As winter continues to be a part of our life, I am busy thinking about the summer of 2009. Plans are underway for a family trip to Israel. Many people have expressed interest so I have started talking to different planners about such a trip. It would be a 12- to 14-day trip, probably in late June. The initial group of participants will actually decide timing so we can meet their schedules. I am in the early stages of planning and have some great ideas to make it meaningful for children as well as adults. If you have an interest in participating in such a trip, please let me know. There is no itinerary yet, but I can share the one we used several years ago as a sample. The trip will include visits all around the country and we will do jeep rides, camel rides, an archaeological dig, hiking and swimming, as well as see all of the famous historical sites such as the Western Wall and Masada. On the last trip we had a few three-generation families, which was great fun. If you have any questions, please call or email me.


This month I want to highlight our sixth-grade teachers. Rachel Wood has been a Hebrew teacher here for 26 years. She has taught a variety of grades, but for the last several years has been teaching sixth grade. In addition, Rachel has been our b'nai mitzvah tutor for 17 years and if you have ever come to a bar/bat mitzvah here, you know that she turns every child into a star, as they all shine on their special day. During the week Rachel is the Director of Child and Family Connections at Clearbrook. This is the state Early Intervention Program serving families with children from birth to 3 years old with delays or disabilities. Paul Heinz is in his first year as the sixth-grade Judaica teacher, but he has taught a chug in the past. Paul's passion is music and writing. He composes music and is writing a book. Paul is married and has three children, all in our school. Anna Wood, Rachel's youngest daughter, helps with Hebrew on Sunday mornings. She is a student at Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine where she is in their physical therapy program. Mike Marion helps Rachel on Wednesdays. Mike has been helping with Hebrew for a few years. During the week and on Sunday mornings he is the administrative assistant for the school. Eric Herbach is helping with Hebrew for his second year. Eric is a senior at Wheaton Warrenville South where he plays sousaphone in the marching band. Adam Roth just started helping with Hebrew on Wednesdays. Adam is a freshman at Downers Grove North where he is the audio director for the school's TV station.