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A high point of the Beit Lameid Religion School’s ‘extra-curricular’ timetable this past year was our 2005/5765 Purimspiel, expertly guided by charismatic BHPS member D. D. led us through the Purim story and encouraged us all to interpret and re-enact its various episodes. Mums, dads and children brought the well-known tale to life, aided by costumes, masks, music, and acting skills we didn’t know we had. And in the true tradition of the topsy-turvy nature of Purim, men became women, women became men, children played kings and executioners, adults played fools, and respected Hove accountants wore sparkly boob-tubes on their heads. A most inspiring occasion, nicely rounded off with tea and home-baked hamentaschen. Many thanks to D. and all those to helped. For our summer term outing we returned, by popular demand, to the grassy slopes of ----- Park to hold our annual Shavuot picnic. As ever, this turned out to be an enjoyable and relaxing event, with sunshine and strawberries in abundance, and the ideal opportunity to spend time with BHPS friends in pleasant, informal surroundings.The weather was also kind to us this autumn when it came to the Sukkot Cavalcade. Following an unexpected venue crisis, the heroes of the day on this occasion were the M. family, who kindly agreed open their home to us at the last minute. Their lovely garden provided the perfect setting for parents and children to celebrate Sukkot, as Rabbi Elli guided us through the blessings and the shaking of the lulav. Many thanks to Tania and Ian for hosting this memorable event.Our last event of 2005 was the end-of-term Chanukah ‘Fun and Games’ afternoon. This featured plenty of doughnuts and dreidels, and ended with a treasure hunt for chocolate ‘Chanukah Geld’, via clues based on the children’s knowledge of the festival. Well done to all those parents who helped out.In January 2006 BHPS opened its doors for a full weekend to children from Liberal and Progressive Synagogues throughout the south of England, as part of the countrywide LYJ-Netzer programme of events. A number of our Religion School children brought their sleeping-bags and joined in with this weekend of fun, games and stimulating educational activities. In addition to these family-centred social events, Religion School children also participated in a number of congregational occasions during the year, including the regular Young People’s Service on the third Shabbat of each month, and the Czech Scrolls service on October 1st. The role of the Friends of Religion School is to help connect our children’s experience of Judaism in the Saturday morning classroom with that which can be found outside it. By facilitating events and celebrations throughout the year which involve young people, their families and the wider congregation, we hope to provide our children with a sense of belonging and of continuity.
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