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A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

I would like to begin this article with an ‘AWARD WINNING RECIPE’

LAYERS OF SUCCESS

Take one beautiful baby
Add years of tender loving care

And you will get ………one adult

Stir him or her well

With education and experience

Add a little extra love

Like a pinch of spice

After many years the shell will harden

Cracks may appear

Soothe them with understanding

Use the Band-Aid of love to cover the wound

Off times the body will wallow in tears

Add a dose of the best stimulant

Your sense of humor

A crust will appear on the edges

And the filling will be a heart of love

With maturity will come mellowness
When you slice the cake

Success will ooze out.

The siddur is a complex but logical arrangement of prayers, hopes, dreams, and goals of our people. The siddur, when old and cannot be used any longer, must be buried in a very special way. This past month, our Kitah Gimel students had the opportunity to bury our old siddurim in the genizah at the Pine Brook Jewish Center’s cemetery. A genizah, גניזה is a depository in a cemetery, usually specifically for worn-out Hebrew-language books and papers on religious topics because it is forbidden to throw away writings containing the name of God (even personal letters and legal contracts could open with an invocation of God). These students kissed each siddur before passing it to the Rabbi for burial with such kavod, and respect. I was so proud of them and want to share with you, the parents, the maturity and reverence each of these students had regarding this program.

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word to reflect as to have a bearing or influence. I trust that we have given our students the skills to express thoughts or opinions resulting from “reflection.” Our Religious School has embarked on a fabulous and exciting voyage to learn about our heritage. It has been a fun trip filled with adventure and experiences that will help guide our students for the rest of their lives. We have had an enriching and rewarding year at the School and I look forward to watching your children grow into fine young adults.

Registration is open for our Hebrew High (8-10) Program. Learning does not stop at post Bar or Bat Mitzvah and we have created a curriculum that is fun, educational and instructive. We have instituted an amazing Madrichim program; we are planning a trip to Washington , DC , and our expectations are to have our students lead us in the Ma’ariv service. Please do not hesitate to call me for further information.

May we all continue to go from “strength to strength”; have a wonderful summer and see you in September.

B’Shalom,

Mary Sheydwasser

Religious School Director.