Last week I attended the National Association of Temple Educators study kallah in Boulder, CO. Being a board member I always feel it is important to support their programs. This particular kallah was terrific. Throughout our sessions we discussed prayer and our relationship with God. I came away refreshed spiritually as well as excited to share some of the ideas with various parts of the congregation. I am hoping to bring some of my experiences to the family retreat in May and have already spoken to one of our teachers about incorporating some things into her curriculum. Another interesting piece for me was using the new prayerbook for four days. Not only did we use it for Tefilah, but we studied parts of it during our program. We got an understanding of why certain things were put into the new book and learned about its structure, which is quite different from “Gates of Prayer”. Besides learning a great deal, I always enjoy time spent with my colleagues around the country. We all learn from each other.

This issue I want to highlight our chug teachers. Each Sunday morning the students have one half hour of chugim. A chug is an interest class that gives a diversion to their morning. On a typical day the children have one hour Hebrew, one hour Judaica, one half hour chugim and one half hour tefillot (prayer). Students have three rounds of chugim each year with each round lasting eight weeks. Below is a list of these wonderful people who have volunteered this year to teach one, two or three times:

Deb Prinz and Deb Bobinsky - Jewish crafts
Marcia MacRae - various art classes including Create Your Own Masterpiece, Art Through Micrography and Paper Arts and Toys
Beth and Steve Titiner - You Be the Judge, a class on Jewish values
Laurie Lopez - edible crafts two times and making games in the spring
Alex Lederhausen and Hannah Freeman - games
Steve and Cara Cap - cake decorating which is always the favorite among seventh graders
Debbie Cox - team building for sixth graders two times and drumming in the spring
Shelley Hoey - Jewish Origami
Mike Kayman - Jewish Comedy
Susan Crotty - Knitting
Virginia Weiskopf - E-newspaper
Rachel Johnson - Book Club
Abby Eddy - Stories from our Past
Cindy Nahum and Sarah Schodrof - Jewish Radial Designs

These teachers provide a different spin on things for the children and give the students an opportunity to socialize with students from other classes. It provides for the students a nice break between Hebrew and Judaica each week. Thanks to all of these people for their dedication and creative ideas. If anyone has an idea for a chug or would like to teach one next year, please let me know.