First Graders Explore Sacred Spaces

The Judaic studies curriculum focuses, in part, on the tefillah (prayer) service, to help students become more comfortable with the prayers and in preparation for the culminating first grade tefillah. One of the ways students begin to understand the significance of prayer is to learn about the concept and importance of sacred space and sacred time “for us as individuals and as a community,” notes teacher Sandra Menachem. “Learning about sacred spaces also helps students connect our sacred spaces and times in Judaism—the synagogue, tefillah, Shabbat—with sacred spaces and times in their own lives. I want students to understand what it means to sanctify our time and space to make it holy and important.” To introduce this idea to students, Ms. Menachem began the lesson by reading the book Sacred Places by P. Sturges. Afterwards, students engaged in a hands-on activity where they illustrated their own personal sacred spaces. Some students drew pictures of their bedrooms; others drew pictures of nature.

 

“Everyone needs sacred space and time in their lives,” adds Ms. Menachem, “and learning about all of these spaces helps us respect each other and become a stronger community. It ties in perfectly with our Seven Ways We Learn and Work Together booklet, as this lesson focuses on what it means to be a respectful and kind member of our community. The more we understand that sacred spaces and times are different for everyone, the better we can understand one another.” MORE PHOTOS