25th Anniversary special issue - Shir Tikvah

Rabbi Melissa B. SimonDirector of Lifelong Learning, Installed 2010“To me, Shir Tikvah represents the future of Judaism—a community where everyone is welcome and valued, where westrive to make the world a better place, and where we engage inlife-changing lifelong learning. I knew the second I read aboutShir Tikvah that this was the community I wanted to serve asa rabbi. I have been inspired by the Shir Tikvah community,whether in quiet conversation, in communal prayer, marchingtogether, or engaged in learning. Looking ahead, I am excited tobuild, innovate, and create together.”EXCERPTS FROMOUR VISIONFOR LIFELONGLEARNING…Lifelong learners ofevery age…Holy conversationsabout Torah…Concepts of God,Judaism, IsraelRETREATSWhat Does it Mean to be aJew? (1994)Where is God? (1994)The Mosaic of JewishIdentity (1996)Searching for the Spirit withour Bodies (1997)Jewish Rituals of Love andLoss (1999)Jews in a Non-Jewish World(2000)Caring for our Aging LovedOnes (2005)Shabbat Retreat (2010)Nesiya (2012)Derekh (2013)16 | Shir TikvahPenny Schumacher, pictured here at an early consecration ceremony, wasShir Tikvah’s first education director (1996-2005). As the lead architect ofour Sunday school and Hebrew programs, she was always most proud ofShir Tikvah’s teenagers, who almost all stayed on after confirmation tohelp as madrichim (assistants) in the classrooms.“I remember 20 years ago coming to Shir Tikvah for classes inpreparation for my adult B’nei Mitzvah. I was pregnant for the firstsessions, and the week after Robbie’s birth, I came to class with anewborn in my arms. It was powerful chanting Torah, nursing mybaby, and feeling the chain of tradition through the generations.”Caroline SchultzLAY-LED AND CLERGY-LED CLASSESBook ClubTorah StudyExploring Liberal Judaism:God, Torah & IsraelJewish Practice & Belief(first taught October1989)Jewish FeministTheology (1991)Birthing Rituals (1991)Co-Existence in theMiddle East (1991)Healing our Jewish PastWorkshop (1995)Personal Self Defense &Safety (1995)Israel at 50 (1997)Midrash: WritingBetween the Lines(1997)Downtown Torah StudyGroup at HennepinCounty Courthouse(1997)Struggling to be HumanDuring the Holocaust(1997)The Female Hero inJewish Folktales (1998)Jewish Magic &Superstition (1998)?Did You Know?Shir Tikvah added sexeducation to its 7th-gradecurriculum in 2002.The program focuses onvalues, provides Jewishbackground (with aShir Tikvah spin), andgives youth real answersto their questions onsexuality. The programhas since expanded toadd parent education,and programs for 9thgradersand STiFTY.Confirmation class of 199Abramson, Merissa GosmYiddish: An Intro to theMother Tongue (1998)Jewish Meditation (1998)Creating Your OwnEthical Will (1998)Yiddish Lider (1998)Jewish Genealogy (1998)Ghetto Fighters &Partisans (1999)Practicing Judaism at