Adam Carpenter | Head of Jewish Studies Primary

In Jewish Studies this term, Year 6 students have been working towards their final Pathways ceremony for Primary School. The Pathways ceremony involves a student led Kabbalat Shabbat service from a siddur created by the students, forming part of their Primary Graduation Ceremony.

To prepare for the Pathways, students have been learning songs and prayers of the Friday evening Shabbat service. Each student has been given a specific prayer to research and master, creating a reflection or commentary on that prayer for the Pathways siddur.

Here is a sample of what some of the students’ work.

Psalm 99 reminds us to believe in God because God is awesome, Holy, great in Zion and our Ruler. The psalm states that “our Ruler loves lawful order, maintaining justice and equity among the people of Jacob” and it reminds us to appreciate the things God does for us and worship Adonai. We created acrostic poems about our psalm to express what God is and the traits that God possesses.

By Willow Gellin and Renee Korotkaia

Kaddish Shalem  – קדיש שלם

The Kaddish Shalem is the longest of all the five variations of the Kaddish prayer, which is why it is known as the complete or full Kaddish. The Kaddish Shalem is recited after the Amidah, by the rabbi or prayer leader. Kaddish prayers are written in Aramaic and describe God’s holiness. It is an ancient prayer found in the oldest versions of our siddur over 1 000 years ago.

There are many special customs and rituals relating to the קדיש שלם/Kaddish Shalem. The prayer is recited standing by the prayer leader and it requires a minyan to respond and say “Amen” at certain times. A minyan is traditionally made up of ten males over Bar Mitzvah age. In non-Orthodox Judaism a minyan is made up of ten males or females over Bar/Bat Mitzvah age.

By Jack Goldberg and Amir Waldner