July/Aug 2018
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A Member of the Union for Reform Judaism July/August 2018 congregation congregation Kol Ami The Voice Kol Amiof frederick The Voice of Office:frederickA Member 182 Thomas of the Johnson Union f Drive,or Re Suiteform 204, Judaism Frederick, MD 21702 • Worship: 4880 Elmer Derr Rd., Frederick, MD 21703 From the President Shalom Dan Sieger A Member of the UnionRabbi fSimonor Stratford Reform Judaism halom. It is a and Rabbi Stratford have made this past he beginning pleasure to year. I look to increase our membership of July Sbe the newly and member involvement. Members are Tsignifies my elected President of the life blood of this or any congregation. one-year mark as Congregation Kol Ami Without them—without YOU—there is having served as of Frederick. For those no Kol Ami. We all have heard that there is your rabbi. Since of you that don’t know a large portion of the Jewish population arriving in Frederick me, I am married to that is not affiliated to any synagogue. last June, it has Joanna (the Immediate Everyone should feel that is something that been a tremendous honor for me Past President and new Director of Religious we need to and can change. It all starts by to assume this sacred position and Education for Kol Ami). We have 3 wonderful coming to our Friday night services, the Bar/ a real pleasure getting to know children (Molly, Zachary and Sarah) and I Bat Mitzvahs of our follow congregants, the individuals and families who have an older daughter, Brittany. I converted and joining the activities that we sponsor make up our Kol Ami family. Nicki to Judaism in 1999 and married Joanna that throughout the year. By attending just one and I would like to thank everyone year. We moved to Frederick the following event that you typically don’t attend, you for welcoming us as part of this year. We decided to join Kol Ami as Molly will meet some new people. The next event community. Together, we have entered first grade. We (as a family) have that you find yourself going to, bring a learned and grown to love this been involved ever since. Joanna wanted fellow congregant that you didn’t see at the community and embrace it as our to raise our children Jewish, as she felt that last event or a non-congregant. Not only own. As a congregational family, I it was important to her (and them) to have will you have fun with your new and current am proud of our accomplishments a solid basis of values and beliefs. Joanna friends, you will introduce them to their this year and look forward to helping has always been at the forefront of the newest friends. lead us into the future. involvement as I stayed home and watched I can say that I have made some I would like to thank everyone the younger children. As they became of wonderful friendships over the past ten who made this year of transition age and got involved, I slowly got involved. years and just started some new ones in as smooth as possible. First and It wasn’t until the events of November this past year. I knew some of these people foremost, the members of the 2016 that I really took an active interest before, saw them at services or events transition committee whose in Kol Ami. I joined the Rabbinical Search (that Joanna dragged me to) but until you guidance allowed me to hit the Committee and was part of the Interview stop and talk to someone, you really don’t ground running by meeting many Committee. I was also one of the two Kol know how much you have in common. I of you in the early months of my Ami representatives that attended the look forward to seeing them at the wide graduation of our new Rabbi. I joined the range of events that we put on during the Continued on page 3 teaching staff as the Kindergarten teacher year. I enjoy seeing what they are doing on for this past school year. I also joined the Facebook, and as we know, you aren’t real Our Mission Board of Trustees and was on the Transition friends until you are Facebook friends! They To be an inclusive Reform Jewish Team who helped Rabbi Stratford get are not only people of my age group but all congregation that is family focused, settled into our community. over the spectrum. community oriented, emphasizes In my first year, I look to continue the I was never really involved in religion spiritual and cultural identity, and is wonderful changes that Joanna, the Board growing up, but I found when I dedicated to the Jewish education of all generations. Continued on page 2 Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • www.kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690 Religious School Update From The President Continued from page 1 From your Religious converted that the Jewish faith is an School Director understanding and warm religion. I Joanna Sieger am so proud to represent Kol Ami and by extension, you. I look forward to hen you read last month’s Voice, you meeting everyone! Please feel free to learned that Sabrina Nail was stepping walk up, introduce yourself and let’s W down from her role as our Religious work together to make Kol Ami the School Director. She has worked in our school for best that it can be. 11 years, and my oldest two children fondly remember her as Morah (teacher) Sabrina – from 2nd grade. We were so lucky to have her as our director. I am excited to follow in her footsteps. I began working in our religious SAVE THE DATE! school when my youngest was a one-year-old. My journey began when, for a year, I would bring my baby while the others were in class and wait Our biggest for class to end. The director said, “Why don’t you teach? You’re here fundraiser anyway.” And thus began my time as our 4th grade teacher. At the time, of the year I knew my Hebrew letters, vowels and had limited knowledge in Jewish Kol Ami will host the Studies. However, I learned very quickly what I needed to learn and the humorist Jeanne rest was provided to me. Robertson on October Since that time, I have gained experience teaching in our religious 20th at the Weinberg school and as a substitute for Frederick County Public Schools in general Center. Tickets are not education, specials, and special education. I also teach the 2-year olds at yet available (they are expected to go on Beth Sholom and I am director of their early childhood program. And, if I sale in August) and tend to go very quickly. seem familiar, it’s probably because I served as Kol Ami’s president the last We will hold 50 tickets specifically for Kol two years! Ami members on a first-come, first-served If you want a rewarding experience and have a couple of hours to spare basis. Questions? Contact Ralene Damanti at on Sunday mornings, I encourage you to speak with me. I did not have [email protected]. teaching experience or a teaching degree when I started. Honestly, I was just looking to kill time! But, I found a fun, dynamic group of kids and parents all searching for the same thing… Judaism – and it is wonderful Join us for services to be part of that. at the UU! Registration is OPEN. If you have not completed the form, please do so and mail it in with the registration fee. Although school doesn’t start until July 6, 7 and 20 September, it’s important we have your registration because it helps us August 3, 17, and 18 plan for our staff. The form can be found in this edition of The Voice, online at kolamifrederick.org or you can email me at education@ kolamifrederick.org. I look forward to working with all of you in this new position. One of the biggest changes we have for this year is that all classes will begin at 9:30 Join us for Torah Study am with an assembly. Our hope is that parents will stay for this 20 minute Fascinating topics, community building experience. The assembly will include songs, prayers, special songs for upcoming holidays, and activities to help us get ready interesting discussions. for the day. Being in attendance will give you more time to share your Mondays at 12:30 p.m. at the office child’s religious school experience – their community. And it will help acquaint you with other adults who have similar interests, even if it’s only (July 2 and Aug. 6 are educating their children in Judaism. Don’t have a student in the school? at Buckingham’s Choice) You’re still welcome to join us at 9:30 am for our assembly. Keep on practicing Hebrew, attend services over the summer, and we’ll July 2, 9,16, 23 and 30 see everyone on September 16! August 6, 13, 20 and 27 2 Congregation Kol Ami of Frederick • www.kolamifrederick.org • 240.575.9690 From Rabbi Simon Stratford Continued from page 1 tenure. Second, thank you to the Board Congregation Kol Ami, I want to help I am looking forward to the beginning of Trustees and the Executive Committee our newly elected lay leadership of religious school in the fall as we strive members whose knowledge and develop a strategy and plan of action to create a greater sense of community wisdom was greatly appreciated as I to make our community even stronger.