Chanuka and Fire Safety - A Field Trip to the Fire Station
On Monday, Dec. 7th, Torah Academy prepared for Chanukah and lighting candles by broadening their knowledge of fire safety. Actually, we were visited at our school the week before by Buffalo Grove Fire Deputy Fire Marshal George Michehl, who spoke to the students and invited them to visit him at the fire house. So we did! In yet another example of hands-on learning, we traveled to the local fire station, on our sixth (!) field trip of the year. The students learned a bit more details on how to react to having one's clothing on fire, beyond the standard "stop, drop, and roll." They also visited the fire engines, examined the equipment and actually climbed on board a fire engine. They also had a chance to interact with a firefighter suited up in full gear, a sight that can sometimes frighten young children, and learned that it's a costume that firefighters wear to protect them, and a firefighter is always there in a fire to help save lives - a firefighter is a friend!
Chanukah Concert a Smashing Success!
Torah Academy's first Chanukah concert was almost standing room only as parents, family and local residents enjoyed the music of even sh'siya and the sweet voices of the Torah Academy preschool and kindergarten. The event, held in the social hall of Congregation Bnai Shalom of Buffalo Grove, attracted close to 200 people, and latecomers had difficulty finding open seats. Music by the six members of even sh'siya, plus two percussionists, had the audience in a festive and lively mood. The Torah Academy choir, accompanied by their music teacher, the talented Morah Naomi Sitzman, on keyboard, and led by their dedicated teachers, Morah Devorah Horovicz and Morah Elisa Zehnwirth, sang several Chanukah favorites, including I have a little draidel and a Ladino song about the eight lights of Chanukah. They closed with the classic Oh Chanukah, that had the audience clapping along, and finished to a big round of applause. Delicious pizza, snacks, drinks, and special Chanukah refreshments, including fresh sufganiyot (jelly, caramel or custard filled donuts) and chocolate chanuka gelt (coins) were enjoyed by all.
