Orna Sonnenschein
Welcome to Temple Beth Am

As the Director of Education of Temple Beth Am, I am pleased to make available, on-line, my thoughts which are found in Temple Beth Am's monthly newsletter, TEBEAM.

My articles are available on-line and are readily available for viewing or downloading and reading at your convenience.

Director of Education’s Message
Tebeam
August 2007

As some of you may know we have a congregational meeting at the end of each year.  It is an opportunity for members to review the upcoming budget, as well as hear reports on the year.  Since few attended this year, I thought I would print my annual report.  This is actually just a taste of what took place in our school this past year.

We have just completed another marvelous year in our religious school.  As always, each grade had an opportunity to lead us (in conjunction with our junior choir) in worship.  Each faculty member prepared our students well for both the Friday night services, and the Jr. Congregation services.  I believe our decision to start Hebrew instruction in grade two has made a significant difference.  I was especially impressed with the level at which our 4^th graders read Hebrew.  Knowing that they have a solid base will allow me to expand our Hebrew curriculum and introduce other areas of learning to the classroom.  My goal is to have all students comfortable with the Saturday morning liturgy by the end of grade 5.  Once I know our students can read the prayers fluently we can move on to other engaging material. 

Each family service ended with a closing song led by our music teacher Don Levey.  He has done an unbelievable job with the children this year and I was very pleased with his ability to persuade even the older children to actually sing!  Don made every effort to work closely with the teachers so that the songs he covered in music class related to the material the students were learning in class.

Our other specialist Phyllis Trincia continues to amaze me with her innate ability to engage the children.  Originally I asked Phyllis to offer bible to grades k-2.  She would introduce the portion of the week, and then the students would act it out.  When at the end of last year the 2^nd graders discovered they would not have bible with Mrs. Trincia for grade 3, they complained…and so grade 3 now goes as well.  As it turns out the students are not the only ones who enjoy this class.  The teachers have also become so involved that they have an “Emmy” (someone’s old soccer trophy) that gets presented to the best teacher actor/actress each week.  What’s most important however is that despite the fun they are all having, the students are actually learning a lot and are getting a solid bible base!

Our students also visit the school library regularly.  Mrs. Massey has started a “wiggly worm club,” where she keeps track of the books the students have read.  This year she used Noah’s Ark as a theme for the club.  Students got to pick animals for each book they read.  They were then put up on the bulletin board outside the library.  At the end of the year those students who had completed their “wiggly worm” page received a lovely book mark, pencil and a cut-out of Noah’s ark.  Marsha Massey has been terrific and it’s great having her with us on Sunday.

We had a great turnout for both Sukkot and Simchat Torah this year.  Not that I plan the holiday schedule but it is a very festive way to start off the year. 

I ran several family programs this year.  In the younger grades I began each program with ice breakers to help the parents get to know one another.  I purposefully scheduled the kallot to take place a few weeks before that particular grade’s service.  That way parents, especially those coming to a service for the first time, would already know some of the other parents. 

For the 1^st grade kallah we talked about and wrote prayers.  When I put the service together for the 1^st grade I incorporated each child’s own prayer.  I felt it made for a lovely, personalized service.  Our 2^nd graders made Haggadot for Passover during their Kallah.  Each parent was provided with user friendly guidelines and texts, and the children were provided with child friendly craft materials.  They worked together to compile beautiful Haggadot to use at their own seders.  Grade three made Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and acted out the Hanukkah story.  The 3^rd grade aides were particularly helpful that day; we would not have been able to do the project without them!

Our Kindergarten program was run by the teacher Nancy Rotatori.  She taught families about Mitzvot by having the parents trace their child and then having them come up with the myriad mitzvot they can perform using different parts of their bodies.  We displayed the “Mitzvah Kids” at the Kindergarten service and then families were able to take them home.

As in the past few years I had three programs with the 6^th graders and their parents; All three focusing on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.  For the third program the students create their own Tallit.  The students and their parents spent a long morning making gorgeous Tallitot and then tying the tzitzit.  While frustrating to some at times…it was a fabulous day!

We tried a new program in our 7^th and 8^th grade classes this year.  We signed up with Telem.  Telem is an innovative program for Boston area Jewish teens that integrates community service, learning, and reflection—and provides opportunities for students to effect real change. In addition to helping others, they learn about values that have guided Jews for thousands of years—and gain understanding of how they can work for change.  Our students worked in the McCarthy school helping young students with reading.  Despite it being a great idea, Telem is still in its early stages and I’ve decided not to continue with it next year. 

Our 9^th and 10^th graders had a great year.  Aside from their core classes they had several excursions.  As part of their lifecycle curriculum they went to Levine’s Chapel to learn about funeral homes.  In preparation for our wedding (Rick and Eileen Davis renewed their wedding vows) they went to Mayyim Hayim to learn about the mikvah.  The students also wrote a ketubah, participated in and baked for the wedding. 

To enrich our Holocaust curriculum Jeremy and I took the 9^th graders to Washington D.C.  There we visited the Holocaust Museum and the RAC (Religious Action Center) in addition to other places.  We had Shabbat morning services in the lobby of the hotel, and havdallah that evening in one of the rooms.  I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to spend such quality time with the 9^th grade students.  They are a terrific group of kids and it was a wonderful trip.

The 10^th graders had their confirmation trip to NY.  I’m sure the Cantor will report on that.  She did an incredible job organizing a superb trip.  Again, it was great to be able to spend time away from the temple with our 10^th graders.  They are also a great group and I enjoyed spending time with them.

I worked with 11 students this year who chose to write a d’var for their b’nei mitzvah.  I especially enjoy this one on one time I get to spend with students.  Each one was a pleasure to work with.

I also helped plan and host the BARTE (Boston Area Reform Temple Educators) conference this year.  The topic was building community in the classroom.  Something that is crucial in our temple since we serve more than just one town.  I am always thinking of ways to increase the sense of community within the school.  This conference was a great springboard for my faculty this year.  After being president of BARTE for 3 years I am stepping down from the position.  I will continue however to be active within the organization.

As you can see it’s been quite an action packed year.  I am very proud of our school.  We have an excellent faculty who all work very well together.  Now as summer approaches I begin my assessment of the past year and planning for the next.  If you have any thoughts about the school I am more than happy to hear them. 

Thank you to Sisterhood and Brotherhood for all they do for the school and to the board for its support over the year.  Both Jami and Ellen have gone above and beyond to help insure the school runs smoothly I am very thankful for them.  Cantor Schechtman has also been an integral part of the school.  I appreciate her involvement and hard work.

A special thanks to Rabbi Splansky.  It has been a pleasure to work with him these past 9 years.  He has always been supportive, helpful and kind.  He has been a wonderful resource to me and a good friend.  I have many colleagues who do not have the best relationship with their clergy.  I have been very lucky.  Thank you.