Kornmehl

Terry Aizen – Director, Kornmehl

Yom Ha’atzmaut

What a wonderful day we had celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Day of Independence. We discussed how Israel is turning 73 years old. In preparation for our Yom Ha’atzmaut celebrations on Tuesday, we had a discussion about Israel’s birthday. We formulated some questions to ask the children to find out their knowledge, understanding, theories and experiences.

We are celebrating something tomorrow. Does anyone know what that might be?
Etta – Israel’s birthday.
Rafi – When I arrived, Alex told me.
James– We are celebrating it.
Levy – My mum and my dad told me. My sister told me to wear blue and white.

So are we celebrating a person’s birthday? Is Israel a person? If not, what is it?
Etta – It’s a different kind of place.

Can you tell us more?
Etta – Jewish people walked into Israel from King Pharaoh.
Ethan – It’s a different country.

So how might we celebrate a country’s birthday?
Aviv – You decorate the house with lights.
Levy – Israel can decorate it.
Cleo – Blue and white for Israel.
Maya – You do it on zoom.
James – Decorations around the house and flags around on the roof hanging.
Cleo – Blue and white things.
Levy – Lanterns like they float in the sky.
Ava – We made a cake and it has the shape of Israel with a star…it’s in the middle.

On Tuesday the children spent time with Yigal from the JNF. He brought some magical props and games that really helped to give the children a visual perspective of the highlights of Israel. The activities that he shared with the children were interactive and fun. Each child was given a sticker and a bangle to take home with them. On Shabbat they will each receive a cardboard blue book to decorate.

The children engaged in many blue and white activities to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut. We all gathered outside on the oval and sang, danced, waved our flags and ate a yummy blue and white cake. The cake was baked and iced lovingly by two Kornmehl Mums – Tali Ezekiel and Sally Greenberg. Thank you very much for your help. The cake was delicious.