As you know, this year October begins with Yom Kippur. The next day, Oct. 3, I'll be getting a massage and relaxing. But then, because so many programs and classes begin within days of each other, there won't be any rest again until June. I love having a busy schedule! Here goes...

Two activities geared toward families with younger children are scheduled to take place Oct. 6. From 10-11:30 a.m., a new parent/toddler group called K'tonton is meeting. This weekly activity will be in three sessions: fall, winter, and spring. The fall session began with much excitement.

Children between the ages of 18 months and three-and-a-half years came together with their parents or caregivers for a morning of circle activities, arts and crafts, storytelling, music and Shabbat blessings. Debby Cooper has organized this very special activity. Please e-mail her for more information at cooperdeb@aol.

Tot Shabbat has been in full swing throughout the summer and will meet again Oct. 6. The monthly service, which I lead, begins at 5:30 p.m. and lasts for 30 minutes. Then families join together for a Shabbat dinner and child-oriented activities led by Jan Greenberg, until 7 p.m. This service provides an opportunity to teach children from birth through first grade about joyful prayer at Temple Micah, and to get to know other families.

Two days later, on Sunday Oct. 8, Kol Isha (A Woman's Voice) will meet from 1-3:30 p.m. to discuss the human physiology of belief: "Are we hardwired for God? Barriers and Pathways to God." This group of women and men has been meeting monthly for six years, discussing topics as diverse as contemporary uses of the mikvah to biblical matriarchs to kabbalah. Last year, they studied psalm texts and this year they plan to study the history and psychology of worshipping God. Members of the group lead the discussions.

Later that day, from 6-8 p.m., It's a Girl Thing, a group for seventh- and eighth-grade girls which meets each month, will continue to explore adolescent lives through Jewish themes with Rabbi Manewith. We form a new group every two years, so next year, a group for sixth- and seventh-grade girls will be started.

The following week, two weekly classes begin on Tuesday evening, Oct. 10. The Adult B'nai Torah class, which is in its second year of a two-year program, will begin studying together again. Over the summer, many of the participants met with Roberta and Mort Goren to keep up their Hebrew reading and Torah cantillation skills. Many thanks to the Gorens for keeping the hope alive...This year the class will meet with Rabbi Manewith for 30 minutes each week and then with me to continue their practice of Torah chanting. In addition, they will read a number of books that will enrich their pursuit of becoming B'nai Torah--Children of the Commandment. They will be called to the Torah during a Shabbat morning service in May. A new, two-year class will begin again next fall.

Simultaneously, most of the students from the first Adult B'nai Torah class will meet to continue their studies in a Hebrew Level 2 class, which is open to all members of the congregation. It will delve more deeply into Hebrew vocabulary and grammar and will also study Torah with Rabbi Manewith. This class will be taught by Miriam Bamberger, who taught the Daytime Hebrew class last year.

Thursday, Oct. 12, is the first day for the Beginning Hebrew and Conversational Hebrew classes, and also for the New Member Group. The two Hebrew classes will meet weekly on Thursday from 1-2 p.m. and 2:15-3:15 p.m., respectively. Moshe Zamero, one of our Midweek Hebrew school teachers will teach both of these classes. They are beginner-level courses, and do not require the ability to read Hebrew.

In the evening, the New Member Group will enjoy dinner and then participate in discussions with Rabbi Manewith and me on a monthly basis, from 7-8:30 p.m. Members who have joined Temple Micah since 2005 are welcome. Our discussions this year will center around Memory, Prayer, and Tikkun Olam and how it relates to self, community and the Jewish world.

Sunday, Oct. 15 is Temple Micah's annual Sukkot Fair and Yard Sale. A new component to the day will be a Temple Micah Groups Fair. We are asking that each interest group at the temple send a representative (and man a table) to speak to members about their activities. There are so many new and even longstanding members who do not know all that our community has to offer. Please contact me if you will be participating.

And finally, the monthly Jewish Parenting group will meet again on Oct. 19 from 10-11:30 a.m. This is a group of parents who have young children and who come together to discuss issues relating to raising them. They explore how Judaism can help them to be better parents. Babysitting is provided.

It is not too late to participate in most of these activities. And, with the exception of It's a Girls Thing and the New Member Group, non-members may also participate. Most activities and classes include food as a main study tool, so perhaps that will be incentive enough for some of you. Please contact me at hazzan@templemicah.org if you have any questions or wish to get on the mailing list and sign on for a wonderful year.

From my family to yours--a happy, healthy and sweet year.