Bi-Cultural First-Graders Receive Their First Siddurs

First-graders at Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy in Stamford celebrated receiving they first siddurs at a special ceremony attended by their families on Friday, May 7. Traditionally, the Siddur celebration – aka Chag HaSiddur – is highlighted by a class performance of prayers and more. This year, however, COVID protocols brought the party outdoors, as parents parked in the school’s lot and watched as each student was called up to receive their Siddur. The ceremony was followed by singing and dancing led by the school’s music teacher, Sandy Shmueli. 

Bi-Cultural first-graders Rebecca, left, and Eliza Ostroff show off their new Siddurs at the school’s Chag HaSiddur, as their proud parents, Allison and (Bi-Cultural alum) Jonathan Ostroff, and their babysitter, Julia Kryslak, look on.

Bi-Cultural Students Bring the Colonial Era to Life

After learning all about our country’s colonies and Founding Fathers, fifth-graders at Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy in Stamford took a step back in time to celebrate Colonial Day. With the help of their teachers, the class brought to life that significant period in our nation’s history with a host of Colonial-themed activities, including quilting and crafting, poetry reading (on the town common, of course) and gardening. They also played Colonial games, listened to the music of the era and, under the guidance of a New Canaan Historical Society docent, engaged in wool carding.

Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy 5th-grader Eli Hoff practices writing with a quill pen during the class’s Colonial Day celebration.