News from Carole's Fifth Grade

Dear Parents, 

We started class today by answering some questions left over from last week about the nature of angels, i.e, do they only have one leg?  We discovered that the difference between angels & humans is that humans have choices & require 2 legs to move forward where some people believe that angels have only one leg because they have no free choice & can only do the task that God has commanded them to perform.  We also talked about the famous story of Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shamai & the challenge of teaching Torah while standing on one foot. The discussion of both stories was good and also important to our underlying understanding of the history & foundation of Judaism.

In Hebrew today we reviewed the Avot v'Imahot (p. 5), the Gevurot (p. 16) and the Kedusah (p. 28). Next week we will begin to evaluate each student's progress in these three prayers. We continue to talk about the importance of the prayers that make up the Amidah, standing prayer, which is said at every service. In addition, we continue to talk about ways to connect our lives and every day actions to these prayers. Sometimes that means that we need to separate ourselves from our daily activities and seek some time to think about the way we want to live our lives.

At services, Ethan and Nat led us in some of the morning prayers that we will be asked to lead at our Bar/Bat Mitzvot.  We also got in the holiday mood with some Hanukkah songs. 

After services we went over the blessings we say to light the Hanukkiah. We also talked about how to place the candles & the order in which to light them. We also had a really quick discussion about the creating Hanukkah presents that reflect Jewish values.  The students have a worksheet that they can do to create the "gifts."

We had the treat of art with Phyllis today where we made Hanukkah dreidel doves that reflect our values of peace, tzedakah and other mitzvot. The class first talked about how to associate value to each of the hebrew letters, Noon for Nes, Gimel for Gadol, Hay for Haya, and Shin for Sham.  Have your children explain the meaning behind the words on their art projects.

For Homework:

1.  Practice the prayers we have covered so far, Avot v'Imahot, Gevurot, and the Kedusha.

2.  Next week we will have our class Hanukkah party during the last 1/2 hour of class. We invite any student that would like to share a talent related to the holiday (such as playing a Hanukkah song on a musical instrument, reading a poem or story, etc.) to help us celebrate!

Also, Dawn Allen has offered to be the room parent helper for the holiday. Please contact Dawn if you'd like to help with any refreshments. Please remember that we have several food allergies in our classroom & would like to provide treats that are gluten free, peanut & tree nut free, dairy free and egg free.  Dawn's e-mail is: dawn.a.allen@sbcglobal.net

Happy Hanukkah to all.  Next week is our last class before winter break.  

Carole

Carole Mostow
caroleandmichael@comcast.net

News from Cindy Salomon's Class

Don't you wish you were in Cindy's class?



Sunday School News

We started the day with dance and music. We sang Chanukah songs, and practiced our song and dance for the lights and miracles service this Friday night.

In circle time we watched a video about the Chanukah story. We discussed the story, and how Judah Maccabee and his small army defeated Antiochus and his very large army. I asked the kids if they knew the word that meant being able to choose your religion, where you live, where you go to school, etc? Tyler answered "Freedom". 

We discussed what freedom meant to the Jewish people at the time of the Chanukah story. We realized that no matter what freedom is one of the most important things to have.

The tell me tube item yesterday was a potato, which was a perfect introduction to the story The Borrowed Chanukah Latkes.

We created some beautiful Chanukah place mats. As the kids finished their place mats they were able to build their own version of the holy temple, complete with a menorah and a stuffed Judah Maccabee. We also worked on a Menorah floor puzzle and did a pretend Chanukah with our holiday play set, dishes, and fake food.

We wrote about Freedom in our Torah journals. Even though the Chanukah story happened way after the Torah we thought this important topic still needed a page in our journals.

Yesterday's Hebrew letter was zayin. We worked on our worksheets, and made zayins out of Twizzlers.

In between all of that we had a great service with Rabbi Eitan, and had a wonderful pretend Shabbat.

Not only do the kids love the challah, but they are memorizing the Shabbat blessings.

There was so much Chanukah singing going on yesterday that while the kids were working on their place mats Ethan started singing and then one by one they all just joined in. 

We had an awesome day!

Friday night is our Lights and Miracles Service,

I hope to see you there.

Education Bulletin 10.3.12

Shalom Shir Hasdashniks.  Please enjoy these pictures from the first two days of school.

Remember, there is no school this coming Sunday, but please join us on Friday night for Sukkot and Sunday evening for Simchat Torah (see below for times).

Beautiful Rose making Hebrew letters with shaving cream. 

Seventh graders taking a break.

Carole, Asher, and Teddy

Three peas in a pod.

Dylan helping in the 5th Grade.

Gemma and her pretty bow.

Hannah always has a smile...

Dara having a great time.

Ethan and Josh have everything under control.

Friday, October 5th-- Sukkot service--7:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Sukkot art project for all ages. Help us welcome the mystical spirits of biblical leaders Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others into our sukkah. The education committee highly recommends you join us for this great service, always a favorite of the children.

Sunday, October 7th-- Pizza dinner, Simchat Torah and Consecration (honoring our new students) service.  5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (services begin around 6:00 p.m.), Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire
Rabbi Eitan at his very best. The education committee highly recommends you join us for this great service, always a favorite of the children. Taffy apples included in the fun.

For more information, please take a look at our website www.shir-hadash.org.

Service Attendance

Worship Service Recommendations for Religious School Students
Rabbi Eitan, Shir Hadash teachers, and I want our students to be familiar with and comfortable in our Shabbat and holiday worship services. We recommend that students and their families should attend at least two worship services during the school year.  At least one of these services should be a Shabbat service, and the other can be a holiday service such as Sukkot (Friday, October 5), Simchat Torah (Sunday, October 7), Lights & Miracles on Hanukkah, Purim, and Pausing in the Wilderness.We have some great opportuities for the children to participate in (and enjoy) services. We are offering several Shabbat services that will be geared specifically to—and led by—our students. Our teachers and Rabbi Eitan will prepare the students to lead portions of the service.

· Friday, November 16: Shabbat services will be led by grades 4 through 7

· Friday, March 1, 2013: Shabbat services will be led by grades K through 3

· Friday, May 17, 2013: Shabbat services will be led by our Havayah

Make sure to put these dates in your calendar, these services give our  students a chance for them to show "their stuff".

Service Requirements for Bar and Bat Mitzvah Students

As part of the study and preparation required for a positive and successful for bar/bat mitzvah experience, students should attend at least six Jewish worship services in the year prior to the bar/bat mitzvah service.  Four of the services should be at Shir Hadash and two of those must be Shir Hadash bar/bat mitzvah services.  The two remaining services can be at other synagogues.

Education Bulletin 9.11

Youth Director Carole Mostow Asks Questions While Rabbi Eitan  Tends to the Fire

Youth Happenings

Tuesday, September 11th--  Madrichim (teacher assistants) meeting in office,7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., 3340 Dundee Road, Suite 2N4, Northbrook

Sunday, September 23rd-- Sunday School 9:15 a.m.-12:25 p.m., Hellenic American Academy, Deerfield

Monday, October 1st--6:30-8:00 Havayah (8th -12th grades) LCHS

Friday, October 5th-- Sukkot service--7:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Sukkot art project for all ages. Help us welcome the mystical spirits of biblical leaders Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others into our sukkah. The education committee highly recommends you join us for this great service, always a favorite of the children.

Sunday, October 7th-- Pizza dinner, Simchat Torah and Consecration (honoring our new students) service.  5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire
Rabbi Eitan at his very best. The education committee highly recommends you join us for this great service, always a favorite of the children. Taffy apples included in the fun.

For more information, please take a look at our website www.shir-hadash.org.

Service Attendance

Worship Service Recommendations for Religious School Students
Rabbi Eitan, Shir Hadash teachers, and I want our students to be familiar with and comfortable in our Shabbat and holiday worship services. We recommend that students and their families should attend at least two worship services during the school year.  At least one of these services should be a Shabbat service, and the other can be a holiday service such as Sukkot (Friday, October 5), Simchat Torah (Sunday, October 7), Lights & Miracles on Hanukkah, Purim, and Pausing in the Wilderness.We have some great opportuities for the children to participate in (and enjoy) services. We are offering several Shabbat services that will be geared specifically to—and led by—our students. Our teachers and Rabbi Eitan will prepare the students to lead portions of the service.

· Friday, November 16: Shabbat services will be led by grades 4 through 7

· Friday, March 1, 2013: Shabbat services will be led by grades K through 3

· Friday, May 17, 2013: Shabbat services will be led by our Havayah

Make sure to put these dates in your calendar, these services give our  students a chance for them to show "their stuff".

Service Requirements for Bar and Bat Mitzvah Students

As part of the study and preparation required for a positive and successful for bar/bat mitzvah experience, students should attend at least six Jewish worship services in the year prior to the bar/bat mitzvah service.  Four of the services should be at Shir Hadash and two of those must be Shir Hadash bar/bat mitzvah services.  The two remaining services can be at other synagogues.

Thank you.

Education Bulletin 9.4

Paul Klee

The Shir Hadash office is a  busy and crowded place these days.  Rabbi Eitan, Lillian, Carole and I are working with committees and volunteers to prepare for High Holidays and the FIRST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL.  Of course, I am particularly thrilled about the beginning of the school year, but let's not forget there are many other youth-oriented Shir Hadash activities. Please see below for a peek at the weeks ahead for youth at Shir Hadash.


Youth Happenings

Sunday, September 9th--  6th -12th graders-- Pre-holiday campfire.
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., behind Zion Lutheran Church, 10 Deerfield Road, Deerfield.
RSVP to Carole Mostow at youth@shir-hadash.org.

Tuesday, September 11th--  Madrichim (teacher assistants) meeting in office,7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., 3340 Dundee Road, Suite 2N4, Northbrook

Sunday, September 23rd-- Sunday School 9:15 a.m.-12:25 p.m., Hellenic American Academy, Deerfield

Monday, October 1st--6:30-8:00 Havayah (8th -12th grades) LCHS

Friday, October 5th-- Sukkot service--7:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. Sukkot art project for all ages. Help us welcome the mystical spirits of biblical leaders Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others into our sukkah. The education committee highly recommends you join us for this great service, always a favorite of the children.

Sunday, October 7th-- Pizza dinner, Simchat Torah and Consecration (honoring our new students) service.  5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 30 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire
Rabbi Eitan at his very best. The education committee highly recommends you join us for this great service, always a favorite of the children. Taffy apples included in the fun.

For more information, please take a look at our website www.shir-hadash.org.


Thank you,
Emily Ascher
Shir Hadash Education Director
eddirector@shir-hadash.org
(847) 498-8218

School Bulletin 8.28 What's Up With The Teachers

Sunday, August 26th was the annual teacher meeting organized by the CFJE, The Community Foundation for Jewish Education. Shir Hadash teachers have attended these always informative, sometimes inspirational meetings, for many years.  This year was great.  The best part is always being Shir Hadash teachers as a group, and running into friends from other synagogues and Jewish organizations. Teachers (and Education Directors) love the opportunity to expand our knowledge-base andto discuss issues related to children and supplementary Jewish education.  This year, the meeting was held at Beth Shalom in Northbrook.

The keynote speaker was Edward Hallowell (http://www.drhallowell.com/). His speech was titled "Healthy Teaching in a CRAZYBUSY World Springboards to Effective and Affective Learning," an apropos topic for educators. He was very funny, (admittedly) very not-Jewish, and had a great respect for educators.

Sadly, the Shir Hadash teachers parted ways and moved on to small group activities based on our individual needs.  Forouz and Pearyl took the Hebrew track, Andrew went to Israel education, Carole and I attended the Interfaith meeting as well as the Informal Education meeting, and so on. Sometimes it is not just being exposed to new ideas that renews one's energy,  but rather the chance to see an inspired teacher and the opportunity to discuss philosophy or argue a point with other educators.

We are all looking forward to September 26th, the first day of Sunday school.

Emily Ascher

Education Director

eddirector@shir-hadash.org

Lynne and Carole Looking Inspired at 8am!

Phyllis and Cindy Discussing Lox and Bagels

 

Forouz and Jennifer Making 6th Grade Plans

Rebecca and New Teacher Andrew Getting to Know  Each Other

    

Parent Power -- The PTO Connection

We have a vision. A vision of parents and educators working together to better our school.  You can call it PTO, call it PTA, or call the group whatever you decide.  Shir Hadash needs a group of  parents to gather together to develop new and exciting connections between our school and our families.  Whether you get your kicks planning lunch at a hot dog place with the sixth grade class, or a gathering the little ones for pizza dinner before a Shabbat service, we want your help.  You may want to organize a mini-fundraiser, help develop and maintain a birthday calendar of our students, or plan a Purim carnival. If you have college students, you may want to help with our plans to send off packages to our college students.  The possibilities are endless, the potential for personal growth is even greater.

Starting up a parent organization is a great way to meet new people, use your creativity, and do something wonderful for your children. You show them you care and that Shir Hadash is important to you.  Many people make friends for life volunteering at school.

This is a chance to get in on the formation of a new group, a chance to bring room parents together and create new adventures for you and your child.  If you would like to be a part of what promises to be a very cool thing, please email Education Director Emily Ascher at eddirector@shir-hadash.org.

It just takes that one special person to start, perhaps it's you.

            The Marvets, an involved family. Also, Marilyn Soglin, another mom showing she cares about Shir Hadash.


Thank you, 

Emily Ascher
Education Director 
Shir Hadash
(847) 498-8218

Education Bulletin

Shir Hadash teachers and staff are looking forward to seeing smiling faces on Sunday, September 23rd, 9:15 a.m. - 12:25 p.m.

While you are beginning to shop for school supplies and new socks, we are creating lesson plans,  ordering books, and dreaming up new things for our students.  Please send in your registration forms so we can have an accurate count of students for the beginning of the school year.  Make sure to tell your friends about Shir Hadash-- we will always make room for more.

The Shir Hadash Education Office is very crowded these days.  Thank you to Education Committee Members Lauren Tashma and Dawn Allen, as well as Board Member Marc Fargotstein, for schlepping school supplies from the Hellenic American Academy storage shed to our main office on Dundee Road.  This is just a temporary matter, as Ed. Director Emily Ascher, daughter Aimee, son Zach, and Shir Hadash students Emma and Oliver have been working diligently to freshen-up our treasured books, art supplies, and assorted stray items.  Sunday school office administrator Gloria Kaplan will be so proud when she sees what we have accomplished.

Looking foward to seeing you soon.

Education Director Emily Ascher

Madrichim (Student Teachers) and Havayah (8th Grade-High School Class) Information

Thanks to all of you who sent your registration forms in, it helps us get a great start on the school year.  If you are one of families we are waiting for, please send in the pink forms today.


For those of you who have students entering the 8th through 12th grades, watch your snail-mailbox for news regarding two of our most popular programs.  The madrichim program, headed by Youth Director Carole Mostow and our head madrichah, Colette Charak, is an opportunity for your son or daughter to work in our school.  


The Havayah class is divided into an 8th grade class and a 9th-12th grade class. The 8th graders discuss teen issues and discuss how to solve them Jewishly, we learn self-motivation techniques, and play team-building games. Many of the 8th grade students work at the Sunday school in addition to attending these fun 14 classes. This class is led by Education Director Emily Ascher.

Rabbi Eitan leads the high school class. The first element of this curriculum includes a study of the Talmudic book Pirkei Avot - The Ethics of the Sages.  The wisdom sages form the foundation of Jewish ethics and morality for all aspects of life.  The second element will explore student's Jewish roots.  They will learn about their families and countries of origin, do some genealogy work and learn a little Yiddish and Ladino.  

We spend time together eating pizza and solving world problems.  Joining in this class can be a wonderful experience for our students, as they begin to realize how being Jewish, using Jewish philosophy, and being with Jewish friends can be fun and helpful.


If your son or daughter is interested in joining--


1. Fill out madrichim form (both sides).
2. Send in to office at 3340 Dundee Road, Suite 2N4, Northbrook, IL 60062.
3. If havayah (8th-12th class) is what they want, please email Emily Ascher at
    eddirector@shir-hadash.org.
4. Wait for confirmation of your forms.


Looking forward to hearing from you, 


Emily Ascher
Education Director

School Happenings

Clipart by Picsburg - http://free.clipartof.com/

School forms are past due. Please send in your pink school registration forms as soon as possible.  

Know any 5 year olds craving a fun Sunday school class? Please advise them to sign up for the Shir Hadash Gan Yeladim class with superstar teacher Cindy Salomon.  Awaiting your children are hands-on, center-based activities specifically developed to aid them in absorbing Jewish values, the feeling of Jewish holidays, the meaning of Torah stories and even an early knowledge of Hebrew.

Havayah (8th grade - high school class) and madrichim (teacher's assistants) forms will be mailed this week.  These are wonderful opportunities for your teen to experience personal growth, appreciation for our community, and lots of fun.  Look for more information to arrive at your home this week.

The Shir Hadash picnic will be a great time to get together before school starts on Sunday, September 23rd.  Visit with the Rabbi, some board members, and students for a celebration of shabbat, the summer,  and each other.

Emily Ascher
Education Director
eddirector@shir-hadash.org

Links to Cool Websites

My sister found this very cool, glossy online Jewish magazine and passed it along to me.  It looks great on an iPad. Click here to go to Tablet Magazine.  I enjoyed the article on the disappointing Pink Floyd concert in NYC, but the story about the Texas grandma standing up to the Klan is particularly great. There are recipes (try one and let me know how it turns out) and short stories with Jewish themes.

Do you ever sit at your computer and just go? I was somewhat transfixed by the Tablet site, when I found a link to http://www.jewcy.com, another online magazine. It seems to be geared towards twenty-somethings, but it worked for me (a forty-something).  Here is a picture from the site, a watercolor by artist Elanit Kayne, which brightened my day.


I plan on continuing my quest for contemporary Jewish educational websites, please let me know if you have found anything special along those lines.


Emily Ascher
Education Director
Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day

Is the second floor of your house twenty degrees hotter than the first floor?  Are you, too, trying to keep cool at those 100 degree baseball tournaments, pouring water over the heads of any red-faced child you see panting by you?  Are you attempting to find the best 4th of July schedule involving fireworks, a parade, and perhaps a beach? Good times if you have air-conditioning.

The 4th of July marks the celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. Even my favorite all-American holiday cannot stop me from pointing out a Jewish connection.  This is a simple matter as Jews have played many roles in American culture.

One powerful example is Emma Lazarus, the Jewish woman from New York who wrote the sonnet
The New Colossus to raise money to bring the Statue of Liberty to America. It speaks to not only the welcoming of immigrants, but the difficulties they will face in coming to our country.  Please click on the link below to learn more about the intriguing life of Emma Lazarus.

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" 

Emma Lazarus

http://jwa.org/womenofvalor/lazarus

Happy 4th

Education Director Emily Ascher

One Day at Shir Hadash

At Shir Hadash, we have developed a curriculum that requires students to attend one class a week.  We believe that this program works best for our students, our parents, and our teachers.

We immerse our students in all things Jewish and ask them to question, to share, and to make their own decisions.  We welcome parents and encourage them to participate in school activities and at services.  Our teachers love sharing their passion for Judaism.  We teach what it means to be Jewish, our rich culture of art, of dance, and of music. We focus on the meaning of our prayers while teaching the Hebrew aleph bet.  What does it mean to be Jewish today?  At Shir Hadash, we know it means something different for each of us.  

For students

Teaching at Shir Hadash is an interactive process.  Students can share their views on religion, politics, or life in general, and know that they will be taken seriously.   Since they only attend one class a week, students are more enthusiastic about attending class, focus more easily on class content, and are more likely to participate in discussions.

To supplement our weekly classes, we offer many off-site activities.  We go to parks, skating rinks, gyms -- anywhere we can get together, perhaps enjoy nature or help our community, and pray a bit with Rabbi Eitan.

For parents

Parents are an integral part of our curriculum. Because the students only attend one "official" class, they need to spend time at home working on their assignments, usually with the assistance of their parents.  During these at-home sessions, parents learn from their children, share their own experiences with them, and engage them in discussions.  For example, some children ask more questions about their family history or want their parents' opinions on such topics as the Hannukah-Christmas “dilemma.”  What results is an enriching experiencing everyone.


Also, many parents are inspired by their children to join our off-site days of school, and enjoy themselves just as much as our students do.

For teachers

Being responsible for only one class a week gives our teachers the time to do their research and plan focused, carefully crafted lessons that make an impact on their students. Class time is precious and they treat it that way.  In addition, our teachers bring experiences and perspectives gained outside of the classroom to their Sunday sessions.

For everyone

At Sunday school, our students feel they are part of something bigger than themselves.  Through Hebrew, music, art, dance, and more, we foster the innate Judaism in our students.  Through our one day a week Sunday school classes, outside activities, and parental involvement, our school gives our families and community the opportunity to learn together and to keep Judaism alive.  

Stress Relief--The Jewish Way

Are you looking forward to summer but feel like you are too stressed-out to enjoy it?  I want to enjoy my family in the warm glow of the sun and to laugh while running inside during a burst of rain.  I would like to take my time on Sunday morning going for coffee with the kids and riding our bikes to the store.  I look forward to watching the neighborhood gang run around in the dark playing some flashlight game.  I like watching endless baseball games with the moms, each of us with our own particular “woohoo” sounds of encouragement.  We all want to enjoy our summers.  How can we keep the stresses of life from interfering with our fun.

Intellectually, I know what to do. Yoga, breathing techniques, hot tea, a glass of wine, that kind of thing. Not enough. Is there a Jewish way of handling stress? In the Rabbi’s absence, I of course, turn to Google.  I found several articles written by rabbis and other Jewish scholars. Already aware of such helpful hints as keeping a journal and meditating, I wanted to dig a little deeper, something in Hebrew or Yiddish perhaps?  

Torah on Tension, a response letter written by Rabbi Yirmiyahu Ullman, gave me a little Talmudic advice I will share with you. Tafasta meruba lo tafasta --if you try to grasp and accomplish too much you end up with nothing.  That serves a reminder to learn to say “no” once in awhile.

Writer Roiza Weinreich, from Torah.org says when we stress out and panic, we are only adding to our problems. “We can learn this from an incident in the Torah, where the Jews complained to Moshe when they encamped in Marah, a place that had only bitter water. The Ibn Ezra teaches us that the Jews stayed in Marah only one day and immediately afterward they went to Eilim -- an oasis with 12 wells and 70 date palms...”

Weinreich continues, “Rabbi Zelig Pliskin points out that when you worry you suffer in the present, even if life turns out perfectly in the future. He advises a practical way to teach yourself to be patient instead of worrying: For one month, make a list each week of five things you worried about in the past that turned out better than you expected. You can learn from your past experience that 80 percent of the things you are worrying about now will be all right in the end.”

One more nugget that I found in my pursuit of a stress-free life can be found on the JC.com website in an excerpt from the book Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, written by  Rabbi Levi Brackman and Sam Jaffe speaks to the power of positive thinking and speaking. They write about Kabbalist and Chasidic master known as the Tzemech Tzedek (1789-1866). Once asked to pray on behalf of a seriously ill person, he responded, telling the family to practise positive thinking. He advised in Yiddish, “Tracht gut vet zain gut,” meaning “Think good and it will be good.” Many people assume that this is some sort of wishful thinking, but consider for a moment whether you have ever heard someone who is very successful in their line of work speak pessimistically. Think, too, about the person you know who always complains that things aren’t going right. Almost always, you will find that successful people don’t focus on the negative, while unsuccessful people often do.

There are many resources to help you manage stress including the web, Jewish books, and in the Torah.  Some of us find comfort just talking to wise Jewish people (my mom and Lillian, our very own office administrator, for example).  I also take solace in the fact that Jewish wisdom is so practical, that’s why we’ve been around for so long.  Some of us may need a little help interpreting what we find deep in the Torah or help to discern one Yiddish story from the next.  That is what Rabbi Eitan is for.  I can’t wait until returns.

 Education Director Emily Ascher and her staff  work hard to
create a sense of warmth and inclusion in our education program.  We
believe that every child is special.  In addition to our solid Hebrew
program, led by Limor and Hebrew Lab Leader Ben,  we reach our
students  through music, art, and enrichment activities.  Dance
movement is an example of what we do best at our school.  Rebecca
uses dance to encourage participation, improve engagement and
concentration, and to create social interaction within the classroom
and amongst the parents (when we can get them involved).  We also
reach students with unique Jewish art projects under the guidance of
Phyllis and her assistants Alek and Tory.  Mitchell, Ethan, Carly and
Josh work with Rabbi Eitan to not only lead our music program, but
serve as role models to the younger students.

Idea for students

Really nice.  I like that people would have the chance to pay back.

Who will possibly manage and make the decisions?

Does this mean no more discounts on school?

Side question-- I forget the difference between Building Fund and
Capital Campaign-- what is it?

E