Dena Kevelson

Story by Jessica Goldstein Todd and Daniel kicked off the Shabbat celebrations this week by performing the blessings over the Challah and the grape juice. Hannah led the group in the prayer over the candles. Everyone shared wishes and hopes for health and peace. Daniel added that he always prays for compassion. The torah portion this week, “Mishpatim”, Moses discusses G-d’s laws to the Israelites. The laws were varied regarding rules to only worship one G-d, how to keep Kosher, how to treat animals, how to observe Shabbat and rules for ethical behavior. G-d explained how to observe Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. Moses then went to Mount Sinai to meet with G-d. He was there for forty days and forty […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein To welcome Shabbat this week, everyone joined together to recite the blessing over the candles. Aaron led the group blessing the challah and the grape juice. The torah portion “Yitro” Moses discusses the miracle of the exodus with his father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro helped Moses to spend more time with his family by suggesting he create a system of judges and courts so that he would not spend all his time settling disputes. There is a lot to be learned and admired in how Jethro was nonjudgmental toward Moses and he approached Moses with positive suggestions. G-d lets Moses know that he will deliver a message to the Israelites. They camp at the bottom of Mount Sinai […]

Story By Jessica Goldstein Name: Yvette Lucas   Title: Manager of Pre-vocational Arts   How long have you been with JSDD? More than 9 years   Was this the position you started in? No, I started as program coordinator of WAE Beyond, an evening program with a series of workshops offered our members and to the general community. Later, I was asked to manage another program with prevocational classes called “Workability” which took place during the day. The vision for the program was to provide members with opportunities to learn pre-vocational skills in specialized art-based classes. The first offering was a painting class.  From there, it grew to include product design, printmaking, fiber arts, jewelry, weaving, and other classes.  As […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein Our Shabbat celebration began this week with Rachel chanting the blessing over the candles. Mark led the blessing over the grape juice and the challah. We continued to learn about Tu B’shevat, the birthday of the trees and how it is celebrated in Israel. We also talked about Martin Luther King, Jr. and listened to his inspiring, “I Have a Dream” speech on YouTube.  Stacy reminded everyone that the Jews must remember the Holocaust and also that we were slaves in Egypt. The torah portion this week, Beshalach starts with G-d telling Moses to have the Israelites camp at the Sea of Reeds. Once again, Pharoah changes his mind about giving the Israelites their freedom and […]

Story by Jessica Goldstein To welcome Shabbat this week, everyone shared their highlights from the week and the most popular was the first snow of 2022. Everyone loved waking up to see their yards covered in a beautiful blanket of snow. Kevin began with the blessing over the candles. Aaron performed the Kiddush, the blessing of the grape juice and the Hamotzi, the blessing over the challah. We learned about the upcoming holiday Tu B’shevat, the birthday of the trees. One might ask, why celebrate the trees in January when there is snow outside? Well, in Israel, it is now the end of the rainy season, the soil is drenched and fertile and it is a perfect time to plant […]