Each year, the start of January signals a time to reflect on our progress since September and look forward to a strong finish of the current school year. I feel the same about JLC. When we first began dreaming what a revision of JLC would look and feel like, Shabbat was always at the center of our vision. The sheer concept that families now come as a unit to Shomrei every week on Saturday morning is still an absolutely beautiful sight to witness. Our students are davening Shabbat morning prayers in their classrooms, with joy and enthusiasm. Our older students eagerly gather around a round table, examining the Torah, matching trope (the “musical notes” of the Torah, if you will) they learned in class to the actual markings in the Torah. Both classrooms bring the weekly Torah portion to life, using drama, creativity and engaging important leadership skills. We practice Hebrew words, learn new tunes and practice old ones, and most importantly, we are building a cheerful and dedicated Shabbat community. Above all, I am proud of this network of students and families that deepens by the week. We count on each other, reuniting every Saturday at Shomrei. Shabbat has always been about these connections for me, personally. I am overwhelmed seeing it replicated among our JLC students and their parents, as they feel more comfortable in the larger Shomrei community. Continue reading
Author Archives: Heather Brown
What’s happening in JLC! Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
A word from Morah Fran, our K-2 JLC teacher:
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:
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.
JLC – Deep Roots, New Sprouts
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.
Students 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
The 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!
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.
Splish Splash!
Last Sunday, June and Bela Schwartz graciously opened up their home to families at Shomrei for a Summer pool party. Preschool, JLC, and potential families all joined together in the backyard for swimming, a BBQ, lawn games, trampoline fun, and more. Not only was June a gracious hostess, mingling with new friends and old, but she also commented how much she enjoyed having an opportunity for JLC and Preschool families to connect.
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Happy Campers
Shomrei’s summer camp is making children ages 2-5 into some very happy campers this year! We have over 25 children enrolled, who attend camp Mon-Thurs for plenty of fresh air, water play, messy sensory activities, friendships, and fun. Many campers are brand new to Shomrei, and they look forward to beginning the Preschool in the fall. Parents are thrilled to have a safe place for their young children to go each day, knowing they will experience something new each day and come home thoroughly exhausted. Continue reading
Passover for the Little Ones
Passover Seder at Shomrei Emunah Preschool
As Passover approaches, I often have families ask me for ways in which to make the holiday more meaningful for adults and children alike. The key to a successful Passover seder is to make the evening relevant for your guests. The Haggadah demands that each generation must see him/herself as though he/she personally came out of Egypt.
Little Hands Feeding the Homeless
Private chef Ashley Ricart led the 3-year-olds through making apple cobbler for the March 29 MESH Cafe. She also led the the 4-year-olds in making the salad. Continue reading