Hello there. You came back! I hope that school is going great for the kiddies and that everyone is thriving and staying healthy. Knock on wood, the COVID cases seem to be lessening and it’s such a relief that the schools have not had to close. Even though the program was terrific and we loved the opportunity to be there for our community, I have been hoping that we would no longer have a need for All Day at the J. Let us continue to go from strength to strength. Can’t COVID just be done already? It will be an indescribably incredible day when we have finally eradicated this awful disease and can refer to it in the past tense. Please G-d soon!
We have another Jewish holiday coming this Wednesday. Shocker! The very joyful holiday of Simchat Torah will be here in two days. This holiday translates to “Rejoicing in the Torah” and it celebrates the conclusion and restart of the annual Torah-reading cycle. We can think of rereading the Torah over and over again, in the same way as your child asking you to read Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus or The Very Hungry Caterpillar over and over again. Just when their eyes are closing at the end of a story and you can finally go downstairs to eliminate some space on the DVR or catch up on Squid Game if you are brave enough (what an awful yet amazing show that is kind of like a train wreck that you can’t look away from), bam, they’re wide awake wanting the story again!
There are so many special and meaningful ways to engage your children and family for Simchat Torah. Go to your synagogue and dance and have a parade with the Torah and flags. Make flags at home with your kiddies and have your own parade. Make an edible Torah scroll with two pretzel rods, a tortilla cut into a rectangular shape and spread with cream cheese and roll it up just like a Torah.
Oh, and of course don’t forget to dance and sing to one of my favorite Simchat Torah songs, Rabbi Ben Bag Bag.
Looking for some Fall fun events and activities for the family? Check out these links for some exciting Autumn themed events.
If you haven’t already, be sure to like the JCC on social media. Follow us on Facebook at JCC Rockland, as well as Families Rock at JCC Rockland. We’re also on Instagram. Follow us at jccrockland and jcc_rockland_camps.
See you in two weeks for my next installment of Kelli’s Kibbitz.
Kelli 🙂
