11/01/2023 11:45:04 AM
Shalom, Kol Ami!
With all that is happening in our world today, I am so glad I have my Kol Ami family! I have relied on Rabbi Blatt, Mitch Weiss, and the entire staff to help me cope and understand the role that I play in these tragic circumstances. I have been listening to the news and reading all the stories on social media, but what really hit home for me was the many parents who have reached out with concern for their child’s safety at OUR religious school. I don’t think any of us thought we would need to be fearful in the year 2023 about our heritage, here, in the United States. Even with all that works against us, however, we are STILL here and will continue to thrive, if we work together as a community to stop HATE. Am Yisrael Chai!
I am working with Rabbi, Mitch, and the Board to create a safety plan for our school in case we need it. It is better to be prepared and not need it than not be prepared. I will be sending out an email with our protocols this month, and we will also be practicing a “drill” in our school. I know that many of our students, unfortunately, have been preparing for these “drills” since kindergarten, so it should not be new to them. I have also asked our police officers to station their vehicles in front of the school instead of off to the side of the building. I know we are all concerned for everyone’s safety, and I want to let you know that we are working to make it as safe as possible for our school.
With all this being said, we still have children, and they need to learn and have some fun! We have not had many days of religious school in October with all the Fall holidays being on the weekend. We did get to enjoy a day at Old McMicky’s Farm to celebrate Parshat Noach! The kids had so much fun riding horses, brushing the goats, and picking up the chickens! But the kid who had the MOST fun was Rabbi Blatt! She has been waiting for years to come to the farm, and her smile said it all! A big thank you to Samantha Ruffkess for setting up the event!
We only have one Sunday School in November because of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Break, but we do have some fun ways to do mitzvot as a family. We hope to see everyone at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent on November 12th to help provide a Thanksgiving Dinner to those who may not be able to without the help of the community. This is not a “required” Sunday event, but we hope you will sign up and help our community.
Am Yisrael Chai,
Jennifer Halls
Education Director
Scroll down to see some fun pictures from Old McMicky’s Farm.
