Chadashot*
The latest news* of all things
youth and education
at Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation

Issue 19
February 20, 2020
25 Sh'vat, 5780
Greetings,

It may seem like a quiet time at Adat Shalom, but like forest in late winter, there is a lot going under the surface. The High Holidays are way behind us and Passover is far in the distance and, while we are furiously planning for an epic Purim (March 8 - 10), we are also starting to plan for the upcoming year of learning. Not only are we taking a closer look at our Torah School and what our formal educational programming should look like, we are also eager to enhance our programming for our youngest learners and to create new opportunities for our tweens and teens.

I invite, and in fact encourage you to reach out and be a part of this process. Let's talk about what your vision for formal and informal Jewish learning is for your family -- for your kids, for you, and even your extended family. Is yours a multi-faith or interfaith or multi-racial family? How can we meet your needs? Do you have kids with different interests and abilities? What can we do to support you and them in learning about Jewish culture, history and values? Are you looking at a b-mitzvah celebration in the near future? What do you want to get out of that and how can Adat Shalom make the process less anxiety producing and more meaningful? Do you want your kids to just "love being Jewish" but really don't know how to make that happen in today's world? We want to work with you to help make Judaism matter in your life and the life of your family.

My door is open and I'd welcome the chance to learn from you about what's important and how we can build an educational program that we can all feel good about.

Please join me in extending a hearty mazal tov to Bradley Levinson and his family as he's called to the Torah this weekend.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rena
Rena Milchberg
Interim Education and Operations Director

PS The next meeting of the Torah School council is on March 3. All are welcome.
For Families with Elementary Age Kids
Kabbalat Shabbat: "Reception of the Sabbath"
aka Welcoming Shabbat
Friday evening, February 28, 6:30 - 8:30PM

Are you a parent of an elementary school age child? Perhaps the grandparent? Or a doting Aunt or Uncle? Grab the family and join us for a Young Elementary Families Shabbat Dinner! We'll start at 6:30 with songs and a short service to welcome Shabbat, followed by a combination pot-luck and Adat Shalom provided dinner. Please  RSVP  and we'll send you information about what to bring. Casual, relaxed and a nice chance to let someone else do the dishes. A little younger or older than elementary school? You and they are welcome!

Does it ever look like this in YOUR house? It never did in mine! But that's OK! There's no right or wrong way to welcome Shabbat.
Jewish Learning for Parents
Exploring Reconstructionist Judaism: with Rabbi Rachel On God and Prayer
Sunday, February 23, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

How do we understand our ancient theology and then rebuild it with authentically Jewish ideas, language and custom to respond to the evolving beliefs of Jewish people and the Torah we revere? This was one of the questions our Reconstructionist founders tried to answer. Now it’s our turn to continue the conversation in our own time. Rabbi Rachel will explore this ongoing process of Jewish theological evolution. She will also share with us how our approach to t’filah (prayer) practice affirms and deepens Reconstructionist ideology and theology through liturgy and ritual.

Bagels will be ready at 9:45. We dive in to learning at 10.
An Update for our Hebrew Time Families
We appreciate the participation of those students and their families who made the time to participate in our Reva L'Shabbat program with Idan on Friday afternoons. Unfortunately, there has not been enough of an interest in the program for us to continue at this time. If you and your child would like some additional Hebrew language time beyond your Hebrew Time session, please let us know. Todah Rabah -- thank you very much.
Jewish Summer Camp Scholarship Application


Thanks to the generosity of several members of Adat Shalom a limited amount of funds are available to help families send their children to Jewish summer experiences -- Camp, Israel, etc. If you are interested in applying for support, the application can be found here. The deadline for applying is February 26. All requests are kept in confidence.
Kol HaKavod - Way to Go!
Kol HaKavod -- Way to Go! Fifth Graders Lilah and Noah Sacks ! Today during the daily Minyan at the Charles E Smith Jewish Day School, Noah and Lilah read Torah for the first time. Supported by our own Adat Shalom former minyan leader, Sue Marks , and Rabbi Rachel, and of course their proud parents, Lisa Landsman and Murray Sacks.
Social Justice Trip to Israel
Go to Israel with two longstanding Israeli progressive organizations, Hashomer Hatzair and Habonim Dror. Taglit-Birthright Israel is leading a new trip, “Exploring Israel as a Shared Society.” The dates are June 7 – June 18, 2020. Jewish-Americans and Jewish-Canadians between the ages of 18 to 26, who have not gone on a previous Israel trip, are eligible to apply to participate. Like other Birthright trips, this is essentially a free trip for those whose applications are accepted. The dates are from June 7 - 18 2020. For more information, please click here.