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

