Everything I Learned in 2021, I Learned in Gan Elohim

One of the biggest sparks of joy in my week, every week, this year has been Gan Elohim Shabbat—a special 20-minute Friday morning preschool program led by musical extraordinaire Josh Rosenberg. All the Gan Elohim students gather in a circle outside (when it’s warm enough) or in a Community Gathering Room and sing along to some Shabbat songs, holiday-inspired tunes, and get their weekly dose of Torah.

I started attending Gan Shabbat every week because of A/V and tech needs, but started bringing my camera when I realized I could snap some photos while I was monitoring audio levels or preventing potential tech failures.

Through the photos I’ve taken and through watching the Gan Elohim students interact with each other and the members of clergy who lead and attend this Shabbat service each week, I’ve learned some valuable lessons from our littlest learners.

(Hover over the photos below and click on the arrows to see Madi’s photo essay!)

1. Rest is important.

Sometimes you need to take a minute to yourself and just pause.

2. Friendship is what grounds us.

The best memories are made with good friends, and good friends can be found anywhere!

3. Be kind to others and also be open to kindness.

Sometimes an act of kindness plays out in front of you, like a hug or an extended hand for another dance partner.

4. Dance like nobody's watching

…and jump up and down whenever you want. Pure joy can come from doing what we want to do instead of what others expect us to do.

5. Love is everywhere

…and comes in all forms—through strangers, through friends, through teachers.

6. Be patient

You’ll get your chance. Every week, one classroom has the chance to perform a song in front of the Gan Elohim community! Each classroom gets at least one chance, and no one asks for their turn before it comes.

7. Music brings us together

Music and learning are forces that bring us all together. Over this year, I’ve had the privilege of learning all the songs each week, and watching as these kids become fans of Josh and the tunes he sings. They know all the words, they’ve learned all the dances, and they’ve even started copying some dance moves from other classrooms (The Green Room started a trend during the song “Friday” that every other room has since copied). I’ve found myself singing “Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday night when the sun goes down” on a Sunday morning in a Trader Joe’s. I didn’t mind.

Rest is important. Sometimes you need to take a minute to yourself and just pause.

2. Friendship is what grounds us. The best memories are made with good friends, and good friends can be found anywhere!

3. Be kind to others but also, be open to kindness. Sometimes an act of kindness plays out in front of you, like a hug or an extended hand for another dance partner.

4. Dance like nobody’s watching, and jump up and down whenever you want. Pure joy can come from doing what we want to do instead of what others expect us to do.

5. Love is everywhere, and comes in all forms – through strangers, through friends, through teachers.

TBE’s Community Voice