Today we have had the most wonderful day celebrating the school’s Bar Mitzvah!
The day began with a very, very special Torah Service in the hall. I spoke about a Bar or Bat Mitzvah being a rite of passage. Our school is grown up! Today is all about the children, who make the מַ ה טֹ בּו אֹ הָ לֶ יךֵ ,יַעֲקֹ ב ;מִ שְׂ כְׂ נֹ תֶ יךֵ ,יִ שְׂ רָ א ֵל sing we When .is it that place special very the school Ma tovu ohalekha Ya’akov mishk’noteca Yisra’el, from this week’s Torah portion, Balak, we recognise that this doesn’t just mean ‘how lovely are your tents.’ It means our homes, our synagogues – and also, our schools.
ֵךֵבית מעון אהבתי ‘ה Adonai, ahavti m’on beitekha: O Lord, I love the House where you dwell. It means our school.
Shorashim sang a welcome. The Shema was led by Garinim and Nitzanim, introduced by Emile, Gidi and Bibi. The children’s Hebrew was impressive.
Mah Tovu was introduced with a thoughtful message by Theo and led by Anafim. We all stood and sang Ki mitzion for the Torah procession. The torah was undressed by Lyla Ray. Alon and Sasha sang the blessing for the Torah. Nate gave us an explanation of the week’s parshe. A wonderful group of Y5 and 6 children wrote and delivered a thought -provoking Dvar Torah.
At the end of the service, we took some time to consider our beautiful new Tallitot and to thank those children in T’marim Y6 who led the project and taught the younger children printing skills, sewing skills and weaving of the Tzitzit. The project has been such a special one because of their commitment.
After a lovely Kiddush in the classrooms, and playtime, classes took part in some fun learning sessions about Bar and Bat Mitzvah traditions and about the History of our school. Jo Sassienie, our founding Headteacher, visited Garinim and Shorashim to answer their questions about the very beginnings of Eden Primary.
All together, under gazebos and in the shades of our beautiful oak trees, we enjoyed a picnic lunch, followed by a party with music and dancing, stalls run by T’marim Y6, and chalk art works to mirror and commemorate the first children of Eden.
Thank you to those of you who were able to join us for the blessing of the children, Kol HaNe’arim. From now on, when children move up to a new class at Eden, they will be blessed by their new teaching team under their class tallit.
We honour the beautiful Jewish tradition of blessing our children, weaving it into the unique spirit of Eden Primary that speaks to the heart of who we are as a community. These blessings are more than just words. They are expression of love and hope from parents and teacher to child. They are spiritual aspirations, wishing children to embody the best qualities of their ancestors. They are a moment of connection, shared weekly on shabbat or during special occasions.
