Overland Park, Ks. – Every year, the first-grade students of HBHA reach an important milestone: They receive their own, personal siddur. After months of preparation, the students stand up before friends and family alike and sing songs to commemorate this tremendous moment.
On Feb. 24, 2026, in the Jewish Community Center social hall, the Class of 2037 had their Chag Siddur. It was a night filled with song, artwork, and food, and the first-grade class did a wonderful job.
Throughout the night, the students sing a total of six songlike prayers, with Hebrew and English mixed. Before each one, a handful of students share what they have learned and what they love about the prayer.
Following the performance, the students’ artwork was on display in the social hall for parents to see. They also showed off all of the Hebrew work the students had completed during the year. However, before all of this, the first-grade gave us one last surprise.
In an unexpected event, the kids had a choreographed dance to an Israeli song about traveling the world. They performed it spectacularly, and people in the audience were thoroughly impressed.
Following this, everyone enjoyed bagels from Meshuggah and browsed the artwork from the students.
One first-grade student, Mateo Santos, had a specifically exciting time at Chag Siddur. When asked how his experience was preparing for the occasion, he said, “Good.” He also discussed his excitement for the night, saying, “I am happy.”
On another note, Hebrew teacher Leah Nash, one of the facilitators in charge of prepping the students for this night, said, “All of the kids have done a wonderful job tonight, and we are very proud of the work they put in.”
As the night came to an end, the students celebrated their brand new siddurim, and the parents celebrated their kids. It was a successful night for HBHA as a new group of students began the next step in their Jewish journey, and we all look forward to seeing what they accomplish.
