Our Year 7 students and their families attended Kabbalat Mitzvah on Tuesday night, a night of education and celebration of mitzvot. 

At the beginning of the night, representatives of three generations spoke of the importance to Judaism to them: Millie Z (Year 7), Lara L (Parent of Year 7 student Amos F), and Andrew J (Papa/Grandfather of Year 7 student Mika L), illustrating the chain of connection present through our school. 

Families then participated in four different workshops, making their own mezuzah, decorating pillowcases with the Sh’ma, plaiting their own tzitzit, and exploring t’fillin through a progressive lens. We were fortunate to be joined by Rabbi Allison Conyer who spoke about the importance of walking the Jewish walk and facilitated one of the tzitzit workshops.

The evening finished with a recitation of the Sh’ma by India L and Millie Z, moving into a vibrant rendition of V’ahavta accompanied by Yair, one of our ambassadors visiting from the Leo Baeck School in Haifa.

Director of Jewish Life and Learning, Ilan Bloch, spoke about the mitzvot and, rather than focusing on being ‘chosen people’, the importance of being a choosing people, active in our Judaism. 

Thank you to Jewish Studies Learning Area Leader Feygi Phillips, to all of the teachers and facilitators, and to Ilan Bloch for this night of meaningful education.