First Graders Lead a Joyful School-wide Tefillah

At the close of each school year at Brandeis comes a "Shehecheyanu moment"—when the first graders lead tefillah for the first time and receive their siddurim (hand-decorated prayer books) from their parents. This special tefillah is attended by kindergarten through eighth grade students, along with first grade parents and their guests. Students—who one at a time spoke in front of the community—demonstrated strong public speaking and presentation skills, skills that will continue to be honed throughout their years at Brandeis. First graders also displayed impressive reading skills and mastery of the liturgy, including both traditional and modern melodies. Before the conclusion of the service, the first graders led everyone in a Brandeis tradition: “The Alef Bet," by the late singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman. All students were then blessed by their parents under a colorful silk tallit that students decorated in art class, and which was meant to invoke thoughts of Van Gogh, whose sunflowers students have been studying this spring.  

 

Says first grade teacher Nicole Schoentag, “Our students have been practicing so much to get ready for today. Leading tefillah is such a big responsibility and they took their duty very seriously. They even practiced with substitute teachers!”

 

Adds Judaic studies teacher Sandra Menachem, “The students rose to the occasion of becoming leaders in the community, and this morning was a school-wide celebration. From the art department to the Hebrew and general studies departments; to Joe Vigil, Joe Silva, and Aaron McCullough helping with set-up; to Abbe Wainwright, sewing together the class-made tallit—everyone came together for this wonderful tefillah. May the first graders remember this special moment and keep on rising.” MORE PHOTOS