Instructor: Michael Twitty (proff97@aol.com)

Welcome Letter from Teacher

Dear Tikhon Parents and Students,

Welcome to the Tikhon class at Bethesda Jewish Congregation! I am excited about meeting you and beginning our studies together. In the months ahead, we will embark upon an exciting and challenging journey—the goal being to bring our post b’nai mitzah group to a better understanding of what it means to mature Jewishly and maintain the learning they have gained over the years.

This year activities in class may include studying Torah, looking at current events that impact the Jewish world and the world at large, exploring ways to repair and perfect the world around us, and exploring ethical dilemmas and “Jewish” responses, as well as looking at diverse Jewish approaches to spirituality. I would also like to make an effort to coordinate with parents; one major community service project per semester outside of instruction time, so that we can put into practice what we believe here at BJC and show the rest of our community that we care. We will also take time out to explore how to be better madrichim. It is my goal to inculcate in our students a desire to serve and participate in community life after Confirmation.

Since eating is a part of our common heritage and tradition, we will take turns bringing in things to share. I prefer that they be pareve or dairy kosher or kosher style treats (healthy and otherwise), and with the first session I am in attendance we will sort out allergies and other issues that may impede that. We will also be collecting Tzedakah on a regular basis. The students will decide on a charity at the end of the year.

Looking forward to a great school year!

Shalom u’vracha,

Latest Messages from  Teachers

Last updated 02/05/2008

The 8th, 9th, and 10th graders began the year with discussions about how we should perceive ourselves and connected it to how we judge ourselves leading up to the high holidays. They also all wrote down how they identify Jewishly and what they believe in to be ethical in the secular world. We then found ways to connect those to Jewish values and principals. The students were very involved in the discussion and it looks like it will be a wonderful year. Shana tova,

Tamar Strauss-Benjamin

Important SAVE THE DATE Info for Tikhon Class 5768 (2007-8)

Lunch and a Movie with the Hazzan

Schedule for Lunch and a Movie with the Hazzan:

Lunch and a Movie with the Hazzan (or sometimes Mr. Twitty or Mr. D.) is usually held in the Library. Pizza is provided. Parents are asked to volunteer on a rotating basis to bring some desserts and snacks, and to help set up. We ask each child attending to bring $5 to help offset the cost of the pizza and beverages.

Programs start at 12:30pm and end approximately 2:15-2:30pm depending on the length of the movie.

Parents are asked to help with these lunches. We need parent volunteers to help provide drinks and snacks or sweets, and help set up. We'll order pizza for the class, and we ask each student to bring $5 to help defray the cost.

Next Tikhon Lunch and a Movie with the Hazzan
Saturday, March 1, 2008 12:30pm in the Library.

Following his theme of "Every movie is Jewish,", and in light of the fact that students are participating in the mini-walk for the homeless before the lunch the Hazzan will lead the class in viewing and discussing:

TBA

Please RSVP before Jan. 2nd if possible, so we know how many to expect and how much pizza to order and can let the parent(s) bringing drinks and snacks know how large a crowd there will be.

The next scheduled lunch is on March 1. We're trying to find some additional dates, but scheduling dates for these lunches this year has been particularly difficult. We'll keep you posted.

Mr. D.

Next Tikhon Lunch and a Movie with the Hazzan
Saturday, November 17, 2007 12:30pm in the Library.

Parents (and students)

In order that Hazzan Schnitzer may attend the memorial service for Roz Young's nephew Kyle Walter this Saturday, October 20, we need to reschedule the Tikhon/Confirmation Lunch that was to be held.

The lunch is rescheduled for Saturday, November 17, 12:30-2:30pm in the library.

Following his theme of "Every movie is Jewish,", and in light of the fact that students are participating in the mini-walk for the homeless before the lunch the Hazzan will lead the class in viewing and discussing:

"The Pursuit of Happyness"

Chris Gardner is a bright and talented, but marginally employed salesman. Struggling to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his five-year-old son evicted from their San Francisco apartment with nowhere to go. When Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, he and his son endure many hardships, including living in shelters, in pursuit of his dream of a better life for the two of them.

Please RSVP before Nov. 8th if possible, so we know how many to expect and how much pizza to order and can let the parent(s) bringing drinks and snacks know how large a crowd there will be.

The next scheduled lunch is on February 2. We're trying to find some additional dates, but scheduling dates for these lunches this year has been particularly difficult. We'll keep you posted.

Mr. D.

Tikhon Class to Lead Youth-Led Family Service on
Friday, November 9, 7:00pm in the Lounge.

The Tikhon class (8/9 grade) is scheduled to lead this service. Ideally, we would welcome as many of the students in the class who are available and willing to help lead the service. Although most of these services have been led by just two or three students, our goal is to try and give as many of our students an opportunity to help lead part of the service.

Mr. Ratner usually prepares and works with the students who are leading the service, however, he will be out of the country from Oct. 25 - Nov. 11, and is not able to be at the service (although I will.)

He would be glad to prepare members of the Tikhon class to lead the service, but it would have to be no later than Weds., Oct. 24th. He could come to BJC during religious school hours on Wednesday afternoon the 24th, or meet with whomever agree to be the leaders some other late afternoon between now and the 23rd. This may be somewhat short notice, and ff we cannot arrange this, then I (Mr. D.) will work with and prepare the student leaders myself at a mutually convenient time before Nov. 9th. I will speak to the class about this on this Saturday. I'd also appreciate an RSVP from students who can attend and help lead.

We added this service in order to give our students more opportunities to help lead a service, whether they are preparing for bar/bat mitzvah, and even more so fo that those who are post bnai mitzvah can keep their skills fresh and current (you may recall the story the Hazzan related last year when our confirmands found themselves a bit out of place during their retreat when asked to help lkead a service with another group also at the camp.)

Incentives: As we did last year, students who attend two or more services (you must remember to sign-in!) will receive a gift certificate (for ice-cream or Blockbuster.) Students who attend at least 5 services will be eligible for a year end trip to a theme park . (I'd say Six Flags but with their recent publicity over failing roller-coasters, I don't want to committ to a specific park.) Hopefully, this year, the eligible students will all be able to go as a group with the Hazzan, but if not, we will give the "winners" gift admission passes.

As an additional challenge: I will arrange a pizza party for any grade that has 100% attendance at any of the Youth-Led services. This offer is not limited to once!! I don't mean 100% with "some excuses," I mean 100% Encourage your children to help make it happen!

Parents, Please let me know if you can help for Nov. 11th.

Thanks,

Mr. D.

Theme: Tikkun Olam--World Repair in our Backyard
 

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