I am excited to share with you the story of our school year in Enrichment.

In the beginning of the school year we chose to interpret a story from the Torah through the medium of paper mache.

First the children were introduced to the materials needed to create paper mache like newspaper, balloons, wires, glue, water and brushes.   We explored several techniques used in creating paper mache, including molding.

The students were assigned readings in the book of Bereishit – Genesis so they would ultimately choose a piece of text and create paper mache to help tell the story.  Through this process the children learned that there are 12 chapters in the Book of Genesis.  As they researched they discovered there were many stories that they already knew, and there were of course many that they did not already know.  The children also learned that one single chapter of Torah may contain a story they already know, and some they may not.

This was the case with Parashat Vayetzei.  The children were very familiar with the opening story in the parasha.  Jacob is sleeping and having a vivid dream… There is a ladder and angels and lots of action.  Further into the Parasha Jacob is married to who he thinks is Rachel, but is really Leah.  Another story the children are familiar with.

After Jacob spends so many years working for his father in law and wishing to take his family back to Be’er Shevah where he originally came from, he finally is ready to set out on his journey home.

The children decided to focus on this particular part of the Parasha:

Chapter 30, Pasuk number 32 in the Parasha says: I will pass throughout all your flocks today, removing from there every speckled and spotted kid, and every brown lamb among the sheep, and [every] spotted and speckled [one from] among the goats, and this shall be my wages.

This means that Jacob chose to only take with him, sheep and goats from his father in law’s flocks that were speckled, spotted and different colors along with his family. He wanted nothing else.

The students learned the story while they were engaged in creating their own versions of speckled and spotted sheep as well as a paper mache Yakov. We even dressed Yakov as a shepherd.

I am so proud of the all of the hard work and dedication of each and every student who came for enrichment this year. Each child has their own sheep to bring home as a memento of a fun-filled year. Thank you all for the blessing of working with such wonderful children.

Have a safe and happy summer!