Page 46 - Jewish News_January-2021

46A January 2021 FOCUS ON YOUTH

The Gan at Temple Sinai teaches and excites kids

at the new Gan Science Lab

By Gail Glickman
emple Sinai’s Rabbi Samantha age-appropriate and fit right into the Family Fun Day entitled, “Gan Mad
Kahn quotes Rabbi Jonathan teachers’ weekly lesson plans. Science Lab.” Families enjoyed exper-
TSacks, who said, “Science takes The Gan kids love wearing the lab imenting, exploring and discovering,
things apart to see how they work. coats and goggles, and are delighted to and the well-attended program was a
Religion puts things together to see visit the lab. The project began with a huge success leading to the creation of
what they mean.” The Gan Science Lab.
At Temple Sinai, science and Jewish educators through the years
spirituality go hand and hand. We un- have emphasized the value of learning.
derstand and teach that curiosity and Dr. Chaim Ginott, an Israeli early-ed-
exploration are foundational tools for ucation pioneer, exclaimed, “Children
understanding both science and Jewish are like wet cement: whatever falls on
life. And now, with the new Gan Sci- them makes an impression.” Albert
ence Lab, we teach this lesson to even Einstein said, “Education is not the Ezra Pallegar and Noah Feinsilber are amazed
our youngest congregants. learning of facts. It’s rather the training with their experiment
The Gan Science Lab was created of the mind to think.” He also declared, They both help us to process and un-
with new décor, furniture and supplies. “Science without religion is lame, and derstand the world around us. Laura
There is a scheduled visit for every religion without science is blind.” Freedman, Director of Early Child-
class group each week. Of course, in Rabbi Kahn believes that science hood Education, promotes these con-
these times of Covid-19, The Gan con- and religion help inform one another. cepts at The Gan Science Lab.
tinues its vigilant high-quality cleaning
and distancing between groups that Elle Reuter and Warren Walker “all geared up”
attend the space. The experiments are to begin an experiment

Temple Emanu-El hosts

“Havdalah-Ween”

ith the Coronavirus pan- Rabbi Michael Shefrin added. “Gath-
demic upending so many ering safely and seeing so many kids, Quickly Locate all of your favorite Jewish
Wtraditional Halloween cele- teens, parents and grandparents tak- organizations, clubs and service providers online.
brations, Temple Emanu-El was excited ing over our temple parking lot and
to present a safe opportunity for young munching on candy was so sweet. This
Jewish and interfaith families to enjoy special, spooky and sacred gathering JFEDSRQ.org/Directory
the holiday – with a Jewish twist! On felt like it drove out some of the fear
Saturday evening, October 31, Temple in our world. One could just feel the Keyword Search Filter Options Drop Pin Locator Map
Emanu-El Religious School, Tot Shab- smiles under the masks.”
bat and the congregation’s high school “Havdalah-Ween” was conceived
youth group STEEMY hosted a festive by Temple Emanu-El Religious School
R
N
E
O
V
H
T
I
G
“Havdalah-Ween.” The event featured parent Stacie Lowell and planned by
CAMP
a musical Havdalah service as well Sabrina Silverberg, Rabbi Shefrin and OVERNIGHT
as goody bags, a Jewish ghost story, Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman, with
Grants
a costume parade, a custom-designed wonderful support from Lynne Pew-
photo area and socially distant trick-or- terbaugh, Savannah Samberg and Joe C A MP
treat stations. Ross.
“The Havdalah-Ween event was
fantastic,” Temple Emanu-El Direc-
tor of Education Sabrina Silverberg,
MARE, stated. “It provided an op-
portunity for our children and their The impact of Jewish camp lasts a lifetime. Children benefit from Jewish camp
families to celebrate our rich Jewish experiences by learning to value their Jewish heritage. The Jewish Federation of
tradition and have fun on Halloween, Sarasota-Manatee, in partnership with local philanthropists, offers incentive
too! The children were overjoyed to and need-based grants for Jewish children planning to attend not-for-profit
join the costume parade and go trick- Jewish overnight camps for the summer.
or-treating in our temple’s parking lot. Applications are
accepted until
The parents expressed that they were February 28, 2021.
grateful for the opportunity to do so
outdoors in a safe way.” Temple Emanu-El Director of Education Sabrina
“Havdalah-Ween was a treat,” Silverberg, MARE, channels Mary Poppins
at “Havdalah-Ween”

LEARN MORE

at JFEDSRQ.org/Camp

SPONSORED BY “Welcoming Shabbat”
The Shefrin family – Rabbi Mimi Weisel, Jacob photo courtesy of
Shefrin, Dr. Shayna Shefrin and Temple Emanu- Camp Coleman.
El Associate Rabbi Michael Shefrin – strike a
pose at “Havdalah-Ween” The Protigal family enjoy “Havdalah-Ween”