Forming K’hillah

Keeping Connected    October 2024

Forming K’hillah – קְהִלָּה

(Community)

Religious and Hebrew School have gotten off to a great start this year.  There is joy in the building, lots of community building, and engagement in curriculum.  Thank you to everyone for your support and commitment in helping your students be at school with a positive attitude!

This year we are focusing on the idea of Ke’hillah, which is the Hebrew word for Community.  Connecting as part of a community has proven to have many benefits, including forming social connections, creating a sense of belonging and supporting mental health well-being.  Ke’hillah was the Word of the Week a few weeks ago and the Wednesday Hebrew class spent some time talking about it.  The students shared information about the different Ke’hillah that they are part of in addition to Congregation Shalom and their classes.  Friends shared ideas such as “my dance class ke’hillah,” “sports team ke’hillah” and “regular school ke’hillah,” to name a few.  I hope you take some time at home to talk about the importance of being part of different communities.  You can use the Hebrew word “ke’hillah” when talking about it, reinforcing the idea of supporting Hebrew in the home and helping the students and our community to integrate Hebrew terms into daily lives.  This is turn will offer more familiarity with Hebrew and allow everyone to feel a sense of pride in using the language of the Jewish people.

The School Committee is using the idea of ke’hillah as a theme for the year as they move forward with plans for the year.  The gathering at Sully’s was one of many community building events. (Thanks to everyone who attended.  It was a fun time for all and we hope to do it again!)  Keep an eye on your email for other events being planned for this year.  If you have ideas, please share them with me. If you would like to be part of the School Committee ke’hillah, it is not too late!  Reach out to me for more information.

Shabbat Dinners and Services are an excellent way to participate in Congregation Shalom ke’hillah.  The dinners are offered once a month, preceding a Family Service.  You have all been sent class lists so you can use the lists to reach out to your class ke’hillah and plan to attend dinners and services with classmates and friends. It is a fun time with yummy “home-made” dinner.

The bulletin board in the school hallway promotes ke’hillah this year as it displays the idea of building a better world together. Using the lyrics from Ellen Allard’s song, “Building a Better World” students have added a building block to create a connectedness amongst our school ke’hillah.  During classes and services this year, we will work on learning the lyrics and gestures to the song, as we join together to sing and celebrate the work with do as a ke’hillah at temple.

Classes on Sundays and Wednesdays create unique ke’hillot (plural of ke’hillah.) We are offered an amazing opportunity to learn in mixed-age classes, allowing everyone to meet new friends, work together in different groupings and widening their own circle of classmates and friends.

Kol Kolot will be a music ke’hillah, of all voices coming together.  It is not too late to sign your student(s) up to join the children’s choir.  The group will meet five times between now and early January and will then help to provide music, joy and spirit to the Shabbat service on January 10.  Please let me know if you want to sign your student up for Kol Kolot and be part of this special musical ke’hillah.

The beginning of October brings with it the chance to gather in community as we begin the new year together. Be sure to check out the opportunities during the High Holidays to join together for services and programs.  There is something for everyone.  The High Holiday schedule is available on the Congregation Shalom website.

Wishing you all l’shana tova,

Deborah 

Schedule for October

Wednesday, October 2 – NO Hebrew School (L’shana tova)

  • Please see the High Holidays Schedule for School Age Services and Programs located on the Congregation Shalom website (www.congregationshalom.org)
  • Sunday, October 6 – NO Religious School
  • Wednesday, October 9 – Hebrew School, 4:15pm-6:00pm
  • Sunday, October 13– NO Religious School due to long holiday weekend
  • Tuesday, October 15 – Post Confirmation, 7pm-8:30pm at Rabbi Perry’s home
  • Wednesday, October 16 – Hebrew School and Sukkot Dinner (until 6:30, more info coming your way)
  • Wednesday, October 16 – Chai School begins, 6:15pm – 8:15pm
  • Sunday, October 20 – Religious School for Preschoolers – 7th graders, 9am-11am
  • Wednesday, October 23 – Hebrew School, Chai School
  • Friday, October 25 – Shabbat Dinner at 6pm, Consecration/Simchat Torah and Family Service at 7pm
  • Sunday, October 27 – Religious School for Preschoolers – 7th graders, 9am-11am; Family Ed for 1st, 2nd, 3rdgraders and families
  • Sunday, October 27 – Kol Kolot meets from 11am – 12:15pm
  • Wednesday, October 30 – Hebrew School, Chai School