We Did It!

What a great way to end the school year! Everyone’s contributions and support of this year’s tzedakah project helped us to surpass our goal for the year. Our school community ended up raising well over $1000 to be donated to the NEADS organization. This money will help to train puppies to become service dogs and will help people to be able to obtain a service dog.  Great work everyone!

Our Religious and Hebrew School programs have ended for this year with great fanfare! One Sunday morning near the end of the year, our entire school community gathered together for a big Zoom assembly in which some students shared their talents, we celebrated our tzedakah project and enjoyed all being together. It was a very moving morning for all. We ended Hebrew School with the traditional Torah Passing, from the 7^th graders down to the 6^th graders! This is a tradition at Congregation Shalom and we continued it this year, with a new twist. The Torah was passed down through a virtual video that was put together, allowing each 7^th grader to pass down words of wisdom (and a Torah) and each 6^thgrader receiving the Torah and sharing their hopes for the future.  We also finished the year with a whole school spirit week from afar.  Students and staff dressed up during the week in various themes and shared photos online.  It really did feel like we were together with great spirit even while we were apart. All in all, it was a very successful school year. Thank you to the students, families, staff and larger temple community for working together to create a year of great joy, learning and laughter.

It is now time to move ahead and begin to plan for next year. Registration packets have been sent out with a requested return date of July 1. This helps us to start to plan for next year. Next year is sure to be another year of some creative planning, and though we do not know what next year will look like yet, we do know that Congregation Shalom will be implementing another great year of learning, experiences and community.

As we enter into the summer months, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of continuing to practice reading Hebrew all summer long. Ten minutes a day for at least three days a week will greatly benefit your student to hold onto all the skills they have learned this year and to move ahead and be ready to find more success with Hebrew next year and in the future. Look for Hebrew reading sheets to be sent to you this summer.

Finally, also keep an eye out for emails inviting your students to various programs and activities that will be offered periodically throughout the summer. These opportunities will allow us to stay connected as a community while having some fun together!

Thank you to everyone for helping to create a successful school year, both in the building and online. It definitely takes a village and our village rose to the occasion with enthusiasm, participation and connectedness.

I will look forward to keeping in touch over the summer months. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!