Looking Forward to Next Year

As we approach the month of May I reflect on the past school year. We have a few sessions remaining to conclude the year. What did we accomplish, what did we try differently this year, what worked, how do we want TLC to look next year?

On April 23 we had the opportunity to say a special “Toddah Rabbah/Thank You” to our beloved Rabbi Chuck for his years of fun, education, and dedication at TLC. Our students made cards, took pictures, and shared special memories of their years at TLC with Rabbi Chuck. Chocolate came up a lot, as well as free Purim prize tickets (I never knew this!).

Additionally, a love of learning and Jewish identity and pride came up as well. On Tuesday, April 25 Rabbi Chuck treated our TLC students to an outing at the bowling alley. It was

really fun! We will take these special memories with us.

We aim to provide a warm and enriching experience at TLC. This year we added chuggim to our weekly Sunday schedule. This worked well. I loved visiting the cooking chug with Steve Weiss in the kitchen. They even made our chocolate fondue for our special thank you. This involved cutting up the fruit, melting the chocolate, and preparing the marshmallows. Other favorites were chicken soup and blintzes. Alex Speck led a Jewish sports chug which involved games and learning about sports personalities. Amit Shimshi led a Hebrew games chug where our students creativity really came out. They made their own Hebrew versions, using Hebrew vocabulary of their favorite games. A special thank you to these three teachers for thinking out of the box.

Hebrew language has come alive this year with Avi Diamond’s expertise in teaching Hebrew Through Movement. I am continually amazed when I visit her Jerusalem class and hear and observe the Hebrew they are using. They can express feelings, numbers,colors and many different movements in Hebrew. Our Mini Mensches have moved a lot in Hebrew as well!

Our Toddler & Me class is growing up!

As our students grow, but are not yet ready for a weekly program I’d love to hear more of what our families would enjoy atTLC. I am currently developing a family education program for these families that will meet on Sundays during TLC. The program will include parents, grandparents, and the children. They will enjoy some joint and some individual programming. Please be on the lookout for more details!

I would love to hear your answers to the questions I raised in my opening. What can we create in a religious school in 2017 that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Pittsburgh? What can we do to distinguish our school, and meet the needs of our students and families? I would love to hear from you, whether you are a current family in our school, or perhaps not connected to the school yet.

We look forward to celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut on Tuesday, May 2 at Community Day School. This is always one of my favorite events of the year. It is a chance to connect with our greater Pittsburgh Jewish community and celebrate 69 years of Independence for our state of Israel! The fun begins at 4:00 PM and goes until 6:30 PM. In case of rain activities are moved to the CDS gym. At 6:30 PM there is a Matisyahu concert. Looking forward to seeing our students and families there! Additional information can be found on the Federation web site.

There are three special weekends planned as TOLOLS brings in three Rabbi candidates. Looking forward to meeting the candidates and working towards the future of TOLOLS and our children and families. I hope to see you there.

Morah Karen

#TLC