Adar (I)

I suppose Adar in schools anywhere in the world is a crazy month (at least until Purim). Today, the first day of Rosh Chodesh Adar, has been the beginning of my initiation into the Adar in Israel.

A general introduction: most of the things I have seen so far have been, in my mind, either acceptable forms of fun, craziness, happiness, whatever you want to call it. A few things have been very close to the edge of acceptable behavior. Nothing yet has been beyond acceptable behavior - but I have every pessimistic reason to believe that that day will come.....

Rosh Chodesh Adar (Day 1)

- During the first period, the entire school began dancing (spontaneously?) in and out of the classrooms. They then danced to the makolet and danced with the owner there. The entire train of dancers/singers made their way to a nearby elementary school and danced with the teachers and students. The whole thing lasted 20-25 minutes and it was very, very special.

- Two classes barricaded their doors with chairs and tables. That was pretty close to the border of unacceptable behavior and a bit dangerous. (Other teachers told me that it was relatively tame as compared to what they remember from their high school experience.)
When I told the students that they were close to crossing the line they, much to their credit, dissembled the pile and set up the classroom again. All in all, a pretty OK event. (One not-so-nice thing: when the kids were "protesting" and preventing their teachers from entering the classroom, some of the kids used expressions and chants reminiscent of the disengagement protests in the summer and earlier this month. That rubbed me the wrong way.)

- A Hebrew Language Arts teacher knew it would be a bit crazy today. He brought in his guitar and told great stories and sang songs. I thought teenage boys would not appreciate it. It went great!

- Lots and lots of singing in the hallways. Beautiful... a little annoying to the classes trying to learn, but beautiful.