Religious School / Youth From the Director of Congregational Learning Again, this second half of winter, our calendars were full. Our school community participated in the World Wide Wrap and Mitzvah Day; they celebrated Tu b’Shevat and Purim. Our students in Kitah Bet, along with their families, continued meeting virtually with tour guide educator, Shira Boso, in Jerusalem. In January, they visited the neighborhood or Ein Kerem for Tu b’Shevat. Everyone was able to see almond trees in blossom and Shira planted a tree sapling for us. In February, they visited Jerusalem’s Ben Yehuda street to celebrate Shushan Purim. Kitah Zayin and YADniks began 2021 in-person, meeting in the courtyard at Temple Emunah. They then returned to their second round of Havayot. In January, students, families and congregants participated in an online Tu b’Shevat Seder. In February, YADniks began their third round of Havayot, participating in either Jews and TV or the Seven Wonders of Jewish History. On February 24, Kitah Zayin, YADniks and their parents joined together for an amazing evening with Pamela Schuller as part of JDAIM (Jewish Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion Month). As one parent told us, “The girls loved it (both thought it was going to be BORING beforehand, by-the-way). I found her hilarious, touching, inspiring, and sometimes hitting too close for comfort to some of my own experiences growing up. When I wasn’t crying, I was laughing hard! She taught about inclusion without preaching, but by showing what the repercussions are in its absence.” On February 7, our religious school joined in the Brotherhood’s World Wide Wrap and then in our own Mitzvah Day. Kindergarteners made tzedakah boxes, Kitah Alef students made dog biscuits, which were brought to Buddy Dog Humane Society; Kitah Bet baked Chocolate Chip Cookies, which were brought to the Bristol Lodge Family Shelter, and Kitah Gimmel made birthday cards for Temple Emunah congregants, supporting our Sisterhood’s Birthday Card Campaign. Kitah Dalet students packed Mishloah Manot for Family Table, Kitah Hey Families packed clothes for Cradles to Crayons, Kitah Vav students cared for Horses at BINA Family Farm and Kitah Zayin students built desks for Desk Mates. The Sunday prior, our Kitah Hey students learned about tefillin and built their own with Rabbi Kling Perkins and members of our Brotherhood. In addition, Gan, Kitah Alef and Kitah Bet joined with students of the same age from Temple Israel in Natick for Story Time with Meron Reuben, Consul General of Israel to New England. They heard him read the story “A Room for Rent” by Leah Goldberg. Senior USYers ran their second Bagel Sale of the year. Thank you to all who supported them. They delivered bagels to forty Temple Emunah households and raised over $300. Article continues on next page.
Kitah Zayin students wrap tefillin during the World Wide Wrap.
Kitah Vav at BINA Farm Center
Meron Reuben, Consul General of Israel to New England, reads to students.
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