Help Us to Help You

Prepare today for the needs of tomorrow
Aesop

The month of May means more than spring, flowers, and (hopefully!) warmer days: Calendaring is just around the corner and we are planning next year’s programming. What did you like? What would you like to see? Would you like to see more options on a Sunday morning? Daytime during week? More evenings? What types? Practical? Parenting-oriented? Academic? Hands-on?

A sampling of the past year’s programs include: For the seven-and-under-set, we have enjoyed YOFEE Shabbat mornings, where everyone has the opportunity to get close to the Torah, YOFEE Havdalah, when we get to make cool crafts, say good-bye to Shabbat and welcome the week; YOFEE Totpalooza, when you can dance, dance, dance! (And, of course, we always eat!). Last summer’s hallah bake during the YOFEE drop-in was a great success. We have also offered story time and a scavenger hunt.

We have been fortunate to have teachers like Rabbi Wayne Dosick who, as our scholar in residence, showed us how to cope when life hurts, how to raise ethical children, and how 20 minutes of Kabbalah daily can change our lives. Rabbi David Nelson focused on the dilemma we face as American Jews: how do we connect to Israel? Robert Jacobs unlocked the mysteries of computers and programs, offering practical advice and direction. The weekly Shabbat Morning Study Minyan continues to worship and explore the intricacies of Torah.

In addition to our regular curriculum, under the direction of Cantor Barash, the choir chug has evolved into a wonderful youth choir that has brightened up Sunday mornings for residents at the Sarah Chudnow campus as well as joining the adult choir on Friday evening worship services. Students participating in the art chug, among other things, have beautified our building with their romping, rollicking self-portraits (look down the first floor hallway!). The seventh grade went on monthly trips to the Jewish home, building relationships with the residents and making real their study of g’milut chasadim (acts of kindness) and bikur cholim (visiting the sick). The 8th and 9th graders had the opportunity to engage in Teen Day of Discovery and Teen Day of Social Action.

What activities might you want to share with your children? What personal growth opportunities would you like to explore? Do you have a topic that you could teach? Let us know! We have enjoyed some fabulous programming during the past year and plan to continue our variety of offerings. Feel free to email me at educationdirector@ceebj.org, call me at 414-228-7545, or stop in and chat. I’d love to hear from you!

L’Shalom
Amy Kazilsky