Jewish American Heritage Month is observed every May to celebrate the incredible history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States.
This week, Art teacher Lisa Stolzer visited the Upper Elementary classroom in honor of Jewish Heritage Month. She read a book to the students called The Midnight Mitzvah, a retelling of a 2,000-year-old story from the Talmud (Jewish book of law) in which a chipmunk performs a mitzvah (good deed) for a friend in secret so that her friend will not feel embarrassed. This led to a discussion of the Jewish value of tzedakah (helping those in need) and tikkun olam (healing the world).
The students then had the opportunity to create tzedakah boxes in which they can collect money for charitable giving.
They also made individual challah breads, the braided egg bread eaten on the Jewish sabbath and holidays.
