The Shorashim teachers, madrichim, Hazzan Ayal, and I are very much looking forward seeing everyone on Sunday! It will be great to see all our returning families and to welcome new families to Shorashim.

We will begin the Shorashim year this Sunday, 3rd September at 9:30 AM in the UJC Sanctuary.  (Entrance on Castle Steps.) We will welcome everyone at kinnus and then head off to class. The Shorashim day will end at 12:30 PM and dismissal/pick up will be at the Castle Steps.

Since Typhoon Saola may affect Hong Kong on Sunday, I want to remind everyone of the Shorashim Typhoon/Rainstorm Closure Policy:

Shorashim Typhoon/Rainstorm Closure Policy:

Typhoons — Based on the Hong Kong Education Bureau Policy and a concern for the safety of our students, madrichim, and teachers, Shorashim will NOT meet IF A TYPHOON SIGNAL #3 or higher is in effect.  As some of our teachers and students travel from a fair distance to The UJC, we will abide by the Typhoon Signal that is in effect at 8:00 AM at the Hong Kong Observatory website (www.hko.gov.hk)

Rainstorms — Based on the Hong Kong Education Bureau Policy, Shorashim will NOT meet if a Red or Black rainstorm warning is in effect at 8:00 AM at the Hong Kong Observatory website (www.hko.gov.hk).  (Shorashim will meet as usual if it is an Amber rain.)

Also, a reminder about Parking arrangements — The JCC car park is for JCC members only. The UJC has made special arrangements with the JCC for Shorashim families who are non-JCC members. Such families can use the car park (on Shorashim Sundays only) but they MUST register with The UJC office in advance. If you are not a JCC member and wish to use the car park, please let us have your name and car registration numbers NOW if you have not already done so.

Finally, I have sent an email to parents with full details and the Shorashim schedule. Please let me know as soon as possible if you did not receive the email or have any questions.

Looking forward to another great year at Shorashim!
Rabbi Martha
(rabbimartha@ujc.org.hk)

Next event to be announced in the Shabbat Shalom and here!

UJC Young Professionals Junk Boat Day

Get excited for our second annual junk trip! The junk will be on Sunday, 4th June, roughly 10:00am – 6:00pm. It will be catered by Koh Thai (with Vegetarian options) and will cost HK$580/person.

Please RSVP to Cantor Melissa to hold your spot. We need a minimum amount of people for the boat to go, so bring friends!

The UJC’s Annual General Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, 13th June at 7:00pm in the UJC Sanctuary.

It’s your chance to get involved, and make a difference.

The UJC’s Shorashim School offers classes from pre-Kindergarten/age 3 through post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The word “shorashim” is Hebrew for “roots,” a fitting symbol for our school which tries to help its students develop a strong Jewish identity and solid foundation of Jewish learning.

Shorashim meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM during the academic year.  The day generally begins with kinnus, an assembly that brings students and parents together for a short service, story, or special activity.

The remainder of the Shorashim day is comprised of two sessions:  Judaica and Hebrew.  Judaica lessons cover Torah, prayer, holidays, and ethics and values, and are based on the Chai Curriculum, which was developed by the Union for Reform Judaism.  Hebrew studies focus on developing prayer book reading skills and make use of materials tailored to students’ abilities.  All lessons are carefully planned to ensure that they are engaging, interactive, and meaningful.

Shorashim classes are further enriched by special activities, holiday celebrations, and field trips such as visits to the JCC Judaica Library, a Chocolate Seder, the Tikkun Olam Olympics, and visits to Ohel Leah Synagogue and the Jewish Cemetery.  Shorashim families are key participants in UJC Mitzvah Day continuing our practice of engaging with the local community and encouraging environmental sustainability.

At the UJC, we believe that Bar/Bat Mitzvah is not a day or event, but rather a significant step in an unfolding Jewish life. Through study and preparation, we hope that the student will learn not only liturgical skills, but will also be challenged to develop a greater sense of responsibility and self-confidence, and a more mature Jewish identity.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Services are held on Shabbat mornings. It is customary for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah to lead several of the prayers, chant Torah and Haftarah, and deliver a D’var Torah.

Families with a child approaching B’nai Mitzvah meet with Rabbi Kudan approximately 18 months before the child’s 13^th birthday so that they can select a date for the ceremony.  At this point the child’s Hebrew skills will be assessed and a tutoring plan will be developed. All B’nai Mitzvah students work closely with Cantor Yvon F. Shore and Rabbi Kudan as they prepare.

After B’nai Mitzvah, students are expected to continue their participation in the UJC community via several options for involvement. One of the options is the Madrichim Program.

Madrichim serve as “guides” or teaching assistants in the younger children’s classes. They are an essential part of the Shorashim program as they help prepare materials, facilitate learning groups, and help teach Hebrew. Perhaps most importantly, Madrichim serve as excellent role models for the younger Shorashim students.

Please see NETTs and UJC Youth Group for other ways teens can stay involved after B’nai Mitzvah.