When Sheila invited me to witness Classroom 107’s turn to celebrate Shabbat, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I arrived to find a room full of 3-year-olds, excited and anticipating what was about to happen. I began to interview the children to see what they understood about the morning ahead. It became clear they were going to make challah and do it with their families.

In my own experience, school Shabbat has usually meant gathering as a whole community at the end of the week, singing together, and sharing a sacred moment. So, I found myself wondering how challah making would fit into this ritual. Would Room 107 be recognized in front of everyone as they made challah? The details were still a little unclear.

The answer unfolded as we entered the building that houses the sanctuary. There, gathered in a circle, were the families of Room 107, having casual conversation as they waited for their children to arrive. As the children entered, the room filled with a sense of celebration. Children rushed into their adults’ arms, and in that moment, the connection between home and school felt real.

Joined by Debbie Foster (Director of Engagement and Programming)  and Rabbi Michael Shields, the room transformed into an intimate celebration of Shabbat. There were songs and puppets, and families dancing the hora with their children.  The event was punctuated when children and families worked together to shape challah. Afterwards, classroom 107 and their families joined the larger school community for an all school “Shabbat Sing.”

Later, Sheila shared with me her reasons for creating these small classroom Shabbat gatherings, which take place twice a year for every class. She spoke about her commitment to deepen the school’s relationships with families and to ensure that the Early Childhood Center remains part of the larger Sinai community.

 

It was a powerful reminder that when we carve out space for families to be involved, not just offer vague invitations, the real work of community begins.