Throughout the year, Grade 1 students have been paired with Grade 2 mentors during tefillah. The older students coached the younger ones with learning the prayers and songs, as well as how to navigate through the siddur. At today's culmination, Grade 1 led tefillah for their families, spoke about their year and their dreams for the future, sang, and danced. They received their first siddurim from their Grade 2 tefillah buddy. As is the CJDS tradition, the siddurim covers were beautifully decorated and designed by their parents. 

This ceremony also culminated a year-long study and theme of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Throughout Grade 1, students took a deeper dive into what it means to be a changemaker in the world. They studied fictional and real-life changemakers, thought about how simply being friendly and kind can make someone a changemaker, and learned how our differences enhance the world in which we live.

The biggest takeaway for all the students is that we, ourselves, can work hard and become changemakers in order to leave a mark on our world. Mazel tov to our inspiring Grade 1 students!