It's official and it started at camp!

Arthur and I are pleased to announce that Lital is engaged to Cole Leiter from Raleigh, North Carolina.  He is the son of Prof. Jeffrey Leiter and Carrie Knowles, author and artist.  Lital is a teacher at DC Prep Charter School in Washington D.C..  Cole is the Press Assistant & Digital Media Manager for Congresswoman Diana DeGette of Denver, Colorado. 

I am pretty sure this is as close as we are going to get to an official announcement.  What is not mentioned in the paragraph above is how proud we are of the paths Lital and Cole have chosen.  Lital is a teacher at an urban school deep in the heart of D.C.. She teaches Second and Third grade science and Cole has worked on the Hill for 2 different Members of Congress doing press work. Lital and Cole met at OSRUI and truth be told, that is one clear cut reason to send your children to Jewish camp.  The first time I met Cole was at camp when he was reading Torah at Shabbat morning services. Even now that I know he only did it to make a good first impression, it doesn't get any better than that for me.

Growing up, both Cole and Lital were active in their congregations and at their respective colleges.  Lital was confirmed, a madricha, counselor at OSRUI for over 5 years and a Hillel Intern at the University of Wisconsin.  Cole was also confirmed, a madrich, counselor at OSRUI, Co-President of the Williams College Jewish Association, managed the kosher kitchen, and actively organized for a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine for JStreet and JStreetU.  Both of them spent a semester in Israel on EIE during High School.  

I can hardly believe that Lital is old enough to be married.  I recently celebrated 25 years at Lakeside Congregation and when I began in the summer of 1989 Lital was only 10 months old.   It's like that scene from Father of the Bride when Steve Martin's daughter tells him she is getting married and all he sees is her as a 7 year old.  Our baby is getting married. We couldn't be prouder of her and Cole who is already so much a part of the family.

They are millennials in many ways but feel strongly about their Jewish identity and frequently attend Shabbat services for young adults at a variety of minyanim (smaller groups that meet at synagogues) in D.C.. We are so proud of the way they have sought out religious experiences that fit the way they would like to be a part of the Jewish community and people.   They have a wonderful life ahead of them and we are happy to be a part of this journey. 

I am so proud that Cole chose to ask Lital to marry him on the same day the Supreme Court ruled that marriage for all people is a constitutionally protected right across our country; their commitment to social action made the day even more meaningful.  As we look forward to a year of planning, praying and providing advice for our simcha next year I think we can all agree it truly is possible that "love wins."

Summer Shabbatot: Enjoy and Relax

Come this Friday June 26!

I love our 6:00 pm Shabbatot T'filot (plural of Shabbat and service) especially during the summer.  We try to have as many of our t'filot outside as possible and I love to come to unwind and then go home to Shabbat dinner.  My Friday afternoons usually include time to make a nice dinner so I can get to Lakeside on time.  You could also order Pizza or order your favorite take out for dinner.  Shabbat is a time to take it easy and enjoy.

Getting into the habit of coming to Friday night services is just that a habit.  If you have not been come and try it out.  Enjoy our music and lean back and relax. Not in my area?  Try out your local synagogue; I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised and I am happy to send some recommendations your way of synagogues to try.  

During the summer and especially on Shabbat I also look forward to reading for our Lakeside Book group or just fun.  This summer I have already read:  The Orphan Train, Boston Girl and for young adults: Ember in the Ashes and The Red Queen. I leave for  OSRUI in a few weeks where I have SOME time to read.  On my list is:  The Mathmeticians Shiva, The Museum of Ordinary Things and this is just the beginning.

Take a minute, take a breath and enjoy our summer.  I look forward to seeing you at services.

First Year: Home for the Summer: For College,High School or any age

Before Ethan came home from his first year at University of Wisconsin, Madison we received this letter:  

First Year: Home for the Summer (according to the U of W)

Before you know it, your student may be packing up and coming home for the summer. We have a few tips for conversations you may want to have with your student to ensure a smooth transition for everyone.

• Schedule time with your student to make sure activities that are important to you aren’t lost in the shuffle.
• Have a conversation with your student about expectations for schedules, housework, and behavior during the summer. Decide whether the original rules of the house still apply, and also consider some extra flexibility to take into account your student’s new-found independence and autonomy.

Ethan and his roommate Aman

I love having my kids home for the summer and then they go off to camp.  We didn't have much time with Ethan as he is off to OSRUI this week. Jonathan will be home and enjoys Friday night T'filot at Lakeside.  We tried to hit all the high points with Ethan before he left: favorite meals and visits to see his grandparents. I tried my best to keep some of these points from the letter in mind. My main advice with any age child is to keep the conversation going.

 I acknowledge that summer is different. and more relaxed.  Your children may not have any scheduled classes so looking over Hebrew or B'nai Mitzvah assignments may not be at the top of the to do list.  I always tell all my Hebrew students that they need to do some Hebrew review over the summer or they will backslide from where they were in May when they left Hebrew school.

Convocation, Kitah Gimmel

Kitah Aleph

A great way to practice is to come to Summer T'filot which are always at 6:00pm and we try to have them outside, weather depending.  If you want to participate in t'filot just let me know.  Find a fun Hebrew game on line and check out Behrman House's games. 

Enjoy your summer and remember Shabbat still happens every Friday and Saturday.  Friday Night T'iflot are at 6:00pm and Torah Study is at 9:30 am on Shabbat with a short t'filah at 10:30am.  I hope to see you at our Summer T'filot or just stop by for a visit.  I will be at OSRUI for a few weeks in the middle of July.  I will be available by email even when I am at camp.

Enjoy your summer.  Read some Hebrew, do some Mitzvot and have some fun.