Hard to imagine how many birthday candles would have to be on this birthday cake!? Elementary students celebrated a very special birthday this week…the world’s 5784th birthday!
Yearly, the Rosh Hashana holiday celebrates the culmination of the full creation of the world, and as such, the first day of creation was 6 days prior to Rosh Hashana…on the 25th of Elul on the Jewish calendar. On that day at school, students in elementary classes focused on being grateful for the beautiful, bountiful world that Hashem created. Each student enjoyed a special treat of black and white cookies, symbolizing the light and dark of the first day of creation.
Students wrote birthday cards to the world, with wishes and gifts they would like to give to the world. Ranging from: "I hope everyone will get all their needs." (M.H. R.- Grade 1) to "I will give more Tzedakah." (A.R.- Grade 8) to "I will take care of plants." (E. R. - Grade 5) to "I will pray for peace on you." ( S. R.- Grade 5) to "I will pray for rain." (H. C. - Grade 5). Students were reflective and excited about the special day.
In the K-1 and 2nd-3rd grade classes, the students also learned a bit about their own Jewish birthday dates and we look forward to celebrating those as they come up on the Jewish calendar all year long.