One of my favorite Saturday morning Shabbat services here at the HEA is the Youth-Led Shabbat. The youth study and prepare to lead our congregation in meaningful prayer. I am always amazed at how well-poised, confident, and engaged our youth are during these services. I got a little verklempt during this past one as it was the last one that my son, Sam, participated in before leaving for college in the Fall. Both of my children, Emma and Sam, have partaken in Youth Shabbat over the years, from leading musical prayers to having aliyot honors. It is always joyous to watch these young leaders shine in the moment. My husband and I are now preparing to become empty nesters. Cue the tears in August when I drop Sam off at college (University of Indiana-Go Hoosiers!) Thankfully, Jason and I are looking forward to becoming involved in the HEA Connect group, SLAK (Social Life After Kids).
I’ve been a Jewish Professional for the past 24 years. 18 of them (can I get a Chai Five) have been here at HEA in the preschool, first as an early childhood educator and now Judaic Coordinator and part of the administrative team with Jamie and Rebecca. Some know me as my alter ego, Mrs. Goldwynn, who dresses in yellow and is a ray of sunshine who is passionate about Judaism.
I am proud to watch many, including my own children, begin and continue their Jewish journey as they grow into young adults. This is truly, L’dor v dor, from generation to generation. For many of these children, their Jewish journey started off in our preschool, participating in weekly Shabbat sing, going to weekly Shabbat services, Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and more.
While many of these HEA programs are commonly associated with families with young children, these events are not just for kids. Parents, grandparents, and anyone young at heart are always invited and will benefit from many of our HEA offerings. We are building and maintaining community connections, spiritual renewal for our souls, joyful celebrations, and meaningful learning opportunities. Have you seen Rabbi Shulman’s Tibit of Torah? Each week, Rabbi Shulman records a 3–5-minute short video that pertains to the weekly Torah portion. This little tidbit is meant to give adults a snapshot of how to make a relatable connection to the Torah, making it more accessible to everyone.
What do you love about Shabbat? Answers by the Pomegranate Pre-K class: -I love to eat challah and drink grape juice at home - JoJo -I love the Shabbos Shake - Harold -I love the prayers, eating challah and juice - Giddy -I love when we eat the challah - Jonas -I love the grape juice - Andy -When I have grape juice at my house - Marley -I love coming to school and seeing the challah held up high - Connor
Can’t wait to see what the future holds for these young leaders and all of our young at-heart members.
