This year, like just about everything else, Generation Sinai is a little different. We’ve built a virtual learning module that is designed to give a well-deserved break to all the incredible and dedicated parents and teachers of our community. What’s more – we’re probably making a bit of South African Jewish history, as every Jewish day school across South Africa will get onto one Zoom call together.
 
The theme for 2020 is Kiddush. When we gather around the table as a family on Friday night to say Kiddush, we are doing so to fulfil a great mitzvah. This is based on the verse: “Remember the day of Shabbos to make it holy.” The Talmud explains that this is done by actually pronouncing the holiness of the day out loud. This first paragraph of Kiddush is made up of the verses as they appear in the Book of Bereishit. They describe how, after six days of creation, G-d rested and established the concept of Shabbos for all future generations.
 
By saying these verses out loud every week, we give testimony to the foundational truth of the world. And this is that G-d exists – and He created the world from nothing. Everything and everybody is a creation of Hashem. He made the beautiful world we see around us.