Anyone walking by could have heard the bustle coming from underground, seen the shadows on the basement windows. Anyone walking outside, letting out a cold breath, could only wish they were part of Chabad’s Westboro Jewish Montessori Preschool’s Tu B’Shvat party!
Co- directors Dr. Yosef and Devora Caytak founded the licensed preschool in 1994. Erin Gailor, an award winning head Montessori teacher created the groundwork for a Montessori preschool. She donated $25,000 of her Montessori equipment, set up the school and has been the Head teacher ever since. Currently the preschool has a waiting list for the toddler and Casa program.
On Friday, February 10, 2017, the WJMP now in their temporary location in the basement of OJCS because of an impending expansion and renovation at their school on Switzer Ave, hosted a birthday party for the trees, for all parents and children of the preschool.
Each child seated themselves on their special chair and was fitted with a paper tree crown in honour of the holiday, the Jewish New Year for the Trees. Armed with pride and confidence, the children sang songs in Hebrew and English for their admiring parents about the meaning and traditions of Tu B’Shvat.
One song spoke about the process that occurs from a seed to the blossoms on a tree explaining that “the wisest man in the world can not make things grow,” acknowledging that it is G-d that directs the world. Another song listed the Seven Special Species from the Land of Israel (Shivat HaMinim) that are customary to eat on Tu B’Shvat. Enriched with their children’s words, parents sang and clapped along with everyone.
Everyone was led into another room where a long table was set for parents and their children to make fruit kabobs. Most of the Seven Species were available including grapes, pomegranate, olives, figs and dates. The parents assisted their children in their own personal Tu B’Shvat fruit kabob. One parent commented that the party and its strong emphasis on the themes of the Jewish New Year, ‘builds a love of Judaism and a strong foundation for future learning in all subjects”.
After spending a creative moment with their children, everyone was invited for tasty refreshments. An amazing carrot cheesecake from Rideau Bakery was served. To enhance the celebration, tree shaped cookies with vibrant green frostingwere enjoyed by everyone.
Once the food was almost gone, and everyone had taken in so much of the spirituality associated with the Holiday of Tu B’Shvat, there was an overwhelming sense of warm friendship between all the attendees. Everyone was able to participate in an event that made them proud of their Jewish identity. One mother exclaimed, “It was a magnificent party!”
Outside, a passerby might’ve stopped to try to make out the words in the faint noise coming from below. After a moment of concentrating through the frosty wind, one could hear the happy cries of WJMP children shouting “Happy Birthday Trees!”
For more information about WJMP, please contact Devora Caytak, Director 613 729 7712 or go to the website www.westborojewishmontessoripreschool.org
