News From The Director Of Education

I just returned from an incredible four day URJ early childhood educator’s conference in Boulder, Colorado.  The Shabbat morning worship experience was one of great ruach (spirit) filled with music, special readings and a connection to each other.  As part of the educational component, we sang new music, engaged in Torah study and shared our thoughts on the attributes of God as well as creative interpretations of prayer and personal Jewish experiences.  It was a fulfilling way to spend Shabbat! However, I’m happy to be back and hope to utilize some of the things I learned here at TKC.

Speaking of Shabbat services, we have a few really special services coming up in April and the first weekend in May.  Our annual RAFTY Shabbat is Friday, April 13 and our 10th grade Confirmation group is on Friday, May 4th.  This year’s Confirmation class has created an incredible service based on the books of Dr. Seuss.  It will be interesting to hear how our students have interpreted prayers based on the themes presented in the books.

Then, on May 5th at 10:30am, we have one of our teaching Shabbat services.  Our 5th and 6th graders will be leading the service.  The Rabbi and Cantor take on teaching roles that morning – so this could very easily be called – “Everything you wanted to know about the Shabbat morning service…”.  I would like to invite parents and families with children (in particular 3rd and 4th grades) in our religious school to attend this service to become familiar with the flow of the Saturday morning service.  This is an opportunity to ask questions, hear explanations, become more familiar with the prayers and learn about the flow of Saturday morning services here at Temple Kehillat Chaim.  I hope to see many of you there.  (We also serve a light Kiddush lunch after the service – a bagel and a schmear!)

Wishing you and your family a hearty Chag Pesach!

Catherine Rosing

Having just participated in the first Atlanta area URJ Mitzvah Day, I have a renewed appreciation for the many mitzvot which occur around the Kehillah. It is said that charity begins in the home, well, we have some unsung heroes who keep things moving around the Kehillah.  When you see someone going an extra mile around the Kehillah, please take a moment and say thanks. Then we take the idea outside the Kehillah.  It has been a particular source of pride that we participate in Drake House.  It is a large undertaking for such a small congregation.

Those efforts make a big difference and send a message to our students.  That message must be coming in loud and clear.  The enthusiasm with which our students respond when challenged with finding a mitzvah project as part of preparing to become a bar or bat mitzvah is heart filling to be sure.  From a simple collection to those projects which involve many hours of time and effort to support a cause, these mitzvot all serve to make life a little better for another person.

It may be impossible to perfect the world, but that does not preclude us from trying.  I hope that you will respond as our young people reach out for support for causes near and dear to their hearts.  I hope you will find satisfaction in reaching out to help others.  In your family, in your neighborhood, around the Kehillah, in your community and in the world – I hope you will feel the connection to others as we work together to repair the world.

I look forward to working together again next year as a Reform Jewish community to make things a little better in the greater Atlanta community.  It will be the start of a wonderful way for us to come together and, in the words of one of my favorite Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young songs, “teach your children well”…

Now, I turn the remainder of my column over to Audrey Hirshberg, one of our 6th grade students, as she writes to you about the importance of fighting hunger.

Did you know that the total cost of hunger to the United States is said to be about $90 billion a year?  Would you be surprised to know that it would only cost about $10 billion to $12 billion a year to virtually end hunger in our nation? We can teach people skills needed to get better jobs to earn the money to buy their own food, instead of lining up at shelters to receive food daily. Recent studies have shown that not having enough food to sustain a healthy life is a reality for 1 in 6 Americans, including seniors and children. Contrary to popular belief, hunger is not just an issue for people who struggle with poverty and homelessness. You can help heal the world and feed the hungry by coming to the Kehillat Chaim Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 11th and stopping by our bake sale in the Social Hall.  You can purchase bite-sized desserts at our 2nd annual sale with all proceeds going to stop hunger in our community with the help of North Fulton Community Charities. The sixth grade class has already started preparing desserts for this event, so come on March 11th to feed the hungry.

Catherine Rosing

Bears may be hibernating, but the Kehillah is not!  Especially around the Education wing- we are busy, busy, busy!!  Between Family Shabbat Services, 4th Grade on February 3 and 3rd grade on March 2 (ALL grades are invited to join us!!), Family Education Days, Kindergarten on February 5 and 1st grade February 12,  Road to Confirmation and Preschool Activities, TKC is definitely the place to be this February!

Preschool begins registering students for the Fall 2012 session (this fall marks our 16^th year!) February 1^st.  Spread the word!  Low student teacher ratios, great combination of Judaic and secular curriculum and a

challenging and creative learning environment are all hallmarks of our incredible Preschool. Tell your friends and help us grow!

Our Preschool is a proud partner with PJ Library as a participant in PJ Goes to School, a new literacy curriculum for early childhood programs.  Please join us on February 25 at 2:00 pm for a joint Shabbat program with PJ

Library.  Caroline Fiegiel will be on hand for storytelling and yoga instructor Lori Sugarman will teach

relaxation techniques for both children and their parents.

Adamah Adventures will return to make presentations to our Religious School students on February 5 during snack (10:45) and Road to Confirmation students on February 8 from 7:45 to 8:15.   On February 29th, our 8^th grade students will have a visit from a representative of the Rainbow Center who will speak about tolerance and diversity.

I hope to see many of you at the Mitzvah Day activities on February 19!

Catherine Rosing

We teach rituals and prayers, create ritual objects, and we make up our own songs and plays about bible stories in our religious school. That knowledge lasts for the time it is being presented and then what happens to it?  When “real-time” connections are made by home ritual, coming to services or holiday celebrations, lasting connections are made.

According to studies done regarding brain-based learning, connecting knowledge to things already experienced or repeated practice and experiences enhances the educational process.  This enables the learner to further explore information presented and allows for a deeper understanding of how ideas relate to one another.

For example, we expose our young children to services around holiday times because they are “fun”.  As the child ages, he/she enters Religious School.  They learn that the language of the Jewish people is Hebrew. Our primary focus is Hebrew as it is used in prayer, as that is where the majority of our students will make a connection to Hebrew.  We begin with the alef-bet, and associate the letters with prior knowledge, that is the prayers they will have heard as part the service or home ritual.  We utilize different modalities of learning by introducing chanting of the prayers, expanding the knowledge and furthering the connection.  The next logical step would seem to be that the information is put to use either by regular home ritual or practice and/or regular service attendance.  This allows the brain to cement the connection because there is practical application.

We make ritual objects, such as a menorah, having a great time with clay, wood, paint or whatever.  The student takes the menorah home. Parents will ooh and ah, and, hopefully, use the menorah as part of their celebration.  This creates a wonderful connection that will linger long after Chanukah is done when we use something they have created.

In Preschool, we provide wooden Shabbat, Chanukah and Passover play sets for our students to use as part of their everyday experience.  Our hope is that parents will continue the rituals at home.  We even model some of the rituals for parents during our Preschool Kabbalat Shabbat on Fridays.

We can and should work together to help our children to make stronger connections to Judaism.  It takes a team, the clergy, the teachers, grandparents, neighbors, friends and YOU!  As we begin this year, may we all make a commitment to help our children and ourselves strengthen connections to Judaism.

B’Shalom,

Catherine Rosing

Some years ago, I found myself behind a car with the license plate proclaiming “INIT 4ME”.  Now, this was not a luxury car and maybe the type of car was actually beside the point, but I was taken aback by the conceit of this statement.  I thought, how arrogant, how sad, how unfulfilled, not to mention boring, is a life all about oneself.

What does Judaism, and, more specifically, the Torah, have to say about this?  In Leviticus, we learn of the “golden rule” – “Love your neighbor as yourself”.  In fact, Leviticus talks about leading a life of holiness – not just in terms of our relationship with God, but with each other.  We are not expected to be saintly or holy all of the time.  We are allowed to make mistakes, even say stupid things from time to time, but, we should walk away from these incidences having learned something that makes us a better person.  Many of the Ten Commandments deal with our treatment of others.

In Deuteronomy, we are told, “Open your hand to your brother, to the poor and to the needy.”  Maimonides defines nine levels in giving charity, the lowest being donations given grudgingly to the highest, giving assistance to someone to help them become self supporting. A famous quote from Hillel asks us to consider others in all we do. (“If I am not for myself, who will be for me?  If I am not for others, what am I?  And if not now, when?”) The “self” is important, but only in relation to others.

We can live a life more full, we can feel better about ourselves, we can make a difference in someone else’s life if we are not just “INIT4ME”.  From small gestures like a weekly tzedakah donation, to spending time helping another better themselves, we can live a life full of promise and importance. Mitzvah projects shouldn’t be limited to the time around Bar/Bat mitzvah, nor do they have to be child-centered, but should be something which occurs regularly, something that is a part of everyday living.  Sometimes, we feel more fulfilled when we turn our thinking from how everyone else affects us to how we can affect those around us.

Wishing you all a peaceful and fulfilled Chanukah.

B’shalom,

Catherine Rosing

We are commanded in the Torah to “…Impress them upon your children” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).  Who is “we”  and what is “them” you might ask.  “We” should be the partnership that is formed between parents, clergy and educators to help our children learn to live a Jewish life.  “Them”  are the Jewish values and ethics we hope to pass along to our children. Living a Jewish life goes beyond learning to read Hebrew and know the order of the holidays during the year.  It means recognizing ethics and values inherent in Jewish tradition.  “We” are charged with passing along these ethics and values to the generations that follow us.

There are many paths to life long Jewish learning, beginning with things learned in the home.  The process continues when we make a choice to become affiliated with a synagogue and participate in the mode of education provided by the synagogue.  Part of our curriculum at TKC (and at many other synagogues) is the concept of “Family Education Day”.  Our goal is to have all of our families participate.  Our hope is that each family takes away something from the experience which enhances the way they approach Jewish living.

Many people ask, “Why should we participate in Family Education Days?”

• Because we ask you to participate and (as your mother would say) it’s good for you!
• So your child won’t feel left out
• Because you like doing things with your child
• So you can check out the teacher and the other families
• Because you like learning along with your child
• Because “it takes a village to raise a child”; this is a way to create a village

Family Education Days:

• Build on the partnership between families and the synagogue community
• Enhance Jewish education for students and their families
• Help parents become a role model for students
• Create an opportunity for community building with other families
• Assist parents in shaping the Jewish life of their children
• Encourage ongoing Jewish Education and lifelong Jewish learning
• Allow parents to tell their “Jewish Story”
• Help to create Jewish memories
• Enhance Jewish experience of students and their families

Traditionally, this month we focus on giving thanks.  I am especially thankful I have a job which is rewarding and challenging (I am seldom, if ever, bored).  I am thankful for all of the talented and creative people with whom I am privileged to work. I am thankful I have my health and that my family is healthy.  I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that I am a grandmother – although I wish my grandson lived closer so that I could spoil him rotten!!  I am thankful that part of the liturgy includes a prayer of thanksgiving – the Hoda’ah, which reminds us to give thanks for all the things we sometimes take for granted. I am thankful I have a place to worship. I am grateful for the wonderful community which is Temple Kehillat Chaim.

I wish you all a bountiful feast and good friends and family with whom to share Thanksgiving!

B’Shalom!

Catherine Rosing

In my June article, I mentioned a mitzvah program for our 7th grade class which the Religious School

Committee and a group of parents adapted.  After many months, Tzedakah in Action is ready for launch!!

Tzedakah in Action - FAQ

What is it?  A Seventh Grade class wide Tzedakah initiative that would create a wonderful Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World) opportunity.  Please Note:  It is not a substitute for each student’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project. 

Is this a totally new idea? Tzedakah in Action has been a successful venture at Temple Isaiah in   Lafayette, California.  The philanthropic nature of the TKC 2011-2012 7th grade class inspired us to duplicate this program for our 7th grade classes.

How does it start?  At the beginning of the Seventh Grade year each family would have the option to donate to a TKC Seventh Grade Class Fund instead of giving individual gifts to students at their B’nai Mitzvah celebrations.  For example, instead of each family writing a check for $18 (chai) or $36 (double chai) as a gift to each student, one check for $180 could be given to TKC’s Tzedakah in Action  Fund to honor all of our students.  Our suggestion is a minimum of $180 per family in honor of the entire class; however, any amount is appreciated.  Families may also choose to donate per simcha (celebration).  Students may also wish to ask guests for donations to the program in their honor.

What happens to the money?  While the monies will be held by the Temple, it will be the Seventh Grade class’ responsibility to be the “Trustees” of the Fund.  They will decide to which charitable organization(s) the monies should be allotted.   Teachers, clergy, the Religious School Director and a parent council will help guide the students.  During Religious School Judaic class time the students will learn about potential non-profit organizations of their choosing.  Individual as well as class research will be conducted with guest speakers coming to visit when the field of potential grantees has been narrowed.  Students will make the final decision on the allocation of funds.  The Seventh Grade class will also publicly present the funds to the selected charities at the end of the school year.  Each upcoming class would be charged with identifying the next year’s charitable organization(s).

What kind of recognition will the student receive?  All students will receive a certificate of participation at their B’nei Mitzvah as well as a listing in Temple Kehillat Chaim’s monthly newsletter.  In addition, donors will receive a confirmation of the donation and a listing in the newsletter.  The donation will be included on the end of the year tax statement.

Why do this?  To teach our Youth an important lesson about giving to others and the power of bonding together.  Its intent is to also expose the students to the needs of our community and beyond, thus making them Tzaddikim for our World.  Finally, it is    designed to give our B’nai Mitzvah students a desire to stay invested in their Religious School class time even after their simcha has passed.

Are there any additional benefits for TKC parents?  Yes, because they are writing a check to TKC, parents can take a tax credit for their donation.  In addition, each family, not just the student, can embrace the spirit of Tzedakah.

We are all very excited to discover how the program will change our student’s view of themselves and their ability to make a positive change in the world.

We have a special program planned for erev Sukkot (Wednesday, October 12 at 6:30pm).  Bobbee and Adam Griff, representatives of Adamah Adventures,a Jewish adventure camp that invites Jewish teens to take on some of the country’s most thrilling, awe-inspiring outdoor adventures, will be on hand outside the sukkah to provide a cooking demonstration (and all we have to do is provide some hungry folks!!!)  We hope to see you and your family will come to help us usher in Sukkot.

The Preschool Parents Association invites all of you to come for Shabbat dinner on Friday, October 28 at 6:15pm.   We can bridge the generations as we dine together (and who can argue with the price - $5.00 a person!) and worship together as we welcome special bimah guest, Meredith Blumoff, storyteller and songwriter.  RSVPS are due by October 19 to the Preschool office.  Checks for dinner should be made out to TKCPA.

Speaking of Preschool, we bid a tearful farewell to Marian Vosk, who has been our PreK teacher for the past 10 years.  Her warmth and kindness will be missed by students, parents, teachers and me!  We welcome Lisa Ackerman as our new PreK teacher.  Lisa comes to us with a wealth of Jewish early childhood experience and is very excited to have the opportunity to work with our school.

Road to Confirmation kicks off on October 19th, with our Simchat Torah celebration, complete with the unrolling of the Illustrated Torah in the Social Hall.  This year, in addition to the scavenger hunt, prepared by the Rabbi, we invite you to engage in some advance Torah study and bring some questions about passages in the Torah to “Stump the Rabbi”.  Even though it is technically the first meeting for our Road to Confirmation students (8th through 10th grades), everyone is invited to participate in the service and the Torah un-roll! 

I look forward to seeing all of you during the coming days of awe.  May you all have a year filled with peace, good health and friendship.

B’Shalom,

Catherine Rosing

Busy is the key word around the Education Department of TKC.  Many thanks to Rhonda Flynn, whose

volunteer assistance in the Education Office has been invaluable!!  The first days of Religious School and

Preschool wouldn’t have been nearly as smooth without her assistance!

Approximately 75% of our known families sent in their registration for Religious School prior to the beginning of school.  Thanks to those of you who made everything so easy!  I look forward to increased participation at Family Shabbats and Family Education days!!  We will be organizing pot luck dinners prior to every Family Shabbat.  Your teachers will be in touch with details.  The first Family Shabbat will take place November 4^th for our Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd grade classes. Students who are entering their first year of Religious School will be consecrated that evening.  If your child is in Religious School for the first time and is older than a 2^nd grader, please contact me so that we can include him/her for Consecration. 

Our 2^nd grade and 4^th grade classes are unusually small – 4 in the 2^nd grade and 7 in the 4^th grade.  While I am not quite sure how we target a specific age group, if you know of a family looking for a synagogue to call home and a GREAT (no modesty there!) religious school, please invite them to check us out!!  We are willing to have a child visit (with prior knowledge, please) for one session!!

We are in “rebuilding” mode here at the Preschool.  Eric Smolin has agreed to chair the Preschool Committee.  Our aim is to get information out into the community about the tremendous program we have here at TKC.  After 14 years in our community, it is time for the community to become re-acquainted with us!!!  Our Preschool teacher will be participating in a new literacy effort as part of a cohort of 7 other Jewish preschools and the PJ Library, called PJ Library Goes to School.  I am very excited to be able to add yet another layer to our already rich curriculum.

I would like to thank the Board for supporting the opportunity for me to attend the NewCAJE (New Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education) conference in Greensboro, NC the first week in August.  The conference was held on the campus of the American Hebrew Academy, a beautiful Jewish boarding school for 9 – 12 grades (6 Points Sports Camp is held there during the summer). This facility boasts one of the largest geothermal energy systems in the world and is used to heat and cool 440,000 square feet in 29 buildings.  But, enough about the facility – you can find out more about American Hebrew Academy by going to www.americanhebrewacademy.org.

At the NewCAJE conference, I discovered an extensive list of classes to attend, everything from administration, creative and cultural arts, early childhood to Hebrew, teaching techniques and technology and Torah, spirituality, music.  It was difficult to decide where to go!!  I was also able to spend an extra day participating in an “intensive class” with our former Education Director, Diane Zimmerman.  Diane specializes in leading interactive professional development workshops for teachers and principals. There was also a “Young Professionals” track (alas not young at heart).  I felt very reassured that the next generation will carry the Torah forward with ruach (spirit)!!  The evenings were spent listening to Jewish storytellers and musicians.  What a rich environment!   I could go on and on about the experience, but I invite you to come speak to me if you are interested in hearing more!

From my family to yours, Shana Tovah! 

B’shalom,

Catherine Rosing

Hebrew -  a tricky language for most of us.  Or, so we think.  With only 21 letters (that’s 5 fewer than the English alphabet!) and very deliberate ways of producing the sounds (unlike the English language – i.e. fish - phish, cough - coff, caught – kawt – HA!) it’s not as tough as one might think.

Many parents have expressed concern about listening to their child read and practice Hebrew because they don’t know what the child should be reading. At the beginning of every school year we have arranged Adult Hebrew classes which meet once a week during Religious School. We’d like to provide that service once again.  Rather than us dictating the time for the class, we thought we would ask you for input.  If you are interested learning Hebrew, if you are interested in brushing up your rusty skills, or if you would like to learn trope (the method for chanting Hebrew), please let us know.  We’d like to plan classes based on what you want rather than what we think you want.  Please contact me, Cantor Margulis or Rabbi Winokur and let us know how we can best serve your needs!

Speaking of serving your needs…many of you are looking for connections for your children here at the synagogue.  We have been pretty successful with Preschool – we have multiple opportunities during the school year for families to get together socially and that has created some very strong relationships.  We have Religious School which allows students an opportunity to get to know one another, but because we ask them to refrain from socializing during the classroom time, it limits the

opportunities for them to become friends.  We have Youth Groups for the students in 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades and 9^th through 12^th grades.  I began talking to a few parents this summer and we have decided to formulate another Youth Group for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders.  We’re going to call this youth group Klub 345. The group’s activities will be based here at TKC and, with the exception of the opening event, will happen right after Religious School.  Klub 345’s opening event will be a Shabbaton

October 22nd and 23rd. Students will attend services and the Oneg Shabbat, then spend the night here at the Kehillah, being supervised by volunteer parents and me!  I’m very excited about this new program and am especially grateful to Suesan Phillips, Eric Simon and Lorena Weinkle, who have been so supportive in the planning stages of this effort!!! Look for information coming soon about signing up your child for this wonderful program!

Anyone else who is interested in helping out with one of our Youth Groups should contact the appropriate advisor. For Klub 345, please let me know if you would like to help. Renee Sevy Hasterok (busysevy@bellsouth.net) is the Junior Youth Group Advisor this year (as well as the Youth Committee Chair), and would love some more parent involvement. Rachel Snow (raecie@comcast.net), our RAFTY advisor, is always looking for more high school teens to participate in RAFTY events. 

It is so great to see everyone after our summer vacation.  This past Sunday was a particular joy because of all the activity here.  There were about one hundred extra teens hanging out at the Kehillah as a result of the leadership Kallah our Senior Youth Group hosted.  Regional Song Leaders performed for our Religious School students at an assembly. The young men who sang were as impressive and enthusiastic on Sunday morning as they were Friday night during services.  The kavanah (spirit) amongst all the teens was infectious!  Todah Rabah to Rachel Snow and her committee of RAFTY officers who worked diligently to make this a wonderful weekend for our teens!

You are invited and encouraged to offer your ideas, comments and time to helping create meaningful programs here at the Kehillah.   Our “Community of Life” benefits from active, participating members whether it be on a committee, taking a class, being part of a discussion group or coming to services.  Think about the Hebrew class, volunteer your time, be a part of the community!  Make a difference!

My family and I wish you all L’Shanah Tova Tikateivu!

Catherine Rosing