Our Religious School is Back in Session

This morning, the Adas Emuno Religious School is back in session, and getting off to a roaring start!  We welcome back all of our returning students, and especially welcome all of our new students, and our parents as well!  It seems only appropriate, then to start this day off with a message from our new Religious School Director, Annice Benamy, taken from the pages of Kadima, the Newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno:

As summer is ending quickly, preparations for the opening of Religious School also move quickly! Your teachers, clergy, lay leadership and custodial personnel have been working hard this summer to make Religious School 2012-2013 the best experience for the students and families of Congregation Adas Emuno. What’s new this year:

• Morning Schedule: School begins each Sunday at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary for all students and families.

• Preschool: YES, we have a Preschool again for ages 2-4 from 9:00-9:45 a.m.

• Grades 8-10/Confirmation: Meet twice a month from 9:00-11:00 a.m.

• AETY: Adas Emuno Temple Youth Group:  Open to all students in grades 9-12 (Contact:  Youth Group Advisor, David Benamy, at adasschool at gmail.com for more information).

• Technology Integration Program: To be Introduced at Parent Orientation.

• “HaYom” School Newsletter:  Weekly email communication to all Religious School families.

Here are the “Nuts and bolts” for September:

September 9

• K-10 School begins at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary.

• New registrations at 9:00 am in the Social Hall.

• Parent Orientation at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary.

• School dismissal – 12:00 Noon.

• Junior Choir – 12:00 Noon in the Synagogue with a Pizza lunch afterwards (must register and pay $36.00 fee).

• Faculty meeting/Madrichim meeting – 12:15-1:15 in the Social Hall.

• AETY: Adas Emuno Youth Group “Leadership Training Institute” – Transportation leaves 12:00.

Introducing Our New Religious School Director

From the pages of Kadima, the newsletter of Congregation Adas Emuno

A message from Annice Benamy, our new Religious School Director:

My name is Annice Benamy and I am very enthusiastic to introduce myself as your new Religious School Director.  My love of education, music, and Reform Judaism developed at my synagogue in Cleveland, Ohio, and at URJ Kutz Camp in Warwick, New York. 

For 14 years, I brought my love of Judaism and music together as a youth group songleader, educator, Junior Congregation and Family Education coordinator in religious schools in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio.  In 1986, I become cantorial soloist for a nursing home in Beachwood, Ohio and continued to share my spirituality and love for liturgy through music on the bima for Shabbat and holidays.  I am still a cantorial soloist in Ohio and New Jersey,  bringing my passion and devotion to congregants.  I am also very involved in Reform synagogue life by participating on committees and programming.

For the past 19 years, my secular educational experiences include K-8 Vocal music teacher, Fine Arts building supervisor, and staff trainer on educational topics including Technology in the Classroom, Arts Across the Curriculum, and Literacy in the Classroom. I am a National Board Certified Teacher with Supervisor Certification from Rutgers University, BA in Communication Arts from the University of Cincinnati, BM in Music Education from Kent State University, and MM in Music Education from Cleveland State University. 

I reside in Teaneck with my husband, David, my daughter, Ilana, and step-daughter, Sarah.  I love to travel, read, and spend time at the beach.

Thank you for welcoming me into your Kehillah Kadosha (a sacred community). I look forward to a great year and meeting each of you soon. 

L’shalom,

Annice M. Benamy



Congregants have had a chance to meet, and listen to Annice throughout the month of July, as she has been kind enough to serve as a cantorial soloist during Friday night Shabbat services, and look for her to return later in August.  

And be sure to join us for the Ice Cream Social Meet and Greet Open House, which will be held on Sunday, August 19 from 2:00-4:00 pm.  New and returning families may register for Religious School, sign-up for Parent Committees, and see what other innovative programming the Religious School will offer this year.  Of course, eating some delicious ice cream is always a bonus on a hot summer day.

And another great reason to join us for Ice Cream on Sunday, August 19 at 2:00 pm will be to meet the NFTY-GER Regional Advisor, Pam Schuller, and the Adas Emuno Temple Youth (AETY) Youth Group Advisor, David Benam. They will be available with all the Youth Group information. That's right, AETY— Adas Emuno is forming a Temple Youth Group for high school teens in grades 9-12. If you cannot attend, but are still interested, please contact Annice Benamy, Religious School Director, at adasschool at gmail.com.

Please note that registration is OPEN for 2012-2013 Religious School.  Please check your e-mail account for registration materials.  All forms and payment are due by August 24, 2012 to the Adas Emuno Religious School.