It's May

​Happiest of Mays, everyone!
I can't help myself - it's always been my favorite month, and it makes me happy hearing either The Temptations or Stevie Wonder croon about sunshine and love in the month of May.  But, I'm biased....it's my birthday month, and Israel's too!  Of course I'm focused on the latter here, but feel free to text a yom huledet sameach on cinco de mayo :).


So Rabbi Micah led a spirited session to start the kids off yesterday tying together Yom HaShoah just commemorated and Yom HaAtzamaut to celebrate on Thursday.  He allowed space for questions, took the kids on an imaginary tour of Israel, and ended with Hatikva.  Kids service and class time reinforced learning about Israel and singing its song of hope.  Below are a smattering of Hatikvah videos to play at home.  Below that - a picture of (my) Isaac as part of the Youth Symphony playing Hatikvah at Congregation Beth David for a Holocaust Remembrance Service led by Rabbi Micah.  Please try to take a moment this Thursday with your family to sing, discuss, tell stories, and answer questions.  As we all know, Israel is beautifully complicated - as are all things so authentically Jewish.

• Here's one from Jews around the world (it's from Israel's 70th), but it has Ukraine, South Africa, Brazil, Sweden, Germany, USA, and so many more - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viu48BxOBnA
• And for you historians/schmaltzy folks (like me) - here's from Israel's 30th with "Bahhbra Streisand" and Golda Meir (it's just so good) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uPHaioopKM (and since I'm at it, here's another Barbra iteration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLB_mtoEZWY)
• Here's a version with the cantor of the IDF at the March of the Living commemoration, which I really want to highlight after Phylissa's account of her time on it and explaining the experience to our school - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-_5C-SVlZE
• Just a few more....one with a Brazilian singer and French violinist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eFTViybuTI, an Israeli orchestrated one with sign language - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMwSlp7I7IQ (Naftali Bennet cameo), and a grandiose one from Jerusalem - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrXz8KT0duU

And, here are a few snapshots of our classes - the oldest focused on an in-depth talk on Israel, the middle on the idea of Kavod, or respect, and our youngest on the letter "samech" and more on Israel.  


Please know we do have school this Sunday, May 8 on Mother's Day.  PLEASE text me (805-295-0890) if you cannot attend, but know we will focus on family and Kavod (respect). There is MUCH more to come on learning about Israel at our Community Session on May 15.  Please let me know if you can help out with that day or at least make sure to stay for the parent talk led by Rabbi Micah - it will be at Congregation Beth David.

I know that's a lot to read through and link to, but, here's a few reminders, since we have so much going on this month!  

• Friday, May 6 - Family/Tot Shabbat Service AND new TNS Member Dinner.  Come for a lovely night with Rabbi Micah leading the service part and our TNS family honoring new members with a special Shabbat dinner at the synagogue.  Evite at http://evite.me/6hZh4jZN2c.  
• Sunday, May 15 - Community School Session - Israel.  Our final session that combines all area Hebrew schools will be at CBD and focus on lessons celebrating the modern state of Israel.  We will need parent help -managing our "shuk" and participating in Rabbi Micah's talk. 
• Saturday, May 21 - Lag B'omer Havdalah and Family Campout! - come for dinner and Havdalah, stay for the campout!  Hosted by the Leva Family - see all details, including camping gear needs on our Evite at  http://evite.me/6HYrb3gYyd.  

Finally, this is our last full month of TNS school (excluding Memorial Day weekend).  Our last official day is June 5 -  I can't believe it!  So, registration forms will come out soon for 2022-23, as will invitations for feedback from this year, and to help for next year.  I'm also meeting with our teachers to work on how we can improve our experience, and already, we're excited to focus on more Hebrew letter writing.  I truly am so appreciative of the team who has contributed this year, and cannot wait to launch the way we will embrace next year.

In the meantime, have a great week, yom huledet sameach Israel, and I hope to see many of you this Shabbat at our Family Service.
Lauren

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