There is nothing better than spending the holiday season at Yavneh. From Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur to the holiday of Sukkot and the upcoming Simchat Torah, it’s a time to truly come together as a family and a community. In fact, coming together is what this season is all about. Our students and families actively engage in meaningful traditions that bring Jewish values to life, guided by the principle “Educate a child according to his way.”
Our high holidays began with inspiring student leadership across every grade level. Students filled the campus with the sounds of the shofar, guided by Mr. Sabes. Middle schoolers took charge of teaching our lower school students about Teshuva, Tefillah, and Tzedakah, culminating in a student-run Teshuva Carnival. Throughout the season, children explored Tashlich surrounded by nature, expanded their Hebrew vocabulary, and wrote thoughtful goals and blessings for the year ahead.
As we moved into Sukkot, our community spirit shone brightly. Thank you YPA, and thank you to our amazing families who built the Yavneh Sukkah. It is filled with decorations, light and joy, and it was fun to host Bingo in the Sukkah and Oneg Shabbat in the Sukkah. Students also gained global perspectives on holiday celebrations in Israel from our Shinshinim, and our full school family came together to celebrate Jason Kass becoming a Bar Mitzvah.
Now, we are preparing for the high point of our festive season. Every Thursday, our students lead our weekly Torah service by reading prayers, opening the ark, and reading from the Torah scroll. Tomorrow at 1:20 p.m., we will expand this wonderful tradition into our grand Simchat Torah celebration.
Kitah Chet (eighth grade) has done an amazing job preparing to lead this special event, where we will complete the reading of Devarim (Deuteronomy) and begin anew with Bereishit (Genesis). Joined by visiting local rabbis, we will unfurl an entire Torah scroll, receive warm blessings from our Yavneh grandparents, and fill the room with singing and dancing to remind ourselves that Judaism and life are meant to be joyful.
We warmly invite our entire Yavneh family – parents, grandparents, and guests – to join us tomorrow at 1:20 p.m. to celebrate together. Thank you to everyone who makes Yavneh such a vibrant place to learn and grow. Moadim l’simcha, chag sameach, and here is to a new year filled with rak smachot – only good things ahead!
