What’s happening in JLC! Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

A word from Morah Fran, our K-2 JLC teacher:

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The school year is off to a busy start, and our classroom filled with the youngest JLC students is humming with excitement. The children really enjoy working together in small groups, and they are eager to choose different projects each day. Myself and Morah Lisa, our Hebrew immersion teacher, help to guide the children, in addition to working with them one on one to develop their Hebrew skills. Continue reading

What’s happening in JLC! 3rd – 7th grade

A word from Morah Marita, the 3rd-7th grade teacher:

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We are off to a wonderful start in JLC this year! For our older students, last year was a leisurely journey after wisdom. This year is a voracious search. Our students explore Torah, Holidays, Prayer and History. Students have experimented with different projects and settled in as their intellectual curiosity is sparked.

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JLC – Deep Roots, New Sprouts

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The JLC’s logo, “Deep Roots, New Sprouts,” has never seemed more applicable. While our vision of transforming the JLC is finally a reality, our school is an ever-evolving learning lab.

jlc hebrew timeStudents who attend on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings are learning practical, hands-on Judaism with their enthusiastic teachers. One of my favorite aspects of the new curriculum is seeing our students putting their classroom skills to use in the sanctuary on Shabbat.

This past Saturday, families came together for our first Hinei Mah Tov (HMT) service of the year. The title of Hinei Mah Tov literally means, “How Good it Is!” and I could not agree more. There is tremendous power in having children join together with their parents to pray, ask questions, and to wrestle with Jewish liturgy, words of Torah, and ethical concepts. Children begin to see the power of their Jewish education, when they engage with their parents in an authentic service and celebrate Shabbat together as a family. Continue reading

A Sweet New Year

first day psThe door to Shomrei swung open wide on the first Thursday of the school year, and a mix of preschoolers stood just outside the entrance. Some stood proudly, clutching their lunchbox in one hand, and dad’s finger with the other. Others were snuggling in the arms of their parents, clearly feeling some trepidation as they began to walk towards their classroom.

No matter how much we prepare all summer long for our new and returning students, the real work does not begin until we begin forming relationships with our students and their families. Staring at names on a roster in August will never fully prepare our teachers to know what each student will bring to the classroom: will they be quiet and reserved or energetic, bouncing from activity to activity? Continue reading

First Day of the New Hebrew School!

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Busy busy in the New JLC!

Yasher Koach on a wonderful welcome back (indoor!) BBQ and first day of JLC!  The students were overwhelmingly positive about the change in the building and program (Wow! was a common response upon seeing the new furniture/rooms!)  The rooms looked great, the teachers were warm and wonderful, and the students had amazing energy.  I am thrilled for the year to come. Assistant Education Directors, Lily Lucey and Aylah Winter were both wonderful in their interactions with students and parents, and I think everyone is responding to having such a capable team in place.

 

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Meet Aylah Winter, New Assistant Education Director

1511_Winter_015Aylah Winter has been named as one of Shomrei’s new Assistant Education Directors. She, Lily Lucey and Education Director, Heather Brown will run both the JLC (Hebrew School) and Shomrei Preschool.

Since moving to Montclair three years ago Aylah has become involved in the Shomrei community. She has served on the education board for the past two years and worked in the preschool as an assistant teacher. Over the last year she also worked to coordinate travel to Israel for individuals, families and groups with a private tour operator. Continue reading

Heather Brown Named New Education Director

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Sara Birnbaum (L), Heather Brown (R)

Adrienne Shulman Lasiter and Shirley Grill, Shomrei Education Co-Chairs, announced today that Sara Birnbaum has decided not to renew her contract as Director of the JLC (Hebrew School) when it expires in June. Because of the the long commute, Sara has decided to pursue other opportunities. Heather Brown has been named as her replacement in a new position overseeing both the JLC and the Preschool. Grill and Shulman Lasiter made the announcement  in a letter to Shomrei families and congregants.

Sara’s warmth has created a supportive learning environment and she has formed wonderful relations with our children, as principal and teacher. Sara teaches Hebrew and leads our STOM program; under Sara’s guidance, the STOM students have become a close knit group, engaging with each other as they do mitzvoth and grow together. We thank Sara for her service and for bringing love and ruach to our community. Continue reading

It Takes A Community

The Bar Mitzvah was poised and prepared. His parents were proud and poignant. The social hall tables were dressed in gold and covered with platters waiting for the hungry congregants to file in after the motzi and Kiddush. All 200 … Continue reading

Preschool Graduation

Preschool graduationOn Friday, June 5th, 12 curious and confident Pre-K students took to the bimah for their graduation. With family and friends looking proudly on, the graduates sang their favorite songs from Shomrei, accompanied by our incredible music teacher Morah Vivian. Each student proudly accepted his/her diploma and shared with the audience what they want to be when they are older. From soccer players to veterinarians, a mom to a construction worker, our graduates are certain to enter kindergarten in the fall, with bright futures.

Rabbi Greenstein, Sara Birnbaum, and Nick Levitin all spoke eloquently to the audience, and we look forward to this graduation marking the start of their Jewish journey at Shomrei, rather than a goodbye. We wish all the graduates and their families much mazal and happiness as they enter the next exciting phase of their lives!

Preschool Art Auction a Huge Success!

Shomrei Preschool art auction 2015Our 6th annual Shomrei Preschool Art Auction was a huge success! On Sunday morning, May 17th, Shomrei Preschool families, congregants, community members, and extended family enjoyed a special morning in the social hall. Individual and group masterpieces were proudly hung on the walls, and attendees enjoyed viewing the variety of art and different styles presented by the young artists.

In addition to the art, everyone enjoyed a lively bidding session on donated auction items. The donations themselves represented the generous support of the entire community.

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