Education Programs for the New Year

I am pleased at the interest already expressed about the programs for the New Year that I described last month. Please complete and return your registration/book order forms to the Temple by Sept. 10. (They were distributed with detailed flyers by e-mail and postal mail; forms also are available in the Galleria; information was available on our website). To contact me, email cantorialsoloist@templemicah.org.

Kol Isha (A Woman's Voice) is a community of study and practice that endeavors to explore and become grounded in Judaism's rich traditions of Torah, prayer, ritual and spirituality through the perspective of women. This year Kol Isha will study Jewish Mysticism. Kol Isha will meet monthly on Sunday afternoons from 2:00-4:30 pm at Temple Micah. On Saturday evening, Sept. 11 from 9:00-10:00 pm, Kol Isha will meet prior to Selichot services to begin preparing for the High Holy Days. Our first regular meeting will be on Oct. 10. Please join us.

Tot Shabbat: Prior to regular Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat services, young children and their families gather in the sanctuary to worship together, learning the basic Shabbat evening prayers, blessings, and melodies. Your children will march with musical instruments, hold their own Torah, and listen to a story. You will also participate in potluck shabbat dinners together. Tot Shabbat meets monthly from 5:30-6:00 pm, followed by dinner. We begin on Sept. 10. We look forward to your participation.

Adult B'nai Torah begins the second year of our two-year course for individuals interested in learning how to read Hebrew, study Torah, chant Torah and Haftarah, understand prayer, and find answers to theological questions. We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 pm at Temple Micah starting Oct. 5. For this year, proficient Hebrew reading is required.

Kolot's Rosh Chodesh: It's a Girl Thing helps adolescent girls build self-esteem, Jewish identity, leadership skills and friendship networks. Seventh and eighth grade girls are invited to participate. Activities include discussions, exploring traditions, role-playing, crafts and socializing. Sessions are monthly on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm, including dinner, beginning on Oct. 17. The leader is our own Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence.

Daytime Hebrew is a new offering. If you want to learn how to read Hebrew or want to practice your Hebrew, join us on Thursdays from 12:00-1:00 pm beginning on Oct. 12. We will use Aleph Isn't Tough as our textbook. Please let me know by Sept. 10 if you are interested. A minimum number of students is required to begin this class. Babysitters will be available.

Jewish Parenting is a discussion group based on the book The Blessing of a Skinned Knee - Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children by Wendy Mogel. Discussions will center around respect for adults, chores, meal-time battles, coping with frustration, avoiding over-scheduling, over-indulgence, and over-protecting, keeping expectations in line with a child's temperament, and faith in God. This class, for parents of toddlers through early elementary school, meets monthly on Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 am beginning Oct. 21. Please contact me by Sept. 10. A minimum number of participants is required. Babysitters will be available.

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon. From my family to yours - a Happy and a Healthy New Year - Shana Tova Tikateivu