Welcoming the Shabbat Afghani Style

Shavua Tov to all of you.
Since the High Holiday season is behind us and Hanukkah is about six weeks away, I think it’s time we start focusing on our favorite weekly holiday – Shabbat. During my year in America numerous teachers told me that they are always looking for new Shabbat activity ideas. So, I’ve decided that in between holidays I’ll sneak in some neat Shabbat customs from around the world that you can apply to the classroom and family Shabbat programs. I’ve also decided to make this first Shabbat blog a bridge between the past and current events.
The war in Afghanistan makes daily headlines. Because it’s an Islamic Republic and because America is waging another war in Iraq the Jewish focus tends to get lost. So here’s the thing: Just like Iraq once had a thriving Jewish community, so did Afghanistan, with a 2,500 year history. However, by 2004 there were only 2 Jews left.
Today, Afghani Jews primarily live in the United States and Israel. Still they haven’t forgotten many of the wonderful traditions handed down through the generations. One Shabbat custom that I found seems tailor-made for the classroom. Afghani Jews would designate a shelf in their house to “Lich-vod Shabbat” – “In Honor of the Sabbath.” This shelf was more like a weekly treasure chest displaying all the special treats bought during the week in anticipation of the Shabbat. Fruits, baked goods, candies, anything you can think of not ordinarily eaten during the week, were purchased weekly and stored on the shelf until the arrival of the Sabbath Queen. That was the way Afghan Jews made Shabbat special, separating it from the weekday routine.

Do you have any type of shelf in your classroom that you can dedicate to Shabbat? Call it the “Lich-vod Shabbat” shelf and hold a weekly Shabbat Show & Tell, with different students bringing in different goodies every week. The time to enjoy these delectable delights? Friday, of course!You determine the hour – snack, lunch, recess, right before dismissal…it’s up to you and it’s something for your pupils to look forward to.

Have a Shabbat Shalom this coming Friday and every Friday of the year.
Tami

Reach for the Moon with Rosh Chodesh

Sunday night and Monday are Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. Your students might be interested to know that during Biblical times Rosh Chodesh was known as a “ma’or festival” – a holiday of (lunar) light – and was considered a special occasion. Once two reliable eyewitnesses spotted the first sliver of the moon in the night sky, messengers were sent out, informing everyone that the new month had begun. Trumpets were blown, delicious feasts were held, and sacrifices were brought to the Temple celebrating the new moon and month. The Rabbis of the Talmud compared the moon to Israel, since both were active and constantly renewing themselves.

Eventually Rosh Chodesh celebrations receded into the background. Today, it is viewed by many as a woman’s holiday. But there is nothing new under the moon. According to the Talmud (tractate Megillah 22b), women are exempt from doing work on Rosh Chodesh. Rashi elaborated even further by listing the exact tasks women don’t have to do – spinning, weaving and sewing – because of the specific contributions women made to building the Mishkan. It is also believed that Rosh Chodesh is dedicated to women because they refused to physically participate in the creation of the golden calf. Finally, there’s the obvious comparison to the monthly female cycle.

So where does this leave you and your students? First of all, who doesn’t like to eat yummy food as in days of yore? Rosh Chodesh is one more (Jewish) reason to make snack or lunch time a special event. Rosh Chodesh is also a great time to hold a class on the moon and its different phases. I found this link to help you with a lesson plan. Finally, keeping in line with the feminist aspect, dedicate each Rosh Chodesh to a different female Jewish heroine that boys will enjoy learning about as well.

Chodesh Tov…Tami

YEMENITE JEWS CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF NEW BABIES ON SIMCHAT TORAH

We’ve seen how much children enjoy taking part in Simchat Torah, with all the flags and goodie bags. Yemenite Jews extend the joy of children even further by celebrating the arrival of new babies on the first Simhat Torah after their birth. The father or grandfather makes a donation to the synagogue by purchasing a hakafa (circular Torah procession) in the baby’s honor. He then becomes the leader of the specific hakafa. Instead of carrying a Torah scroll he carries the baby in his arms, leading the procession around the block or neighborhood.

This custom might be a good way to help your students adapt to the arrival of a new sibling. Among your many classroom activities surrounding Simhat Torah you might want to include a hakafa for all pupils who have become new big brothers and sisters. Let them bring in a picture of their new sibling along with the name and birthday and help them celebrate their new position in the family.

Chag Sameach…Tami