Parasha Cheyei Sarah

At the beginning of this week’s parasha Sarah dies and is buried in the cave of Machpelah.  We read that Avraham sends Eliezer, his servant, to find a wife for Yitzchak. After his journey, while resting by a well, Eliezer decides to test see who would be perfect wife for Yitzchak. He wanted to see if there was a kind girl who would give water to him and also his camels. Rivka walked up to the well and passed the test. She gave water to Eliezer and his 10 camels.  Now that was a lot of water!Eliezer was invited into Rivka’s father’s home, and he tells them all about the test. Eliezer asks for her hand in marriage to Yitzchak and her father and brother agree. So the very next day Eliezer and Rivkah set out on their journey back to Canaan. When Rivkah approaches Yitzchak (who is praying to Hashem in a field) for the very first time, she covers her face with a veil. Yitzchak and Rivkah are married shortly after. Avraham died at the age of 175. His two older sons, Yitzchak and Yishmael make peace and come together to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah, beside Sarah.

Questions to ask your children:

How old was Sarah when she died?

Where was Sarah buried?

How much money did Avraham pay to the man who owned the cave?

Which presents did Eliezer give to Rivkah?

The children in Primary 2 were thinking about what Yitzchak was praying to Hashem about and have written their own prayers to Hashem.  They enjoyed reading them out at Kabbalat Shabbat this morning.

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Parasha Vayera

The children have been learning about the mitzvot of Hachnasat Orchim, (hospitality) and Bikur Cholin (visiting the sick).

Just three days after he had his brit mila,  Avraham welcomes 3 guests into his tent and feeds them. Sarah is told that she will have a child. Avraham argues with God about destroying Sodom. Sodom is destroyed, but Lot is saved. Avraham and Sarah travel to Gerar. Yitzchak is born. Hagar and Ishmael are expelled and then saved from starvation by God. The Akeda (binding of Yitzchak): God tells Avraham to sacrifice Yitzchak, his son. So he binds Yitzchak up and just before Avraham slaughters him, a voice from heaven calls out to tell him not to.  Instead, Avraham sacrifices a ram and uses his horn as a shofar. At the end of the portion, Rivka is born.

Questions to ask your children…

How old was Sarah when she found out she was going to have a baby?

Which mitzvah were the three men doing when they went to  Avraham’s tent?

How did Avraham show hospitality?

What happened to Lot’s wife when they escaped from Sedom?

Our lower school Shabbat table this morning

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SHABBAT UK

Kabbalat Shabbat in school on Friday was a very special occasion.   The whole of Primary 4 sat on the table and lead the service.  They told the school all about how Hashem created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day.  They explained to the children that this is why we rest on Shabbat.  They also told the children that on Shabbat UK we try to make one change to our Shabbat celebrations at home.  Whether we will make sure we light the candles, switch off devices or even take a trip to Shul.  Each child has brought home a Shabbat UK pledge to complete.  Please can your child bring them back into school as soon as possible, so they can be displayed.

It was lovely to see so many children joining in with Shabbat UK activities in the community.  Whether it was at the Challah Bake on Thursday night,  in Shul on Shabbat morning or at the Havdalah event at Giffnock Shul on Saturday evening.

The Calderwood Lodge staff and pupils at the Challah Bake.

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The Chasidic band enjoyed singing Bim Bom, which they had only heard for the first time when they visited Calderwood Lodge for Kabbalat Shabbat.

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Lots of fun singing and dancing.

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Bereshit and Noach

The children have been learning about the first stories from the Torah.  How Hashem created the world, Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark and the Tower of Babel.

Questions to ask your children at home.

How many days did it take Hashem to create the world?

What did Hashem create on Day 4?

Who tempted Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge?

What was their punishment?

Why did Noah have to build an Ark?

How many days did it rain for?

How did Noah know it was safe to leave the Ark?

What happened to the people who built the Tower of Babel?

Primary 1 were very busy making their creation display. 

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