News from
Talmud Torah/Shalhevet

November/December 2011

Sheerya Shivers

Talmud Torah Administrator

Rabbi Boris and I are excited to introduce new programs to Talmud Torah and Shalhevet:

Project Mishpacha (Family Programs)
We enthusiastically invite the parents to join their children at TBI for parallel learning experiences. Project Mishpacha occurs bi-monthly on Sunday mornings.

Thank you to the parents, students, and teachers for a successful first day of Project Mishpacha. While students studied the meaning and customs of Sukkot, parents met with Rabbi Boris to discuss the joys and challenges of celebrating the Jewish holidays as a family. Parents and students joined together for a family activity regarding ushipizin, the special guests we welcome into the Sukkah.

The next Project Mishpacha, exploring the theme of Chanukah, is on Sunday, December 11th for grades 4-7. We hope to see you there!

Shalhevet Leadership & Programming
We are delighted to welcome two new members to our Shalhevet staff: Jory Gwasdoff and Lena Elkins are joining Rob Stein, a veteran Talmud Torah teacher, in leading the Shalhevet program. Both Lena and Jory were presidents of their synagogue youth groups and have impressive experience with Tikkun Olam projects and Jewish programming. Lena, Jory, and Rob’s energy, creativity, and enthusiasm are already making a fantastic impact on Shalhevet.

New this year is the student board, comprised of 9 dedicated teen representatives who meet outside of regular Shalhevet time to advise the staff and plan events: Bailey Bennett, Quinn Pascal, Louis Griffel, Noah Shlesinger, Eli Cytrynbaum, Ellie Tenney-Bianchi, Aleah Fox-Manela, Logan Hirsch, and Max Meyers.

B’nai Mitzvah
Joan Bayliss has already begun meeting with 6th and 7th grade parents to help guide them through the b’nai mitzvah process. We are lucky to have Joan donate her time and knowledge to help families have more meaningful, less stressful, and most importantly, joyful, b’nai mitzvah experiences.

Joan also recently led a meeting for the B’nai Mitzvah tutors to share pedagogical techniques and answer questions. For all b’nai mitzvah families and tutors, I would like to say “Todah rabah, Joan!”

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