Jewish Academy kindergartners close Shabbat with Havdalah

Jewish Academy of Orlando's kindergarten hosted a program, "Shema Pillowcase." This program is the culminating activity for the Shabbat and Havdalah units in kindergarten. All year the kindergarteners have a separate Shabbat celebration in their class on Fridays. This is a teaching Shabbat where they learn the prayers and traditions associated with Shabbat. They even role play and have "ima" and "aba" while celebrating. Following that, they learned how Shabbat ends and how the start of the week begins at the conclusion of Havdalah.

At the event, the students gather with their families at the school to lead the Havdalah service. The students led the prayers, decorated a keepsake pillowcase and decorated their own spice box.

"We have done this event for years," said Shari Wladis, principal. "It is a truly heart-warming experience that helps meld our studies with our core values."

To further support Jewish education and your local Jewish day school, to get involved or for any questions, please contact Alan Rusonik, Head of School, at 407-647-0713.