The Temple Welcomes Rabbi Maya Glasser

By Susan Edelman, Congregation Ahavath Chesed

Rabbi Maya Glasser has joined Congregation Ahavath Chesed (The Temple) as the Senior Rabbi. Ordained by Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Glasser also holds HUC’s inaugural Certifi cate in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Her experience as a clergy leader, and with Jewish education and youth as well as community outreach involvement, appealed to Temple’s Rabbinic Search Committee, and Rabbi Glasser felt a strong connection as well.

“I saw dedicated volunteers—people who love and support their congregation, and are willing to devote time and energy to this place they love,” she says of her fi rst impressions. “There’s a lot of things you can change about a congregation, but the people aren’t one of them. This is a strong and vibrant community.” Rabbi Glasser acknowledges this is a time of uncertainty for many. But she believes our pandemic experiences and our worries about the future give Judaism a chance to light the way by injecting more meaning into our lives.

“Judaism is all about keeping a tradition alive and finding its

meaning in new ways,” she notes. “Our traditions will help

us navigate obstacles, find strength and provide hope that we can be the next generation to get through the tough times. The power is in our tradition.”

Rabbi Glasser joins Cantor Carrie Barry, and will be working closely with two other brand-new-to- Jacksonville professionals: Gonen Arad, Director of Congregational Learning and Engagement, and Autumn Sheridan, Temple Administrator.

“It is so exciting to see our team come together—and we have already ‘clicked’,” she said. “We have a renewed energy and are focused on community building and relationships. Without meaningful relationships, there’s no meaningful Judaism.”

With all the preparations necessary for High Holidays and the opening of Temple Institute of Religion, Rabbi Glasser and her husband Jake Bayer have not had a lot of time to explore Jacksonville, but says she loves what she’s seen so far. Most importantly, she says she’s felt the welcoming embrace of an eager community.

“One of the reasons I became a rabbi is to be present throughout the lives of my congregants,” she concluded. “I’ve been waiting to fi nd that community that was excited to have me, and this feels even bigger than that—I feel like we’ve come together in a sacred moment to start a new chapter in this journey.”

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OPENS IN GREATER JACKSONVILLE

By Leah Kurinsky, Chabad at the Beaches

Teen volunteers are paired with a child with special needs to form unique, lasting friendships

Friendship Circle, an organization that provides support for children with special needs, has recently opened to serve families in the greater Jacksonville community. Friendship Circle pairs a high school-aged volunteer with a child with special needs to form friendships through play, education, and opportunities for individual growth. They are currently welcoming new volunteers and children with special needs to participate for the upcoming 202122 school year.

Bonds between children with special needs and their special friends have longevity, built on mutual respect and appreciation for one another. To build these friendships, Friendship Circle aims to highlight the abilities of children with special needs rather than focusing on what they are not able to do. Children with special needs are often uniquely positioned to off er sustainable, moral values through their actions, exuding patience, honesty, commitment, and positive thinking. It can be diffi cult for children with special needs to make lasting friendships in everyday settings due to misconceptions about disabilities and atypical conditions. Through targeted and inclusive Friendship Circle programming, such as art and music classes with experienced facilitators, children with special needs can participate in social activities in a way that allows their individual personalities to shine.

The Friendship Circle has met throughout the spring and early summer at Fletcher Park in Marsh Landing, facilitated through the support of Chabad at the Beaches. Their inaugural events have featured Jewish-themed music and movement, snack, outdoor play, and crafts.

The schedule for 2021-22 includes Jewish holiday gatherings, outdoor adventures, family picnics, and art-based classes, in addition to coff ee hour and other socializing opportunities for parents. Friendship Circle of Greater Jacksonville is coordinated by Tova Barrocas, a special needs educator based in Ponte Vedra.

For more information, please contact Tova Barrocas at (347)988-5894 or via email at info@chabadbeaches.com

CELEBRATING SUKKOT WHILE KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE

By Liat Walker, Martin J. Gottlieb Day School

The Torah commands us to be happy on Sukkot. V’samachta b’chageicha, v’hayita ach sameach—we should rejoice in our holiday and we should feel nothing but happiness. Some might think that the Coronavirus disease pandemic has made it very difficult to fulfill this mitzvah (commandment). At the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School students, staff and parents were able to enjoy the holiday of Sukkot last year and again this year in a fun and safe manner.

Previously the Middle School students went into the community and built sukkot for individuals who were unable to do so for themselves. They also built sukkot at different locations in Jacksonville including the University of North Florida, River Garden/The Coves and UF Health Jacksonville. In addition, all kindergarten through eighth grade students participated in a sukkah hop by visiting different sukkot around the city. The students (with staff and parent volunteers) would enjoy an activity, story and a snack at each sukkah.

Due to the pandemic, the annual sukkah hop was reimagined in 2021. Instead of leaving the campus students created their own sukkah hop on our beautiful 34-acre property thanks to the middle school students who built three sukkot in our Beth Shalom Park. In this way everyone could experience the joy of Sukkot. The sukkot were then adorned with decorations created by the day school students. During the sukkah hops, parent volunteers were stationed in each sukkah and the preschool and day school students were able to “hop” around the three sukkot enjoying a scavenger hunt, stories, crafts and, of course, yummy snacks.