Page 45 - Jewish News _August 2021_

FOCUS ON YOUTH August 2021 45A

Community Day School Temple Sinai Religious School

opens on new campus B’nai Mitzvah retreat delights

ershorin Schiff Community media center and science labs, age- students and parents
Day School has come a long appropriate playgrounds, gymnasium, By Melanie Epstein
Hway since coming to the stun- lighted athletic fields and plentiful
ning realization in March 2020 that it space for the student-run organic gar- emple Sinai’s B’nai Mitzvah that will last a lifetime. It was just the
was soon facing homelessness. Over den/outdoor classroom and chicken retreat on Saturday, April 24 for beginning to kick off one of the most
th
the past year and a half – pushing coop. Tthe Religious School’s 6 grade important milestones in their Jewish
ahead in the midst of the pandemic – “For months, we’ve been going students and their parents was an ex- lives and our Temple Sinai communi-
the school has raised millions of dol- nonstop, with planning, fundraising, citing and successful event for all who ty.”
lars, purchased an 8.8-acre campus in community engagement and, now, attended. The retreat was done with the
central Sarasota, constructed entirely moving into our new facilities,” said help of the Hiddur Mitzvah Project and
new facilities and, this month, opens to Head of School Dan Ceaser. “The sponsored by Temple Sinai member
Cindy Guttman.
Participants joined together and
decorated Jewish-star cookies, created
their very own handblown glass Yad
for their special day, and then divided
into groups to play traditional B’nai
Mitzvah games. The parents had a
wonderful opportunity to meet with
Rabbi Samantha Kahn and Chazzan Mary and Liza Collier decorate cookies
The new Community Day School campus will open for students on Monday, August 16
275 students at its new location (4335 moment that will make it all worth- Cliff Abramson in the sanctuary for a The retreat was certainly an en-
Wilkinson Rd., Sarasota). Community while is when we see our students run- question-and-answer session. tertaining way for the families to get
Day’s dream of “Owning Our Future” ning into their new school, happy and While the parents were in the Q&A together and learn about the B’nai
has come true. excited for all that’s to come. As an ed- session, the students enjoyed B’nai Mitzvah process while bonding with
The pluralistic Jewish day school ucator as well as a school parent, I just Mitzvah party games in the Social Hall one another.
officially embarked on the “Owning can’t wait for our kids and teachers to with Bethany Leinwe-
Our Future” campaign last spring. The get the facilities that they deserve!” ber, Director of Youth
campaign encompasses capital as well The school has attracted nation- Education, Outreach &
as annual operational needs over the al attention for its unique educational Engagement. They par-
next five years. model that combines a global vision, ticipated in a lively mu-
The new campus features two new religious and cultural diversity, proj- sic trivia game, had a
academic buildings that support the ect-based learning, small class sizes, hula hoop contest and
school’s project-based learning curric- service learning and community part- played the toilet paper
ulum, a recently renovated sanctuary nerships. For more information, please mummy game. Follow-
for Shabbat services, a cutting-edge visit CommunityDay.org. ing the light part of the
program, everyone took Kelly, Marli and Scott Engel decorate cookies
time to review the B’nai Mitzvah pro- For more information on how to be
cess handbook. The evening concluded a part of Temple Sinai’s future B’nai
HERSHORIN SCHIFF
with a beautiful and interactive Havda- Mitzvah programming, contact Beth-
COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL
Serving Preschool - Grade 8
Join Us On Our New Campus! lah service. any at 941.924.1802 or bleinweber@
Bethany Leinweber said, “This
Low student:teacher ratios Torah Academy was truly a fantastic templesinai-sarasota.org.
Individualized instruction Daily fine arts
Outdoor learning and play Athletics for all K-8 evening. There was a
sense of clarity, calm
for all
Accredited by FCIS, FKC &
and connection. Old
Prizmah
Hebrew and Spanish offered
friends embraced, and
new friends were made
4335 Wilkinson Road | Sarasota, FL 34233 | communityday.org | 941-552-2770
the children. The par-
we are FED RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 2019 between the parents and Gil, Iyar and Snait Ben-Herut decorate cookies
ents bonded with their
own children and cre-
ated special memories

Educating Jewish Minds SCHOLARSHIPS

Need-based Scholarship Assistance

for Sarasota and Manatee County Students

Let us help make religious school a reality for your child.
Since 2013, The Jewish Federation has funded more than $281,390 to assist
our Federation is dedicated to educating Jewish minds throughout the 717 children to attend religious schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
YSarasota-Manatee area — from Holocaust and civil rights education to To be considered for a NEED-BASED scholarship, complete the application
and follow the instructions for submission.
Israeli history and advocacy through our Heller CRC, to reaching young children
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We also take great pride in educating the interfaith community on Jewish SEPTEMBER 3, 2021, 5PM — NO EXCEPTIONS
history and antisemitism.
Apply Online at JFEDSRQ.org/religious-school

jfedsrq.org
941.371.4546 QUESTIONS? Contact Jeremy Lisitza
at jlisitza@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2113