Blog & Sermons

For the past 15 years, we have been co-teaching the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten class at Sukkat Shalom’s Family School. The two of us connected immediately and became a team from Day One, sharing similar values and teaching philosophies. 

This history has made it easier for us to collaborate in creating interesting and fun lessons for our students during the challenging times of this pandemic. “Virtual” teaching has not hindered our ability to teach Jewish ideas and traditions. 

We share a passion for food and enjoy incorporating edible projects into our teaching.  The children love these projects and teaching virtually has not stopped them! We try each project at home first to make sure it is fun and easy. Then we email the families prior to class with a list of necessary ingredients. It’s wonderful to see through our computer screens how students create their own masterpieces with their parents.  For example, interesting discoveries in everyone’s pantries resulted in fabulous Torah scrolls for Simchat Torah!

By structuring the virtual classes similarly to in-person classes, we have successfully connected with our students. Weekly routines help children stay focused. Each class begins with a welcome song, sharing time, lesson, and activity and ends with a story and Shabbat blessings. Songs with Music Specialist Alan Goodis are enjoyed by all. The only difference this year is that we are learning from afar instead of together.

We could not succeed each Sunday if it wasn’t for the amazing support of the parents. They are well organized, provide the necessary supplies, and always lend a helping hand during classes. 

The coronavirus certainly has made life challenging for everyone this year. But we have found virtual teaching at Family School to be interesting and rewarding. The students are engaged, curious, and eager to learn about Jewish holidays and traditions. Although they are not sitting together on a rug during “circle time,” they are happy and motivated while connecting through their home computers every other Sunday.