Rabbi Ḥanina said: I have learned much from my teachers and even more from my friends, but from my students I have learned more than from all of them. (Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit 7a)
Last Sunday was the first day of religious school, a day our Temple Beth-El team has been diligently planning for months. Though it might have been easy to get lost in the whirlwind of the day’s festivities, I found myself rooted in the presence of the students I had the honor of teaching last year.
Beth-El’s 136th confirmation class and last year’s 7th graders were both well represented on Sunday. They were painting the faces of eager children at the carnival, setting up and managing classrooms as madrichim, and taking their places as competent members of our religious school faculty. It was utterly inspiring to watch these young people, from whom I have already learned so much, continue the chain of tradition by taking on their own students. With care, dedication, and ear-to-ear smiles these young people demonstrated that their commitments to our community will not stop with the end of their formal education with us. They each intend to give back and to provide formative experiences to the next generation of Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School students.
As we look forward to the dawning of 5783, may we all appreciate the blossoming of the seeds we planted in 5782. May they grow to be like these students, strong and giving. Let this Shabbat be a time to appreciate the people you have influenced over the course of the past year; do not forget to tell them how much naches they give you.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Preston Neimeiser
Services
Under the guidance of our medical advisory committee, we have moved to an optional masking policy for worship. We will continue to watch the numbers and, in accordance with the CDC, will update the policy as necessary. With unmasking, it will be even more important to monitor yourself and to stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms or have been a close contact.to anyone with a confirmed case. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
