Posted on January 10, 2014January 10, 2014 by Devorah Niman

Parshas Beshalach – Craft

This week’s Parsha is all about the B’nei Yisrael (children of Israel) leaving Mitzrayim (Egypt). Soon after Pharaoh allowed the children of Israel to leave, he chases after them to force them to return and the Israelites find themselves trapped between Pharaoh’s armies and the sea. G‑d tells Moses to raise his staff over the water; the sea splits to allow the Israelites to pass through, and then closes over the pursuing Egyptians. Moses and the children of Israel sing a song of praise and gratitude to G‑d. This is why this Shabbat is also known as Shabbat Shira, shabbat of song, and it is customary to leave out bread for the birds to eat over Shabbat.

Here is a Kriyat Yam Soof (splitting of the sea) craft. You will need:

Blue cards/construction paper (or any colour card and blue paint!)
Sand
Glue
Picture of B’nei Yisroel (attached below)
Picture of Mitzriyim (attached below)

Here is what to do: If you haven’t got blue card, paint your different coloured card blue and leave it to dry. Fold the card into 3 sections. In the middle section, glue stick some sand and the picture of the B’nei Yisrael on the top. Fold over the 2 outer sections so it covers the middle section and glue the picture of the Mitzriyim onto it.

Your craft will have the picture of the Mitzriyim on the front and you will be able to open it up to find the B’nei Yisrael “walking” on the sand, through the split sea! Like so:

Here is a craft for Shabbat Shira. You will need:

Image of bird x2 (attached below)
Cotton wool
Colours or feathers
Small sandwich bag with some crumbs in it
Glue
Stapler (or thread)

Here is what you will need to do:

Decorate the 2 pictures of the bird either by colouring them in and glueing the feathers on to them. Staple (or thread together for more advanced child; hole punch the sides and give your child string to thread together) the birds together leaving a small gap to stuff with cotton wool. Stuff in the cotton so it looks full. Then, stick the sandwich bag with the crumbs in to its mouth, giving the effect of the bird eating the crumbs that is customary to feed them!

Good Shabbos!

Posted on November 21, 2013November 21, 2013 by Devorah Niman

Parshas Vayeishev – Craft

In this weeks Parsha, Yaakov gives Yosef a coat of many colours. This weeks craft is a “replica” of Yosef’s coat.

You will need:

A picture cut out of a coat – a grownup can draw it for the child – be sure to cut enough for 2 sides (one for the front and the other for the back)
Coloured pens or scraps of colorful materials
Pipe cleaner
Scissors
Glue/Stapler

Here’s what you need to do:

Decorate both pieces of the coat with either materials or coloured pens. Take the pipe cleaner, and form it into the shape of a hanger. Place the pipe cleaner hanger in between the 2 coat pieces and either staple it or glue it together (colorful sides out).

Like so!

Enjoy your colorful masterpiece!

Posted on November 7, 2013November 7, 2013 by Devorah Niman

Parshas Vayeitzei – Craft

In this week’s Parsha, Yaakov Avinu has a dream. In his dream there is a ladder with Malochim (angles) going up and down it.

This week’s craft is short and simple.

You will need:

4 popsicle sticks (I used coloured ones)
A handful of craft matchsticks (again, I chose the coloured ones)
Card stock or construction paper (I like the effect the black card gives)
One small piece of cotton wool or cotton balls
Glue

Directions: assemble the popsicle sticks and matchsticks into a ladder form and glue it onto your card. Stick the piece of cotton wool above the ladder.

Like this

For older children, draw a picture of Yaakov sleeping and stick it at the bottom of the ladder – you can also go and look for 12 pebbles to stick around him.

For an even more advanced craft, punch a hole at the top and bottom of the ladder; draw a picture of some Malochim and thread the some string through the holes in the card stock and the Malochim pictures. Tie it at the back – you have now made a craft with the Malochim going up and down!

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Posted on October 10, 2013October 10, 2013 by Devorah Niman

Parshat Lech Lecha – Craft

Hashem promised Avraham Avinu that his children would be as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the ground! See if your child wants to make this starry picture, and then hang it up for all to see?

You will need:

Black construction card/paper (or black paint and plain card)
Small star cut-outs/stickers
Large star cut-out with the saying (attached to post)
A picture of your child
Glue

What to do:

If you don’t have black construction card or paper then paint your plain card black – or you could colour it black if you have no paint! Then cut the photo of your child into a circle and glue it into the circle space in the large star. Once it is glued on, your child can decorate the rest of the page with other small stars, either cut outs or stickers.

Here is the craft sheet in white:

Here is how it can look at the end:

Another idea is to make some yummy star biscuits too! Simply take any sugar cookie recipe, like this one. Make large circles with the cookie dough. With a knife, cut out extra indented pieces for the star shape.

Also, the beginning of next week marks Rochel Imeinu’s yartzheit. You can give your child the below picture to colour and decorate – it’s an image of her Kever. Special thanks to Chinuch.org for the picture of Kever Rochel.

Enjoy your little star! Good shabbat 🙂