Beth+Elohim-+Shabbat

The Whole Mishpacha Avodah Track Session 2 – Shabbat January 28, 2007

Goals:

- To examine the origins and rituals of Shabbat - To explore opportunities for meaning family celebration of Shabbat - To get to know some other TBE families

Objectives: During the session, participants will accomplish the goals by:

- Participating in Shabbat singing and ritual (focused on kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah) - Studying stories and/or texts about Shabbat, with focus on Shabbat rest (creating an atmosphere of Shabbat) - Working in families to identify ways each family can incorporate some Shabbat into their regular week - Meeting others through introductory “mixer” and other group activities throughout the session

Handouts/Materials:

- Adult text study - Blessings/Objects for mixer - Flip Charts - Shabbat Table set up with objects - Song sheet/Havdalah - For Pre-K-K: Sheet to draw on – with headings: What I do (look like) during the week. What I would like to do (look like) on Shabbat. - For 1-3: No Lists story (Does God Have a Big Toe) – broken down for illustration - markers - For 4-6 – Texts 4th Commandment – Exodus and Deuteronomy; List of prohibited work on Shabbat, work sheets for small groups - Take home Shabbat Table booklets and CDs

Lesson Plan – Timed Outline


 * 9:30-9:45: Intro/Opening Ritual
 * 9:45-10:00: Mixer
 * 10:05 – 10:50: Parallel learning: Adult; PreK-K; 1-3; 4-6
 * 10:55 – 11:15: Family connection to Shabbat (Shabbat idea boxes)
 * 11:15 – 11:25: Closing Ritual: Havdallah
 * 11:25-11:30 – Snack and L’hitraot!

Lesson Plan – Detailed Outline

1. 9:30-9:45 – Intro/Opening Ritual

Begin with all families together in the sanctuary. Jodi welcomes everyone; Jodi and Noah lead group in singing (kehillah kadosha; followed by kabbalat Shabbat music)

2. 9:45 – 10:00 - Mixer

Every family gets an object or a picture of an object. They are to match the object with a blessing (posted on a flip chart in the New Atrium). When the group is assembled:

1) What does this object and its blessing have to do with Shabbat? Discuss and record answer. 2) Introduce your families to each other – names, where you live, 3) Record answers to the following: When we think about celebrating Shabbat OR When we celebrate Shabbat, our favorite thing to do together as a family would be/is: ________________.

Quick debrief around the room (if time). Divide into parallel learning groups: Adults stay in New Atrium; PreK-K with Emily and Emily; 1-3 with Rachel G and Adam; 4-6 with Donna

3. 10:05 – 10:50 – Parallel Learning

Pre-K to K – Emily and Emily – a) 10:05 – 10:20 – Set the Shabbat Table (cloth and objects available at station in Social Hall) – remind kids of blessings – say them together as you are setting (or when the table is assembled). b) 10:20- 10:40 – Read Story – No Lists on the Sabbath (with felt board?) At end of story, have a very brief conversation – Do you have lists of things you do every day?; How does it feel to rush around to get everything done on your list? What would you take off your “week day” list to make Shabbat special? How would it feel to take things off your list? Hand out “How I am different on Shabbat” sheet and have kids draw two pictures with crayons or washable markers: First: What am I doing/do I look like during the week; Second: What would I like to be doing/ look like on Shabbat c) 10:40 - 10:50 – Singing with Noah (and grade 1-3)

Grades 1-3 – Rachel Gold and Adam – a) 10:05 – 10:30 Story – No Lists on the Sabbath – Read aloud; At end of story, have a very brief conversation – Do you have lists of things you do every day?; How does it feel to rush around to get everything done on your list? What would you take off your “week day” list to make Shabbat special? How would it feel to take things off your list? Handout the No Lists story for kids to illustrate, creating their own books to bring home (and perhaps read on Shabbat) b) 10:30-10:40 - (if time) Match blessing with object – at the table station (table should be “set” for Shabbat by Pre-K-K group) match cards with blessings with appropriate objects on table and say the blessings together. (Teachers can also explain why we use each object and say the corresponding blessing on Shabbat.) c) 10:40-10:50 – Singing with Noah (and PreK-K)

Grades: 4-6 – Donna

These students will have the opportunity to explore a variety of texts about work and rest on Shabbat with the goal of coming up with a way or a few ways we can make Shabbat restful and meaningful for us today. Begin with brainstorming session about the week and compare with a brainstormed list of what kids do to relax. What does it feel like to be really busy (why does it feel that way)? What does it feel like to have “downtime?”

Read: Segment of Story from God’s Mailbox about what God told Moses when Moses received the 10 Commandments. This part is about the 4th Commandment – it’s a midrash about the “behind the scene” conversation between god and Moses. (Read section 4 from The Rock Words.)

Debrief the story – According to God, why is it important to rest? Why is resting important to you? How can we find time to rest each week?

Share some other texts with the students. Our tradition has a lot to say about work and rest. Could include here: Comparison of 4th commandment – Exodus and Deuteronomy (shamor/zachor); 39 prohibited activities from Talmud, other? We live in a time that is very different from the time of the Talmud. But we still have a need to rest (maybe we have an even greater need to rest?) How can we rest on Shabbat in a way that is meaningful – that makes Shabbat special and gets us the downtime that we need. In small groups – pairs, 3’s or 4’s come up with a Shabbat rest plan or ritual that you think could work for kids your age. Record your ideas. Bring the groups together at 10:40 and use the last 10 minutes to share ideas.

Adult – Jodi and Alison

See separate adult study handout exploring 4th Commandment (Exodus and Deuteronomy); Heschel – Shabbat as an atmosphere; 39 aspects of prohibited work, etc. Include Abramowitz text as lead-in to next activity- Conclude with what is happening in last half hour and detailed instructions for family project so parents can lead children.

4. 10:55 – 11:15 Whole Family learning/project: Shabbat Idea Box

Each family gets box and 15+ index cards. Some preprinted cards with ritual activities like: light candles and recite candle blessing on Friday night, will be available for each family to include (already in each box?). On the blank cards, family members will write an activity they would like to do or try as a family to rest, relax and celebrate Shabbat together as a family. Together they should pick one or 2 cards that they will put at the front of the box with activities that they will commit to trying at least two or three times before we meet again at the end of March. Ideally, each family will pick a card each Shabbat – either one of the “commitment” cards or a new card to try each Shabbat. Record what you have tried – and how it felt (share these discussions and record the ideas together on the card in the back of the box that is (some color). We will send an email to families before the next Whole Mishpacha and would love to hear from families who have done some of the activities in their box. (Have some materials available for families who have time to decorate the box.)

5. 11:15 – 11:25 - Havdallah -

It is said you can do Havadallah any time until Tuesday – provides a separation, keeps Shabbat a special sacred space and gives us a way to make a transition from the special atmosphere of Shabbat back into the week with the scent and flavor of Shabbat still lingering in our memories – to get us through to the next Shabbat. Share havdallah (give spice bags to take home) as closing ritual.

6. 11:25 – Shavuah Tov – a snack and l’hitra-ot