Purim is Coming…

…And the excitement is growing!

We made hamantaschen With Ms. Freed during Family Cooking:

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And Shaloch manot – (gift baskets) to give to friends and family:

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And masks to wear:

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We also practiced for the ‘Big Show,’ learning the song that will end it all (and many are joining in for just the last few verses):

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Can’t wait until our ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Purimshpiel this Saturday night? Here are some pictures of the AWESOME cast to tide you over until then:

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See you on Saturday at Temple for the Purimshpiel and on Sunday at the JCC for the Community Purim Carnival. Have a Happy Purim!

 

What an Amazing Weekend!

On Friday, our young families joined together for a delicious Shabbat dinner, followed by a lively and interactive service. The evening included a special blessing under our beautiful new Tallit, decorated with the hand prints of our Torah Center students. Many thanks to Laura Young, Rikki Hommel and especially to Diane Holsinger for all of their hard work on this true labor of love!

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Sunday morning we held our first ever COLOR WAR. It was a great morning filled with friendly competition through Hebrew games, scavenger hunts, Gaga and the like. But the coolest part? It was planned entirely by our madrichim (student aides). Yeshar Koach (kudos!) to them…especially the Captain of the day, Rebecca Schwartz. Looks like the makings of a new Torah Center tradition. Since it was a tie (really!) – rematch next year?!?!

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It was an exciting day – and a great weekend!

 

*****

Coming Up (In case you missed it last week!):

***Purim! Celebrate it in style…get involved in the amazing opportunities here at Temple and in the South Hills Community:

  • Order Hamantaschen baked by Melinda Freed by March 4th
  • Put on your apron and come to Family Cooking on March 6th at 12:15 pm
  • Bring the entire family to see the ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Purim Shpiel at Temple on March 12th
  • Dress up in costume and come to the South Hills Community Carnival at the JCC on March 13th. (Or volunteer – we really need YOUR help!)

To place your order, RSVP or get more information, please contact the Torah Center at [email protected]

 

 

Great Things are Happening Here!

Doesn’t that title just say it all? Smiles and friendships and good times abound here in the Torah Center and we have the pictures to prove it! Check it out:

Our Kindergarten students were joined by the 5th grade in the library. Nothing beats sharing a good story!

The 2nd Grade made Jacob’s Ladder projects in the Art Room:

 

3rd Grade took a break from their silliness (and learning too!) to strike a pose:

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In Mifgash (Community experience time), 3rd-6th Grade students discussed what it means to ‘love God’:

And they helped to lead the service too!

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And on Monday nights, the South Hills Jewish Community High School is THE place to be:

 

Wow!

*****

Coming Up:

***Purim! Celebrate it in style…get involved in the amazing opportunities here at Temple and in the South Hills Community:

  • Order Hamantaschen baked by Melinda Freed by March 4th
  • Put on your apron and come to Family Cooking on March 6th at 12:15 pm
  • Bring the entire family to see the ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Purim Shpiel at Temple on March 12th
  • Dress up in costume and come to the South Hills Community Carnival at the JCC on March 13th. (Or volunteer – we really need YOUR help!)

To place your order, RSVP or get more information, please contact the Torah Center at [email protected]

Coming Together for Family Days

Family Days are opportunities for parents and children to learn together. We had two this month – and they were awesome!

3rd Grade family day started with “get-to-know-you-Bingo. We learned a lot about each other: who can wiggle their ears, who knows how to write their name in Hebrew, who has visited Israel, who is allergic to homework and other important and interesting things.

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Next everyone participated in a ‘walking text study.’ Participants responded to questions by writing their answers on large pieces of paper posted on the windows of the social hall:

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And then we learned about the Mezzuzah – what it symbolizes in our tradition. Did you know that the “shin” that is often a part of the design of the Mezzuzah case represents one of God’s names? It is the first letter in the acronym  “Shomeir Deltot Yisrael,” meaning, God is the guardian of the doors of Israel. Cool!

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As part of their family day, 5th grade students and parents received a special treat – Mifgash (community encounter time) led by the 6th grade (Yasher koach – you did a great job!)! They discussed and shared examples of “wow moments” in prayer:

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Afterwards they joined the Social Action Team in making sandwiches and gift bags for the residents of Miryam’s Shelter:

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All in all, two great mornings!

 

Looking Ahead:

  • There will be NO Torah Center/SHJCHS classes Wednesday, December 23rd – January 3rd. Classes will resume on Monday, January 4th (SHJCHS) and Wednesday, January 6th & January 10th (TC). 
  • Sunday, January 10th is 1st Grade Family Day. Please plan on joining us!
  • SAVE THE DATE! on Sunday, January 24th, students in grades K-2 and their families are invited to join their Torah Center friends for a Pool Party from 1:30 – 3:30 pm  at the South Hills JCC.

It’s Been a Great Month!

There is never a dull moment here in the Torah Center. We have been quite busy these past few weeks!

Check it out!

*****

 

Rabbi Mahler visited the 3rd Grade and talked about Tefillin (a pair of black leather boxes containing Hebrew parchment scrolls worn during prayer):

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In preparation for the December visual tefillah service, the 4th graders retold the Exodus story in pictures. A few examples:

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The 5th graders talked about Avot v’Imahot – the prayer about our ancestors.

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The 6th graders have been learning about Hebrew calligraphy:

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To get ready for Chanukah, once again our students participated in the annual MitzvahMall…an opportunity to make donations to important agencies and organizations in honor of our friends and relatives. This year we also decorated book marks and created games for books to be given to children who need them. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time, made donations and helped to brighten a child’s day through participating in the Book Mitzvah project!

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Cooking with Ms. Freed is always a blast – especially when it’s decorating cupcakes in a ‘Creation story’ theme. Can you tell what all of the decorations represent?

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And in the South Hills Community Jewish High School….

The 8th grade talked about Jewish values and created collages that showed what is important to them:

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And 7th and 9th grade students enjoyed hanging out during the break:

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It really has been a great month…looking forward to more to come!

*****

A Very Happy Chanukah from the Torah Center!

Simchat Torah, SHIM and Other Things…

Time to catch up on what’s been happening here in the Torah Center over the past few weeks:

The fall Holidays ended with Simchat Torah – always a good time…and this year’s celebration lived up to our expectations. We looked at the Torah scroll, decorated flags and pictures, ate a scrumptious pasta dinner and then danced our shoes off as we marched with the Torah. Oh – and we welcomed our newest Torah Center students, too. What a night! We were too busy having fun to take pictures, but here are a few….


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Remember all those bags of food under the stairs that you couldn’t help noticing when you went upstairs?  Thank you to everyone who brought in food during our annual drive for the SHIM food Pantry. On October 11th, after filling ours cars with donations, our 4th grade families brought it all to the food pantry and helped sort it and restock the shelves. What a mitzvah!

It’s the weigh in – did we bring more food than our 4th graders weigh? We did! [Once again, parents did not get on the scale!]

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Back at Temple that morning, the second graders made puppets for the days of Creation:

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And then in Mifgash (an encounter or experience), students in grades 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 worked together to determine what it means to be God-like, to act like God since we are created in God’s image:

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Some of what they came up with:

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What a morning!

Stay tuned for pictures from our first Yom Choice of the year and Israeli Dancing!

 


Coming Up:

  • Join us for a… SPECIAL YOUNG FAMILY SHABBAT EVENING as part of the Dor l’Dor Intergenerational Service, Friday, October 30, 2015.  5:45 pm – Pre Oneg, 6:30 pm – Shabbat Service. There is no charge to attend. Please RSVP to Rabbi Locketz at (412) 279-7600 or [email protected]
  • Also on Friday, October 30th, please join us for a Movie and Pizza Dinner following the 6:30 Shabbat service. This film is appropriate for grade 7 and above, however, all parents are invited to attend.  The movie, Girl Rising, is a documentary about 9 girls living in developing countries whose cultures don’t allow girls to have a quality education (appropriate for ages 12 and up). The pizza dinner and movie are sponsored by Anna Schwartz and her family for her Bat Mitzvah Project. Attendees are asked to consider making a donation to Girl Rising. More information can be found at girlrising.com. Please RSVP for dinner to Beth and Matt Schwartz at 412-388-0669 or [email protected] by October 26th.
  • 4th Grade Parents: Join us on Sunday, November 1st for the 4th Grade Siddur Project. During this very special program, parents will decorate a cover for their child’s Mishkan T’fillah prayer book that they will use for the rest of their years at Torah Center.  Please RSVP to Paula or Dawn at [email protected] and let us know you are planning to attend.

 

Sukkot is in the Air!

Sukkot is a favorite around here…its a lot of fun decorating the sukkah and shaking the lulav and etrog! Our sukkah looks beautiful; now if only the weather would cooperate!

 

On Sunday, Pre-K through 2nd grade students made decorations to hang in the sukkah. They visited the outdoor sukkah, learned about the symbolism of the lulav and etrog and got the chance to give them a shake.  Ms. Freed also helped them to sing Rabbi Mahler’s Sukkah Song – a much anticipated holiday highlight!

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Our older students in grades 3-6 learned about Ushpizin, the mitzvah of inviting guests into the Sukkah. Besides the traditional Jewish ancestors, they shared who else they would invite and the question they would ask given the chance:

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A few examples:

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Join us for our First Fridays Shabbat Service THIS Friday to see more!

 

On Wednesday, between the rain drops, the older students visited the outdoor Sukkah to see their work and take a turn at lulav shaking: 

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Happy Sukkot!

 


Coming Up:

  • Erev Simchat Torah Family Celebration THIS Sunday, October 4th. There will be NO TORAH CENTER classes in the morning. Instead – the celebration begins at 4:30 with family activities and crafts.  Followed by a FREE pasta dinner at 5:30 and a special Simchat Torah Family Service beginning at 6:30.  As part of the service, we will be welcoming children in Grades K-2nd as our newest Torah Center Students. RSVP to Paula or Dawn at [email protected] to let us know that you’re coming!
  • Save the Date! Sunday, October 11th is 4th Grade Family Day! Join us as we take the food collected during the High Holiday Drive over to the South Hills Interfaith Ministry Food Pantry. More information to come – check you email.  
  • Save the Date! Students in Kindergarten-2nd grade and their families are invited to come to Simmons Farm for an afternoon of fall activities on Sunday, October 25th following Torah Center Classes. Look for the flyer coming your way for more details.

Amazing First Days

We are officially open!

There was much excitement and the halls were bustling with activity as students, parents and teachers gathered for the first days of classes. Our students in Grades 3-6 returned on Wednesday, September 16th for a day of review fun and games. Some highlights:

Reviewing the Hebrew alefbet through Twister with a twist:

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Hebrew Bingo:

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And of course, everyone’s favorite activity – GaGa! Excuse the blurry pictures – its a fast-paced game!

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It definitely was all fun – but not all games! The 6th Grade decorated Torah covers to be given to our newest students in Kindergarten-Grade 2 at our Simchat Torah Consecration ceremony:

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Look what they created!

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On Sunday, September 20th the younger students came too…and enjoyed a full morning! Among the activities – Hebrew games, time in the Art Room and Kehillah (Community Time):

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On Monday, September 21st, nearly 70 teens joined us for the first night of 7th Grade and the South Hills Jewish Community High School (SHJCHS) Program. Once again, it was great to be together!

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Finally, many of our students joined us for the Torah Center Yom Kippur Programming – as participants or as Madrichim – student aides. Despite the solemn mood of the day, many smiles were seen in the classrooms and hallways:

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Thank you to everyone – our teachers, parents & teens – who made the day a success!

What a week!


Coming Up:

  • Erev Sukkot Services THIS Sunday, September 27th will begin with noshing in the Outdoor Sukkah (weather permitting) at 5:45 pm followed by services at 6:30 pm. 
  • Erev Simchat Torah Family Celebration on Sunday, October 4th. There will be NO TORAH CENTER classes in the morning. Instead – the celebration begins at 4:30 with family activities and crafts.  Followed by a FREE pasta dinner at 5:30 and a special Simchat Torah Family Service beginning at 6:30.  As part of the service, we will be welcoming children in Grades K-2nd as our newest Torah Center Students. RSVP to Paula or Dawn at [email protected] to let us know that you’re coming!

L’Shana Tova – Happy New Year!

L’Shana Tova…I hope the New Year has gotten off to a great start for you and your family!

It sure has been a terrific beginning here in the Torah Center! It was wonderful to see our students’ smiling faces! Now that summer is officially (well, as of Sunday!) over, its time for the fun (and learning!) to begin here at Temple. Rosh Hashana was a great way to kick it off – our students reconnected with old friends, met new ones, learned about the holiday, prayed together, and so much more. Check it out!

Kindergarten learned that Rosh Hashana is the birthday of the world and that hearing the shofar is an important part of the holiday. They decorated New Year’s Cards and made shofar necklaces:

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1st Grade learned about the story of Creation and made booklets with pages for each day:

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2nd Grade read a story about the World’s Birthday and made backpack pulls:

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3rd and 4th Graders read a story about tashlich (the ritual of symbolically casting off the sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread or another food into a body of flowing water) and made bags to carry their pieces of bread. Some of them brought their bags to the Temple tashlich ceremony later that afternoon!

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5th and 6th Graders read a story about the power of words – how our words can’t be taken back once spoken. They decorated challah covers to be distributed by Temple’s Caring Community to congregants recovering from illness:

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It was a great morning!


Coming Up:

  • 1st day of Sunday Torah Center Classes – THIS Sunday, September 20th, 9:30 am-12 noon [Grades K-6, Pre-K starts next week]
  • 1st day of 7th Grade and the South Hills Jewish Community High School [SHJCHS] –  THIS Monday, September 21st, 6:30-8:30 pm [Grades 7-10]
  • Torah Center Yom Kippur Programming for Kindergarten-6th Grade Wednesday, September 23rd at 9 am
  • Teen Yom Kippur Service for grades 7-12, Wednesday, September 23rd at 11:45 am

Visual Tefillah – A Preview

Tomorrow night will be our first Visual Tefillah service…and its going to be great!

Our students have been hard at work learning about the prayers and coming up with some of the images for the service.  To get the full effect, please plan on joining us at 7:30 pm TOMORROW for this spectacular Shabbat service. But in the meantime, here’s a preview of what you’ll see:

For the Mi Chamocha as we remember that God redeemed us from slavery and brought us to freedom:

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For the Avot v’Imahot as we remember our ancestors:

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Fathers and Mothers NEW

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For the Aleinu, which praises the God of all:

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And more…

Join us for this don’t miss worship experience!