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<font Size="-1"><b>Last Updated:</b> 6/29/2005</font><p>
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                  <B>Simchat Shabbat<br>
                     Learner’s Minyan</B></FONT>
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         <font Color=Purple><b><i>Simchat Shabbat</font></b></i> began in 2003 as a 
         monthly Shabbat program  designed to create a family and intergeneration 
         experience within the synagogue community. It is also required component 
         of our program of religious education at Or Ami.<p>

<font Color=Purple><b><i>The Goals of Simchat Shabbat</font></b></i><p>
     <ul>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  To enhance the appreciation of Shabbat among our 
          children and their families.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  To instill an awareness of the special rhythm of 
          Jewish life with Shabbat as the central focus of the week.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  To develop an understanding of the basic concepts 
          of Jewish prayer, the structure and order of the siddur, and a knowledge of 
          the customs surrounding Jewish prayer objects and garments.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  To become Jewishly comfortable in the sanctuary 
          setting and to be able to participate in the worship experience.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  To familiarize congregants with the practice of 
          studying the Torah portion of the week to thereby enable them to incorporate 
          it into their homes.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  To allow congregants to become better acquainted 
          through Shabbat  attendance so that it might enrich other synagogue activities 
          and lead to the creation of stronger relationships among our members.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  To offer a meaningful experience for building family 
          harmony and simcha (joy)!</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  To inspire families to observe Shabbat in their home 
          utilizing the experiences and learning gleaned from the Simchat Shabbat program.</li> 
     </ul>
<b>How do we participate in <font Color=Purple><b><i>Simchat Shabbat</font></b></i>?</b><p>

The children of Or Ami will meet on the third Shabbat of every month between September and 
May from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.  They will be divided into two age based minyanim: Kochavim 
(Stars), ages 5-7, and Bonim (Builders), ages 8-12.  Each minyan will engage in an age 
appropriate program that includes:<p>

     <ul>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Teaching prayer vocabulary and prayer concepts.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Teaching about worship garments and synagogue ritual 
     objects.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Teaching Shabbat customs and laws, the structure and 
          organization of the siddur.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Teaching the basic nusach (melody) of the prayers.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Teaching the trop (cantillation) for the Torah and 
     Haftarah readings.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Teaching the methods for studying Torah and for creating 
     a D’var Torah.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Teaching elementary Hebrew to the Kochavim minyan and 
     reinforcing what is learned from Hebrew School during the Bonim minyan.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Teaching each child his/her Hebrew name, its meaning, 
     and the family member for whom they were named.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Creating a relaxed setting to "practice" Hebraic and 
     prayer skills so that the transition into the sanctuary service will be seamless.</li> 
     </ul>

<b>Other features of the two <i>minyanim</i> include:</b><p>

     <ul>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Learning Holiday customs and traditions.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Enjoying Jewish hassidic and midrashic stories.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Utilizing Shabbat acceptable arts and crafts projects.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Connecting Sunday Religious School activities such as 
     challah baking and Shabbat projects into the Simchat Shabbat program.</li>
     <li><img src="Checkmark.gif">  Practicing the concept of Hiddur Mitzvah (beautifying 
     the performance of mitzvot) by requiring children to dress appropriately for Shabbat.</li> 
     </ul>

<b>What is our expectation of how parents can support<br>
 <font Color=Purple><b><i>Simchat Shabbat</font></b></i>?</b><p>

This program is an intergenerational, family experience that requires the participation of 
parents.  While children will gather in their respective <i>minyanim</i>, parents can either 
join these <i>minyanim</i> or attend the Shabbat service in the sanctuary.  When attending 
the <font Color=Purple><b><i>Simchat Shabbat</font></b> minyanim</i>, parents, like their 
children, are both students and teachers.<p>
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         Copyright &copy;2005 Congregation Or Ami Houston, TX</font></FONT></P>

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