A Joyous Milestone: Level 1 Siddur Party Unites Students and Families Across Borders


There are few moments as special in a child’s early Jewish education as receiving their very first siddur. For our Level 1 students—Hadassah, Fishel, Orly, Yaakov, Aharon Yehudah Leib, and Eliana—this milestone was marked with a meaningful and joyful Siddur Party, joined by proud families from across the United States and Canada.

Parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles all joined in on Zoom to celebrate this exciting step in their children's Torah journey.

At the start of the school year, these young learners began by mastering the alef-beis, letter by letter. With hard work, patience, and the guidance of their devoted teacher, Morah Bracha Dahan, they learned to read Hebrew words and are now ready to begin using their own siddurim.

To help set the scene for this special occasion, each student received a beautifully curated celebration box. It included a siddur, a decorative party backdrop, balloons, treats, and coins for tzedakah, helping each family create a festive atmosphere at home.

The program opened with warm words from our principal, Mrs. Hertzel, who welcomed everyone and expressed heartfelt thanks to the families, the teachers, and especially the students for their incredible effort and growth throughout the year.

Morah Bracha led the students in learning about the three pillars that uphold the world: Torah, Tefillah, and Tzedakah. These themes were brought to life with fun, meaningful activities, including a surprise baby photo guessing game that brought lots of laughter and smiles, and a story shared by Rabbi Wolf that captured the children’s attention.

The students then shared a special song and poem they had prepared about what they’ve learned. Their words and voices reflected just how much they’ve grown in both knowledge and love of tefillah.

After reciting a bracha on the Torah and enjoying a sweet “Torah Oodles” treat, it was time for the awards ceremony. Each child received a personalized certificate from Morah Bracha, who thoughtfully connected each student with a Jewish hero or heroine. One student, known for her kindness and thoughtfulness, was compared to Rochel Imeinu—a meaningful moment that connected their character traits to those of our great leaders.

Toward the end of the celebration came a moment that touched everyone deeply: grandparents shared brachos for their grandchildren over Zoom. Though physically apart, the connection felt incredibly close. Hearing the pride and emotion in each grandparent’s voice brought tears to many eyes. It was a beautiful reminder of the strength of family and the joy of watching the next generation embrace a life of Torah.

The smiles, the singing, the words of bracha—it all came together to make this event truly unforgettable. Our Level 1 students didn’t just celebrate receiving a siddur—they celebrated the beginning of a lifelong relationship with tefillah, learning, and Jewish identity.

Mazal tov to all the students and families on this incredible milestone! May your new siddur always be a source of connection, joy, and heartfelt tefillah.