“To love your fellow as yourself” (Vayikra – Leviticus 19:18 )

Mitzvah; it is a term that you will hear over and over again here at RLH and sits at the heart of our teaching.

The word itself translates to ‘commandments’ (those instructed through the Torah). For us, it is explained as those deeds and choices that are good.

Children celebrate these by acknowledging that they have made a ‘Mitvah choice’ or performed a ‘Mitzvah’ through their actions, deeds and words.

It is a way for us to encourage kindness, empathy and respect for others and is a term used to embed the values we want for all of our children, at a level that they can understand and identify.

While the link to our Jewish program is clear and evident, so to is the link to the Early Years Learning Framework with examples found throughout the 5 outcomes including;

Outcome 1: Identity

• Empathises with and express concern for others
• Displays awareness of and respect for others’ perspectives
• Reflects on their actions and considers consequences for others

Outcome 2: Community

• Demonstrates awareness of the needs and rights of others
• Thinks critically about fair and unfair behaviour

Outcome 3: Wellbeing

• Asserts independence while demonstrating awareness of the needs of rights of others
• Is happy, healthy, safe and connected to others

Outcome 4: Learning

• Curiosity, co-operation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity.

Outcome 5: Communication

• Express ideas and feelings and respects the perspectives of others

It also links into our centre philosophy;

“We are a community of people committed to the care and development of young children, helping them to flourish and bloom as they reach their true potential and take their place in the world as kind and compassionate global citizens.” RLH Philosophy

For the staff and the children, the word ‘Mitvah’ is imbued with feelings of kindness and good. The children use it with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that they have helped to make something or someone better.