Rosh Hashana Children's Carnival

On Sunday Sep 25, 2011 Chabad Neshama Hebrew School of Manhattan Beach hosted a pre-Rosh Hashana Carnival where children from the Russian Jewish Community enjoyed an educational program giving them an understanding of the many customs for the upcoming Jewish New Year.

Rabbi Avrohom Winner director of the Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach presented a Shofar Factory workshop where the children had a chance to see, hear and feel different kind of horns that can be used and some that cannot be used for a kosher shofar on the holiday.

“It’s important for children to actually see the many different kind of animals the shofar can come from, they get to touch, feel and hear the different sounds”, said Rabbi Winner.

Program included making candied apple and writing Parents New Year’s Cards. Children tasted different foods that are customarily eaten on the holiday, especially the apple dipped in honey.

“We want the Judaism to be alive in the children, that is why we have worked so hard to make their Hebrew Jewish School a fun experience”, said Shula Winner, the Rabbi’s wife and co-director of the Chabad Hebrew School.

The program concluded with each child writing a note of their best wishes and hopes for the New Year which was then attached to helium blown balloons and released to fly away, up high…

For more info visit www.iLoveHebrewSchool.com.

Hebrew School End of Year Celebration 2011

On Sunday June 12, families and friends came to celebrate the end of another exciting school year at Chabad Neshama Hebrew School of Manhattan Beach.

Rabbi Avrohom and Shula Winner, co-directors of Neshama-Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach, led the program by explaining how they came to begin the Hebrew School with the goal of bringing a Jewish education to children attending public schools, regardless of observance levels.

Ella Zalkind, a Hebrew School parent, spoke about her positive experience sending two of her children to Hebrew School, and the Jewish pride and knowledge they have gained and will continue to gain next year.

Thirteen-year-old Paul Goldgisser, spoke about his first memory of winning a goldfish in Hebrew School in honor of Rosh Hashanah and the growth and knowledge he has accumulated since then, all in a warm and fun environment.

The program also included a certificate being presented to each child in the Hebrew School based on their Aleph Champ Hebrew Reading and Literacy Skills.

The program finale was the unveiling of a unique Hebrew School Plaque outside of the Chabad Manhattan Beach Synogauge, a present from the Hebrew School. The plaque was composed of individual tiles that the Hebrew School Students had painted and decorated.

Many parents registered their children for the 2011-2012 school year right then and there.

What a wonderful way to end a great year!

Lag Baomer BBQ

A celebration and barbecue in honor of Lag Baomer took place on May 22 at the home of Rabbi Avrohom and Shula Winner, co-directors of Neshama-Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach.

The party included a moon-bounce for children, fire jugglers, roasting marshmellows over a grand bonfire, and of course a delicious barbecue.

Families and friends stayed until late enjoying each others' company and the warm atmosphere.

Muffins for Moms - Mother's Day 2011

On Mother's Day 2011, Sunday May 8, while Chabad Manhattan Beach Hebrew School children were learning and having fun in their classrooms, Hebrew School moms and other moms from the community joined Shula for muffins and coffee.

The moms got to munch on delicious muffins, sip fresh coffee, while they discussed the joys and challenges of motherhood.

It was an enjoyable and relaxing way to celebrate Mother's Day.

Thanks to all the ladies who attended!

Friday Night Dinner 5/6/11

This past Friday night, May 6, a beautiful Shabbat dinner was held at the new premises of Neshama-Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach on Westend Avenue. There was a full house, including adults and children.

The dinner was sponsored by Michael and Dorina Gottlieb, in memory of Michael's father. Michael spoke about his father Kalman and said, "My father was from a small shtetl, where the shul was destroyed. He felt it was important for Jews to have a place to congregate and pray, so he arranged for people to come together in his home." Michael explained that this is why a communal Friday night dinner is important to him.

The dinner featured delicious food, singing, and a warm and close-knit atmosphere.

Rabbi Avrohom Winner co-director of Neshama-Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach said that he hoped this Friday night dinner would serve as the kickoff for communal Friday night dinners on a consistent basis.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and to Michael and Dorina for sponsoring.

Pesach 2011

This year's Pesach Seders' held on April 18 and 19, also coincided with the grand opening of Neshama-Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach's new synagogue and center on Westend Avenue.

The seders were attended by families with children, couples, singles, as well as by the elderly. The seders were inspiring and all the guests got the chance to be involved. It was an especially beautiful moment when all the women went to the door to greet Elijah the prophet, towards the end of the seder.

"Rabbi you already outgrew your new space," one woman told Rabbi Avrohom Winner, co-director of Neshama-Chabad Lubavitch of Manhattan Beach, when she saw the crowd.

The seders included discussions, singing, and a lovely gourmet dinner.

Seder Plate Factory 2011

On April 10, 2011 the Chabad Manhattan Beach Hebrew School had a Seder Plate Factory. The goal was for the children to learn about the different foods found on the seder plate in a educational, fun and hand-on way. Each student received their very own seder plate.

There were a number of tables with different activities. The booths included grating horseradish (with goggles to protect their eyes, of course), peeling and slicing eggs and potatoes and dipping into salt water, roasting their own shankbones, and making deliciously sweet charoset.

Each student got to taste a bit of their creation, and then put some on their seder plate. Parents were amazed at the beautiful seder plates and box of crunchy matza their children went home with.