School News

Religious School News - Let’s Appreciate, Celebrate, and Participate!

Nina Spiro

By the time you read this issue of Chai Lights, there will be just a few weeks left of the Religious School year. The last Wednesday classes, including the B’nai Mitzvah Family class and an all-teens drop-in meeting, take place on May 13. The last Sunday classes, including the monthly parent-child pre-K class, are on May 17.

Please recognize our instructors’ dedication and students’ achievements during the May 15 Shabbat service. We will come together to congratulate our graduates and to thank our teachers for their labor of love and their heartfelt dedication to Jewish learning, which together becomes a mitzvah that benefits our entire community.

In Rabbi Dan’s absence on sabbatical, this celebratory Friday night Shabbat service will be led by Rabbi David Fine, our Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Pacific Northwest Regional Director, who will be visiting from Seattle. The service begins at 7:30 p.m.

The end of the formal school year can also be the start of more Jewish education and observance on your own terms. Keep collecting weekly tzedakah, and decide together where you’ll donate the money. Your children can say many blessings—encourage them to give thanks. Volunteer with other CABI members at the Friendship Feast on the last Thursday of the month, and at our annual fundraiser, Deli Days, running June 25-26. Attend the lay-led Shabbat services, and check out the summer Shabbats in the park.

If your kids will attend a Jewish overnight camp, I’d love to hear from them, and run a Chai Lights article about their experiences. Register your children as campers or madrichim (youth leaders) for the Camp CABI day camp, Aug. 10-21. Contact Abi Taylor-Abt for more information

K'tanim News

Abi Taylor-Abt

K'tanim for your little ones continues on Monday mornings in May between 10 a.m. and noon. Kids can play; moms, dads, and caregivers can chat and enjoy each other’s company.

May is the last month of the program before a summer break. We will begin again in September.

For more information, please contact Abi Taylor-Abt at programs@ahavathbethisrael.org. We look forward to seeing you at K'tanim this month.

Kids Shabbat Morning Program

Abi Taylor-Abt

The May Kids Shabbat Morning Program will be held Sat., May 16, at 10:30 a.m. Join us for games and discussion. This custom-designed program is aimed at elementary age and older. Snacks are provided in the form of a kid's kiddush. For more information or to sponsor a kiddush, contact Abi Taylor-Abt at programs@ahavathbethisrael.org.

Camp CABI

Due to a high level of interest from our families we are planning to have our Jewish summer day camp at CABI this year!

Leaders will here from Israel through the Soul Train program, and the camp will be headed up by Abi Taylor-Abt and Shira Kronenberg.

Though more specific details will come, Camp CABI will run from Mon., Aug. 10 through Fri., Aug. 21 and will be a full-day program. You will have the option to sign up for one or two weeks. The age range for campers will be entering 1st through 6th graders, and we will invite our older kids to participate as assistants.

If you are interested in sending your child to a day camp at the synagogue this summer and would like more details please contact either Abi Taylor-Abt programs@ahavathbethisrael.org or Nina Spiro at school@ahavathbethisrael.org.