What’s Next?

by Michalee Merritt

What does it mean to graduate? It means to move on to the next stage. This year I do not have any graduates! (Last year was a big year, one from high school and one from graduate school!)

Whether from college, high school, or even kindergarten or pre-school, graduation marks a liminal moment in our lives. A graduate is on the threshold, poised between past accomplishments and the possibilities that lie ahead.

 It is not just graduation from school that we should celebrate.
We should celebrate the accomplishments of every year.

It is not just graduation from school that we should celebrate. We should celebrate the accomplishments of every year. Each is a milestone in itself. What did WE do this year? Even as adults we should celebrate our accomplishments! These are a few things that I did this past year.

1. Took on leadership roles in my synagogue
2. Read different genre of books than I normally read
3. Learned more about baseball strategies to talk with my son
4. Watched tv/movies in other languages

I am already thinking about what I am going to do next. Chai Mitzvah is also always looking for new things. We already have wonderful programs, and this year have three new offerings, as we always are looking for ways to improve and add to what we already offer!

I am looking forward to our new Rosh Chodesh materials coming out this fall. Groups all around the country will be able to use these booklets to spark meaningful conversations similar to our virtual ones with Reb Deb, with the addition of interesting biographies of important women in Jewish history. 

There are also new offerings for teens and families. Kehila: Caring and Community is the latest addition to our teen materials, and focuses on inclusion. 

Although Aseret Israel Scholars is ideal for B’nai Mitzvah students and includes some family activities, it can also be used across the board for all ages, including adults. It is specifically designed to connect the values in the Ten Commandments to places in Israel, whether for a trip to Israel, or for a virtual trip. To find out more about these new offerings, reply in the box below. 

Graduate, move on and try something new! Please share your recent accomplishments and plans for the near future in the box below. We love to hear from you!