Temple Hillel                                                    

President's Monthly Message

"The more righteousness, the more peace."

....Hillel

             MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – JANICE BROWN

·    I was at a meeting recently where the subject of telling our Jewish stories came up.  The idea was that we learn a lot about each other by hearing the history of an individual person's Jewish journey.  Like all journey's, it shapes who we become.  This month our Aleph class will share the beginning of their Jewish journey at their Consecration ceremony Shabbat morning, February 9.  They will perform a skit and songs, which will talk about the Jewish values, customs, and traditions that they are learning in Religious School.  They will receive the Siddur, which they will be using throughout their Religious School journey.  On the inside cover there is a picture of them, today as a third grader, with this special date.  When they see that picture they will always recall whom they were when this important passage began.  It sounds like the beginning, but most of the students have been part of the school since Kindergarten.  They have experienced the holidays, learned about Jewish values, heard stories, sang songs, learned the Aleph Bet.  What makes our school special is, our school is not just for the students, we involve the whole family.  Every grade has a family Education Program where parent participation is expected.  The programs are facilitated by Rabbi Graber and Mrs. Ellen Shifrin, our Educational Director.  They are geared for adults and children to learn together and share that experience.  They are helping to create a joint journey in Judaism.  One class may have a table full of Judaic objects and everyone is trying to see how many things they can identify and what ritual they may be used for.  Or they are creating an edible Sukkah as they learn about the customs of the holiday.  We don't just teach Haftorah lesson in preparation for B'nai Mitzvah we have five workshops with B'nai Mitzvah as the theme.  It includes topics such as mitzvot, prayer, expectations and finally a display of the Parashah Projects.  The students collect Tzedakah, and earmark the money each year towards a different Jewish cause.  They learn history, Israel, reading, praying, Jewish values and so much more.  They don't just talk about Shabbat; they create it with projects and Shabbat experience (look for the pictures in the school section).  Our Parent's Association builds a bridge by providing more programs to enhance their school experience, by baking Challahs or making latkes, and Israel Affairs engages the families to march in the Israel Day Parade.  I'm proud of our Religious School and the variety of learning opportunities we offer.  I'm proud of the fact that our Educational Director, teachers and parents are dedicated to our students and making our school a positive experience.  Try to make Feb. 9 Shabbat services, so you too can 'kvell' at our Aleph Consecration.
    Another thing I am proud of is the way some people take ownership of new ideas and make them happen.  I'd like to take this opportunity to say, Kol Hakavod to our newly formed 'Inclusion Committee'.  When UJA came up with this idea, I thought about many of the ways we include and welcome everyone, but how can we do more.  I engaged a few people and they asked a few more, and suddenly a very dedicated working committee was formed.  Steve Kline, Linda Jacknow, Mindy Knaster, Raoul & Joan Vegosen, Alice Laby were able to come up with some ways we can make our shul even more welcoming.  Our special Shabbat on February 2 is not a one-time deal.  It is mearly a springboard to making positive improvements to what we already offer.  Our efforts were supported financially by Dr. Jeff & Minnie Burns, Mrs. Irene Haupt (who called from Florida as soon as she heard about this program) and Dr. Ira & Gaylann Klonsky.  In the bulletin you will see the ceremony where we hung two new Mezzuot at a more accessible height, so everyone can reach them.  Todah Rabah for your support.  If you have ideas for a new program or an improvement on an old one, let me know.
    There's more to come, and of course you can read about all the upcoming events in the bulletin.  So turn the page and mark your calendar for the events that speak to you.
    By the way, have you seen our new E-Shabbat Shalom?  If you have not been receiving it, then we probably do not have your e-mail address.  Please call the synagogue so we can add you to our list, or send an e-mail to jamiesch@optonline.net.

B’Shalom, Janice Brown

Drop me an email: JBrown18@gmail.com  I’d love to hear from you.