Our students arrived 20 minutes before minyan and two rabbi's gave instruction in groups on how to lay tefillin. Groups included students and adults. Men's Club purchased three new sets of Tefillin from FJMC and donated them to the synagogue to use for this program. 6th and 7th grade classes attended minyan along with our adults. The minyan was lead by our senior Rabbi Rosen and it was a learners minyan so explanations of the service followed to keep everyone comfortable with why we were doing what we were doing. At the Shama details were given on how and when to hold and kiss your Tefillin. After service the Children groups for a photo opportunity
After minyan everyone was invited to breakfast and presentation by Rabbi Druin of Sofer-on-Site. Rabbi Druin is a master scribe and is writing a new Torah for our congregation.
Rabbi Druin went into detail from history to customs about Tefillin. We all learned insight to the tradition that most of us never knew. The highlight was showing in detail and hands on how tefillin was made, constructed, and written. He brought a mini set of tefillin that was used during our history when Jew were being persecuted and could not carry regular size tefillin. What was amazing is that the script that was in the tefillin was so tiny but perfectly kosher. Rabbi Druin who is a master scribe confessed that with all of his skills he could not write a script as small as what our ancestors were able to accomplish. The students and adults were fully engaged in the program. This was the best WWW program we have ever done with all of the elements that were included.
I have attached photos of the construction of tefillin that I hope other synagogue's will be able to use to help teach their students.