Learning Through Jewish Preschool Activities
"Purim is the time that our preschool children dress up and become Kings and Queens for the day." explained Hebrew Academy Pre School director and teacher Vicki Hercsky.
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"They love imitiating the story of Purim. The children visualize the Purim characters and they play out the story, they become the story!
We begin by reading them the story of Esther and Purim...Long ago, in a country called Persia there was a king named Achashveyrosh and his queen Vashti... the children play out the story acting as the king and the queen. Because the queen had pimples the pre school children paint pimples on their faces. The story comes to life.
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We at the Hebrew Academy choose to reenact the Purim story, to bring it into real life. Children have vivid imaginations, articulating what they see and feel is not always easy. Having an outlet like the Hebrew Academy to play out their imagination helps the students begin the verbal process of expressing their thoughts."
Purim is about creating a sense of oneness and unity between all Jew, young and old. There is no greater way for them to create that connectedness then to bring happiness and joy and gifts to their own families as well as to others.
That’s what we do at the Hebrew Academy, we dance, we sing and we gave hugs. We visited the residents at a senior community near us, we sat closely with them and we shared smiles.
Instilling Jewish values for life is a fundamental mission of the Hebrew Academy.
Hebrew Academy Visits Traditions for Purim
With the spirit of Purim in full force at Hebrew Academy of Palm Beach, you'd have been hard-pressed to find a child who was not dressed in a fabulous costume! The dramatic play areas were transformed into beautiful palaces and the children loved sitting in the thrones.
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• Princesses and queens, princes and kings were all part of the fun as the children delighted in reenacting the Purim story. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed taking turn being the different characters: the silly King Achashverosh, the Queen Vashti (who met a sad fate), the wicked Haman, the righteous Mordechai the Jew, and, of course, the star, the beautiful Queen Esther.
• The children have been singing lots of fun Purim songs and learning about the many mitzvot with which Purim is filled. We give food baskets (mishlo'ach manot) to our friends, give tzedakah (charity) to those who are needy, listen to the megilla being read, and enjoy a delicious feast!
• The children made their own graggers so, when Haman's name is mentioned, they can make lots of noise and shake, shake, shake! They had fun decorating their own masks as well.
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To schedule a tour of our beautiful school and take a peek at the wonderful world of early childhood at the Hebrew Academy, please contact our director Vicki Hercsky at 561-838-4222. Visit our website:www.hebrewacademypb.org Limited spaces are available.
Article published at: http://www.seabreezepublications.com/Portals/0/eMag/Current/Jewish%20Voice/flash.html#/22/