A bad example by Lilian van der Wel   Shalom, dear children!   Some passages from the Bible make us afraid. You’ll see this month when you read about Nadav (Nadab) and Avihu (Abihu), two sons of Aharon (Aaron). The story is in Vayikra (Leviticus) 10:1-7,But Nadav and Avihu, sons of Aharon, each took his...
(Continue reading)

The foreigner by Lilian van der WelShalom, dear children! This month one of the things about which you can read in the Bible is caring for the foreigner. We learn that we should behave right towards the foreigner. In this scripture are two commandments about taking care of the foreigner: in Shemot/ Exodus chapter 22...
(Continue reading)

Shalom, dear children Today we learn a little about what prophets are. In Hebrew, a prophet is called ‘navee’. The verb ‘lenaveh’ means: to prophecy, to foretell. However, what does it mean to be a prophet of the people of Israel? A prophet is a messenger. He or she brings a message from G-d. This...
(Continue reading)

Shalom, dear children! This month we celebrate Chanukah. We remember the Maccabees: a small, but very courageous group of Jews. The Maccabees rather died, than doing something that would be against G-d’s will, like the worshipping of other gods. Another person who went against the mainstream in his time was Noah. His generation was full...
(Continue reading)

  Shalom, dear children! Did you enjoy a nice summer? In Jerusalem it is still very warm, and we hope and pray for rain since the seventh day of Sucot (the Feast of Tabernacles). Especially when you miss something or somebody, you realize what that person or that thing means to you. Like we are...
(Continue reading)

Shalom dear children! This summer we learn more about the flag of Israel. How and when was it created? And what is the meaning of the Star of David, which shows in the center of this flag? The Magen David, or the Star of David, has been a Jewish symbol since the late Middle Ages....
(Continue reading)

  The word of G-d is full of laws and regulations. “Honor your father and your mother” is even one of the Ten Words, that Moshe (Moses) received from G-d to give to the people of Israel. The Lord said that you have to honor your parents: “….in order that you should live longer in...
(Continue reading)

Shalom, dear children! When driving from Jerushalayim (Jerusalem) to Yam HaMelach (‘the Dead Sea’), one passes Jericho. Jericho is an old city, which is mentioned in the Tenach, the Old Testament (read: Joshua chapter 2 verse 1). Jericho was the city that Israel spied on, before she entered the Promised Land. Jericho is also one...
(Continue reading)

Shalom, dear children!  Finally they’ve arrived: the biblical holidays! This means a month full of serious and joyful days. Let’s remind ourselves what these holidays are about. The Hebrew word ‘rosh’ means ‘head’. Rosh Hashana, the head of the year, means the begining of the year. This year Rosh Hashana starts at sunset on September...
(Continue reading)

Shalom, dear children! Are you also enjoying the summer holidays? Although the wheather in Israel is hot, many Israelis do go out to enjoy themselves. Except for vacations there are more moments on which one can rest, like the shabbat. When G-d created the heavens and the earth he rested on the seventh day. He...
(Continue reading)