Classes were canceled Friday so the grade could concentrate on Erev Shabbat preparations, with students assigned to one of 13 activity groups. Each group included a Torah aspect, as the students studied the laws and traditions connected to every activity. "This is literally the most exciting thing I’ve seen during my five years at Maimonides,” exclaimed Rabbi Avi Bossewitch, Middle School coordinator, as he surveyed the beehive of activity on Friday.
Their preparations complete, the class ushered in the Sabbath with candlelighting and song. Following prayer and dinner, the boys and girls enjoyed board games and a ping-pong tournament. The next morning, some of the eighth graders read Torah and led tefilla for the Maimonides congregation. Other Shabbat highlights ranged from teaching and learning, including divrei Torah at meals, to a scavenger hunt and other activities.