One of the pillars of the Brawerman Elementary School experience is the joy of partnering with “buddies” in younger grades. For years, logistics left students in Grade 3 out in the cold. At Brawerman West, Kindergarten goes with Grade 6, Grade 1 with Grade 5, and Grade 2 with Grade 4. Over on the East campus, Kindergarten buddies with Grade 4, Grade 1 goes with Grade 5, and Grade 2 is paired with Grade 6. Whichever way you pair the grade levels, Grade 3 always got left out—until now.

Following a two-week break after summer camp, our incredible teaching staff returned to school in September excited and enthusiastic. Our returning teachers were eager to reunite with familiar faces, as well as get to know new ones. The staff orientation was packed with programming, including icebreakers, CPR and first aid training, and an in-depth discussion about our value of the year: b’tzelem Elohim—Divine Image. We hosted two scholars in residence who delivered inspiring messages to our teaching staff. 

T’shuvah. Return. This is a central aspect of the High Holy Days. Throughout the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, shofar blasts awaken our souls and call us to return to our best and most authentic selves. As deeply personal as this is to all of us as individuals, these same acts of introspection, reflection, understanding, and improvement can be seen among Temple staff and throughout our offices, schools, and camps.

Our Baby and Me program provides a wide variety of classes for children from birth to three years old at the Erika J. Glazer (eastside) and the Mann Family (westside) schools. In addition to our regular classes, some new ones running this fall are highlighted in this article!

For the second time, our Early Childhood Centers ran a four-week summer camp, Camp Chaverim, at the Glazer and Irmas campuses. Campers had a wonderful time participating in outdoor water play, gathering for daily morning song sessions, and experiencing several different hands-on sensory explorations. Our enthusiastic and incredible staff, composed of both familiar and new faces, was complemented by visiting specialists.