Congregation Agudas Achim

School news and notices

Congregation Agudas Achim
Partial Kashrut Policy
(relevant sections for school)
Read entire policy

Congregants may bring only dairy or pareve food into the synagogue for snacks, onegs, kiddushim, and any other function.The following guidelines must be observed:

A. Food may be purchased from a Kosher bakery or other Kosher
establishment.

B. Food may be brought from a supermarket as long as it is marked with a
Kosher symbol. (All Entenman's baked goods are kosher, as are many other packaged cookies, etc.)

C. Food may be prepared at home if ingredients are checked. There must be no meat or meat by products contained in any ingredients. Most of the time it is the shortening, which needs to be checked. Any kind of pure vegetable shortening is acceptable. Any animal fat used in the product makes it unacceptable. In particular mixes should be checked carefully since they often use animal shortening. Members may bake or cook at home for synagogue sponsored activities, subject to these guidelines.These policies will remain in force throughout the school year.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The School Committee

CELEBRATING THE AGUDAS ACHIM COMMUNITY

What’s New at School

Our Faculty is complete! We are keeping with our mission statement that says in part…”…every member a learner and every learner a teacher.”

Here is a list of faculty for the 2008-2009 school year:

Preschool – Sheri Warsofsky
Gan/Alef – Anna Shuman
Bet – Caron Heller
Gimel – Cathie Cruz
Daled – Janice Dexter-Ganek
Hey – David Nerenberg and Stuart Freiman
Vav – Kara Alling
Zayin – Rabbi Elyse
Kadimah – Kim Bodemer and Rabbi Elyse

MIDRASHA Registration is now OPEN!

NOW is the time to take advantage of the incredible opportunities to learn with our community’s educators and build connections with the greater Rhode Island Jewish teen community. In addition to classes in Providence and Cranston, this semester at the Harry Elkin MIDRASHA Community High School of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Rhode Island also includes a variety of other activities:

Philadelphia Trip – a three-day retreat focusing on issues of homelessness and hunger
Community service-oriented programs such as the B’nai Tzedek: Teen Philanthropy Rhode Island and planning for the annual Service Learning Day
SAT Prep – offering SAT prep on Sunday mornings

For course offerings, this year’s calendar, special programs, requirements for graduation and much more, visit: www.bjeri.org

Questions? Email Jamie Richman at jrichman@bjeri.org

Now Accepting Applications for our Madrichim Program

The Madrichim program at Agudas Achim is open to all Hebrew school graduates. This program helps to develop young Jewish adults in leadership roles while helping them to engage with other teens. Successful candidates must have a love of Judaism and a strong work ethic. There are three types of Madrichim:

Classroom Madrichim (Sunday mornings 9-12): These Madrichim are assigned to specific classes and work directly with a classroom teacher. Teens who apply for these positions must make a commitment to attend on a regular basis to ensure consistency for the students and the teacher.
Administrative/Tutorial Madrichim (Mondays and Wednesdays 4-6): These Madrichim will complete any number of tasks including, filing, attendance tracking, answering the phones, special projects, and one-on-one tutoring. Teens who apply for these positions may choose to work on Mondays, Wednesdays or both days.
Childcare Madrichim (Mondays and Wednesdays 4-6): These Madrichim will be responsible for the care of the staff’s children. They will plan projects for the children and assist with homework.

Please email Kim Bodemer at: principal@agudasma.org or call 508-222-2243 for more information.

Parents

Please, please, please send in your school registration materials ASAP. I need an accurate count to place our book and supply order so that we will be ready for opening day.

Opening Days

Lower School will open on Sunday September 7, 2008. We will begin at 9:00 a.m. with Havdalah and then parents will accompany their children back to their classrooms for a brief introduction from the teacher and an activity. At 10:30, all parents are invited to the sanctuary for a presentation of the new curriculum, policies and question and answer period. Refreshments will be served.

Upper School will open on Monday, September 8, 2008. School begins at 4 p.m. We will provide snack on the first day for all students. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend a presentation of the new curriculum, policies and question and answer period beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Ruach n’ Roll, a monthly program for parents and toddlers, begins on Sunday, September 28th from 9:30 -11:30. Explore the holidays through movement, song, art, games and food. Membership is not required for participation in this program. Call or email the office for details

Kadimah, a monthly service-learning program for 8th and 9th grade students will meet on Wednesday, October 15th at the home of Kim Bodemer for a “Sukkot Supper” from 6-8 pm for a get-to-know you and planning session. Invitations will be sent to all 8th and 9th grade students. Kadimah will begin meeting the last Sunday of the month starting in November.

Check out our updated Basket of Wishes in the hallway and take an apple to help support our school community.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact Kim Bodemer at 508-222-2243 or principal@agudasma.org

TZEDAKAH CONTRIBUTIONS

Please continue to bring in your Tzedakah money each week so that we can continue our school collections and donations. Every contribution counts!