Young+Israel+of+West+Hempstead,

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 * Young Israel of West Hempstead, NY**
 * Summary of project:**
 * "Bring Spirituality Back into Shabbos" ** seeks to reinvigorate Shabbos observance at the individual, family and communal levels by developing a curriculum and program addressing three major aspects of Shabbat observance: //tefillah//, basic //hashkafah//, rituals and ceremonies. A congregation-wide curriculum and related programs address the the obstacles related to increasing the spirituality of Shabbat observance for Orthodox families. The prayer curriculum includes weekly home discussion at the Shabbat table, followed by weekly communal programs such as //tefillah// workshops. “Graduates” of the training may lead services in all of the //minyanim//, and several times a year accomplished teens lead the services in the main sanctuary. The //hashkafah// curriculum is geared to teens and allows for potentially difficult discussions with rabbis, young adult mentors, parents and other family members. The “Bring Spirituality Back to Shabbos” curriculum focuses on different aspect of the Shabbos meal, including Kiddush, Hamotzi, Zemirot and Havdallah; the curriculum divides key topics into learning segments for all ages and backgrounds; families learn together from a sourcebook each week at the Shabbat table, reinforced by independent learning with community speakers, and experiential activities on the same theme. All six //minyanim// receive the same information and experience it together, laying the groundwork for intergenerational discussions and integrating all aspects of the shul.