November and December at the GCJC


Aleph bet illumination was one of the art projects introduced by Ms. Edelman.  
Some children got pretty serious with the color and design of Hebrew letters.
President Debby Rood Goldman has instituted several innovations this year... including light your own Shabbat candle night! Rebecca Rood Goldman made mini challahs and craft candlesticks for everyone to try.
Daniel Clark and his Mom, lighting the candles one Friday shortly before his Bar Mitzvah.  Incidentally, he did a fantastic job leading the congregation a few weeks later!
Cantor Amelia Lavranchuk led the students in the Children’s service in November.  We all wish her a complete and total recovery from some recent surgery.
In November we were joined by a friend of Rabbi Stephen Goodman, Rabbi Elliot Strom, who spoke about his novel, “Rabbi, Run.”
The students love the Havdalah ceremony at the end of each week’s children’s service.
The major project of the Fall season was the annual Stained glass acetates!   Margie Edelman puts them up in the Social Hall windows in time for the Chanukah latke and dessert party. This year’s theme was the Jewish Holidays of the year.
First, students had to sign up for a holiday, representing the symbols in a larger, simpler, more abstract way.  After drawing out their design, they had to use 3mm masking tape to trace the outer lines. This made the designs look like they were really lined with traditional lead. Margie and I were so thrilled with the panels! Better than ever!
One of our students met with Rabbi Goodman!
They look like they are having fun.
At the latke and dessert party on December 15th, we all got to see the stained glass art for the first time. Thank you, Margie, for spending hours putting them up so professionally.  
Can you tell some of the holidays from these panels?  They are so sophisticated and abstract and primitive! Could be in MOMA!  
Love these!
Make sure you check these out in the daytime, as well as on Friday nights.
A great photo of this adorable family!  
Everybody braved the snow and cold and showed up ready to eat lots of latkes, chocolate gelt and ice cream sundaes!
Peter and Alan were intensely busy getting out 336 latkes, that were then heaped with applesauce and sour cream.
Families brought menorahs and lit the candles, while all sang the blessings.
President Rood Goldman shared Shabbat candles with everyone.
These sibs always know how to pose.
Ms. Hoera and President Rood Goldman were brave enough to look silly.
After the semi healthy latkes, came the not really healthy ice cream sundaes....always the best!
Grandma and Grandpa are really fantastic, aren’t they? More whipped cream, please.
Yum.  Two scoops are best.
Here are some closeups of the stained glass windows.
Of course you know, this represents Purim.
A soon to be Bat Mitzvah and her Dad.
Chanukah.
Two good friends reconnected at the latke party.
I love love love this!
These brothers showed their Dad the stained glass panels that they had done.
During the Chanukah service, Rabbi called up the oldest students to read.
Rabbi conducted the service by himself, PLUS he played guitar!
This year’s story read by candlelight...Red Ruthie.
The children loved this yearly traditional storytime.
Nice photo.
Carolyn Hoera and Peter Tittler were happy that all had gone well, in spite of the snow storm!
Have a great vacation, everyone, safe travels and healthy happy New Year.
We resume Sunday school on January 7, 2018!  














































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