We kicked off this week with a team building game called “hot chocolate river.” Students needed to figure out how they could get across the room all together without touching the floor- only using their paper plates or “marshmallows”.

After, we compared the game to becoming a teenager. We discussed that getting from one side to the other was challenging in the game. It is also challenging becoming a b’nai mitzvah and transitioning from one identity (child) to another identity (teen). Also, in the game, we worked together to cross the river. In life, different people (friends, family, Jewish community) and activities that are our “marshmallows” and help support us across the river.

We also delved into the question: “Who am I?” Students created identity charts, their own visual representations of their identities made up of labels they each choose for themselves.

Next class, we will explore how the ways in which we define ourselves and the ways in which we are defined by others may or may not be the same.

Hebrew

Hebrew evaluations are wrapping up and we’ve started working within our small Hebrew groups. More Hebrew updates coming soon!