During their final year of nursery school, we provide the TK and DK children with opportunities to joyfully engage with elders in our L.A. Jewish community by going on three field trips during the months of November through February. This year, we are excited to partner with two new senior centers: our Mann Family ECC with the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s Eisenberg Village, a continuing-care retirement community, and our Glazer ECC with the Garden of Palms assisted-living center.

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.