I've moved

Shalom,

I am no longer blogging at this address.  If you'd like to follow me, please use this one instead:

http://tsmanishma.blogspot.com/

Same Morah time
Different Morah channel

New (School) Year is About to Begin

Shalom Chaveirim:

Every new school year brings its own excitement with it. I love greeting our new and returning students and their families each year. How fortuitous that the new school year coincides with the Jewish New Year; a sense of renewal all around.

Our first day of classes for grades K-5 is on Wednesday, September 12th and our first day of classes for grades 6 & 7 is on Thursday, September 13th. Classes are from 4:00-6:15.

All members should have received with their High Holiday tickets children's services and programming, so if you'd like to enroll your child, please do so soon.

Other information I hope you've received is from Young Judaea, which is having different activities for their age clubs on September 9th. If you are not on the YJ email list, let me know and I'll get you there.

I also know many of our Chai Schoolers are eager for the schedule, which will be out next week. Chai School classes begin October 4th. Also coming up in October on the 7th is our Simchat Torah/Consecration service and Pot Luck Luncheon in, God willing, the Sukkah!

I look forward to seeing all the smiling faces. I hope you, too, will stop by and say SHALOM!

An early Shanah Tovah u'Metookah/A Sweet and Wonderful New Year,

Morah Judy

What is the purpose of being a kid?

Rabbi Avi Orlow, Director of Jewish Education at the Foundation for Jewish Camp, posed this question to our generation's foremost Talmud scholar, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.  The rabbis thoughts follow:

Childhood is when we see and experience things for the first time, discover anew that which is already there. Children have the delight of discovery. As adults, we acquire a more organized way of learning and studying, but also lose the feel of the freshness of things. Because of that, most adults are – almost by definition – slightly dull.

Creative ability is only found in those who retain a part of their childhood. The artist and the scientist both have this freshness of view. An apple falls from a tree: the child asks – why does it fall and not fly? –and such questions are the beginning of science.

Even some human emotions stem from our most child-like parts: being in love is the ability to see the “other” as someone novel whom you can have dreams about.

The child’s inner and outer ability to grow is the real source of our life.

Rabbi Avi Orlow, Director of Education at the Foundation for Jewish Camp, responds:

I spend my summers traveling to see the great work being done by scores of non-profit Jewish overnight summer camps. Camp is a uniquely child-centered environment. It is a wonderful place just because everyone, adults included, is open to the experience of wonder. In childhood, fun and learning need not be distinct activities. Camp is not just a location; it is also an invitation. It is a call to all of us to reconnect with our inner child.

Shalom Chaveirim,

I want to share with you some thoughts from Rabbi Jonathan Saks, the Chief Rabbi of England, in this short video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7xc4u-TOL3I

Shalom,

On May 12th we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Shabbat.  And while we appreciate all our teachers, we paid a special tribute to Barbara Sklar, who is retiring from our Religious School after 46 years of teaching.  I received this thank-you card from Barb and I'd like to share it with all of you:

Dear Parents and Students,

Thank you so much for the wonderful teacher appreciation Shabbat service we recetlycelebrated.  I loved the two songs the seventh graders wrote and sung in my honor.  At this service I was presented with a beautiful piece of art work that is already hanging in my living room.

Artwork we gave Morah Sklar to which you all contributed

I have enjoyed working in our Religious School teaching a variety of Hebrew and secular subjects plus tutoring students for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah since Temple was founded in 1966.  I plan to sub in our Religious School when I am available.

Again, I think you for all your support over my many years of teaching at Temple.  

Todah Rabbah (Many Thanks),

(Morah) Barbara Sklar

End of School Year Does Not Mean End of Activities

Friday, May 4^th Folk Service 5:30*

Saturday, May 5^th, Bat Mitzvah of Rachel Norotsky, 10 a.m.

Sunday, May 6^th, The Wholesale Klezmer Band in concert from 6:30-9:00

Wednesday, May 9^th, the entire Jewish community is invited to celebrate Lag B’Omer at Oakledge Park from 4:30-Dusk; dinner will be served.

May 12^th – Teacher Appreciation Shabbat and last official day of Religious School

May 19^th Aleinu at the home of Louise Stoll and Marc Monheimer. For those of you not familiar with our Aleinu series, we gather in a member’s home on a Saturday evening, do Havdallah, have some drinks and dessert, and have a guest speaker on an interesting Jewish topic. On May 19^th I’m happy to say we have Temple member, Shelagh Shapiro, who hosts a radio show and podcast called “Write the Book” in which she interview authors, poets, literary agents and others involved in the field of literature. Shelagh herself is a published author. I’m sure it will be a most fascinating evening.

1 special concert coming up on 2 dates:

Sunday, May 20, 2012, 4:00 PM: Temple Sinai, 500 Swift Street, South Burlington

Sunday, June 3, 2012, 4:00 PM: Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 N. Prospect Street, Burlington

Open My Lips: Sacred Music from 1600 to Today

Choral music by Salamone Rossi, Michael Praetorius, Louis Lewandowski, Bruce Chalmer, and Don Jamison, performed by the Rossi Festival Singers and the Burlington Jewish Community Choir, directed by Bruce Chalmer.

Next time you’re in Temple, stop by the Art Exhibit outside the 7^th Grade classroom and see what the students have created as part of their Holocaust studies unit.

Events for Jewish teens: Check out the YJ website: http://sites.google.com/site/youngjudaeavermont/bogrim

*June - Don't forget that all Friday night services move to 6:00, summer time.

Bnai Mitzvot: (All services begin at 10 a.m.)

2nd - Drew Coel

9th - Gabe Katz

16th - Colby Chatoff

30th - Eva Edwards-Stoll

Passover Cooking

With Passover just 10 days away (starts Friday night, April 6th), time is getting short to clean and prepare for the holiday.

Of course food plays an important role in every Jewish holiday, even Yom Kippur. Why just think, you spend a lot of time preparing the meal before the fast and much attention to what will be served at the break fast. See what I mean?

I've culled a number of really yummy recipes for you.

Here's one for Kosher for Passover AND vegan chocolate cake:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/blog/food/2012/03/26/passover-recipes-chocolate-truffle-pie/

The latest issue of Reform Judaism Magazine has a recipe for Gefilte Fish. If you've never made your own, it's really not as difficult as you think:
http://reformjudaismmag.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=2973

Of course, there's the Matzah Ball--floaters or sinkers. You decide. And yes, there are ways to control how that happens:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Passover/At_Home/Food_and_the_Kitchen/Matzah_Balls.shtml

Wishing you a ziessen and a Kasher Pesach - a sweet and Kosher Passover.

• Every few years there’s one Haggadah that comes out that captures the imagination and prevailing zeitgeist. This year Jonathan Safran Foer (“Everything is Illuminated”) and Nathan Englander (“For the Relief of Unbearable Urges”) have come out with the New American Haggadah. Jonathan Safran Foer orchestrates a new way of experiencing this text. His unique book is beautifully designed and illustrated by the acclaimed artist and calligrapher Oded Ezer, with a new translation by Nathan Englander. It brings together: Howard Jacobson, Lemony Snicket, Alain de Botton, Simon Schama, Tony Kushner, Michael Pollan, Jeffrey Goldberg and Rebecca Newberger Goldstein.
  
  

  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks's Haggadah: Hebrew and English Text with New Essays and Commentary by Jonathan Sacks
  From the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, this Haggadah is actually two books in one. At what would be the back of an English-language book is the Haggadah in large, beautiful Hebrew typography, with an English translation adapted and with a running commentary by Rabbi Sacks.

  Go Forth and Learn: David Silber (Author), Rachel Furst (Collaborator) Hebrew and English text with new commentary and essays. Rabbi Silber has given us two books in one: the Haggadah itself, in English and Hebrew, with his Seder commentary and a collection of essays that provide close readings of the classic biblical and rabbinic texts that inform Seder-night ritual and narration. Both parts work beautifully together to illuminate the central themes of Passover: people hood, Covenant, our relationship to ritual, God’s presence in history, and other important issues that resonate with us all.
  
  
  

  

  Elie Wiesel (Author), Mark Podwal (Illustrator)

  With this Passover Haggadah, Elie Wiesel and his friend Mark Podwal invite you to join them for the Passover Seder. Wiesel and Podwal guide you through the Haggadah and share their understanding and faith in a special illustrated edition.
  Accompanying the traditional Haggadah text (which appears here in an accessible new translation) are Elie Wiesel's poetic interpretations, reminiscences, and instructive retellings of ancient legends. The Nobel laureate interweaves past and present as the symbolism of the Seder is explored.
  
  
  
  

  Children

  Shmuel Blitz and his brilliant children’s books never cease to amaze. This is his seventh book -- and they just seem to get better and better. This time, he puts his talents to the task of creating a Children’s Haggadah, and the result is one that will be enjoyed by child and grown-up alike. Specifically written for children ages 4-8, the full Hebrew text of the Haggadah is accompanied by a child-oriented, yet accurate English translation. There are clear, precise instructions that will guide the child through every stage of the Seder. And, each page contains a box that provides additional information about the Pesach narrative for the interested youngster.
  

  by Harriet Goldner. Adults and children alike will appreciate this traditional Seder presented in a non-traditional way.
  
  It is easy to understand, enjoyable, and interesting. One six-year-old asked if it was written by Dr. Seuss!
  
  What better way to engage children in this wonderful, ritual observance?
  
  

  All
  
  

  30-Minute Seder

  The "Must Have" Haggadah written for the contemporary Jewish family.
  Whether you purchase the book or download the print-your-own version of 30minute-Seder™... this refreshingly brief, rabbinically approved Passover Haggadah maintains the reverence of Passover while keeping the high points intact. The contemporary gender-neutral text, beautiful full-color illustrations, and Seder songs make for a memorable Passover Seder that engages and entertains the entire family.

  New for 2012

  Written by Alan S. Yoffie Illustrations by Mark Podwal

  The inclusive text, commentary, and magnificent original artwork in this new Haggadah will make all family members and friends feel welcome at your seder. Young and old, beginners and experienced seder participants, will experience the joy of celebrating Passover together with clear step-by-step explanations, inspiring readings on the themes of justice and freedom for all, and opportunities for discussion. Songs to sing along with will be available for download also.
  

  Feminist

  Feminist Haggadot emphasize the role of women in the Passover story. “The Journey Continues: The Ma’yan Passover Haggadah,” from 2006 as part of the Jewish Women’s Project, tells the story of the Exodus in the voices of both men and women and reflects a vision of a world in which freedom belongs to all people.

  Downloadable

  About.com

  This website offers 8 downloadable Haggadot crossing all lines, from novices to experts, even non-observant Jews, including the vocalized Haggadah, enabling you to hear the Seder service.
  
  
  

  The Wandering is Over - from JewishBoston.comThis free, downloadable half-hour Seder might be just the thing for you and your guests. It’s pretty bare bones but has all the essentials.
  
  

  GLBT Passover Haggadah

  Downloadable:

  The GLBT Haggadah integrates GLBT Passover traditions within the spirit of the traditional Passover experience. It includes a GLBT-specific Seder plate, the Four GLBT Children, the Prophetess Miriam's Cup, a Timeline of GLBT Events that parallels the Magid and much, MUCH more. This Haggadah is interactive and allows participants to color-in graphics for a unique & colorful personal touch. Download and read more.

  
  

$8.25 an hour

What do you spend on lessons for your child? What does it cost for piano or violin lessons? Dance/ballet? Tai Kwan Do or other Martial Arts? Horseback riding? Sports-team fees and equipment? Tutoring? Skiing? Gym membership? Child-care?

On one of my listserves the topic of tuition for Religious School has come up and what is fair to charge families. So it got me thinking -- what is our per hour charge for school here at Temple Sinai? I worked out the math and here's what I came up with

$545 a year /divided by # of sessions 2-hour (33) = $16.5 /divided by 2 = $8.25 an hour

And when you consider the tuition for Ganeinu, that works out to $2.70 an hour. What other for-fee after school activity costs so little?

So for $8.25 an hour your child gets a wonderful Jewish education, learning about things s/he won't learn anywhere else -- Jewish history, culture, language, ethics, religion, spirituality, morality, commonality. We cater to the intellect, the spiritual, the social, the communal aspects of the child and his or her place in the community and the world.

So when it comes right down to it, $2.70 or even $8.25 an hour is a small price to pay for what your child is getting. Not to mention the benefits you and your family derive from temple membership. A synagogue is more than its school, its worship services, its events, activities, classes, rabbis, teachers, and programs. It's you and what you put into it. The more you put in, the bigger the pay off.

You really can't measure in dollars and cents your investment in the Jewish community and your child's future. You can only measure in sense. What are the values you hope to impart to your child?

Funny Jews

Did you happen to read the Temple Sinai Weekly Update this week? Did you notice the link to Jewish Humor in America? I also posted on the Vermont Chai School FB page the following article, all about Jews in Television
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/culture/2/Film/television.shtml

Even before this article, did you know we taught a class with that very theme at our Chai School last year. It covered shows from The Goldbergs through Curb Your Enthusiasm. If you'd like your post-Bnai Mitzvah child to learn about this area of Jewish history, something they will not get anyplace else, then the Vermont Chai School is the place where s/he ought to be. Call me to enroll now.

Learn Sabbath Blessings

Have you ever wanted to make Shabbat as a family but you’re not sure how to make all the blessings? Here’s a great kid-friendly website/cartoon you can watch with your child and learn all the Sabbath blessings: Candle-lighting, Kiddush, motzi, even the blessing for washing hands if you choose to do that.

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/elcms/jewniverse/shabbat-blessings.shtml

It’s from the same folks who bring you G-dcast, the weekly Torah portion in cartoon-friendly form. Want to know what’s going on in this week’s parsha? Tune in. Or should I say “toon” in?

http://www.g-dcast.com/

Is everyone becoming Jewish?

In my job, I get to read A LOT, particularly articles and books concerning Israel, Judaism, politics, education, etc. One of the trends I’ve noticed is the increased practice and celebration of Jewish holidays and rituals by non-Jews.

I first came across this several years ago when I read about non-Jewish children wanting to have 13^th year celebrations similar to Bar & Bat Mitzvahs. Many of the non-Jewish children and their families were attending these celebrations and wanted to have a similar ritualized celebration to mark this passage from childhood into another phase of their lives. First I thought having a big party had a lot to do with it but it transcended a mere party, it was the act of having a public reckoning that points to this important transition. In other words…they want a Bnai Mitzvah!

Another trend I read about, first in the New York Times and since then in the Huffington Post and on numerous blogs, is Shabbat. As our society becomes ever more fragmented and electronically connected, people and families are finding that they want or NEED one day a week to just BE, to unplug EVERYTHING electronic, slow down and spend quiet time with their families. Huh, in other words, they want SHABBAT!

Another ritual which has been making waves is circumcision. Abraham was commanded by God to circumcise all males on their 8^th day as a sign of our covenant with God. This practice has been controversial – to the point where many Jews feel it’s barbaric and unnecessary. If so, then why is there a push on the continent of Africa to educate males to circumcise? Because the medical evidence is overwhelming that males who are NOT circumcised have a greater chance of spreading HIV than circumcised males. So now the World Health Organization is recommending males be circumcised.

In other words…they now want a Bris!

The marriage canopy. It symbolizes the fragility of our lives and the home we hope to build, being open and welcoming. As intermarriage rates increased, couples would include elements of their Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds. But then another trend started – couples in which neither partner was Jewish started adding chuppahs to their ceremony, saying it made a fine focal point under which a bride and groom can stand together and which they could personalize through decorations, either with flowers or something which was personally made and meaningful.

In other words… they want a Chuppah!

And finally, death. Jewish practice is that when a person dies s/he should be buried as soon as possible, if possible on the day s/he died, (although in modern times that’s not always possible as sometimes relatives need to come from faraway places). But burial should not be delayed, nor should the body be embalmed. The body is ritually cleansed, wrapped in a white shroud, and in some countries interred that way; in America and other western countries where a casket is required, the coffin should be a plain wooden box, usually pine, with several holes bored into it and no metal nails are permitted in its construction. The basic rule of burial has its origin in Genesis 3:19 “For dust you are and unto dust you shall return.” The idea of boring holes and no metal insures that decomposition should take place quickly.

So a couple of weeks ago I’m reading about “Green burial.” There’s a whole movement (among non-Jews) to do away with embalming, whose fluids are toxic, and to do away with large, varnished or metal coffins with fancy interiors which are bad for the environment. They want to banish the use of vaults. They also say the practice of cremation, while not taking up valuable space in the earth, leaves a greater carbon footprint due to the high heat needed to burn the bodies – that ultimately, putting an unembalmed body into the earth either wrapped in a compostable material or a plain wooden box is the desired method of burial.

In other words…they want a Jewish burial!

So, I got to thinking, why are so many Jews turning away from these practices while the rest of the world is turning toward them? Is it because of the old adage that “we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone”? Or is it because we want what others have?

If you think about it, Judaism is the only ancient civilization still in existence today. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Medes, Babylonians, Saracens, etc. all died out. If you look to Judaism’s practices, many Jews are always looking for rational answers as to why we have to do things a certain way – why Jews can’t eat pork and shellfish (no, it isn’t because of health reasons); why we need to keep the Sabbath, why we honor our parents, why we study. Could it be that God knew best and that finally, the rest of the world is coming to see what we’ve known all along?