Shining Star

Yesterday Lauren was the Shabbat Star in her class. It's truly a distinction these kids look forward to all year long. At the beginning of the week, the child in question brings in a poster showing photos of their family, which is proudly hung in the classroom and will be shared that Friday during the celebration. I have to say, we really put a lot of thought and effort into the poster this year. We had a field day at Michael's and Lauren personally selected the plethora of stickers to adorn her masterpiece.



Participating in the festivities with her class yesterday included not only Mama and Daddy, but Nana, Pop-Pop Mark, and Nanny Lena.

We arrived to see our crowned girl simply beaming. She was beyond thrilled to have so many guests and so much attention lavished upon her.









Lauren got to sit in front of the class, introducing everyone to the family member(s) in each photo (Ariel Goldy the goldfish included!).



She then led a question and answer session where she called on kids who raised their hands politely, and asked such stumpers as "What's your favorite color?" (for the record: pink, purple, red and blue), and "Who's your favorite princess?" (duh, Ariel ...)

After that she directed rousing renditions of the kids' favorite songs, including "Twinkle Twinkle Traffic Light" and "Bazooka Zooka Bubblegum."





After leading the prayer and lighting candles, we all lined up to go to the theatre for the weekly Shabbat assembly.



Where dancing in the aisles was de rigeur.



The Shabbat Stars from all the classrooms were called up to the front to participate in the candle lighting and prayers (in Hebrew, of course). Lauren joined right in, although she did add a couple of twists all her own.

The Peek:



Praying like a kitty:



To see so many children at such a young age wholeheartedly embracing our centuries-old traditions was really beyond words.



We are so proud of you, Lauren Jade. A shining star you truly are.