Temple News

“Baruch HaShem!” Depending on your background, or if you binge-watched Unorthodox or Shtisel during the past many months, you heard this a lot. “Blessed be the name,” or more loosely translated, “Thank God!” In Religious School, we spend quite a bit of time teaching the value of Hakarat HaTov, recognizing good and finding gratitude in daily living. We thank God, we thank one another, we thank those who protect us, we thank our teachers and educators, and hopefully the list goes on and on, whether it be for our healthy bodies, minds, or presence in the moment we are in.

Generating an affection for and commitment to Israel, a core value of our mission, remain the same even though this year it was experienced differently. Grade 6 would not be complete without the Israel trip. As with many other milestones, COVID-19 pushed us to be flexible and creative in planning it. While we couldn't physically travel to Israel, Grade 6 students participated in an incredible virtual Israel adventure.

The Early Childhood Centers had a year like no other, and when reflecting on the successes that came about because of the pandemic, it is clear that there is so much we have gained. Starting with the children…they have shown us how resilient they are.

After the fires in 2018, we learned that camp is truly the people, not the place. In 2020, we learned that the magic of camp will always reach us, no matter the distance. As we begin our summer this year at Buckhorn Camp in Idyllwild, after these last few years we don’t take a single moment together for granted. The time we spent apart makes the time we spend together sweeter! With profound joy, camp opened, welcoming campers and staff to spend a safe, fun, and meaningful summer together this year—for Summer 2021 (more like 20Twenty-FUN!).

It’s 11:30 a.m. on a recent Tuesday, and the Karsh Family Social Service Center team—two volunteers, our program coordinator, and our Serve the Moment corps member—are dancing around in different areas of the Leanse Ratner Family Food Pantry preparing for the newest addition to the Center’s weekly programs: the Tuesday Food Pantry distribution.