A WORD FROM THE HEADTEACHER…

By ESTELLE SALOMON

Since taking over as headteacher of the Cheder, I have enjoyed the challenges which the running of a cheder inevitably bring.

The Cheder is small and the children are well integrated and are enjoying learning about their religion in an almost family atmosphere.

We have introduced a weekly Tefillah service at the start of the morning and the children can now sing many prayers with ease and confidence.

We have also extended the morning session to 3 hours from 2 ¾ in line with most other chedarim, and with the approval of the majority of the parents. As well as myself, we have two enthusiastic and devoted teachers, Miss Deborah Myers and Mr Asher Golker. We also have the services of Miss Abi Birnbaum who hears the children read Hebrew.

At Chanukah the children made menorahs which they were able to use. For Tu B’shevat we planted a tree in Rabbi Shisler’s garden and had a fruit party. Thank you to Rona Steinberg and Tessa Lawes for their fruit cutting and Simon Mirwich for digging the soil in the pouring rain for the tree planting.

We had fun packed activities for Purim and had a mock Seder for Passover.

At the end of the summer term we will introduce a small prize-giving ceremony for good work, effort and progress. We hope this will become an annual event.

I would like to see the cheder grow in strength and number and that the children will come to love and practice Judaism as a result of their attendance. This can only be achieved through regular attendance.

Wishing all readers a Happy and Kosher Pesach