Page 38 - Jewish News_May-June-2020

38 May/June 2020 FOCUS ON YOUTH

Young families enjoy “Strawberry Fields Tot Shabbat”

This program is sponsored by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
oung Jewish and interfaith ized with old and new friends, fed the MG Berman and Dr. Dori Goldfarb. For more information about Tem-
families enjoyed a very spe- farm animals, shared a picnic lunch The wonderful morning concluded ple Emanu-El’s programs for young
Ycial Shabbat on Saturday, and toured the farm grounds with a with a scoop of Hunsader Farms’ ice Jewish and interfaith families, please
February 29 as Temple Emanu-El, PJ train ride. They gathered under a tree cream and the opportunity for families call 941.379.1997. For more informa-
Library and The Jewish Federation for Shabbat songs, movement and to venture into the fields and pick their tion about PJ Library, please call the
of Sarasota-Manatee hosted the an- blessings with Temple Emanu-El own strawberries! Federation at 941.371.4546.
nual “Strawberry Fields Tot Shabbat” Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman. They “The weather, the company and
at Hunsader Farms. also completed coloring pages to get especially the spirit was perfect for
Children, parents and grandpar- in the Purim spirit, and learned more ‘Strawberry Fields Tot Shabbat!’” en-
ents explored the playground, social- about PJ Library from representatives thused Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman,
who helped event chair Rabbi Michael
Shefrin with the program. “This has
been one of Temple Emanu-El’s signa-
ture programs for almost a decade, and
we have cherished the opportunity to
partner with PJ Library and The Jew-
ish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee
in bringing it to the entire community
over the past few years. We believe and
hope that our many attendees agree
that it was an amazing way to celebrate
Shabbat!” she concluded. Jacob Shefrin enjoys the sandbox and trucks

Temple Emanu-El youth

PJ Library dads hold the tallis as Temple Emanu-El Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman
activities go online
blesses those with February birthdays

hen COVID-19 forced the school seniors. We were able to put our
closure of Temple Emanu- Parent & Me classes, Tot Shabbat and
WEl Religious School, the family Shabbat services online, plus
learning and connections did not stop. create new programs and opportunities
“We are grateful for the vision, tal- for connection.”
ent and resourcefulness of our rabbis, “Our families, our clergy and our
educators, staff and volunteers,” Rabbi faculty have been propelled into this
Elaine Rose Glickman said, “and their new worrisome reality. It quickly be-
dedication to keep children and fami- came clear how important we are to
lies engaged and encouraged during each other,” Silverberg said. “We cre-
this scary, challenging time. ated alternate platforms for remote
“Within a week, Director of Edu- Jewish learning and worship, but most
cation Sabrina Silverberg mobilized of all, we maintained a sense of com-
the Temple Emanu-El Religious munity and connection to each other
School faculty to provide students until we can all be together again.”
with learning materials, develop an “Hearing from our families about
online Sunday morning assembly, cre- their desire to keep a Jewish rhythm
ate video lessons for every grade and going in their lives, and not let the
Ilanit Klang and her sons Yonatan and Nathaniel explore the farm together even participate in a mitzvah project,” learning or fun stop, was so fulfilling,”
she continued. “Our youth group advi- Associate Rabbi Michael Shefrin con-
sor organized activities for our teens. cluded. “It said to me that living Jew-
Our College Committee reached out ishly was important then, now, and
to displaced college students and high always will be.”

SRQUSY attends

Yom Disney

By Kelly Nester
n February 16, five Sarasota day, they joined 42 other members of
United Synagogue Youth the Mercaz USY sub-region and other
O(SRQUSY) members repre- members of SRQUSY, including Gra-
sented Temple Beth Sholom at the an- cyen Schwartz, Clementine Schwartz
nual Yom Disney event in the Magic and Jordyn Saltzberg, in taking a bus
READ—SING—DANCE—GATHER—GROW Kingdom. to Orlando.
Freshmen board representative Temple Beth Sholom and SRQUSY
PJ Library has partnered with The Jewish Federation of Sarasota- Jackie Wasserman even created Magen hold several fun, yet educational,
®
Manatee to provide families raising Jewish children with the gift David Disney ears to celebrate their ex- events throughout the year, generally
of free, high-quality children’s books, music, and resources that perience! SRQUSY president Michela including our annual Chocolate Seder,
foster deeper engagement with Jewish life in our community. Hazan and Jackie joined Temple Kol which was unfortunately canceled this
Ami in Tampa in a Havdalah lock-in year due to the current health crisis.
Join one of our PJ programs below the previous night. In addition to get- SRQUSY welcomes all teens and
to start enhancing your family’s Jewish journey. ting to know other USY members, they inspires a deep sense of pride and love
helped create recycling bins that they for their Jewish identity. For more
Children Ages 6 mo. thru 8 years then decorated with the appropriate information, please contact me at
SRQUSY knight adornments. The next knester@templebethsholomfl.org.

Sign-up at JFEDSRQ.org/PJ

Children Ages 8 thru 12 years

Sign-up at pjourway.org

For more information, contact
Andrea Eiffert
aeiffert@jfedsrq.org
941.552.6308 PJ Library Sarasota-Manatee is generously
funded in part by Edie and David Chaifetz. SRQUSY members having a blast at Yom Disney in Orlando: Graycen Schwartz,
Jordyn Saltzberg, Clementine Schwartz, Jackie Wasserman, Michela Hazan

Follow us on social media @jfedsrq