CHAI Crafts links Jewish learning to Jewish practice and family celebrations through a series of creative and stimulating hands-on experiences and events. Children and their families are actively involved in this educational process.

The mission of the Living Legacy is to transform Jewish values and ideals into a living force in the lives of children and youth through positive experiences. Instilling the desire to live Jewishly, and to actively participate in and contribute to the Jewish communitys heritage and practices, is the key goal of this program.

Shofar Factory
With unique media, and innovative presentation methods, participants will:

  • Gain insight into the significance of the Shofar in the celebration of Rosh Hashanah
  • Craft a genuine Shofar from the raw horn of a ram.
  • See and hear a demonstration of the traditional blasts, while acquiring skills of blowing the Shofar.
  • Craft one Shofar to be used at the school's discretion.

Olive Press
As a group of Macabees, students will refine the olive oil needed for the Temple Menorah while they:

  • Pit fresh olives, squeeze them with a hand press.
  • Strain and then spin the extract in a centrifuge to separate the pure oil.
  • Enjoy a video of an olive oil factory in Italy, which introduces them to the modern process.
  • Fashion a wick out of cotton for use with the oil when lighting the Menorah.

Matzah Bakery
Passover will become more meaningful when children have a chance to dig into the dough as they:

  • Produce flour from wheat kernels, winnow, and separate the chaff from the grain.
  • Collect the grain into a hand-driven wheat mill and grind it into flour.
  • Knead, roll, and bake the dough into a handmade matzah in the required amount of time.

Delight in taking home their very own freshly baked matzah and a baker's hat.

Torah Factory
The extraordinary complex process of creating a Torah, including its wooden, metal and cloth ornaments, are highlighted. Participants:

  • Gain an appreciation of the special skills required for this intricate task.
  • View a video and samples illustrating the process of making a Torah scroll, starting with the raw hide, through tanning and sanding, until the parchment is finished.
  • Mix the basic ingredients used to make ink for a sofer (scribe).
  • Write their Hebrew name with a goose quill, in the script used by a sofer, on a piece of parchment which they take home.
  • Take home a souvenir scribes kit.

*This program may be adapted for a Torah-writing ceremony (starting or completing).


An Invaluable Resource For:

  • Raising the spirit and bringing fresh excitement to Jewish learning.
  • Stimulating hands-on programs linking Jewish learning to Jewish practice and family celebrations.
  • Experience the beauty and joy of Shabbat, holidays and festival rituals and observances.
  • Gaining an expressive appreciation for Jewish tradition through active personal participation.
  • Internalizing idea and concepts, leading to inner growth and further learning.
  • Involving parents and families in the educational process.

A Jewish Educators Dream Come True!

Programs are portable for easy transport to your school, synagogue, youth club, or other location.Just tell us where, and we'll be there!