op An d
PHIL JACOBS EDITOR
TOS BY GLENN TRIEST
Leah Levine 4 ,
takes hold
of her
Chumash
and a
certificate
marking
the day.
C/)
LU
THE D E TRO
LU
14
ost of us were probably interested
last Monday in the bowl match-ups,
our 1996 resolutions or even getting
prepared to end the holiday season
and face the reality of the new year.
For two classes of first-graders,
however, Jan. 1 wasn't a day they'll
remember as the secular starting-
over point. It was, instead, far more
significant. Parents, grandparents,
friends and family members watched
with pride as approximately 40 chil-
dren at Sally Allan Alexander Bais
Yaakov School For Girls received
their first book of Chumash, or Bible.
It was a far cry from watching parade floats
made from roses or renting a hot new video. In-
stead, the children read in Hebrew from Bereshit,
marking their own beginning of sorts. While they
start in January with Bereshit, the children have
been learning the different Torah portions that
match the Hebrew calendar dates as well.
they are always new. That newness is wonder-
ful. Their enthusiasm cannot be matched."
Miriam Bressler, who teaches a parallel first-
grade class, said the girls' excitement and en-
thusiasm helps them in the classroom.
"This is really special to watch," she said.
"When the girls are excited, that enthusiasm be-
comes an extension into learning."
If the secular New Year's Day is one to bring
families together, one family in particular came
together at the Chumash party. Mrs. Lena Shear
"This is really a big day," Principal Goldie Sil- was on hand to see her great-granddaughter,
verstein told the girls. "When children learn Toba Raizel Ellis, receive her first Chumash.
from the Chumash, it should always be an ex- Toba Raizel's grandmother, Bette Josephs, and
perience that is sweet."
mom, Fayga Ellis, were there as well.
Chaya Leah Rothstein, who teaches one of
"I'm very proud to see my granddaughter re-
the first grades, led the girls in song: "Every ceive her Chumash," said Mrs. Josephs. "All of
time I do a mitzvah, I'm as proud as I can the girls are so precious."
New Year's party? Not even close. But the
be ... ."
It was Mrs. Rothstein who was proud as well. girls did get cake, pop and candy.
"I do this because I love the children," she
And the 60 guests knew that the children got
said. "The most exciting thing is that every year so much more. ❑
Jan. 1 was a "really big day"
as Bais Yaakov first-graders
received their first book
of the Bible.