Fall has definitely arrived: our house is filled with book bags and soccer bags; we spend our evenings struggling through spelling lists and math problems; the air has turned crisp, the leaves are starting to change color; Comerica Park has given way to Ford Field – and our kids are back at TBE religious school.
As Chairperson, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our Religious School Committee. Bi-monthly, our Committee – composed of your friends and the parents of your kids’ friends and classmates – meets to help the clergy, teachers and staff to develop a fun and enriching school program.
The Committee touches almost every aspect of our school-enrollment, curriculum and programming, budgeting, fundraising, children’s services, and safety and security. We are passionate advocates for our kids and our school, and truly believe that TBE offers an unparalleled experience which takes our children from their earliest interactions with Judaism, through their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and then into their teen years where a solid foundation for religious life is built.
My husband and I have been TBE members since 1996 (following in the footsteps of three prior generations of my husband’s family). We have two children, Marc and Emma, and we are well on our way to planning for Marc’s Bar Mitzvah at TBE next year, with Emma’s Bat Mitzvah soon to follow. I have served on the Committee since 2004, and this is my second year as its Chairperson.
While the Committee does many great things at the macro level, better things are happening in our classrooms. During High Holy Days services last month, I sat in awe (okay, somewhat in awe) as I watched my children engage in the services, not because we told them to participate, but because they were moved to participate. I marveled at how far we have come since the days – not too long ago – when Marc, now 12, referred to "Rabbi" Syme as "Rabbit". Now he reads Hebrew. Shockingly, and perhaps to the dismay of our fellow congregants seated close by, nine year old Emma practically (or maybe actually) belted out the prayers as if singing along to the radio in my car. It was incredibly moving to watch my children demonstrate such passion on these very special days. While I would like to take the credit, it belongs to our great teachers, and our Rabbis and Cantor.
I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible, and welcome you to contact me at anytime to share your thoughts, suggestions or concerns. Most importantly, please remember, that the Religious School and our Committee are here to meet your family’s needs and to provide an educational, inspirational, fun and safe experience for our youngest members.
Here’s to another great year!
Louise Sable
