“The opportunity to give is, in and of itself, a gift. ” - Temple Isaiah

The proportion of
U.S. adults who
are obese increased
to 26.1 percent in
2008 compared
to 25.6 percent in
2007. The data
comes straight
for the Center for
Tamar Andrews
Disease Control
Early Childhood
Program Director (CDC) and is
alarming to those
of us that work in
early childhood education.
“Obesity is a major risk factor for many
chronic diseases such as heart disease and
diabetes. As obesity increases among all
age groups, we are seeing chronic diseases
in much younger adults compared to a
few decades ago,” said Dr. William Dietz,
director, CDC’s Division of Nutrition,
Physical Activity and Obesity.
“For example, we now see young adults
who suffer from heart disease risk factors
and other conditions such as Type 2
diabetes that were unheard of in the past.”
And the percentage of overweight
children in the United States is growing
at an alarming rate, with one out of three
children now considered overweight or
obese. Many children are spending less
time exercising and more time in front
of the TV, computer, or video-game
console. And today’s busy families have
fewer free moments to prepare nutritious,
home-cooked meals. From fast food to
electronics, quick and easy is the reality for
many people in the new millennium.
Preventing children from becoming
overweight means adapting the way we feed
and educate children and families. Helping
children lead healthy lifestyles begins with
parents and teachers who lead by example.
And so, for this Rosh Hashanah, the
Preschool is taking on a New Year’s
Resolution: We are going sugar-free.
I watch the lunches children bring and then
the candies their parents bring after school,
and then I see them at the mall and shops
and how much sugar we are all consuming,
and I believe that it is time for someone to
step up and say, “ENOUGH!” As of the
first day of school, Temple Isaiah Preschool
is pledging to serve only nutritious
foods. Visibly gone will be the refined
and processed sugar to which we have all
become addicted. Teacher resources have
been purchased, meals have been planned,
and parent information sheets are being
created to provide healthy alternatives to
foods such as cupcakes with a mile-high
frosting tops, sugar cookies full of M&M’s,
and fruit juices and sodas. Instead, we will
be recommending whole fruit, muffins,
biscuits, water, and healthier choices for
healthier lifestyles.
“For this Rosh Hashanah,
the Preschool is taking on a
New Year’s Resolution:
We are going sugar-free.”
However, sugar is not the only villain in
this story. Hydrogenated oils, processed
foods, and canned foods will also not be
welcome in our preschool. Instead, we will
offer healthy food choices with all snack
times becoming a shared experience where
children assist in preparations and clean up.
Think back to the meals that you have
enjoyed with family and friends. Recall the
great conversations, the laughter, and the
intimacy. Food times should be times of
joy, laughter and fulfillment of both body
and soul. But certain foods are poisoning
these experiences, and it is time we stop
surrendering to the mass media and sugar.
Rabbi Dara and a core group of Isaiah
members are starting up a Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at
Temple Isaiah in which I hope many of you
will participate. Show children the beauty
of seed-to-table farming and supporting our
local agriculture. Pick up your CSA box
with your child and have your child assist in
preparing these fresh foods for the family.
My goals are simple: to raise a new
generation more interested in fruit than
they are in Fritos, to have children prefer
vegetables more than Value-meals, and
prefer forks to plastic wrappers. We will
help children learn to eat well and play
hard. But we need YOUR help. Make sure
you are a good role model by providing and
eating a sound breakfast every morning.
Carefully select foods you purchase and
prepare. And sit with your children for
mealtimes so that it becomes a relationshipbuilding
experience.
What is your resolution for
Rosh Hashanah? •
Join us as we introduce
Fourth Fridays at
Temple: a New and
special Shabbat
experience for the
whole community!
Beginning on Friday, September 25
and continuing the Fourth Friday of
every month we invite you to join
us for:
Family Shabbat Service
6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
An engaging Shabbat Experience for
families with younger children (ages
3 - 8; older children are welcom too).
Bring the whole Family - children,
parents, and grandparents - all are
welcome!
Oneg Shabbat with
Finger Foods and Cholent
6:30 p. m.
Pre-Oneg and Lighting
Shabbat Candles
7:00 p.m.
Shabbat Service
7:15 p.m.
The same Shabbat service you love
so much is at a new time once a
month. Welcome Shabbat with your
Temple Isaiah family and join with
Temple Isaiah’s rabbis and Cantor in
prayer, song, meditation and Shabbat
reflection.
An Oneg will follow the 7:15 p.m.
Shabbat service •
September 2009
THE ISAIAN | Page five