As part of our Beit Knesset (Synagogue/Shul/Temple/Congregation) unit, the Year 1 students went to visit TBI and St Kilda Shul. Please see photos from the excursion here. Students had a chance to consolidate their learning and make a connection to what was discussed during our Jewish Studies lessons. We had the opportunity to look inside the Aron HaKodesh (the Holy Ark), where the Sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls) are kept. We counted the number of the Sifrei Torah in each Beit Knesset and learnt about the decorations on the Parochet (the curtain over the Holy Ark). We saw the beautiful window display at TBI as we went to a Hakafah around the Shul while listening to the explanation by Rabbi Gary Robuck. At St Kilda Shul we saw the dome ceiling which looked like a large Kippah and made a connection to our current Unit of Inquiry topic of Light and Sound. The students were in awe hearing the sounds of the Shofar.

Ravit Epstein
Junior School Teacher