Making Good Choices

This week in the Green Room we did Chanukah crafts and learned the songs "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" and "Sivivon Sov Sov Sov".  We melted crayons two different ways, first with a blow dryer and second by using a candle to melt them.   We poured the wax into Chanukah molds and made awesome Chanukah shaped crayons!  Everyone exclaimed, "they are melting!"  Ben said "they are popping like popcorn" and Shira said, "no...like chips!"  The friends also enjoyed making art with Chanukah shaped stickers and stamps.

This week the parsha is Vayishlach.  We learned so many real-life lessons in this parsha that the friends were able to relate to.  For example, when we spoke about Rochel Imeinu passing away Nechama and Nosson both pointed out that their Zaides passed away too and are in Shamayim with Hashem.  Nosson even told us that "when Hashem comes my Zaide will come too".  We briefly reminded him that yes, when Moshiach comes, our loved ones who passed away will come back too, Baruch Hashem!  Morah Shoshana showed them pictures of Kever Rochel and told them about her experience davening there.  We also spoke in depth about the concept of not copying someone when they make bad choices.  Yaakov and Esav loved each other so much and were still friends but Yaakov knew that sometimes Esav makes bad choices and this is why he suggested that they don't travel together.  Morah Shoshana asked the class "if chas v'shalom Nechama makes a "not good" choice and begins throwing her lunch all over the classroom should we do the same?"  Everyone giggled so much but they said no, we shouldn't do it too!  Morah Shoshana then asked, "but do we still love her and we are still her friend?"  They said, "yes!"  They understood then that even though Yaakov and Esav were brothers and loved each other, that sometimes Yaakov had to know when to make better choices and not follow his brother.

Parsha Questions:

1. What three things did Yaakov do to prepare for meeting Esav? (daven, prepare to fight, prepare a gift)

2. When Yaakov and Esav reunited did they fight or were they happy to see each other? (they hugged!)

3.  When a friend makes a "not good" choice should we copy them or move ourselves away? (Like Yaakov did, we should know when to move ourselves out of the situation)

4.  Did Yaakov and Esav travel together or apart? (apart)

5.  Where did Rochel get buried? (side of the road)

6.  Why was Rochel buried on the side of the road? (so people can daven to Hashem at her kever)

Shabbat Shalom,

Morah D and Morah Shoshana