5th Grade Reflections About Hesh bon Nefesh

This week, our 5th-grade class took part in a deeply meaningful Cheshbon Nefesh activity, where students interviewed one another. Our Jewish Studies teacher, Mr. Sabes, provided a list of questions designed to encourage self-reflection and deepen their connection to themselves, others, and to Judaism. They were also tasked with reflecting on this past year, and how they can better themselves for this year. In two rounds, each student was paired with a partner, alternating roles as interviewer and interviewee. The interviewer had 8 minutes to ask the questions, then they switched roles and received a new partner for the second round. I was impressed by the respect they showed while listening and how thoughtfully and eloquently they responded to the questions.

Following this activity, they were asked to take time and reflect on the experience and self-assess how they were as an interviewer and an interviewee. Some patterns we found in their responses were that they felt a connection to prayer and the shofar, understanding that the shofar speaks to them in unique ways. One student reported, “I’m going to listen to prayers more carefully and listen to others more.” Another student said, “I was comfortable speaking because the interviewer was listening and showing me that with her body language.” Overall, our class came out of this activity with better practice in their active listening skills and a new perspective on the importance of Cheshbon Nefesh, taking time to self-reflect before Rosh Hashanah.