PausePlayPlayPrev|Next

Adam Jacubowitz, a mindfulness practitioner (seated), leads pre-school students in ‘mindful eating’ of the traditional apples and honey. He's joined by Ken Levy, Temple Judea teacher (standing).

Rabbi Edwin Goldberg blows the shofar (ram’s horn) for pre-school students. Standing beside him with their shofars are Jack Pollack & Addison Pollack.

Temple Judea teacher Maya Slavin gives a yoga class to pre-school students.

With mindfulness as their theme, students at the Margaux Early Childhood School at Temple Judea participated in Rosh Hashanah services on Monday, Sept. 17. Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year and the start of the High Holy Days / Days of Awe.

Pre-schoolers listened intently as Rabbi Edwin Goldberg blew the shofar (ram’s horn), which signaled them to wake up, be mindful and reflect upon their actions, past and future.

Temple Judea teacher Maya Slavin gave a yoga class to the youngsters, asking them to take a deep breath, sit up straight and relax as part of their “mindful” exercise.

The kids also got a taste of “mindful eating” of the traditional apples and honey, a customary dish on Rosh Hashanah to signify the beginning of a sweet new year. Children first looked at the apples, felt the texture and smelled and licked the fruit. Then they took a bite, without swallowing, and eventually ate their apples, savoring and enjoying the sweet, juicy taste. This teaches the children to pause, appreciate their food and give thanks for what they have.

It was all part of Temple Judea’s theme this year of mindfulness, a state of active, open attention on the present, which is being incorporated into pre-school and religious school activities.

Temple Judea, 5500 Granada Blvd., is one of Miami-Dade’s largest reform congregations with 625 member families. For more information visit www.judeagables.org.