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Summer Intern Closing Reflection – Avery Curtis

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Summer Intern Closing Reflection- Avery Curtis

As my internship draws to a close, I want to thank everyone here at The Temple, both staff and congregants, for making me feel welcomed. I have had such an amazing summer here and I have learned so much about my faith and this wonderful community.

I have had the pleasure of performing for Chavurat Shalom and the congregation as a service song leader and Shir Chadash choir member these last few weeks. I feel so honored that you all have been so kind and encouraging towards me. As any artist will tell you, sharing one’s art can be scary, and nothing feels better than when those we share it with are eager to experience it and give positive feedback.

I started learning Hebrew at the beginning of my internship and have made great progress with the wonderful resources that Benji Berlow and Rabbi Rapport gave to me. I have also learned so much about Jewish holidays, traditions, and rituals and Judaica in general. I hope to have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony in the near future.

Although my time as an intern has come to an end, I promise that I will still be around. I will be working with Trager ECEC during the week and on weekends I will be coming to services, participating in the choir, and teaching in the religious school. I will also be working with Rabbi Rapport on leading the youth and contemporary High Holy Day services later in the fall.

Thank you once again to everyone here at The Temple for making this summer a wonderful experience; one I am excited to continue!

Shalom,
Avery Curtis

Summer Intern Closing Reflection- Avery Curtis

As my internship draws to a close, I want to thank everyone here at The Temple, both staff and congregants, for making me feel welcomed. I have had such an amazing summer here and I have learned so much about my faith and this wonderful community.

I have had the pleasure of performing for Chavurat Shalom and the congregation as a service song leader and Shir Chadash choir member these last few weeks. I feel so honored that you all have been so kind and encouraging towards me. As any artist will tell you, sharing one’s art can be scary, and nothing feels better than when those we share it with are eager to experience it and give positive feedback.

I started learning Hebrew at the beginning of my internship and have made great progress with the wonderful resources that Benji Berlow and Rabbi Rapport gave to me. I have also learned so much about Jewish holidays, traditions, and rituals and Judaica in general. I hope to have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony in the near future.

Although my time as an intern has come to an end, I promise that I will still be around. I will be working with Trager ECEC during the week and on weekends I will be coming to services, participating in the choir, and teaching in the religious school. I will also be working with Rabbi Rapport on leading the youth and contemporary High Holy Day services later in the fall.

Thank you once again to everyone here at The Temple for making this summer a wonderful experience; one I am excited to continue!

Shalom,
Avery Curtis

Summer Intern Update – HHD

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Summer Intern Update – HHD with Clayton Oppenheimer

For the past couple weeks, we’ve been doing several things to get ready for the High Holy Days. Each year these are the most attended services by far, so there are many things to prep. We counted each of the prayer books to ensure we have enough, we helped The Brotherhood with their Book of Remembrance project, and the Yahrzeit database and plaques are freshly updated.

As a Jew, we put loads of emphasis on community because repairing the world, Tikkun Olam, it is much easier to make an impact when we come together instead of standing alone. These services not only are helping people atone and bringing in the new year, but they also help people come to terms with their spirituality and refresh or tighten their relationship to G-d. As you atone and take in the new year, you should look to the future and this fresh year to see what changes you need to be the best you. These days can be looked at as a moral self-assessment. The sense of community is also there for moral support to the many participating congregants.

Summer Intern Update – HHD with Clayton OppenheimerFor the past couple weeks, we’ve been doing several things to get ready for the High Holy Days. Each year these are the most attended services by far, so there are many things to prep. We counted each of the prayer books to ensure we have enough, we helped The Brotherhood with their Book of Remembrance project, and the Yahrzeit database and plaques are freshly updated.

As a Jew, we put loads of emphasis on community because repairing the world, Tikkun Olam, it is much easier to make an impact when we come together instead of standing alone. These services not only are helping people atone and bringing in the new year, but they also help people come to terms with their spirituality and refresh or tighten their relationship to G-d. As you atone and take in the new year, you should look to the future and this fresh year to see what changes you need to be the best you. These days can be looked at as a moral self-assessment. The sense of community is also there for moral support to the many participating congregants.

Summer Intern Update – Music

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Summer Intern Update – Music with Avery Curtis

This week I worked on cleaning and organizing the 5th Grade classroom in the Religious School. In that room, thanks to the many shelves on the back wall, we store resources for holiday events, activities, curriculum, etc. I tidied up by moving everything into clear, labeled bins and file boxes so that everything is visible and easily accessible. Now teachers and staff can easily find what they need for each holiday.

I also worked on digitizing all of Shir Chadash’s music. I scanned, labeled, and organized every music file. I also went through each piece of music to see if any lyrics, prayers, or blessings were written in our prayer book.

This was done because we plan on making a program for each time Shir Chadash sings for a service. This way, congregants will know where to find each prayer and/or be given the lyrics so they can follow along.

I was also given the great opportunity to substitute for Jennifer Diamond at Erev Shabbat Services this past weekend and this week (7-26). I am very excited to participate in such a meaningful way to our congregation.

Summer Intern Update – Music with Avery Curtis

This week I worked on cleaning and organizing the 5th Grade classroom in the Religious School. In that room, thanks to the many shelves on the back wall, we store resources for holiday events, activities, curriculum, etc. I tidied up by moving everything into clear, labeled bins and file boxes so that everything is visible and easily accessible. Now teachers and staff can easily find what they need for each holiday.

I also worked on digitizing all of Shir Chadash’s music. I scanned, labeled, and organized every music file. I also went through each piece of music to see if any lyrics, prayers, or blessings were written in our prayer book.

This was done because we plan on making a program for each time Shir Chadash sings for a service. This way, congregants will know where to find each prayer and/or be given the lyrics so they can follow along.

I was also given the great opportunity to substitute for Jennifer Diamond at Erev Shabbat Services this past weekend and this week (7-26). I am very excited to participate in such a meaningful way to our congregation.

Summer Intern Update – Yahrzeit

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Summer Intern Update – Yahrzeit with Clayton Oppenheimer

In between the tutoring sessions of B’nei Mitzvah students, I’ve been working on improving how we organize the Yahrzeit plaques and updating the database so we can locate each of them with ease.  It is not as exciting as tutoring, but this will help a family wanting to remember or honor their lost loved ones in finding their memorialized plaque. These plaques perpetuate and cherish the legacies of our fallen loved ones. Honoring the people you love should be stress-free.

As I learn patience from this monotonous task, I also feel this a very important aspect to the congregation and all the loved ones of those memorialized.  It is beautiful to be able to spark memories from these plaques to current loved ones, but through time it will spark interest of lost distant relatives and their legacies to the future families of our congregation.

Summer Intern Update – Yahrzeit with Clayton OppenheimerIn between the tutoring sessions of B’nei Mitzvah students, I’ve been working on improving how we organize the Yahrzeit plaques and updating the database so we can locate each of them with ease.  It is not as exciting as tutoring, but this will help a family wanting to remember or honor their lost loved ones in finding their memorialized plaque. These plaques perpetuate and cherish the legacies of our fallen loved ones. Honoring the people you love should be stress-free.As I learn patience from this monotonous task, I also feel this a very important aspect to the congregation and all the loved ones of those memorialized.  It is beautiful to be able to spark memories from these plaques to current loved ones, but through time it will spark interest of lost distant relatives and their legacies to the future families of our congregation.

Summer Intern Update – ECEC

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Check out Summer Intern Update – ECEC from Avery Curtis!

This week I worked with ECEC, getting to know the kids and making friendships with them. I love working with kids and I’m so thankful that I get to spend a few hours with them every morning. There are several kids who now know me as a regular presence so they run up to me when they see me in the morning.

It is my goal in life to become a music teacher for young children, so I feel that I am gaining valuable experience in being able to work with these children, learning how every child is so different in how they see the world and interact with others.

I can’t wait to see what more I learn from these kids.

Check out Summer Intern Update – ECEC from Avery Curtis!

This week I worked with ECEC, getting to know the kids and making friendships with them. I love working with kids and I’m so thankful that I get to spend a few hours with them every morning. There are several kids who now know me as a regular presence so they run up to me when they see me in the morning.

It is my goal in life to become a music teacher for young children, so I feel that I am gaining valuable experience in being able to work with these children, learning how every child is so different in how they see the world and interact with others.

I can’t wait to see what more I learn from these kids.

Summer Intern Update – B’nei Mitzvah

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Summer Intern Update – B’nei Mitzvah

These past few weeks my primary focus has been tutoring B’nei Mitzvah students. I have been scheduling appointments with 9 students, meeting them at The Temple, their home or over the phone. It helps smooth the process to having a B’nei Mitzvah.

It has been interesting trying to balance and organize appointments with these students, but so far it has been very successful. Each student has varying Hebrew skills and have been all very fun to teach. I’m constantly improving my teaching skills and learning patience and tips to deal with children.

Shalom!
Clayton Oppenheimer

Checkout Summer Intern Update – B’nei Mitzvah

These past few weeks my primary focus has been tutoring B’nei Mitzvah students. I have been scheduling appointments with 9 students, meeting them at The Temple, their home or over the phone. It helps smooth the process to having a B’nei Mitzvah.

It has been interesting trying to balance and organize appointments with these students, but so far it has been very successful. Each student has varying Hebrew skills and have been all very fun to teach. I’m constantly improving my teaching skills and learning patience and tips to deal with children.

Shalom!
Clayton Oppenheimer

Summer Intern Update – GUCI Camp

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Checkout Summer Intern Update – GUCI Camp from Avery Curtis!

I visited Rabbi Rapport at GUCI and had a fantastic time! I had never experienced a camp like that before. The music and atmosphere were amazing and so much fun. I participated in their Shabbat walk, Friday night service, dinner, song session, campfire, and Saturday morning service. The campers and staff were all so friendly and enthusiastic.

During the week, I worked in the Religious School helping to organize the office and 5th Grade classroom. It’s been really cool to see all of the curricular material and Holiday items that we have, so as I’m working I’m also learning more and more about Judaica. And it turns out, I know much more than I thought I did!

This week I also began my studies in learning Hebrew. Since I did not grow up Jewish, I had no prior knowledge in Hebrew except common prayers. With the resources I have been given by The Temple staff, I am excited and already making headway! It is my goal within the next year or two to have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony that I did not have before! And that is just the first stop, I want to see how far I can go with my studies.

Shalom!
Avery Curtis