Grandparents-Special Friends Day -- An Intergenerational Success

On Friday, October 17th, Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy celebrated a day of intergenerational learning and sharing as grandparents and special friends of the students attended classes, had a student prepared lunch, flew kites to honor a special Sukkot tradition, and participated in a specially designed multi-media program for guests, followed by an Oneg of song and celebration led by Head of School, Rabbi Rami Strosberg. The day’s events were the culmination of months of preparation by Lorraine Arcus, Director of Admissions and Community Outreach, with the support of Wendy Schaffer, Vice President of Development, and a large group of parent volunteers.

Bet Shraga teachers tailored the classes to include participation on the part of the grandparents and special guests. Part of the day included attending classes of science, social studies, art, Judaic studies and math. Grandparents and special friends were quite surprised at the rigorous curriculum taught in the middle school. The elementary school visitors were delighted by the fluent reading of Hebrew by the young students.

Students and parent volunteers prepared a lunch for their guests of vegetable soup and pumpkin bread, all served in the beautifully decorated school sukkah.

The day’s agenda was a tight schedule well balanced between academics, Jewish spirit and celebration. Grandparents and special friends had the opportunity to attend an adult course taught by Rabbi Rami Strosberg, on the topic of Sukkot and its traditions. Lunch was followed by the school’s tradition of fashioning kites and flying them on Sukkot. In fact, several grandparents were spotted running and flying kites in the fields of Bet Shraga.

While students returned to classes, grandparents and special friends were invited to the school auditorium for hot apple cider, pumpkin bread and a greeting by Board of Trustees President, Marta Koblenz. Koblenz presented the special guests with a vision of Bet Shraga’s future. Lorraine Arcus followed with an invitation for the guests to continue their connection to the school and presented a slide show to showcase the many facets of the school. The students then rejoined their guests in the Bet Shraga gym for their weekly Oneg Shabbat celebration, led by Rabbi Rami Strosberg, where songs, prayer and total participation, guests and students alike, brought the day to a close.

Each adult and student felt a sense of pride and accomplishment at the conclusion of this milestone day.