News From The Director Of Education

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