Chanukah Background & Blessings

"Number the Stars" Play at the Nashville Children's Theater

In partnership with our friends at Nashville Children’s Theater, Congregation Micah 5^th-12^th grade families will enjoy a day at the theater!

When: 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 23*

What: Production of Lois Lowry’s Newberry Award-winning  Number the Stars with reception and actor talk-back session following the show

Cost:  $12 per ticket (parents are welcome and encouraged to attend!)

RSVP:  Your payment is your reservation – all orders due to the Micah Office by Friday, December 20

*This program is in lieu of Religious School for 5^th-10^th grades on 2/23

Plot Summary:

Based on the book by Lois Lowry
Adapted by Douglas W. Larche

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johasen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.

Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, the audience will watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.

Approximate Runtime: Approx. 70 minutes plus a 10 minute intermission

Come join us for this unique educational outing – we’re saving you a seat!

Scholar in Residence: Professor Paul Liptz - December 6 to 8

Supporting Our Seniors: Schmooze & Views Chanukah Lunch

 

Chanukah Family Dinner - December 4 - $10/adults and $5/child

 

Check out some non-dairy potluck suggestions here: http://congregationmicah.blogspot.com/2013/11/micah-tells-here-is-what-we-are.html

Micah Tells... Here is what we are thankful for!

We at Micah are thankful for:

1. Our rabbis who are constantly checking in with our new and old members. With over 450 families, they have over 1,000 people to connect with.
2. Lisa Silver. Not just her lovely voice at Shabbat service, but also her cheerful disposition throughout the week.
3. Our b’nai mitzvah students who are always working hard and showing us their unique, individual personalities
4. Our religious school teachers who are also our largest group of volunteers - they give of their precious time on Sundays.
5. a) For our other volunteer efforts, we have our Social Action Committee coordinating behind the scenes. Whether it’s Chanukah gifts or toiletry donations for a shelter, we love being able to give back to our community.  b) Long standing volunteers who love Micah -- like Hope!
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud8Uo4rbEY0 
6. Our baking teams! Our freezer is always packed and our onegs are deliciously satisfying. The coordination within that group is impressive and Francine makes sure they are always on top of it.
7. Julie. She’s just one person, but she does the job of a team. Between making lesson plans, getting teachers organized, and prepping each Sunday for success, she also makes time to seek out grants for Micah, plan events for our entire community, and meet with other leaders in our Jewish community.
8. Our Room in the Inn committee! We are thrilled to again be a part of an important service to the Nashville community. The involvement of our members is fantastic and allows us to work together for the greater good.
9. Members who have volunteered their time to help with major mailings - like stuffing and labeling the High Holy Day packets.
10. The Leath family and their team that comes to Micah each year to whip up large batches of delicious latkes for our Chanukah Dinner.
11. Dreidels. It’s Chanukah season and they are fun!
12. Rugelach. Yum.
13. The cheerful sound of the Micah Children’s Academy kids out in the playground. It will bring a smile to your face!
14. Our Mah Jongg players! This group has really grown this year – it’s welcoming and fun to play with. They always have a wave and “hello” for the office workers.
15. Micah Midweek – a great opportunity for our bnai mitzvah prospects to connect with each other and the rabbis as they prepare for a monumental event in their Jewish life.
16. Events that bring the Nashville synagogues together as a community (like the upcoming Hanukah Fest!)
17. The Schmooze & Views group who is eager to discuss controversial and important topics with each other every week.
18. The beautiful architecture we are surrounded with – isn’t our sanctuary stunning?!
19. Our online community! Y’all have some great thankfuls as well!
20.  Todd’s endless work as our Executive Director. From event details to balancing our budget, he keeps Micah going! Our operations would not run smoothly without him.
21. Your trust in us to nourish your souls through services and programs.
22. Our Building and Grounds Committee, as well as our maintenance guy Dave, who worked to have a suitable storage building built.
23. Our Religious School parents that are involved in our family services.
24. 11^th and 12^th grade students who volunteer as our Madrachim – teacher assistants – on Sundays.
25. Prenegs, Onegs, any excuse to get together, socialize, and eat!
26. The opportunity to celebrate life cycles with our congregants, whether it be a bris, a bnai mitzvah, wedding, etc, we love being a part of your life.
27. Ladies and Men’s Night Out – it’s a great time to get out of the house and meet fellow Micah congregants.
28. Our administrative assistants who answer the phones, organize registrations, create flyers, send out our weekly e-newsletter, connect with our families, and so much more.
29. Our High Holy Day Choir that regroups each year to provide us with beautiful and unique music during the holidays.
30. Guest speakers that give of their time and knowledge to Micah, like Professor Paul Liptz who will be with us in December!
31. Trips to Israel! Join us next summer!

#MicahAsks - What are you thankful for?

A loving community whose warmth and support was palpable throughout my 5 years of rabbinical school; rabbis and the board and other leaders who gave me the chance to be a student rabbi at Micah; Lisa, Michael, and Daniel, who continue to inspire and aide my songleading; Julie who never stops giving and sharing her genius; an office that punches above its weight and has for years (thanks Todd!); one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in the world (both hemispheres); services where the names of my grandparents are still read each year, even in my absence, and even though no one at Micah ever knew them; an environment where The Jacob Project and You CAN Help could take flight and flourish; oh...and the place that taught me that the first thing to do upon arrival at Torah study is TURN THE COFFEE ON!! (That hard-learned bit of wisdom still comes in handy).
--Rabbi Roberts

I love the warm and inviting atmosphere at Micah and the fact that Rabbi Flip and Rabbi Laurie are dazzlingly gifted orators! -AVS

The Big Ones: Health, Love, Family, Friends, Well-Being, Judaism, Micah, Seasons, Creativity, Falling Leaves and Budding Flowers (Seasons), Technology (yes), Art...and More. And, especially, the "little" (not so little any more) ones -- our grand-children. -JM

I'm grateful to have found such a wonderful community with which to share my spiritual journey and have lots of fun along the way! -LS 

URJ Jacobs Camp -- New Destination for Micah!

Please note that we have a new URJ regional camp – Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS. If you are already a GUCI family, of course you will not be required to switch camps, but over the course of the next few years our youth group, MiTY, will become based out of Jacobs Camp instead of GUCI. That said, if you are new to considering sleep-away Jewish camping or are ready to explore your options, please visit the Jacobs Camp website to learn more about this amazing community: http://jacobs.urjcamps.org

We are looking forward to hosting Jacobs Camp’s Assistant Director, Gary Brandt, on Sunday, November 24 both during and after our Family Service, so that he can share important information and answer any questions you may have. Please plan to join us at 9:30 AM for the service and then remain for our special parents-only session with Gary at 10:30 AM. Current Jacobs parents Debbie McCormick and Jodi Stout will also be available to discuss their positive experiences.

Jacobs is offering a $1,000 incentive grant to any first-time Jacobs campers. Additionally, families considering a 3.5 week session may be eligible for another $1,000 discount through the OneHappyCamper grants offered here: http://www.jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper/

The OneHappyCamper grants apply to many other camps, including the URJ’s 6 Points Sports Academy in Greensboro, NC for children entering grades 4 to 11 http://sports.urjcamps.org/index.cfm?. 

The Rabbis and Julie Greenberg are happy to help families navigate the exploration and application processes for whichever camp may be the best fit for your family. Regardless of where your children may attend, we are certain of the long-lasting impact that sleep-away camping has on forming and strengthening positive Jewish identities for students of all ages.