Temple+Shaaray+Tefila,+New+York+NY

Name of Synagogue: Temple Shaaray Tefila Address: 250 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 Contact info: Mindy B. Davids, RJE 212 -535-0912 mdavids@tstnyc.org Website: www.shaaraytefilanyc.org

Nutshell summary of your project

// MASA // is a Hebrew word that means Journey. This is an innovative family oriented program designed to serve as an alternative to the Religious School. The goals of //MASA// include providing opportunities for parents and children to come together to learn and experience Jewish life in a more flexible setting. Each family Journey includes opportunities for families to be together, for parents to learn with and from other parents, and for children to work together with other children in their grade. In addition to exploring a path of Jewish content, Journeys are meant to bring Temple families together to build relationships with one another and connections to the Shaaray Tefila community. This year, we are running two Journeys. The first Journey is called Celebrations! which is an opportunity for families to explore celebrating the Jewish holidays by looking at holiday traditions from around the world. The second Journey is called Jewish Superheroes and Heroines. This Journey focuses on famous and not-so famous Jews throughout history who exemplify important Jewish values from which we can all learn.

Celebrations! was the first Journey to be offered as part of the Temple’s new //MASA// program. It is designed to explore the Jewish calendar together and to reflect on the meaning of our rich holiday tradition for each family. Families learn, practice and experience rituals associated with our holidays – both familiar traditions common in our community as well as those from around the world. By celebrating together, families are connecting to each other and with the congregation in a significant way. Programs meet one-two times per month on Sundays from 3:30-5:30pm and on some Shabbatot and most Jewish holidays.

Participants in Jewish Superheroes and Heroines explore Jewish values as exemplified by our heroes throughout time. From biblical characters to famous Jews of today, we teach our families ways in which we can live our lives as models to others through the morals and values of our tradition. These programs also meet one-two times per month on Sundays from 3:30-5:30pm and on some Shabbatot and holidays.

This year, we have included families who have children in Grades K-2 and hope to expand the program, adding a new grade each year. - At least one parent from the family needs to attend each session. - Babysitting is provided for younger children. - Older children are welcome to participate, but the program does not fulfill Religious School requirements.

Activities include: - Mixers - Age Level Learning Sessions for Children and Parents Separately - Family Projects - Cooking, Tasting, and Eating - Drama, Art, and Music - Participating in Shabbat and Temple Holiday Celebrations

Two categories of materials: (1) Publicity and recruiting materials (emails, brochures, articles, etc.)

(2) Educational materials (texts, lesson plans, music, curricula, etc.)