News From The Director Of Education

New from The Director of Education - Why Is It Important To Repeat Ourselves? - April 2013

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:46:00 GMT

Every month, it’s a challenge to figure out a new way to express an important message. I usually begin by scanning previous years’ articles hoping that some fresh idea will occur to me. I think about recent educational experiences and conversations with other educators. Next, my mind considers those around me and the question comes up, “have I expressed appreciation and admiration where it is due?” Then, I think about the calendar and the events that have occurred and what is coming up. Lastly, I worry about repeating myself. BUT, sometimes the message is just too important not to repeat.

Wait a minute - repeating oneself? Isn’t this an important teaching methodology? When we repeat things, they become part of our personal culture. We rely on repetition to move ideas from short term to long term brain files. We celebrate the same Jewish holidays every year. This repetition of celebration builds a greater knowledge bank about Jewish customs and culture.

Now to the real meat of this month’s message – Hebrew and repetition. Hebrew is one of many things which distinguish us as a culture. We may not all aspire to make aliyah to Israel, but how can one deny that to hear the Sh’ma is to wake up and take notice. We have designed our curriculum to teach prayer Hebrew in such a way that our students can experience a connection to being Jewish. The 27 Sundays we are in Religious School lays the foundation. It is imperative that students practice during the week. AND it is just as important to attend Shabbat services. Hearing the prayers and joining in with the community cements a connection. It is also an opportunity for students to connect what they are learning with practice. Learning Hebrew eighteen years ago, I took the Cantor’s Hebrew class. It gave me the base, but Shabbat attendance made me feel comfortable to read Hebrew prayers with and in front of the congregation.

I hope you will bring your children to Shabbat services regularly. It’s a shanda for students to lose the momentum they have built up over the year. Attending Shabbat services allows students a greater connection to Shabbat and the Kehillah and gives them an opportunity to practice their Hebrew by following along with the service. Sounds too easy! So join me, the Rabbi, Cantor and whoever happens to show up at services! What a great way to build Kehillah (community) and confidence in learning the prayers.

April’s a short month due to spring Break and the Roswell Bike Race. Mark your calendars for our Confirmation Shabbat, Friday May 3^rd and/or join us Saturday morning, May 4^th for our 5^th/6^th grade Shabbat! Confirmation Shabbat is always fascinating to hear prayer interpretation by our 10^th graders. The next morning Rabbi Winokur answers all your questions about the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service and it is always rewarding to hear our students lead the prayers!

Wishing you all a great Passover!

News From the Director of Education - 6th Grade Leadership Project Speaks Out - March 2013

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:15:00 GMT

Our 6th grade class, under the tutelage of Caroline Figiel, has taken on a communal leadership project. Each group has created a marketing campaign to help fight hunger. They have researched the problem, talked about and come up with ideas to educate our congregation and participate in activities which will contribute funds and canned goods to make a dent in the local hunger fight.

As a community, we participate in Operation Isaiah during the High Holy Days. Possibly, by the time you read this, our 6th grade food drive will be over. However, hunger doesn’t take a rest after a drive. I encourage you to bring canned goods to donate when you come to temple. "To save one life is to save the world." (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4.5). One less hungry person could be the difference in the world.

Below are samples of the educational pieces from our 6th grade, both session A and session (as featured in the March 2013 Kol Kehillah newsletter):

News From The Director of Education - A Commitment To Inclusiveness - February 2013

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:14:00 GMT

While February is Jewish Disability Awareness Month, we have made a commitment year round, as a community, to be aware of disabilities and to be as inclusive as possible.

Whenever we have made renovations to our physical campus, we have made sure to look at what we are doing with an eye towards allowing people access to our space. We have also made a commitment to be inclusive within our educational programs.

Going back over 15 years ago, a family was searching for a Sunday school program in which to place their daughter who had cerebral palsy. Between Diane Zimmerman, who was our Education Director at the time, and Caroline Figiel, our 2nd grade teacher, they determined how best to include this incredible young person who had difficulty moving around and in making herself understood. I remember watching with pride as my son as well as other members of their class treated her with dignity and respect. Their experience was enriched and their eyes opened to the need for empathy of others. Her parents were excited that she would have some exposure to Jewish ritual, stories and prayer.

This tradition continued when, in 2002, RuthE Levy, our next Education Director, applied for a three-year pilot program called Yad b’ Yad, a part of the AMIT, to allow us to have an on-site special educator available to assist students with special needs and to support teachers in developing strategies to teach those who learn differently. The Atlanta Jewish Federation funded this effort fully for the first year and reduced the amount over the space of three years to encourage congregations to include this staff position. Our Special Education Consultant was here every other week.

Special needs don’t happen "every other week". In 2004, one of the first things I did when I assumed the role of Education Director was to allocate more funding (in our budget) to make sure we had appropriate support every Sunday. Jeanette Oppenheimer, a long-time Kehillah member and special educator for Fulton County schools, was offered the "every week" position. Jeanette immediately set about the task communicating with parents to identify students with special learning challenges. From information provided by parents, she is able to assist our teachers in developing strategies to assist our students. While some students receive more direct contact with Ms. Oppenheimer, most students benefit from her sharing her vast store of knowledge with our teachers. This position has become even more important with the dissolution of AMIT, the Jewish community’s program which supports the learning challenged population.

I am very proud of everything we have done here at the Kehillah to make sure everyone feels included. The message we send to our community is one of being inclusive of those who think, learn and live differently. "Do not look at the vessel, but what is in it." is often repeated in the disability community as "consider the person, not the disability". Our Kehillah is committed to being open to possibilities, and isn’t that what we all wish for?

News From The Director of Education - The Gift of a Jewish Summer Camp Experience - January 2013

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 20:59:00 GMT

It’s January – time to begin thinking and making plans for summer camp! Jewish summer camps keep the connection going for kids after the religious school year ends. They live being Jewish in a way that doesn’t seem to happen in our everyday lives. And, the camps make it fun!

URJ Camp Coleman is a Reform Jewish summer camp in Cleveland, GA serving children entering grades 3 to 12. Since 1964, Camp Coleman has provided a creative setting for Jewish living and learning through innovative camp programming. URJ Camp Coleman allows our children to live a wholly Jewish life while at camp. Campers can experience Jewish culture and tradition while in a safe, challenging and fun environment. In a natural setting, campers are given the opportunity to explore their Judaism. Coleman provides a creative setting for Jewish living and learning, through camp programming. At Camp Coleman campers and staff can develop lifelong friendships. Check out Coleman’s website at http://coleman.urjcamps.org for more information. As of the writing of this article, some sessions are full, so go online and see what is still available.

For the sports minded camper, URJ 6 Points Sports Academy is a Reform Jewish sports camp in Greensboro, NC (on the campus of the American Hebrew Academy) for children entering grades 4 to 11. At 6 Points, Jewish athletes participate in top-level sports training alongside the beloved traditions of Reform Jewish camping. This is where young athletes are trained for life. They offer campers intensive, high quality athletic instruction and individual attention. Campers live in state-of-the art facilities, under supervision of positive role models while learning life lessons on and off the playing fields in a Reform Jewish setting. Boys and Girls Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, and Tennis and Boys Baseball and Girls Cheerleading/Dance are offered. Visit http://6points.urjcamps.org for more information.

Then for the outdoors teen, there is Adamah Adventures, whose mission is to challenge teenagers to increase their self-confidence, independence, and sense of adventure, while building a strong Jewish community focused on environmental awareness and outdoor living. Students in 6th – 12th grades can see what the world looks like from the top of a mountain or the bottom of a canyon. Adamah Adventures offers exciting treks that engage teens and tweens with new challenges, new landscapes, and the chance to meet new friends from across the country. Go to www.adamahadventures.org to explore further the possibilities.

The three camps mentioned above are merely a drop in the bucket of what is available for Jewish youth. Please consider giving your child the gift of a Jewish summer camp experience.

Good to Know...

Jewish Camping Foundation offers up to $1,000 toward your child’s first summer at camp.

https://onehappycamper.org

News From The Director of Education - Integrating Technology Into the Religious School Classroom - December 2012

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:13:00 GMT

I guess it goes without saying that I LOVE learning! In fact, I love learning almost as much as I love teaching. Every year, the weekend preceding Thanksgiving, I look forward to the Kallah (a convention of teachers) organized by my fellow Education Directors here in Atlanta.

"Classrooms Connected," a technology theme, was the title of this year’s Kallah. Jonathan Woocher, Chief Executive Officer of JESNA (Jewish Education Service of North America), the Jewish Federation system’s educational coordinating, planning and development agency, was the keynote speaker. His inspirational message was meant to encourage teachers to look to appropriate technology as a tool to connect with today’s young Jewish learners. Many of the speakers showed us the resources they use in the classroom to support and invigorate the learning process.

Our own Caroline Figiel led a presentation entitled "Shift Happens, Social Action Through Technology," during which she talked about the Hunger project she has promoted in our 6th grade classroom for the past two years and how the students used technology to build community in the class as well as incorporate knowledge about the hunger crisis in America and in our own community.

We are very fortunate (a BIG thank you to the diligence of Randy Zimler and anyone who assisted him) to be one of a small handful of Religious School with wireless access in our Education Wing. Teachers are encouraged to utilize technology as an additional mode of teaching. This year, our Hebrew Level 4 teacher, Lori Dreffin, recorded the lessons in Derech Binah, our Hebrew Level 1 primer. I burned CD’s that we gave to the students and their parents during the 3rd grade Family Education Day. This important support will allow students to practice learning the alef-bet at home correctly and will allow parents (even if they do not read Hebrew) to support the "at-home" component of our Hebrew program. The recordings will be uploaded to our website soon so that they will be available for all students to access and review when needed. This is just the beginning of what we can do to support the lessons taught on Sunday during Religious School.

I look forward to continuing our efforts to seeing how technology can be further incorporated into our Religious School programs and invite your ideas and suggestions.

News from the Director of Education - Instilling a Solid Sense of Jewish Identity in our Children - November 2012

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 19:40:00 GMT

Train your child up in the way that they should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Have you noticed a thread in my bulletin articles for the past few months? Last month I wrote about the importance of the Religious School Committee and in September, the focus was on our teachers. This month the spotlight is on parents and things you can do to help. When we work together as clergy, teachers and parents, we are better able to instill a solid sense of Jewish identity in our children.

Even in interfaith families, when a choice is made to raise children Jewish, it is more than the bestowing of a Hebrew name and the celebration of Chanukah and eating matzah for Passover, serious thought needs to be given to teaching a child about what it means to be Jewish. Enrolling your child in a Jewish early childhood program can provide a solid foundation on which to build their Jewishness. Saying the "Sh’ma" regularly at bedtime with small children allows them to become familiar with the language of the Jewish people. Remembering to light the candles on Friday night (even if it is over Alessio’s pizza - a personal favorite), shows respect for our customs.

When a Jewish early childhood program is not possible, parents can take advantage of programming through the synagogue and various Jewish community programs, such as PJ Library. Enrolling your child in a religious school program at the synagogue is a wonderful way to gain knowledge, create support groups, and generate friends who are interested in doing many of the same things!

Religious school should be a positive experience for your child. If your child is giving you a difficult time about attending, engage the teacher in a discussion about the things you can do to make it a better experience for your child. Make an appointment with the Rabbi, Cantor or me. During religious school there are engaging opportunities to learn about our religion, its rituals, customs and people, and Jewish culture which is rich in writing and creativity as well as music. Children should be encouraged to continue their Jewish education beyond Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

In addition to this formal religious school programming, in which consistent attendance by students and participation by parents is important; youth group participation, attending a Jewish summer camp all contribute to the base of identity. A positive attitude about attending religious school conveys a sense that what is taught here is important and can help build a mensch.

Parents are an essential part of the equation in the creation of the whole child. Children see what you do, they hear what you say, and will imitate your actions and attitudes. The best thing you can do for your children is to be the person you’d like them to be.

Catherine Rosing

Director of Education

News From the Director of Education - The Importance of the Religious School Committee - October 2012

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:57:00 GMT

The Importance of the Religious School Committee

As the Rabbi announced from the bima during High Holidays, I have been involved with TKC for over 20 years. In the beginning, my involvement was strictly voluntary. One of my first voluntary efforts was serving on the Religious School Committee. This wonderful experience enabled me to grow Jewishly, introduced me to many life-long friends and instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment. The Religious School Committee organized the manuals and wrote down many of the processes which were in place in the educational program here at TKC, as well as helped develop many of the educational policies we adhere to even today.

The Religious School Committee supports the work of the Education Director by offering feedback about the policies, organization and administration of our programs. The committee offers assistance in researching innovations and sometimes provides an alternative view or perspective. It sometimes serves as a sounding board for the Director to assist in continuing to provide the very best educational program possible.

I believe it is time to reinvigorate our TKC Religious School Committee. While Rich Newman, our Religious School Committee Chair, has provided outstanding support and leadership for the past few years, it is time to add to the list of people interested in helping us continue our mission of educating young Jewish minds so that we can move forward for the next 30 years.

Please consider joining me at our next Religious School Committee meeting which will be held Monday, October 15 at 7:00 PM in the Board Room. If you are interested in participating but cannot make the meeting, please contact me! As part of our agenda, we will set future meeting dates.

I look forward to working with you!

Catherine Rosing

Director of Education

News from the Director of Education - Teachers, True Investors in our Future - September 2012

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

I read an article this morning about professional athletes and the way they would like to be paid. It compared the importance of what they do and the amount they make to the importance of what teachers do and the amount they make. I don’t think I need to explain the rest of that article, but it got me thinking. What can I do to encourage people as they are examining their past year and making personal decisions for the coming year to prioritize how we view educators, from Preschool age on up.

Our teachers begin the year with such enthusiasm. Our Preschool staff and Religious School teachers are dedicated to making each day important for the social, intellectual, creative and spiritual development of our students. They desire having everything "just right" to provide a stimulating environment.

You might take notice I said, "begin the year with enthusiasm." Teachers are a dedicated group of people. I don’t know of one person involved in education that chooses it for the money, for the hours (unless it’s to enable them to spend time with their own children), or for the fame and glory. People involved in education are true investors in our future. They need our support to maintain the level of enthusiasm with which they begin.

How can you help? Don’t wait for "Teacher Appreciation Week" or the end of the year to let educators know what a good job they are doing. Listen to them when they talk to you about your child, most educators want what is best for a child and for them to succeed. Communicate appropriately with your child’s teacher. Praise the teacher to your child – or if your child complains about his or her teacher, at least show respect and don’t criticize the teacher in front of your child. Ask your teacher what you can do to help. Even if they have nothing for you to do at that time, they will remember the kindness of being asked. "He who teaches a child is as if he had created it." (Sanhedrin, 19b) Become part of the team, a partner in your child’s education.

If we are all involved in preparing our children for the future, what a wonderful future we have ahead of us. Get involved; show your children that the "Jewish way" is to take action not just talk about the action (although we do a good deal of that, too!)

My family wishes you Shanah Tovah, with much health, happiness and good fortune for the coming year.

Catherine Rosing, Director of Education

News from the Director of Education - Why Read a Book? - August 2012

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:52:00 GMT

Why Read a Book?

• For information

• For pleasure

• To promote Jewish identity

We are moving into the "dog days of summer" – defined as the hottest, most sultry days of summer. The term is believed to have derived from the ancient belief that Sirius (the dog star) was closest to the sun and responsible for the hot weather – Wikipedia. It’s a good opportunity to take a break and READ!!! Now, I know that all schools have a summer reading list for students, but there are also Jewish reading lists and it is said that reading Jewish books helps to promote Jewish identity. Wow! Two for the price of one.

With this in mind, the following websites have good Jewish book lists for children:

• http://books4jewishkids.tripod.com

• http://goodreads.com/list/tag/jewish

• http://tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/86195/children’s-books-2011

• http://siegalcollege.edu/pdf/jbm2010children.pdf

• http://jewishbookcouncil.org/resources/jewish-children’s-and-young-adult-reading-list

Bring your children by the Kehillah and check out a book (or two) from our library. We are looking for volunteers to staff the library on Sunday mornings during Religious School hours so that we may regularly bring our younger students in to check out books. Contact me if you’re interested.

I’d love to hear recommendations from our students about books they have read and loved. Please ask them to keep a list and bring it with them on the first day of Religious School (which is August 19) and I will publish our very own list in the October newsletter.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE PRESCHOOL

TKC has recently been awarded a micro-grant from PJ Library and the Atlanta Jewish Federation. Thank you to Catherine Rosing and Caroline Figiel for developing a program to teach mitzvot to young children through music,stories and activities. The date for the program is yet to be determined but stay tuned for more information on this and other exciting adventures for families at TKC.

Speaking of PJ Library, we are constantly amazed by the number of people who have not heard of this fabulous, FREE (at least in Atlanta, thanks to generous donors) program which puts quality Jewish books and music into the hands of children. PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. Today, families in hundreds of communities across the United States and Canada are able to explore the timeless core values of Judaism through books and music.

All families raising Jewish children from age six months through eight years in the 50 mile radius around Atlanta are welcome to enroll their children. Your child will receive Jewish books and CDs monthly until they age out. Go online to http://www.pjlibrary.org/Communities/Enroll-in-a-Community.aspx?id=35 to take advantage of this wonderful program today!!

News from the Director of Education - Two Itsy Bitsy Requests This Summer - July 2012

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:49:00 GMT

Did you know there is a method to what and how we teach in our schools here at Temple Kehillat Chaim? Children learn new things by hearing, seeing and doing. Our programs introduce prayers and songs and ideas about Judaism during the course of the school day. That’s our contribution to your child’s Jewish connection.

Here’s where YOU come in. Bring your child to services regularly and reinforce what we teach them. This simple act of participation puts our teaching into practice, creates the connection between the classroom and life, and helps to give a child confidence when they ascend the bimah. This simple act of participation allows us the opportunity to delve deeper into the meaning of the prayers because reading the words of the prayers is already part of the vocabulary.

Summer vacation is here and I have two itsy, bitsy requests. One, BRING YOUR CHILD(REN) TO SERVICES THIS SUMMER. And, two, have them practice reading their Hebrew once or twice a week in front of you. Hearing the prayers recited regularly is a solid first step to being able to read the prayers.

I wish you all a great summer and we look forward to seeing you for the first day of Religious School on August 19. Check the website for forms, calendar and information. And, don’t hesitate to tell people that the Mitzner Family Religious School of Temple Kehillat Chaim is the best in the metro Atlanta area!!!

News From The Director of Education - New Innovations in Jewish Education - June 2012

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:53:00 GMT

It’s unbelievable that we are finished with Religious School of this year. I had many people ask if would be relaxing now that school is over. Au contraire! The hard work is only beginning. In addition to planning the calendar, it’s time to review textbooks, research opportunities for enrichment programs and look at ways to implement our curriculum. There is so much out there to understand about the 21^st century way of delivering information. There are many new theories to digest about the future of Judaism and Jewish education.

Just today, I spent two hours researching on the internet a new educational phenomenom called “the flipped classroom”. It is being used primarily for science and math, but I am intrigued by the way we could utilize it to teach Hebrew. If anyone in the congregation is familiar with or has used the technique, I would love to talk with you or even better, invite you to become part of the Religious School Committee. The collaboration of educators and parents is vital to the success of our Religious School.

Watch the weekly email for an announcement of meeting times for the Religious School Committee. Please join me in a commitment to make our Religious School a place where students hate to miss a session, and parents want to join in the fun!

In the meantime, thank for all your support in the past year. I look forward to creating programs which encourage the continuation of our Kehillah!

News from the Director of Education - Celebrating Accomplishments: From PreK to Confirmation

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:19:00 GMT

Jewish Confirmation ceremonies began in the 1800’s as a Reform alternative to Bar Mitzvah. Many felt that a 16-year-old had a more mature understanding of Jewish beliefs and identity than a 13 year old. It also provided a coming of age ceremony for girls. As time went on, the Reform community revived Bar Mitzvah celebrations and created Bat Mitzvah celebrations for girls. Today, Confirmation signifies an affirmation of Jewish identity.

For students at TKC, part of the curriculum for Confirmation includes the creation of a service personalized by the class. Each year the group chooses a theme (no small feat given the sometimes strong opinions of teens) and works together to create a cohesive and meaningful service. Each student chooses one or more prayers to interpret based on the theme and also provides illustrations or clip art to make the service even more interesting. This year, the class has chosen the books of Dr. Seuss on which to focus their service.

Please join us Friday, May 4, 2012 at 7:30 PM

as we honor the following students

in our 2012 Confirmation class:

Molly Flynn

Daughter of Rhonda and George Flynn

Jake Glickman

Son of Kitty Glickman and Danny Glickman

Rachel Grucza

Daughter of Carey and David Grucza

Matthew Hannon

Son of Andrea and Timothy Hannon

Josh Morton

Son of Gigi and Chuck Morton

Ian Phillips

Son of Suesan Phillips

Sarah Snow

Daughter of Charm and Robert Snow

Stephanie Weiss

Daughter of Hiedi and Tim Weiss

Preschool Update

It’s hard to believe that the school year is almost at an end. With the end of school comes PreK graduation. Most of these students have been a part of TKC Preschool since they were 2 years old. While that may not seem like a long time to you – it’s most of their life! We’ve had the opportunity to watch them grow and begin their connection to Judaism and Temple Kehillat Chaim. We’ve helped to support the development of menschlikeit qualities and impressed upon them the importance of doing mitzvot. We’ve given them the beginning tools for a good life.

Congratulations PreK Graduates

Jonah Blank

Son of Heather and Adam Blank

Emily Deich

Daughter of Amy and Sam Deich

Ian Hirsch

Son of Lyneve and Bryan Hirsch

Arliss Marger

Daughter of Mandy and Phinney Marger

PJ Marger

Son of Mandy and Phinney Marger

Dava Wallace

Daughter of Shawn and Michelle Wallace

Elie Wilson

Daughter of Leslie Anderson and Joe Wilson

News from the Director of Education - Youth-Led Shabbats Draw Kids In - April 2012

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:17:00 GMT

I just returned from an incredible four day URJ early childhood educator’s conference in Boulder, Colorado. The Shabbat morning worship experience was one of great ruach (spirit) filled with music, special readings and a connection to each other. As part of the educational component, we sang new music, engaged in Torah study and shared our thoughts on the attributes of God as well as creative interpretations of prayer and personal Jewish experiences. It was a fulfilling way to spend Shabbat! However, I’m happy to be back and hope to utilize some of the things I learned here at TKC.

Speaking of Shabbat services, we have a few really special services coming up in April and the first weekend in May. Our annual RAFTY Shabbat is Friday, April 13 and our 10th grade Confirmation group is on Friday, May 4th. This year’s Confirmation class has created an incredible service based on the books of Dr. Seuss. It will be interesting to hear how our students have interpreted prayers based on the themes presented in the books.

Then, on May 5th at 10:30am, we have one of our teaching Shabbat services. Our 5th and 6th graders will be leading the service. The Rabbi and Cantor take on teaching roles that morning – so this could very easily be called – “Everything you wanted to know about the Shabbat morning service…”. I would like to invite parents and families with children (in particular 3rd and 4th grades) in our religious school to attend this service to become familiar with the flow of the Saturday morning service. This is an opportunity to ask questions, hear explanations, become more familiar with the prayers and learn about the flow of Saturday morning services here at Temple Kehillat Chaim. I hope to see many of you there. (We also serve a light Kiddush lunch after the service – a bagel and a schmear!)

Wishing you and your family a hearty Chag Pesach!

Catherine Rosing

News from the Director of Education - March 2012 - "Teach Your Children Well"

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:38:00 GMT

Having just participated in the first Atlanta area URJ Mitzvah Day, I have a renewed appreciation for the many mitzvot which occur around the Kehillah. It is said that charity begins in the home, well, we have some unsung heroes who keep things moving around the Kehillah. When you see someone going an extra mile around the Kehillah, please take a moment and say thanks. Then we take the idea outside the Kehillah. It has been a particular source of pride that we participate in Drake House. It is a large undertaking for such a small congregation.

Those efforts make a big difference and send a message to our students. That message must be coming in loud and clear. The enthusiasm with which our students respond when challenged with finding a mitzvah project as part of preparing to become a bar or bat mitzvah is heart filling to be sure. From a simple collection to those projects which involve many hours of time and effort to support a cause, these mitzvot all serve to make life a little better for another person.

It may be impossible to perfect the world, but that does not preclude us from trying. I hope that you will respond as our young people reach out for support for causes near and dear to their hearts. I hope you will find satisfaction in reaching out to help others. In your family, in your neighborhood, around the Kehillah, in your community and in the world – I hope you will feel the connection to others as we work together to repair the world.

I look forward to working together again next year as a Reform Jewish community to make things a little better in the greater Atlanta community. It will be the start of a wonderful way for us to come together and, in the words of one of my favorite Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young songs, “teach your children well”…

Now, I turn the remainder of my column over to Audrey Hirshberg, one of our 6th grade students, as she writes to you about the importance of fighting hunger.

Did you know that the total cost of hunger to the United States is said to be about $90 billion a year? Would you be surprised to know that it would only cost about $10 billion to $12 billion a year to virtually end hunger in our nation? We can teach people skills needed to get better jobs to earn the money to buy their own food, instead of lining up at shelters to receive food daily. Recent studies have shown that not having enough food to sustain a healthy life is a reality for 1 in 6 Americans, including seniors and children. Contrary to popular belief, hunger is not just an issue for people who struggle with poverty and homelessness. You can help heal the world and feed the hungry by coming to the Kehillat Chaim Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 11th and stopping by our bake sale in the Social Hall. You can purchase bite-sized desserts at our 2nd annual sale with all proceeds going to stop hunger in our community with the help of North Fulton Community Charities. The sixth grade class has already started preparing desserts for this event, so come on March 11th to feed the hungry.

Catherine Rosing

News from the Education Director - February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:21:00 GMT

Bears may be hibernating, but the Kehillah is not! Especially around the Education wing- we are busy, busy, busy!! Between Family Shabbat Services, 4th Grade on February 3 and 3rd grade on March 2 (ALL grades are invited to join us!!), Family Education Days, Kindergarten on February 5 and 1st grade February 12, Road to Confirmation and Preschool Activities, TKC is definitely the place to be this February!

Preschool begins registering students for the Fall 2012 session (this fall marks our 16^th year!) February 1^st. Spread the word! Low student teacher ratios, great combination of Judaic and secular curriculum and a

challenging and creative learning environment are all hallmarks of our incredible Preschool. Tell your friends and help us grow!

Our Preschool is a proud partner with PJ Library as a participant in PJ Goes to School, a new literacy curriculum for early childhood programs. Please join us on February 25 at 2:00 pm for a joint Shabbat program with PJ

Library. Caroline Fiegiel will be on hand for storytelling and yoga instructor Lori Sugarman will teach

relaxation techniques for both children and their parents.

Adamah Adventures will return to make presentations to our Religious School students on February 5 during snack (10:45) and Road to Confirmation students on February 8 from 7:45 to 8:15. On February 29th, our 8^th grade students will have a visit from a representative of the Rainbow Center who will speak about tolerance and diversity.

I hope to see many of you at the Mitzvah Day activities on February 19!

Catherine Rosing