Thirty pizza pies arrive at the Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School after dismissal every Thursday, for the more than 100 children who attend a special learning program called MiBereshit. The name MiBereshit means “from the beginning,” and refers to the material studied each week from the weekly parashah that begins with the Book of Bereshit. This exceptional series is modeled after a program developed for Israeli schools, and was brought to the yeshivah by Elementary School Principal Rabbi Lawrence Schwed. The material studied is from prepared pamphlets from the Israeli MiBereshit program’s kid-friendly guided materials (see www.mibereshit.org.)
Nissim Cohen with his second-grade daughter Marcel.
Introduced three years ago to the yeshivah for second through fifth graders, the MiBreshit program has now been expanded to include a right-after-school program with homework helping, sports activities, art projects, board games, and dinner (thus, the pizzas). Second grader Ester Benzaken attends each week with her older brother, Joey. She says that it is fun and she likes doing the art projects. Another second grader, Sara Marcus, agrees, “It’s fun!”
Students are able to get assistance with their homework from Middle Division student volunteers and the supervisors of the program, Mrs. Dina and Rabbi Ilan Amar, Mrs. Michal and Rabbi Noam Goldshtein, Shira Buskila, and Hadas Peretz. Any Hebrew homework is a breeze with the help of such supervisors, since they are actually ‘imports’ from Israel! They are at YOF for two years as visiting teachers and assistants, in order to share their knowledge and love of the State of Israel with our students and their families.
At 7 pm, the evening takes on a whole different quality. Mothers, fathers, and even grandparents arrive, joining their children in the auditorium for an evening of Torah learning. Round tables bustling with discussion, colorful pamphlets, and snacks make for quite a festive atmosphere. Melissa Tbeile, a parent who attends the MiBereshit
program with her fifth grade son Sammy, marvels at the interest the children show in learning Torah just for the fun of it. She appreciates that dinner for the children is complimentary, and notes that the experience of presenting d’vrei Torah is an excellent public speaking skill for those children who choose to make presentations. Sari Tawil says that she enjoys sharing quality time with her fourth grader, Jackie. What better way is there to show our children that Torah study is a valuable lifetime pursuit than to join them at school and learn with them!
