2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

Living Facility with which the synagogue has an ongoing relationship. The Assisted Living Facility offers us a room to
use on Sunday morning for our K-1 class. In exchange, our religious school principal meets periodically with residents
to “celebrate” holidays by teaching about them through discussion and ritual items and bringing song sheets with
holiday songs that she sings with the Jewish residents.
Purim was an opportunity to expand the holiday “celebration” with the residents by organizing a celebration
for both the school families and the residents. Prior to the celebration the children baked several dozen hamantaschen
and created an illustrated Megillah. For the first hour of the morning the children assembled Mishloach Manot baskets
to distribute to the residents at the end of the program. In addition to other items, we used the hamantaschen that the
children baked to put into the baskets. Students, faculty and parents came in simple “costume items” (crowns and
necklaces) that the children distributed for the residents to wear. Our principal reviewed the “mitzvot” of the holiday
with all the participants and explained how the rest of the morning would run. Then the children read the Megillah
Esther from the illustrated version that they created which was displayed as they read. The children then performed the
songs that they sang the previous night for the congregation. Song sheets were passed out and we all sang some songs
together — in English, Hebrew and Yiddish. Finally we all enjoyed a snack of Hamantashen and beverages before we
passed out the Mishloach Manot baskets. It was a wonderfully received program that helped to strengthen the bonds
between the two organizations. More events are planned for the future including Shabbat evening services at the
Assisted Living Facility, and plans for the Assisted Living Facility to bring Jewish residents to some of our Family
Education Programs including our Model Seder.
GOLD
OHAVI ZEDEK SYNAGOGUE
250-500 Burlington, VT
Submitted by Sarah Klionsky 802-864-0218
There is a little miracle that happens most Monday mornings at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue. Considering the venue, it’s
not unheard of to happen. In a classroom decked out with Hebrew posters, books, toys, puzzles and little chairs and low
table suitable for little legs and adopted by some Mommies and Daddies, it is a “Garden” where “hummingbirds” are
hovering over the nectar of the buds of knowledge, drinking deeply at our “Bubble’s” well of kinder-teaching.
It is surprising that the idea of “Bubbles, Babies and Bagels” hasn’t taken on a more universal acceptance.
Watching these beautiful youngsters’ eyes light up spotting the yet warm bagels and healthy cream cheese soon to be
decorating faces and enjoyed by tummies. How heart warming!
Getting a homey welcome from all who gather here, establishing a comfort zone in their being proud of their
heritage, doing handiwork of their own creation symbolizing Sabbaths and holidays, what can be more exciting?
Songs that are sung in an ancient yet ever new language, Hebrew, with English and Yiddish tucked in for good
measure, and the word, the written word? How important is that, to instill the love of the written word at such an early
age!
So, here’s to all the Mommies and Daddies and Babies and Bubbles. Long may the echos of their voices, their
laughter, their beings overflow into the haven that is Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.
By Ruth Baskin adapted by Sarah Klionsky
This is a program that has been running for many years at our synagogue and it truly multi-generational.
Parents with young children attend this song and story hour, hosted by our Rabbi, Bubbles in our community, and the
Jewish educator and outreach professional.
The only costs are bagels, cream cheese and songbooks. Many of our families who have joined the synagogue
over the past three years have had their first entry to the community through Bubbles and Babies. We broadly define
who can attend, calling it a Jewish themed playgroup. This has opened the door widely and has contributed to the
program’s success.
“The men heard the voice of God according to their capacity and the women according to theirs, the old
discerned the Divine voice according to their capacity, the young according to theirs ...“ Exodus Rabbah 5:9.