22 | OCTOBER 6 • 2022
T
he High Holidays bring the
reflection and assessment of our
lives. Starting the Fall Lifelong
Learning program, Congregation Shir
Tikvah welcomed author Ellen Blum
Barish.
Blum Barish is the award-winning
author of Seven Springs, an essay collection,
and Views from the Home Office Window, a
memoir. Blum Barish a teaches writing
workshops and coaches authors in their
writing. She continues to write and edit
for a variety of publications.
She taught a two-part program, “From
Brokenness to Healing: Making Meaning
through Memoir,” giving participants
a way to examine, write about and
understand their life experiences.
The first part, “Faith in Writing,”
offered participants a way to examine
their stories with a Jewish view. Writers
examined the difficult parts of their lives,
looking back to determine what in that
situation was essential. Those essentials
were examined and ranked in tandem
with ideas of spirituality and healing.
Blum Barish used memoir selections for
examples to help guide the writers.
Congregant Shani Lewins shared her
impressions of the program: “She had a
wonderful way of connecting
to the audience, even over
Zoom. She shared really nice
stories.”
For those who wonder how
to decide what matters, Blum
Barish explained, “You have
ideas and notes, along with a
path to begin. Even the most
difficult writing can be done
one step at a time.”
Blum Barish helped
students on that path with
support in structure and
focus. At the end with a story,
a journal or a psalm, the
writer’s voice was heard.
Lewins added, “I’ve been
journaling on and off for
years, but not regularly. Ms.
Blum Barish led us through
ranking prioities and, from
there, to begin to explore
what was important. She gave
us incredible ideas about journaling with
intent. I’m going to continue to write with
a positive attitude and have a sweet new
year”
.
The second program, “Legacy Letters,”
supported participants in writing their
own letters; ethical wills or legacy letters
have a history within Judaism. The letters
are a way for people to examine what is
important, what they stand for and what
is passed on to others. A variety of letter
excerpts were read, examining multiple
approaches to legacy letters. Participants
identified what was important in their
own lives, what ideas and beliefs to
leave for others. Those ideas helped
participants craft their letters. Some did
not finish during the session but left with
a plan for their own legacy letters.
EXPANDED ADULT EDUCATION
Memoir writing was just the beginning
this year. Rabbi Alicia Harris and Sarah
Chisholm, director of Lifelong Learning,
spent their summer expanding the already
robust adult education programming at
Shir Tikvah. The new programs
are a variety of spiritual and
secular. All programs are open
both to congregants and members
of the broader Jewish community.
Sunday mornings, with
the building already abuzz
with religious school, seemed
the perfect time to add new
programming. The congregants
who have dropped off their
children can stay; people who
have come for a class can meet
new friends and renew old
relationships. As Chisholm put
it, “We want to pull in those
members who are usually
primarily in on Sunday mornings
with those who come on Friday
nights.” For members of the wider
community, it is an opportunity
to learn and to find that hamish
place for a shmooze and a bagel.
“Cooking for the Fall Holidays”
a fan favorite, was back from its pandemic
break on Oct. 2. Sarah Chisholm, Harriett
OUR COMMUNITY
Shir Tikvah embarks on another season of
educating the community.
New Season of
Lifelong Learning
KATHRYN NELSON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
LEFT: Rabbi Alicia Harris and
musician Keith Hurwitz lead
Shir Tikvah’s Sukkot services.
Rabbi Emeritus Arnie
Sleutelberg
Ellen Blum Barish