Family Education blog
Monday, March 15, 2010
Family Seder Workshop this Sunday (3/21)
Come to the Family Seder Workshop, this Sunday (the 21st) from 9:45 to 11:00 in the morning! We'll explore strategies for keeping our sedarim fresh and exciting (and family-friendly), while also keeping an eye on the larger challenge of observing Pesach for the entire week. See you there!
Sunday, December 31, 2009
Synaplex Havdalah
by Leslie Sherman
Last night was Temple Emunah's first "Synaplex Havdalah" event. What a wonderful success! There were over 100 people there, representing most of our congregation's constituencies. At the start, the littlest kids had a great Havdalah activity with Rabbi Jacobs, while the older kids (including my own two boys) played ga-ga and the adults participated in either Bob Frankel's wonderfully enlighting talk on "Midrash at the Movies" or the learners' Minḥah service with Dick Wissoker and Rabbi Lerner.
As always at Temple Emunah, the Havdalah service itself was a beautiful experience. And then after the service, everyone enjoyed "top your own" pizzas and salad, with a fabulous "make your own" sundae bar for dessert. The grown-ups were very patient and let the kids get their ice cream first. But they certainly weren't shy when it came to making their own sundaes once the kids were settled! The ice cream ended up being a bit melty, but personally, I like it that way - and it sure was easier to scoop!
After dinner the kids continued to play ga-ga and ping pong or watched the movie "G-Force." And many of the kids headed down to the youth lounge for some competitve games on the Wii. Since most of the kids are really too young to have the opportunity to hang out in the youth lounge on a regular basis, it was especially fun for them! The adults enjoyed some socializing and a fun game of m&m poker. It's so much fun hanging out with good friends at the temple and just relaxing, schmoozing and enjoying being together.
I got to help out in the kitchen last night. What an experience! It really gave me a greater appreciation for those who volunteer in the kitchen much more regularly than I do. We had a pretty good assembly line going - with pizzas into the oven, out of the oven, onto the serving tables, and more pizzas into the oven, out of the oven, etc, etc. Thank goodness I was just one of a whole team of people who prepped and served and cleaned up last night. Lesley Kanef, Judy Zola, Liza Halley and Debbie Cohen were awesome! Thanks guys! And a huge thank you to Lauren Goldberg and Rabbi Jacobs for their awesome marketing of this event and for pulling the whole thing together and keeping it running all night. How fortunate I feel to be a part of this special place.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Hanukkah Party!
The Temple Hanukkah Party yesterday evening was a wonderful affair. Temple members of all ages filled the social halls with fun, latkes, candles -- and, of course, music, featuring The Jews Brothers!
To get a sense of what the party was like, click on any (or all) of these thumbnail images:
Friday, November 6, 2009
Family Shabbat Dinner and upcoming events
The Family Shabbat Dinner on October 23 was a huge success. Thank you to the 90 people who attended, and to Rabbi Jacobs, Shoshana Jacob, Janet Goldberg and Lesley Kanef for making it happen!
Also, don't forget about our upcoming November events: Tot Shabbat tomorrow morning (November 7) at 10:30 am, and Family Minyan in two weeks (10:30 am, Saturday, November 21).
Monday, October 19, 2009
Reminder: Family Shabbat Dinner and Service this Friday
Don't forget about the family Shabbat dinner and service this coming Friday (October 23rd) at 5:45 pm! There will be activities and a Kabbalat Shabbat service targeted to children in grades K-2 and their siblings. RSVP now for this great way to celebrate Shabbat with friends and without cooking. The evening will conclude with a dessert reception at 7:45 pm. See you there!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Reflections on the Lulav Shake
by Robin Goldstein
Since I put together my first lulav, the Lulav Shake has been one of my favorite events at Temple Emunah. At the end of a busy school or workday, a brief stop at Temple Emunah for the Lulav Shake can provide the attitude readjustment needed to transition into your evening. The appealing aromas of myrtle and etrog provide the sumptuous setting for this relaxing event. Sukkot is a hands-on holiday, with opportunities to touch, smell, and shake, perfect for children of all ages. This year (this past September 30th), children from Temple Emunah’s religious school participated in assembling lulavim for the school.
Whether you decide to put together your own lulav or pick up one that is already assembled, the Lulav Shake is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the rituals of the lulav and etrog, important symbols of Sukkot. Patient experts are present and available to assist you in making palm “belts” to hold together the various species of the lulav. Meet new people while engaging in informal discussions about the joyous celebration of Sukkot. Children, and their parents, can sip on green milkshakes, a true lulav shake, which will surely hold you over until dinner.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Family Shabbat Dinner
Details about the upcoming family Shabbat dinner (Friday, October 23rd) can now be seen here. RSVP soon for a wonderful time with friends and family!
Wednesday, October 6, 2009
Save the date: Family Shabbat Dinner and Service, Friday October 23rd
Everyone is invited to the next family Shabbat dinner and service. It will include activities and a Kabbalat Shabbat service targeted to children in grades K-2 and their siblings. This is a great way to celebrate Shabbat with friends and without cooking! Activities will begin at 5:45 pm and the evening will conclude with a dessert reception at 7:45 pm. More details to follow soon -- we look forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Lulav Shake
Come to this evening's Lulav Shake from 5:00 to 7:30 PM! Learn about the mitzvot of lulav and etrog, see the four species up close, and enjoy the delicious Lulav Shake! (For those who ordered a lulav and an etrog, this is the time to assemble your lulav and pick up your order.) See you there!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sukkot Marketplace
We had a lot of fun at the Sukkot Marketplace yesterday morning! We sold lots of decorations, took Lulav and Etrog orders, and interested people in building their own Sukkah. Thank you very much to Karen Garber for spearheading this event and staying all morning to help out, Rabbi Jacobs for getting us all organized, and to Robin Alperin and Suzanne Cooper for super set-up help!