June News
The middle school class visited the Providence Zen Center in Rhode Island on May 10 as follow up to its recent classes on Buddhism. The Providence Zen Center is a residential and non-residential community of lay persons and monks. Its mission is to provide Zen training for all, through daily practice, regularly scheduled retreats, and an international exchange of teachers and practitioners.
It offers many talks and classes open to the public. The one we attended was an introductory talk and question and answer session. Our students sat on cushions in a beautiful room with a vaulted ceiling, a Buddha statue, and views of the rural surroundings. They asked some great questions (as did our chaperones) and took part in ten minutes of silent meditation. They did awesome.
The monks invited us to come back and visit any time. They have many talks, meditation classes, retreats, and Zen dinners. Anyone interested can go to their Web site (www.providencezen.org).
Thanks to LeeAnn, Ginger, and Lia for lending a hand as driver and chaperones. And thanks to Virginia who tipped me off to the Providence Zen Center.
Donna
April News
This past month the middle school group has continued their exploration of world religions. They have started, and will be continuing next month, a unit on Buddhism. They also had the unique opportunity to have Neda come in as a guest speaker and talk to them about Baha’i religion. After viewing some Baha’i symbols the group’s members had the opportunity to create their own religious symbols. Many thanks to Neda for taking the time to share her knowledge with the group.
Middle School Group Happenings
During January, the Middle School group studied Catholicism. They wrapped up their unit on Catholicism by visiting St. Mary’s church in Mansfield. This was followed by a pizza party/game night.
December News
Have you ever had the chance to read from the Torah? Our Middle Schoolers had this unique opportunity last week at Temple Chayai Shalom in Easton. The temple’s Rabbi, Jodi Smith, and several members spent an hour showing us around their temple
and explaining some basic concepts of Judaism. They showed us the Arc,
Mezzuzahs, and the everlasting light and everyone got to learn about the Torah and the painstaking work it takes to make and take care of it. If you have the opportunity, ask one of this group what happens if you drop a Torah or how long it is if you unwind it.
September News
After an initial kick-off kayaking trip to Cochituate State Park, our youth group is going to spend this fall studying Judaism. In the upcoming weeks, they will talk about Jewish traditions and concepts such as keeping kosher and bar and bat mitvahs. Their unit will culminate on November 16, with a visit to Temple Chayai Shalom in Easton, where Rabbi Smith has graciously agreed to give them a tour and answer any questions they may have.
Junior Youth Group
This year, we will hold special events that will allow our older children to bond together and participate in special activities which create a special sense of importance within the community as the ‘older youth’. We plan to have at least one overnight trip during the year.
