First and second graders all recognize two special moments in their school lives that tell them they are really growing up. Yeshivah of Flatbush (YOF) children recently celebrated those milestones.
The Hagigat Siddur for first graders and the Hagigat Humash for second graders bring parents and grandparents rushing to school, excited to see their little ones perform and receive their very own siddurim and humashim. Nothing compares to the pride and joy that shines on the children’s faces and the extra bounce in their steps on those days.
They’ve already spent years— at home and in their early childhood classrooms—building their love for Hashem, beginning to learn how to pray as individuals and as a community, and learning the skills and language to use and appreciate our Jewish holy books. They’ve accomplished so much in such a short time!
Siddurim were presented to YOF first graders this year in two assemblies. The siddurim were dedicated in memory of Frances Scheinfeld A”H, by Dawn (Podolsky, HS ’91) and Ariel Levy (ES ’86, HS ’90) whose son Joseph Levy is a first grader; and by Malke (Forkosh, HS ’97) and Scott Podolsky, whose daughter Emily is a first grader. Proud grandparents are Rachel and Alex Forkosh, Miryam and Meir Levy, and Linda and Abe Podolsky.
The siddurim of the recent Hagigat Siddur were sponsored by the Stein family in memory of Sofia and Lazar Stein A”H, and Isaac Salem A”H, great-grandparents of first grader Arlyne Stein. Arlyne’s proud parents are Valerie and Steven Stein, and her grandparents are Barbara and Isaac Suede and Arlyne and Martin Stein.
YOF principals were all in attendance, and happily congratulated the students and their families. As Elementary School Associate Principal Toba Goldberg read the names of the loved ones remembered in the books, she reminded the children, “Each day when you and your classmates pray from your siddurim, it should be a special zechut (merit) for their memory.”
Both siddur parties were coordinated and choreographed by Morah Sonia Balsam, who also accompanied the children on the keyboard throughout their performances. The first grade Hebrew teachers and assistants were vital in helping to create a meaningful and successful event, and were coordinated in their efforts by Mrs. Jackie Cabessa.
The second graders soon followed. Their Hagigot Humash ceremony was dedicated by Terry and Abe Shalam and family, in honor of their mother, Esther Shalam. The second day’s celebration was sponsored in honor of Grace Akkad and her classmates, by the Akkad family.
So much went into the preparation for the big days. The children spent time with Rabbi Moshe Tessone in the Yeshivah’s Sephardic and Ashkenazic Batei Midrash getting a close up view of Torah scrolls of both traditions and learning about our rituals. Rabbi Hanoch Gez, a sofer, went to each second grade class in the weeks before the celebrations, explaining the process of writing a Torah, megillah and mezuzah. He came with parchment and ink and wrote each of their names on a piece of it, using the same method that a sofer uses on an actual Torah. And each class had its own party with ice cream cake!
Music teacher Hedy Stern was the musical director of the humash program, working alongside Mrs. Miriam Shachak and Mrs. Tzofit Tzubary and all the second grade Hebrew teachers and assistants. Teachers also created beautiful cards and bookmarks that they presented to the children.
All the celebrations were the culmination of dedicated efforts of all the children and their teachers. We look forward to sharing many more happy milestones with the children and their families. Mabruk and mazal tov to all!
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Diane Chabbott is the YOF publicist.
