As part of my lesson on tikkun olam, my students created a special poster all about how THEY get to save the world. It’s an easy and fun craft that’s a perfect way to review the concepts of tikkun olam. A main objective of my lesson was for each student to believe they have the …
How to Make a Hanukkah I Spy Bottle
Hanukkah’s almost over but last night I quickly put together a fun little activity for my youngest: a Hanukkah I Spy Bottle. It was easy and quick to make, has some traditional Hanukkah symbols so it can function as an educational reminder of the holiday, and it makes a really cool sound when you shake …
The Joys of Turning Everyday Objects Into Judaica
As tonight’s latkes were finishing frying, I looked down and saw my kids playing with their duplo blocks. And not just playing, but creating some awesome Hanukkah Judaica: a duplo block Hanukkiah. It was awesome! And it became our centerpiece for the 5th night celebrations. Seeing them create this Hanukkiah, and have such pleasure in …
Hanukkah Mixed Media Collage
The kids (both at home and in my classroom!) made a new Hanukkah decoration this year: Hanukkah Mixed Media Collages! We all know making artwork for the holidays is always a fun way to review the holiday story, share traditions or symbols of the holiday, and make a nice decoration for your house. Using different …
How To Make A Hanukkah Book Box
Hanukkah is here and we are so happy to celebrate the holiday by doing one of our favorite activities: reading fun holiday books! We read a ton of books in our house and are forever grateful to PJ Library for sending us new Jewish-themed books every month. I like to pull out the holiday books …
How to Make a Tabletop Hanukkah Sensory Bin
Hanukkah + sensory bin = a fabulously fun and educational activity for your little (and not so little) ones! This is the perfect activity for when you’re frying latkes, rolling your rugelach, or even just for fun in the week of and leading up to Hanukkah. It’s also super easy to make, can be used …
How To Make Thanksgiving Shabbat Candle Holders
I love adding Jewish elements to our Thanksgiving celebration (and to any aspect of daily life when the connection is authentic). It’s not hard to find Jewish connections to gratitude and giving thanks. In addition to conversations and activities on Jewish and Thanksgiving values, my children will welcome the Shabbat following Thanksgiving with this sweet and …
Create a Thanksgiving Gratitude Chain
This year our Thanksgiving craft is a gratitude chain. Each year my daughter’s preschool class creates a kindness chain and each day at school there’s the opportunity to write down a time when a child showed kindness to another. I absolutely love this idea and so is my daughter. She asked if we could create …