Kol Beth El S I VA N - E LU L 5 7 8 1
JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2021
Learning by Doing: CRS Students Create Two Mega Mezuzot for School Wing By Rabbi Alex Freedman
INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Corner................................. 2 Shabbat Schedule.................................. 3 Staff Tributes/Announcements........ 4 Informal Education................................ 5 Ritually Speaking.................................... 5 Cultural & Learning Center................ 6 History Corner........................................ 6 Development .......................................... 7 Pre-School................................................ 7 Youth Community ................................ 8 Formal Education................................... 9 Sisterhood................................................. 10 Sisterhood Gift Shop............................ 10 Membership............................................. 11 New Director of Congregational Learning..................................................... 11 HAZAK...................................................... 12 Environmental Corner.......................... 12 All in the Beth El Family....................... 13
Todah Rabbah..................................... 14 Events at a Glance............................. 18 Social Action........................................ 19 Chef Laura............................................ 20
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 432-8900 | www.nssbethel.org
Over the past two years, the Cohen Religious School students have gotten up close and personal with the Mezuzah. It began when I spent time with each class teaching the how’s and why’s of the Mezuzah inside and out. We unrolled real parchment scrolls (Klafim); we read the words of the Shema which instruct us to place these on our doorposts; we toured some of the Mezuzot hanging in Beth El. Then it was time to create. The goal was for the students themselves to contribute to two oversized Mezuzot - 12 x 36 inches. In our CRS Mezuzot, the kids colored in the letters of the Shema text on poster board (while these Mezuzot are technically not Kosher, they fulfill the spirit of learning, L’Shem Hinuch). The younger kids had their pictures taken and integrated into a gorgeous photo mosaic of a tree. The older students each colored a square that was transferred to a tile, and these tiles formed a map of Israel decorated with Hamsas. Each tile is unique, yet they join together to form one image. Like their tiles, each student has a distinct voice, yet they join together with others to make one CRS community. A huge Kol HaKavod shoutout goes to Dr. Alicia Gejman and a team of parent volunteers: Melissa Block, Melissa Buzin,
Nami Goldenberg, Jori Graham, Lori Gross, Sandy Gross, and Shayna Plankar. On the last day of school, these two Mezuzot were dedicated in a schoolwide virtual ceremony. Plaques were hung alongside them naming all the children. One hangs by the Grossinger Brickman Activity Center, while the other stands by the Natkin Seminar Room. For years to come, CRS students and others will enjoy these beautiful additions. Not even a pandemic could stop our efforts.
JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2021 | KOL BETH EL | 1
