Welcome back! I'm looking forward to seeing all of you as we begin a new year at Temple Micah. Since the High Holy Days are in October this year, much of our programming will start up before we enter Yamim Nora'im, the Days of Awe.

The Rosh Chodesh: It's a Girl Thing program will begin on Sunday, Sept. 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for 6th- to 9th-grade girls. Rabbi Toby Manewith will lead the 6th- and 7th-grade girls, and Rosalind Wiseman will once again lead the older girls.

Our Jewish Parenting discussion group will be held monthly on Thursdays from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., starting Sept. 15. This is a lively bunch of parents of young children. Please join us.

Tot Shabbat continues on Sept. 16. The service is from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. followed by a potluck dinner and arts and crafts activities appropriate for toddlers through first graders. For further information, please email the tot shabbat coordinator.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, Kol Isha (A Woman's Voice) will meet at 9 p.m., prior to S'lichot services at 11 p.m., to engage in spiritual preparations for the High Holy Days. Everyone is welcome.

In August, members should have received information and registration flyers for many of the programs offered at Temple Micah. Please remember to return those forms as quickly as possible.

If you are interested in learning how to read Hebrew, sign up for the Adult B'nai Torah or Daytime Hebrew class. If you are a member who has joined since 2004, Rabbi Zemel and I encourage you to participate in the New Member discussion group. Rabbi Manewith will be starting a study group for people in their 20s and 30s. And we are expanding our Purim spiel this year to include members of all ages who like to act, sing and perform.

Please let us know if you would like to participate in any of these programs and e-mail me with questions at hazzan@templemicah.org.