Wishing you all a wonderful week~
Always,
Sunday, August 26, 2012
High Holidays Activities
Here are a bunch of links to things I have done over the years with my munchkins for the High Holidays- hope it is helpful to you!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Getting Organized! by guest blogger Chana Rachel Schusterman
There are twelve months in the Jewish calendar. The talent of ORGANIZATION is the sixth, corresponding to the month of Elul (August - September.)
For people who have this talent, it is essential that life has a sense of order. This order allows them to take action to reach their potential. Excellent tools for the utilization of this talent are lists, a personal calendar and planned systems. Having an organized space in which to live and work gives a sense of tranquility. This peace of mind allows them to take charge of daily life in a purposeful way. Utilizing this talent, a person can be like a CEO who knows where the company is headed, how to get there and how to be on top of the details needed to make it succeed. This person knows how to throw away what doesn’t work in order to make space for what is needed. He / she loves to grow and develop and is not afraid to fix what is broken or begin anew.
We can be role models to our children by helping them to feel organized. We can let them know the plan when we go out together. If we see that they thrive on knowing what’s next, we can help them to feel orderly by making their own lists. By being calm when they make a mess, we can encourage them to trust their ability to fix it and have the courage to create their own method of organization.
Tools For Developing Your Sense of Organization:
1. Make lists and check off what you have accomplished.
2. Throw away what doesn’t work in order to make room for what does work.
3. Never be depressed. Believe that you can fix the mistakes you have made.
4. Be willing to let go of old habits that are not positive. Work on yourself to grow.
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The Kabalah of Organization:
The talent of Organization represents the ability to fix or develop ourselves and our relationships. The ability to be a good manager includes a magnetic sense of what to draw close and when to let go.
The month of Elul is the last month of the year which beginning with Tishrei (whose first day is Rosh HaShanah, the anniversary of the creation of man). At the beginning of the year, we make resolutions on how we will connect with G-d and accomplish our purpose in the world. When we come to Elul, we need to take stock of the year that has almost ended. We utilize this last month to fix our mistakes and reconnect with G-d in preparation for the coming new year. During this month, G-d shines his qualities of love and mercy into the world. This strengthens our ability to prepare for the new year. The letters of the name ELUL have many meanings in Hebrew. The one that is most well known is Ani L’Dodi, V’Dodi LI. (I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.)
The tribe connected with this month and talent is Gad.
Chana Rachel Schusterman is a Jewish spiritual counselor and coach. If you would like to contact her, please email me at Jewishmontessori18@gmail.com.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Listen Up... by guest blogger Chana Rachel Schusterman
There are twelve months in the Jewish calendar. The talent of HEARING is the fifth, corresponding to the month of Av (July-August).
Individuals who have this talent are able to stay present, “tune in”, and pick up the nuances of every situation. They are acutely receptive, absorbing the details of their surroundings. They do this naturally and intuitively. They listen, hear nuances and experience how these details fit into the whole. It is as if their love of music enables them to hear each instrument and appreciate how it is part of the magnificent music of the entire orchestra. In relationships they seek harmony and look for the good in people. They have big hearts and want everyone to be happy.
We can be role models for our children by “tuning in” and pointing out what is good in the world. We also need to be good listeners to hear and validate what they want to share. Sometimes we need to help them use their minds to balance their hearts. This balance will increase their sense of inner harmony.
Tools for Developing Your Sense of Hearing:
1. “Tune in” to the present.
2. Don’t jump to conclusions. Listen and pay attention to details.
3. Be receptive to what is positive and harmonious.
4. Understand what you experience by using your mind as well as your heart.
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The Kabalah of Hearing:
The sense of hearing is receptive, integrating knowledge through the heart. A person with this sense tunes in with a deep understanding.
Twice each day, morning and night, Jews say “Shema Israel, A-donai E-loheinu, A-donai Echad.” (“Hear O Israel, the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is One.”) (These words are also written on parchment in the mezuza which we place on our doorposts, and in the tefilin that Jewish men wear on their heads and arms.) This profound meditation (see chabad.org for more information) is a meditation on the Oneness of G-d. The first word, ‘Shema,’ ‘Hear’, means that we are to tune in with all our hearts to the Oneness of G-d.
The month of Av is the saddest month of the year. The destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD took place in Av. The Temple was rebuilt and again destroyed, again on the 9th of Av, by the Babylonians. The 9th of Av is a day of fasting and mourning for the many tragedies that took place on that day. We pray and look forward to the rebuilding of the Third Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which will be the center of G-dly revelation and world peace.
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