Friday, November 22, 2013

Identity - Sharing Family and Cultural Traditions - Shabbat

Skye's mother came in this afternoon to share a tradition in their family, and it was a lovely way to enter the weekend. Shabbat is observed in the Jewish tradition every week, from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening, until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night. Lighting candles and saying a blessing over wine (or, in our case, juice), is the way Shabbat is ushered in. After juice, we shared a delicious loaf of challah bread.





Gabrielle and Skye shared some beautiful prayer songs as we blessed the food and drink. Then we shared a "rose" and a "thorn" - the best and worst parts of our week. Most everyone mentioned having special friends as their rose, which was lovely to hear. My rose has to be the joy I get every day by working with such a special group of children and their parents, who are the heart of our community.

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