Our new BAS Sukkot Children’s Choir, led by Cantor Schiller, sang the following beautiful song by Josh Nelson, “L’dor Vador” (from generation to generation) during services in the Sanctuary on 10/15 and during Morning Tefillah in Hebrew School on 10/16. The choir rehearsed during and after school, bringing together Hebrew school and day school students of a variety of ages. At the 10/15 service, the adult BAS Choir, Shirat Ha-Am, joined the Children’s Choir in singing L’dor Vador, which brought tears of joy to many congregants.

“L’dor Vador“
Words and Music © 2007 Josh Nelson Music (BMI)
We are gifts and we are blessings, we are history in song
We are hope and we are healing, we are learning to be strong
We are words and we are stories, we are pictures of the past
We are carriers of wisdom, not the first and not the last
L’dor vador nagid godlecha (From generation to generation, we will tell of Your greatness)
L’dor vador... we protect this chain
From generation to generation
L’dor vador, these lips will praise Your name
Looking back on the journey that we carry in our heart
From the shadow of the mountain to the waters that would part
We are blessed and we are holy, we are children of Your way
And the words that bring us meaning, we will have the strength to say,
L’dor vador...

This song could be heard at BAS this fall, but it could also be seen as teachers, parents, clergy, and children all worked together to live the ideals of this song. Our Hebrew language conveys this partnership with the following words, which share the same root: morim (teachers), horim (parents), and Torah. All three are connected by the mission to educate and guide. Children learn what it means to be a Jew in school, at home, in synagogue, and in their community.

Here are some powerful examples of how BAS children have been living what they are learning:

Our BAS teachers are educating the next generation by creating a variety of ways for students to be enthusiastically engaged in Jewish learning and living. Students are creating a model of the mishkan, acting out Jewish stories with morals, simulating solving dilemmas in Jewish history in small groups, making personal connections to prayers, preparing to read Torah on Shabbat, singing with their Chaverim (buddies), making candlestick holders to use at home, enjoying Jewish children’s literature, illustrating Hebrew vocabulary, as well as exploring and practicing how to treat each other with kavod (respect).

Along with the parents, clergy, and educators in our community, our BAS teens are also part of this chain of passing on our traditions. On Shabbat morning take a look in Junior Congregation, and you will see the warm, inviting service that BAS teens lead. They learned the skills to lead this service from their parents and teachers and from their experiences attending BAS services. Now they are teaching BAS children how to participate in Shabbat services, to connect to their BAS peers, and inspiring them to become future Shabbat service leaders. We also have 26 Madrichim, teen aides, who assist in Junior Congregagtion, the Shorashim program, and in our K-7 classes—building connections with our students, acting as role models, and fulfilling an important leadership role in our community.

At the fall TEL retreat BAS teens and 70 other teens from Reconstructionist congregations on the east coast gathered to celebrate Shabbat and Sukkot, participate together in Jewish values discussions and activities, Shabbat services, and social action projects. We continue these values discussions on Monday nights in our Dor Hahemshech program. Check out the pictures from the fall retreat in the downstairs hallway outside the activity rooms. The teens will reconnect at the spring TEL retreat.

BAS children connected with the Torah and their community through the BAS Simchat Torah celebration on 10/20 and during a “Torah Tour” on Sunday morning, 10/23, with Rabbi Bronstein. We unrolled the Torah from one corner of the Sanctuary to the other. The K-6 students watched in awe as Rabbi Bronstein walked alongside the Torah showing them the Jewish history, values, and tefillot in the Torah. Check out the pictures from our Torah Tour on our BAS homepage from the link under “Photo Galleries” on the left.

At our November youth group event 18 BAS fifth and sixth graders gathered with leader Daniel Ori and teen aides to strengthen their connections by working together to make pizza and cookie pizzas, play games, and assemble activity bags for the Blythedale Children’s Hospital.

As part of a 1st Graders and Parents program, parents of 1st graders met with Rabbi Bronstein and me to explore ways to enrich their families’ Shabbat at home in manageable ways that are meaningful for all family members. We are looking forward to celebrating Shabbat together at Bet Am on 12/16, during the Kindergarten and 1st grade Family Shabbat Service and Dinner. At this dinner, we will display Shabbat projects made by both Kindergarteners and 1st graders at their family programs.

During our professional development meetings, our teachers have been working on our Chanukah curriculum, incorporating a variety of teaching modalities and extending the learning outside of the classroom. Together we are planning and preparing for an upcoming school-wide Chanukah celebration on 12/18, which will incorporate Chanukah songs, stories, Jewish values & traditions, art, and food. We will explore Chanukah both as a school community and with our Chaverim (assigned buddies matching older and younger children).

Chanukah is a wonderful opportunity to pass on Jewish traditions l’dor vador (from generation to generation). Here are 8 ideas for celebrating Chanukah with your family:

1. As a Chanukah gift to your children, ask them who they’d like to invite over to share a night of Chanukah in your home.
2. Each night of Chanukah give your child tzedakah money and share with your family information about a tzedakah organization. At the end of Chanukah, have your child decide where to donate his/her tzedakah.
3. Buy a new Chanukah children’s book for your child.
4. Check out these websites about Chanukah:
   www. babaganewz.com/holidays/hanukkah (there’s a music tab to hear Chanukah songs to sing with your family) www.myjewishlearning.com
5. Visit a senior or call an elderly relative to offer Chanukah wishes.
6. Participate in the BAS Chanukah community event on 12/25.
7. Designate a night for homemade gifts.
8. Donate a new, unwrapped gift to the UJA “Give the Gift of Chanukah” project. Call 761-5100 x130 for more information.

Wishing you a Chanukah filled with blessings, songs, meaningful experiences, and connections between generations.

Warmly,
Abby Reiken
Education Director

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