Dear Religious School Families,

It is such a wonderful honor to be the new Director of Education at Temple Beth Am.  I come to TBA having worked in both formal and informal Jewish education settings.  I’m excited to share my love of Judaism and my passion for Jewish education with the TBA Family!

I moved to the Boston area in the beginning of June and am settling in fairly well.  I can’t wait to explore the city and all it has to offer.  So far, I’ve covered much of Brighton and Brookline on foot while walking my Black Lab Shadow.  She has led me on many winding roads and we’ve gotten lost a few times.  Getting lost is a great way to get to know a place!

Before coming to TBA, I lived in the Philadelphia area for the past six years.  There I attended the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Gratz College.  As a rabbinical student, I had many wonderful opportunities to work in a variety of synagogues and other Jewish settings, serving as both rabbi and educator. 

In addition to working in some of the more traditional Jewish settings (temples, camps, schools, etc.), I also serve as a United States Navy Reserve Chaplain. I did my training in Newport, Rhode Island and served the Marines at Camp Lejeune North Carolina.  While in Philadelphia, I worked with local Jewish War Veterans posts and led Shabbat services at the Delaware Valley Veterans Home. 

I grew up in South Florida but have been slowly making my way north.  I attended college at The George Washington University in Washington DC and rabbinical school in Philadelphia.  I think this is as far north as I’ll go - wish me luck when winter rolls around!

Outside the Religious School Office you will notice a framed poster, pens and post-it notes on the wall.  The quote on the poster comes from the part of the Passover Haggadah that deals with the Four Children and their questions.  Whenever you think of a question about anything Jewish, write it down on one of the post-it notes and stick it to the poster.  “Rabbi Amanda’s Trivial Pursuit: Everything you wanted to know, but never asked” is an opportunity to jot down Jewish questions that you’ve been thinking about.  Each month, the writer of the best question will get a prize.

Speaking of prizes. . . Located on one of the other school bulletin boards is “Rabbi Amanda’s Kochavim (stars).”  Every time a student correctly reads Hebrew to me outside of Religious School hours s/he will get a star.  Prizes are awarded for every 20 stars.  Good Luck!

I look forward to getting the school year started!  We are in the process of hiring more teachers and a new Youth Educator and planning many wonderful Kallot (family education programs) to supplement our exciting year of school programming.

 

Please feel free to stop by the school office over the summer to introduce yourself.  I have met several families so far, but know there are many more of you out there that I still would love to meet.

 

B’Shalom,

Rabbi Amanda R. Lurer