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!