The Preschool Post Decemeber 3, 2009 Kislev 5770 Dear Parents: We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. The children were excited to share all the different celebrations they had with their families and friends. The children returned from their long weekend break to the warming lights of Chanukah. Each class began with the basic story of Chanukah. The children learned about how Antiochus came into the Beit Hamikdash and destroyed the utensils and brought in idols (Avodah Zorah) and even a pig! They learned how Antiochus would not let the Jewish people learn Torah, so the Jews went into the forest and hills and learned Torah secretly. When the Greek Soldiers came by, the Jews would take out games to play including the game of dreidel (Sivivon). A group of Jews, who called themselves the Maccabbees, decided to fight back. Even though they were a small army against the large Greek army, they were victorious and were able to take back the Beit Hamikdash. There was quite a bit of clean up in the Beit Hamikdash. The Jews needed to light the menorah, but it was very hard to find pure oil. After a long search they found oil, but only enough to last one day. A miracle (nes) happened, and the oil lasted for eight days. To remember this miracle we light candles for eight days of Chanukah. In both classes we have started to create a festive Chanukah atmosphere. We each made a class bulletin board menorah and stained glass dreidels. We are looking ahead to many more Chanukah art activities that the children will share with you at home. On Wednesday, Mrs. Jacoby came for story time. She brought her Mother Goose collection of story /rhymes, Little Jack Horner, Blackbirds and Little Miss Muffit. Many of the children recognized the rhymes and sang along. Mrs. Jacoby also introduced us to her collection of Gingerbread Man/Boy books. She read us two versions, one where the fox eats the gingerbread boy at the end and one where the little boy goes back to the lady who baked him. On Thursday we had Coach Ben for gym. As always we look forward to Rabbi Linzer leading us in a sing-a-long this Friday. Our Shabbat Imahot and Avot this week are Oriyan and Joey in Morah Sandy’s Class and Ophir and Danielle in Morah Lee’s class. A few reminders: The weather is now turning much colder, please send you child with a hat and gloves every day (and boots when necessary). With the cold weather in mind, make sure you have seasonally updated the change of clothes in your child’s clothing box. Please replenish your child’s tzedakah money.