Winter Activities 2018

As school resumed in January, students did an interesting project with Whiteout (to make ‘stars’), colored acetate layers and a light box!  

A show stopping Men’s Club feast/breakfast was held for the Congregation, with everyone pitching in for a flu-suffering Howard Edelman. 

Absolutely delicious challah French toast, western omelets, bagels, fruit....it was a huge hit.

That poster has now gone up to over $20,000 in donations from the generous Congregation members who want to help refurbish the parsonage kitchen for our wonderful Rabbis Goodman.

Cantor Lavranchuk had the sleepy students do some yoga exercises one morning to get them ready for the weekly Havdalah service.

We have had some interesting and inspiring Friday evening speakers during Services this winter, but frankly none more well received than Betsy Ginsberg, the TDI therapy dog.

Betsy has a smile for everyone.

I could not resist one more photo of Betsy.  Her trainers, Peter and daughter Emma Ginsberg, gave a talk about how she became a therapy dog.  The children in attendance were charmed.  

We have instituted a new policy in Religious School this winter.  Cell phones need to take a break during Hebrew and History classes.  We hope that all families are speaking to their children about appropriate, safe use of smart phones....and bringing the subject up OFTEN.  As with any technology, we should think of the negative impact that these powerful devices can have, and monitor students who are not quite ready for the responsibility.

We had a Tu B Shvat Seder during Religious school.  Margie Edelman taught the children to draw interesting trees, with roots as widespread as the branches.

I love these, too.

The children had fruits of the trees, almonds, raisins, wheat thins, olives, banana chips, figs, and dates. They also enjoyed four colors of grape juice (to represent the colors of the flowers that bloom in Israel over the course of a year).

Peter Tittler and Steve Rood Goldman procured the cheese and wine for the Pinsky family’s fantastic thank-you party, held in early February for everyone who donated to the Kitchen Fund.  The cheese was easy...Costco!  The wine was from Total Wine, a new wine emporium that is a little like Disney World for adults! A wine tasting event is to be held there on March 3rd starting at 3 PM.  Please respond to your e-vite if you are interested in attending. 

The Pinsky family opened their beautiful home in Rockville Center for a lovely thank you gathering.

Homemade goodies, thanks to expert baker Janna Pinsky, were enjoyed by everyone.

These desserts were NOT from Costco. Homemade.

No words.  

Everyone loved the Pinsky kitchen, as well as the food.

Thank you, Steve and Janna, for your generous hospitality. Contributions are still being accepted to the Kitchen Fund!  

Cantor Amelia Lavranchuk was out for several weeks and everyone was happy to see her back! We missed her beautiful voice!

The Havdalah ceremony is always quiet and peaceful.

As a build up to the Olympics, Ms. Edelman had the students learn about some Jewish athletes (from Canada, USA and Israel), and showed them how to draw the rings and silhouettes.

Here is how you start....

Some students showed off their posters.

Sisterhood members spent a busy session wrapping raffle baskets, to be auctioned off to lucky winners during the Purim Pizza Party, on February 28th!

Another afternoon session was spent making homemade hamentashen!

Every baker had a good time making the delicious Purim treats.

During our last session of school before the break, students helped color in posters for the Purim Carnival....yaaaay, it’s our favorite Sunday school session of the year!

We will see you all at the Purim Pizza Party, Megillah reading and Purim shpeil (written by Mark Temares, & Marc Zuckerman), on February 28th!  Wear costumes. The Purim Carnival is on Sunday March 4th from 10:45-12!