Yom haem sameach

Hello!
You may have all just seen my update for the May 21 Campout, so I will start with that before TNS school news:

• Start time has been updated to arrive at 530....and for a TNS simcha!  There will be a Shabbat baby naming inside the synagogue for Shermin and Eric Rutherford's second daughter, followed by a special kiddush for all to enjoy.
• Following the celebration, we will move on to the Makom to set up camp for all staying the night, host Havdalah, light the post-Lag B'Omer bonfire, cook up s'mores, and sing some songs.  
• If you plan to stay the night, be in touch with Ari Leva (arielleoleva@gmail.com)!  She can help out with camping gear, etc.  Also, we are working on the possibility of hiring our TNS teachers to manage two older kids' tents....more to come on that, and let me know if you'd be interested in letting your kid(s) stay the night with a "counselor."
• The Levas are hosting a pancake breakfast the next morning.   All kids in TNS school will go straight to Hebrew school from the Makom!

OK - so now for TNS school news reviews and updates....
Yesterday honored Mother's Day - teaching the kids how to say "Yom HaEm Sameach," and we took out our Chumashim to read in this past week's parsha, the very first commandment repeated in Kedoshim is to honor one's mother and father!  We read the "Woman of Valor" proverb (in the Sim Shalom Siddur, page 310), and reviewed the Hebrew words for members of our mishpacha (our family).  Here's a picture of yesterday's guests during Torah Talk - Ima (mom), Abba (dad), Yalda/Bat (female child/daughter), Yeled/Ben (male child/son), and Tinok (baby) - please try to review this with your kids! - 
A big Todah Rabah to our newest student and Israeli guest, Assaf, who is living here in SLO for a short period of time, but will be a part of our TNS family until he returns to Israel.  He speaks only Hebrew, so he is sharing his vocabulary with fellow kids and learning how we express Judaism here in America.  Please introduce yourselves to his parents Idit and Baruch if you have the chance.

Class time focused on Hebrew terms, Israel, and Kavod, or respect.  Individual Hebrew review continued with Binah and Malca.  We also had a beautiful kiddush snack hosted by the Hartless-Romero's and leftover cake from our TNS New Member Family Shabbat this last Friday (thanks to Dinah)!  The kids all shared one thing they were grateful for to eat the cake....the majority of them said MOM!

Upcoming TNS School Dates and Reminders:

• May 15 - Community School Day on Israel at Congregation Beth David
  • Our focus for our last Community School Day together is Israel - please note it's at CBD from 930-1130
  • PARENTS - Please plan to stay!!!  The first half hour will be in the sanctuary with Rabbis Micah and Matt with songs, stories, and more.  Then as the kids go to their classes, Rabbi Micah will host a parent talk entitled "Love with All Your Heart - Talking about Israel like Thanksgiving Dinner"  - Rabbi Micah will lead you through a conversation to have with your children on the modern politics of Israel, how to embrace it together, and how to navigate current media headlines.
  • After class/parent time, the program continues with an Israeli "shuk" and Israeli dancing, followed by a teaching and singing of Hatikvah
• May 20 - Lauren leading Friday night Shabbat Services - as a Woman of Valor
• May 21 - Baby Naming, Havdalah, and Campout
• May 22 - Regular TNS School Day
• May 29 - NO TNS SCHOOL
• June 1 - Rosh Chodesh at Sycamore Springs (stay tuned for exact time)
• June 5 - Last Day of TNS School and Shavuot (more details to come)

As always, feel free to be in touch with me by phone or text.  I appreciate all of you who have messaged me when you know you cannot attend school, or any of the other gatherings we have going on.  Please know you ALL are always welcome at everything TNS, always part of the mishpacha, and I'm always here for you as you need.

Til soon,
Lauren

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