Remembrance day

I hope you have had the chance to speak with your children about our last TNS school session.  It was an impactful and profound morning, honoring Holocaust Remembrance, and I really want to send a message of appreciation to your children for taking it all in so respectfully and seriously.  We started out the morning watching the film "The Tattooed Torah." 

Following the movie, we had Noah Tendrih present his take on "Diary of Anne Frank." Please take a moment and read Noah's words. I encourage all of our students who are ready to read this book to still please do so and present their thoughts another Sunday.  

Then our school heard from TNS president, Susan Stern-Pearl, on the background of her father, who liberated Buchenwald, followed by a history on our past congregant, Irving Klein, z"l, who survived the Holocaust and whose estate helped build our community room.  Lastly, the kids went through an evacuation drill with John Belsher, who reminded them that TNS is a place of warmth and safety, and that we do these drills to help ensure that.

During class time, the Shalhavot students reviewed a number of our blessings and their meaning, including the hamotzi and the blessing over fruit of the vine.  Our Nitzotzot class watched a film about Anne Frank and wrote letters to her.  See below to understand how they took such a lesson in.  The Gan class was focused on Israel this week - and made their own passports!

We ended the day with kids service - and I love that more and more of our students are joining me on the bimah to lead in the prayers!  Alex, Sophie and Leo did a great job with Sim Shalom and here is Levi Medina leading in Adon Olam - 

The pieces of Sunday morning came together with Rabbi Micah leading in a moment of silence and explaining to our school the more serious nature of what we were teaching.  Rabbi Micah will be leading this Friday our next Family Shabbat Service!  Come by 6pm for the 15 minute tot shabbat, followed by a kid-dish for the littles.  Then our regular service will start with the older kids being called up to the bimah to lead in various prayers with Rabbi Micah.  The Kovens are generously sponsoring an oneg so there will be some treats to follow the service.

Also coming up this weekend is our next Rosh Chodesh gathering, on Sunday, Feb 6 from 4:30-6pm at Sycamore Springs.  Please RSVP to me if you can attend.

Also, on the community-side of all things Jewish on the Central Coast, I want to let you all know about the 2nd Jewish Learning Festival!  It's an incredible program of speakers and learning sessions we've put together, both in educating against antisemitism and as a response to the swastika that was graffitied on the AEPi house last year, and as a way to celebrate Judaism.  Check out the website and come to the keynotes or more!  https://www.jewishfestivaloflearningslo.com/

Lastly, TNS has a new website!!!  Take a look at templenershalom.org and you will see the new look, plus a synagogue calendar that includes service times, birthdays, and more on the "Koleinu" page.  That page you need member access - the password is "tns1818"

I look forward to seeing many of you later this week.  You'll certainly hear from me again with a reminder for the Family Shabbat Service.

All my best
Lauren
____________________________________________________________
Letters to Anne Frank from Nitzozot Class

Dear Anne Frank
I would be so scared if I was a Jew in the Holocaust and you were very brave, and if I was in a mini room and could not go outside, I would be so mad. 
Simon

Dear Anne Frank
You lived in a hard times, you faced hard things, and became famous
Levi

Dear Anne Frank
Thank you for helping out during the war. You did a really good job in helping our world
Olivia

Dear Anne Frank
I'm sorry I don’t think I would be able to survive that long. You also inspired me to get a diary. I am sorry .
I'm thankful for my life. And I hope you are the same.
Eliana

Dear Anne Frank
You are cool by finding out how to find something to do when you were stuck. I feel bad for how you felt.
Dinah

---