During my sabbatical last year, I spent a lot of time thinking about iServe, our post B’nai Mitzvah program for 9th-12th grade students. It was developed by our Education Director, Beth Michell, and one of our longtime faculty members, Hillary Tescher. Last year, Cantor Debbie and an incredible group of Ramat Shalom parents added an interactive social action component to iServe that will continue this year. Also last year, the teens elected their own iServe board that will be integrally involved in our programming and events in 2017-2018.
I’m excited to be jumping into the iServe team this year, leading several workshops, discussions and special projects. Below, you can find the 2017-2018 schedule and topics. Note that, at this time, the schedule does not include all of our social action projects.
Cantor Debbie will be running our 8th grade program that will introduce our younger teens to many of the topics we will be exploring with our 9th-12th grade students.
The Cantor and I look forward to working with many of your teens this year! The adventure begins on September 13th at our Welcome Back BBQ where the Cantor and I will be doing the grilling. Wish us luck and please send your teens! All 8th-12th grade students are invited.
2017-2018 Schedule
iServe meets at Ramat Shalom on the following
Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm-8:00pm unless otherwise noted.
Faculty: Rabbi Andrew, Rabbi Cheryl, Ms. Hillary Tescher and special guests
iServe is open to all 9th-12th grades students
To register, please contact Cindy at ecc@ramatshalom.org or 954-424-3164
September 13: Welcome Back BBQ
September 27, 6:30: Introduction of our Immigration Mitzvah Project
We’ll be adopting local immigrant families in partnership with Lutheran Services of Miami.
October 18 & 25: Spiritual Entrepreneurship
We’ll be working with local entrepreneurs and business leaders to create our own start-up that is designed to solve a local need.
November 8: Comparing Judaism & Christianity
A discussion with Rabbi Andrew that will prepare us for our Interfaith Teen Council (see below).
Sunday, November 19: Special Event
We’ll be attending a service at a local church as we prepare for our Interfaith Teen Council.
More information to follow.
November 29: First gathering of our Interfaith Teen Council
Our Interfaith Teen Council will explore ways in which different faiths can learn from each other and make a difference in our community.
Sunday, December 3: Special Event
We’ll be attending another service at a local church as part of Interfaith Teen Council.
More information to follow.
December 6, 6:30pm-9:00pm: A Pastor, Priest & Rabbi
A conversation with Rabbi Andrew, a local Pastor and a local Priest.
This is part of the documentary,
“A Pastor, A Priest And A Rabbi Walk Into A Bar,” that features Rabbi Andrew.
January 10, 24 & February 7, 21: Finding Our Voices
We’ll be learning the art of lobbying local and national politicians about issues that matter to us.
March 7: Interfaith Passover Seder Planning
As part of our Interfaith Teen Council, we’ll be inviting local teens of all faiths
to our own interfaith Passover seder.
Sunday, March 11 – 6:30pm-8:00pm: New Orleans Trip Orientation (teens only)
March 21: Interfaith Passover Seder
April 4: The Holocaust and our Grandchildren
Will the Holocaust be something that our grandchildren understand and respect?
We’ll answer this question together.
Sunday, April 8 – 6:30pm-8:00pm: New Orleans Trip Orientation with parents
April 11: Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) Program
We’ll be co-leading a Yom HaShoah Service with the Rabbi and Cantor.
Friday, April 13 – Sunday, April 15: New Orleans Trip
We’ll be rolling up our sleeves and helping the residents of New Orleans in partnership with the New Orleans Tree Project. Yes, we’ll also get a chance to have some fun in NOLA!
More information about our trip & opportunities to fundraise to reduce the cost of the trip coming soon!
April 25: Why & How People Hate Israel & What We Can Do About It
An important discussion about the challenges facing Israel right here in South Florida.
May 2: Board Elections, Planning For Next Year
May 9: End Of The Year Celebration
Friday May 18, 7:00pm: Kabbalat Shabbat
We’ll be playing an important role in Friday night services!
Please note, throughout the year, we’ll be adding some special social action programs. We’ll work hard to get those dates to you at least two months before each program.
