is helping young children begin to relate to Hashem. Enter “Modeh Ani.”
While most of us are familiar with this simple and elementary statement, the question remains: Is there more than a rudimentary “thank you” behind this declaration? And how can we imbue our children with some of its deeper meanings, while remaining appropriate and relatable for their young age?
The early childhood department at GBDS has found an answer. In the corner of their classroom, space was dedicated to the model sukkah, so the children could enjoy the sense of being in the sukkah throughout chol hamoed. On this particular day, the wind was so fierce that the staff decided it was not safe to go outside into the school’s sukkah. They settled for “dwelling” in their indoor model sukkah, which was decorated in the festive spirit of the chag.
Susan Scher, the early childhood director, explained that the teachers and children have been working since the start of the year to learn about the Modeh Ani tefillah. With the help of Eve Levi, a kindergarten teacher, the students have also been learning about the concept and practices of mindfulness. Levi, along with students Aliyah and Arizal Sher, demonstrated for the parents and family members their model of mindfulness, which set the tone in the room for the next event.
Shiri Sher, mother of Aliyah and Arizal, as well as three older children who are current or former GBDS students, was in school on this day to introduce her recently published book, “The King’s Secret Mission, the Story of Modeh Ani.” After the mindfulness program, she shared a personal reading with the pre-kindergarten class. The book is beautifully illustrated by Geula Vardi, Sher’s mother, and dove-tailed seamlessly with the timing of this topic in the early childhood fall programming.
While practicing their mindful listening skills, the children were fascinated by the tale of the story’s main character, BIM. Yes, all caps: BIM. But no spoilers here about the curious name or mission of young BIM. However, with their mindful attention to Sher’s expressive and passionate rendering, the children soon discovered how BIM got his name and how they all shared a secret with BIM in their own unique way. Sher highlighted her tale by bringing the children into the story via questions, while also inviting them to guess what might happen next. The interactive exchange led to many ideas from the children and gently led them to think and talk about what BIM might be thinking, or how they might make decisions in a similar situation.
At the conclusion of the reading, the children broke into craft groups, while parents and family met near the entrance to review copies of the book and illustrations for themselves, with the option to purchase a copy.
Sher stated after the program how special it was to partner with her mother to create the book, and that her deepest hope is that young and older readers alike will be able to relate to the story and be inspired by its message. She attributed her own inspiration to the “unwavering dedicated guidance,” of her rebbe, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, “who ignited a love of God” that was transformational for her.
Needless to say, Sher’s family and extended family at GBDS are pretty excited about the book. If you’re also intrigued and would like more information, it is available via the Book Depository or Amazon websites, among others.
By Ellie Wolf
�
