Ethiopian Basket Weaving

One of our new programs this year is called "Edot," and students spend the year learning about a variety of different diaspora communities / cultures of the Jewish people.  The first unit of the year focuses on Ethiopian Jews and Ethiopian Jewish traditions, and our students spent time trying out a technique of Ethiopian Jewish basket weaving last Sunday... check out a few of the pictures!

Race Remixed

A recent series in the NY Times called "Race Remixed" talks about the changing nature of race in America.  I would add that the nature of race in the Jewish community has changed significantly as well.  Some people assume that almost all American Jews are white, of European (mostly Eastern European) descent.  While this may have been true historically, it is not necessarily true today (particularly in the Bay Area!).  If you come to Temple Isaiah, you will find children and adults of many different racial backgrounds.  At times I get questions from parents who are thinking about joining Temple Isaiah, but they have children who are mixed race or some other race besides Caucasian... the parents are concerned that their child/ren will be 'the only one' and will somehow feel left out or different due to their looks.  Luckily, we can reassure those parents that their children will be among a wide variety of children in our community, of all different 'colors' and races.  That being said, I think it's time for an image 'update' of Jewish families in America.

For a couple of visual images, below is a picture of Ganeinu (the "Parenting My Jewish Baby" program at Temple Isaiah) from last winter, followed by a silly picture of our Religious School students at Consecration last year...

In addition to pointing out that our community is more racially mixed than many people would assume, I also want to note that there are new organizations devoted to representing the 'rainbow' of Jewish families out there.  One in particular, Be'chol Lashon, advocates for "the growth and diversity of the Jewish people," and received press earlier this year for its new summer camp for "Jews of Color."

If you are thinking about joining a synagogue but are concerned that it's going to feel 'too white,' worry not!  The Jewish community is (and is becoming) more diverse than you might think!

School is back in session!

It's now been two weeks of our Religious School year, and so far everything is going very well.  There are always a few glitches getting things up and running, but I've been pleased with the beginning of the year overall.  I'm especially excited about our new track system, in which students in 3rd-6th grade choose which type of Religious School program they want to do.  All of our programs are filled with energy, excitement, and engaging learning experiences! 

One of our new programs is called Teva (Nature), and the kids and parents in Teva have created a brand new "Gan Teva", an organic garden just outside our 'big' playground.  Check out these pictures of Teva kids and their parents / teachers creating the garden this past Sunday!


Hard at work, creating Gan Teva (the Teva Garden)

Teacher Adi showing a group of kids how to plant seeds

Carrying soil to the garden beds

Lead Teacher Eyal showing students how to hammer in stakes




More Rosh Hashanah Videos...

Here are a couple more Rosh Hashanah videos this year:



This one is a happy new year message from the staff at Temple Emanuel Denver, the congregation where Rabbi Forrest and I both grew up:

Getting in shape for the High Holidays

Ever wonder how your rabbis & cantor prepare for the upcoming holidays?  Check out this new video that gives you an 'inside look'!  (Note that the two young female rabbis are friends of mine from rabbinical school!!)

Rosh Hashanah is coming!

A new Jewish year must be coming, as there's a great YouTube video making the rounds... Shana tovah u'metukah, wishing you a happy & sweet new year!