Kornmehl
Terry Aizen – Director of Kornmehl
Shabbat and the creative arts
Incorporating meaningful art experiences into our Educational Program, allows children to encounter traditional artefacts, which trigger curiosity, inspiration and emotional attachment to their identity. Through such experiences, we give children opportunities to express themselves through creating cultural pieces of art so that they may continue to connect to their Jewish heritage and to Israel. We see such a strong connection in the children from such a young age.
The Kornmehl Philosophy states: Kornmehl supports and celebrates diversity, honouring our heritage by providing a rich and unique learning experience that values family, history, traditions, cultures and a strong connection to Israel.
Through our daily practice, the children’s knowledge and understanding of the traditions and importance of a Jewish heritage are celebrated and cultivated. Children feel valued as part of a dynamic community. We cherish the opportunity of being together for Kabbalat Shabbat and enjoy the warmth and spirituality that this creates.
Fridays are a time for us to explore our Jewish identity through Jewish artifacts and the creative arts. It’s also a time for us to come together to celebrate Shabbat and to participate meaningfully in the making of challot each week.
Over the past few weeks, we have been looking closely at the symbol of the Chamsa. We use a magnifying glass to look closely at intricate details, patterns, writing and details. We marvel over the beautiful details within the hand-shaped symbol for Protection.
We wondered what these interesting Chamsa symbols are:
Lulu: It’s to hang up so you can bring good luck to Israel. I want to do a mummy and a daddy and a baby Chamsa.
Nellie: It’s to keep us safe. I’ve got these at my home on the wall.
Lulu: From Hashem, to give you a hand to help you with stuff
Neave: I think it’s to protect your house.
Juliette: Is it precious?
Edison: I have seen a Chamsa before. A Chamsa is a hand. I know about it, that it’s a hand, like for high-five, because it helps people have a good time! There’s writing, Hebrew and gems and lots of buildings, Israel buildings. They look very much like Israel.
Tamar: The only thing I know is that it’s connected to Israel people because it’s for Shabbat. I can see some buildings and some Jewish writing.
Daisy: I saw one at my grandma’s house. It’s for Shabbat. She puts it on the Shabbat table.
Samara: I’ve got some in my room.
We thought about why the symbol for Protection would be in the shape of a hand:
Ruby: Because that’s your hands. It’s to keep your body safe.
Amelia: One is upside-down, and one is like that.
Liev: Because they don’t want to be hurt.
Gabriella: It’s like a stop sign.
Juliette: Because they want everyone to have a life.
Renee: I wonder why it says ‘Chai’ here inside this Chamsa. Why would they write the word ‘life’ inside here?
Gabriella: Because the world never ends.
Nellie: It’s beautiful!
