Mah Hadash (What’s New)?

JLC teachers meeting 2015 sept

There are so many new things this time of year. The school year begins, the kids are in new grades with new teachers, new classmates and new experiences. Rosh Hashana, our New Year, gives us pause to reflect on the past and jump into the new.

On the one hand, as a parent of three school-age children and a baby, the beginning of the year causes me some anxiety… do we have the right school supplies, shoes that fit, clothing that is deemed fashionable (by my kids), can we get back into a routine, do I really have to make lunches and pack backpacks and how challenging will getting up and ready for work and getting the kids out the door be?!

On the other hand, as an educator, I relish the new opportunities to create, engage and inspire our students and teachers. Continue reading

Hinei Mah Tov Reenergized!

Allison Fishman Task (and assistants) will Chair Hinei Mah Tov programming.

This summer, we have made two significant changes toward a new and reenergized Hinei Mah Tov (HMT) service for the coming year.

I am excited to announce that congregant Allison Fishman Task has volunteered to chair the HMT Committee and will work with me and our HMT families to continue to develop the nachas (gratification), simcha (spirit) and ruach (joy) of HMT services. Please be in touch with Allison (email hidden; JavaScript is required) if you would like to help her develop, plan or host any upcoming HMT services.

Another exciting development: this summer we hired guitarist Mitch Radler as our song leader and JLC music teacher.

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Rishon: Israel Experiences in the Classroom

Rishon Ido SarigFrom Rishon Ido Sarig:

In the past few months, the JLC students participated in activities about different topics connected to Israel. I focused on things that the students probably don’t about in Israel. For instance: What a day of an Israeli kid their age looks like? How are Jewish holidays celebrated in Israel? Why Israel is called the “Start-up nation”? Continue reading

The 7th grade B’nai Mitzvah Class is fresh and new!

7th GradersOne Shabbat a month the 7th grade class comes together with their parents for Lunch and Learn. Rabbi Greenstein and I facilitate the group, we delve into issues and subjects relating to Jewish Identity, values, Jewish service and our own unique Jewish Journey. We envisioned that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah journey would be a year for students and families to explore and begin conversations about Jewish adulthood. Continue reading

Chanukah Skits at the JLC

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“Do you want to buy our amazing Chanukah Menorah?”

This week we have been preparing for Chanukah at the JLC, making Chanukah Menorahs, playing games, and learning about the history, traditions and stories of the holiday. Each Hebrew class created a dramatic Chanukah skit they will be sharing at school on Wednesday. Some groups created their interpretation of the Chanukah story while others made commercials about Chanukah. The students creativity and enthusiasm is very apparent in their work. They are extremely excited to preform the skits for their classmates.

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JLC/Preschool Benefit Gift/Jewelry Sale

Gift Sale

Jewelry and Gift Party

Earthly Treasures by Caren Shapiro
Monday Dec 8, 10am-1pm & 7pm-9:30pm

Call Marge Wise for Location and Details (973) 746-5031
or email email hidden; JavaScript is required

10%-15% of sales to benefit JLC and Preschool

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Phew! The Month of Chesvan


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The Holiday whirlwind is behind us, catapulting us into the Jewish year with pomp and circumstance. We are so lucky to have a season of holidays to kick off the year. Just as we begin the Torah, we find ourselves in the month of Cheshvan with no holidays. Cheshvan is sometimes referred to as Mar (bitter) because of the lack of holidays and the pending cooler weather. Instead of being sad that we don’t have holidays we can enjoy the beginning of the reading of the Torah and our schedules being a bit more regular.

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