Director Judy's Ma Nishma Blog - Congregation of Temple Sinai-Vermont

Ma Nishma? It’s Hebrew for What’s new? What’s going on? What’s happening?

You’ll find all the latest Temple Sinai goings-on right here.

-Morah Judy

Read the full blog (with archives) at Blogspot

Shalom, but not 'good-bye'

Shalom Chaveirim/Dear Friends:

When I came to Temple Sinai back in 1998 I had not lived in any one place longer than three years, at least not since I was a kid. So the fact that I've been here for almost 23 years is really astounding. But as Jerry Seinfeld said when he decided to end his TV show, "I wanted the end to be from a point of strength. I wanted the end to be graceful."

And so it is that I have made the decision to retire at the end of this school year, while the Temple is strong, in good hands, and before I've reached my expiration date.

Temple has been a source of love, joy, inspiration, and strength to me over these years. I've made wonderful friends and connections, had great times, and above all, loved working with the many, many children over the years.

I’m not going anywhere, I’ll still be around. I won’t be the Education Director anymore, but I hope I will always be Morah Judy.

Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek/May we go from strength to strength,

Morah Judy

It's Purim!!

Since Purim is during school vacation, we'll be celebrating at school on February 18.

Join us at 3:45 to make graggers then stay for the Purim Spiel, another original production by our own Saragail Benjamin, Director of Young Families Programming.

EVERYBODY: Come in costume.

That includes parents lurking in the background!

January 18, 2021 - Upcoming Events

Jan. 28 we are planning an in-person Tu Bishvat hike with Melanie Kessler of Living Tree Alliance for students in grades 2-6. This will take place in the woods behind Farrell Street Park. We will be masked and socially distanced.

Saragail Benjamin is writing and producing a Purim Spiel for her Young Families program, which will also be performed at our school on Feb. 18. Prior to the spiel we will have a gragger and/or a mask making workshop led by our teachers.

On March 4 we have a virtual visit with Lisa Rose, the author of A Zombie Vacation. Lisa calls herself a recovering first grade teacher. She is a hoot. It's a delightful children's book about a Zombie who vacations at the Dead Sea. She is encouraging the kids to dress up like zombies and in addition to her reading the book, she will be doing a STEM science experiment with the kids.

Pen-Pal Program: Hannah Weiss and I have been working on the intergenerational Pen-Pal program. We're almost ready to launch.

Tuesday, January 26: Temple is co-sponsoring a PJ Library Tu BiShvat Concert for young children

FOOD DRIVE FOR SOUTH BURLINGTON FOOD SHELF

“Let all who are hungry come and eat.” Isaiah 55:1

Education Committee & Social Action Committee

Passover begins March 27. Many folks have the custom to clear their homes of “hametz,” proscribed foods for the holiday. We’re combining the holiday cleaning with food-shelf giving. Here are the days and times you can drop off items with a list of items that are always needed. Of course you may include other items as well:

Thursday, March 25 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Friday, March 26 from 8 am to 10 am

Saturday, March 27 from 8 am to 10 am

Earlier this month Lisa, Julie and I reached out to all the Religious School families with phone calls, to ask how things are doing and to get feedback. We spoke with most parents, left messages with others. The parents overall are very happy with the school, the teachers, the program, and were most appreciative of our calling. If we haven't had a chance to speak, call us. We'd love to hear from you.

School News

Shalom Horim/Dear Parents:

With the holidays now behind us (not counting Halloween*), we can get into a somewhat normal routine without major distractions.

In case you haven't already received it at the beginning of the school year, check out Temple's website under "Learning" for the school calendar. Please note when your child's class service is (class services begin in January and are usually the first Friday night of the month to coincide with Folk Services). They begin with a Pot Luck dinner at 5:30 sponsored by the host class.

In addition to the class services, there are two Whole School Shabbats: the first on Nov. 9 and the next one of Feb. 15. This is a great way for your family to experience a Saturday morning service at Temple and for our students to practice the prayers they are learning.

This past week our Letter of the Week was Lamed, as in Lulav, which we shook on Sukkot.

ל as in:

Lulav, Night (Lailah), Lemon (Limon), Bread (Lechem)

Starting tomorrow, our Letter of the Week is Aleph.

Lastly, with all the events we've had at Temple involving food, A LOT of plates, containers, bags, baking pans, etc. have gotten left behind in the kitchen. Next time you're here, please check to see if maybe some are yours. Additionally, we've got quite a collection of water bottles piling up. Maybe one of those is yours too?

Best wishes for a sweet and Happy New Year,

Morah Judy

PS - if you know folks with young children, or you yourself have a child too young for school, please know that we have a monthly Tot Shabbat on the third Friday of the month and Story Hour on the first Sunday of the month. Next Story Hour is Nov. 3 at 10 am and Tot Shabbat is Nov. 15 at 5:30 pm.

*we do NOT have school Oct. 31