Tifereth Israel Congregation

Department of Lifelong Learning

By Lynn Golub-Rofrano

End of Year Celebration

Our last day of school will be June 7. The school year closes with an assembly at 11:15 a.m. where the classes will share some of the work they have been doing and learn about what to expect in future years.

Our End-of-Year Celebration will include lunch, an outdoor inflatable obstacle course, and a yard sale!  Join us for a great afternoon and the opportunity to socialize with your TI friends before we spread out in different directions for the summer.  We will be renting tables for the yard sale at the very low cost of only $10 table, or two for $18.  Please let me know if you are interested in renting a table.  We will have special ‘pre-schoolers’ time on the obstacle course for the younger members of our community.  Be sure to stop by with your children after 12:15 if they are not in the Himmelfarb School. 

My Summer in Israel

On a personal note, I will be studying in Israel this summer.  This morning, I received an invitation to teach at a Tikkun Olam/Mitzvah/Tzedekah Conference in Israel with Danny Siegel.  I have been invited to teach a Professional Educator’s Workshop.

This part of the conference is described in the website as:   “Professional Educators' Workshop:  One workshop will be with Carmi Wisemon of Sviva Israel – ‘The Eco Connection’.  A great way to connect kids in Israel and overseas through joint Jewish environmental learning and action.  Other sessions during the Monday/Thursday 2:30 p.m. time slot are being confirmed--the following people have been asked:  Rabbi Daniel Sperber, Prof. Jacob Milgrom, Elyse Goldstein, Rabbi Jonathan Porah, Lynn Golub-Rofrano, Menachem Gottesman (principal of the Meled High School).”

I was honored to be invited and I look forward to sharing information about the conference when I return as well as information about the classes I will be taking at the Conservative Yeshiva.

SAGEing

Our SAGEing group will hold its last meeting for the year from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on June 17 for lunch and discussion.  This is our annual summer book recommendations meeting.  Many of us have more time to read during the summer than the rest of the year and this is a great time to share what you’ve liked and what you haven’t and to learn about books you haven’t read.  I usually come away from this meeting with a great list of books that I want to look for and read when I have time.  Recommended books don’t have to have Jewish themes, just anything you have enjoyed and want to share!

Book Discussions

A series of interesting book discussions are planned for the next couple of months.  On June 14, at 10:30 a.m., we will discuss Hungry Hearts & Other Stories and The Breadgivers by Anzia Yezierska.   In the early fall we will discuss From Hester Street to Hollywood, The Life and Work of Anzia Yezierska by Bettina Berch, Mollie’s daughter.

Bettina will be joining us for this discussion and I have copies of her book available for those who wish to purchase a copy for their summer reading.  Bettina is generously offering the Department of Lifelong Learning a $2 donation per book.  The cost of the book, including the donation, is only $15.95.  Please stop by my office if you want to purchase a copy.

Lucette Lagnado Talk

Many of us have read and discussed The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, during the past year.  Lucette Lagnado, the author, is speaking at the DCJCC as part of the Nextbook program at 7:30 pm. On June 17.  Tickets are $9.00.  If you would like to hear her as part of a TI group, please let me know.  Perhaps we can meet for dinner in their café before the talk if there are enough people interested.

Youth Groups

USY is ending their year with a BBQ at my house!   We will meet on June 14, at 3 p.m., to go swimming and have dinner.  During dinner we will program for next year as well as discuss different board position openings and who is interested in volunteering.  Please join us if you would like to play a role in the Tifereth Israel United Synagogue Youth Chapter for 2009-2010.

Our younger youth groups ended the year with a fun swimming day on May 17.  Watch for flyers late in the summer for our opening programs.

Adult Education Programs

I am looking for suggestions and ideas for adult education programs for next year.  If you have ideas for classes you would like to teach or take, please let me know.  Also, if there are programs you would like the Department of Lifelong Learning to offer, please let me know.