Adam Carpenter – Head of Jewish Life Primary

To celebrate and learn about Hanukkah, primary students engaged in a variety of activities during Hebrew and Jewish Studies lessons, including:

• Lighting the Hanukkiyah, reciting blessings and singing Hanukkah songs
• Eating sufganiyot and freshly made levivot (latkes)
• Learning the Hanukkah story
• Making spinners and playing sevivonim (dreidels)
• Learning focused on the theme and symbolism of light. Year 4 discussed connections between their study of changemakers and Hanukkah. Ideas included that changemakers were working miracles to improve our world and that changemakers are like the shamash, using their light to light up the world and to light/inspire others to make a difference.

For some interesting reads on Hanukkah, its history and meaning, try the following links:

Tablet is a daily online magazine of Jewish news, ideas, and culture:

www.tabletmag.com/holidays/hanukkah

My Jewish Learning: www.myjewishlearning.com/category/celebrate/hanukkah/