Season of Change

At this time of year, families celebrate many important milestones as they see their children and grandchildren graduate from preschool, elementary school, high school, and colleges and universities with various undergraduate and graduate degrees. Spring marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. Last night we witnessed the graduation of 6 students from the Worcester Community Hebrew High program. Given their individual remarks at this ceremony, we can be encouraged that as a community our efforts and resources expended for Jewish education are paying off and our investment in our young peoples' future is a sound one. Congratulations to our graduates-Sam Shuster,Morgan Fins, Evan Swartz, Josh Kapiloff,Alice Waters, Zoe Summit and their families.

And even as we salute those who are graduating, we also acknowledge the faculty of not only Hebrew High but all of our educational institutions for their dedication and commitment to Jewish education.

New Phase

This week marked the next phase in the creation of the Worcester Community Religious School (WCRS). The interim board chaired by Merilee Freeman and Mary Jane Rein handed the reins over to Karen Kaufman who together with her new board will oversee the implementation of the new school. With representatives from Federation and 3 particpating congregations-Beth Israel, Temple Emanuel and Temple Sinai-, this new board has assumed the responsibility for the operations of the new school. With a champagne toast and the shehecheyanu prayer, the mantle was passed. Politics was in the air as well. The new coalition government in Israel has brought in the Kadimah party making this coalition more centrist and by far the largest coalition in Israel's history. Will this spark a new peace initiative, what will change in Israel's Iran policy and what impact will this have on the growing economic gap in Israeli society? Stay tuned. Information on Israel can be gleaned from several sources. Check out our website for up to date information. And check out www.jpost.com or www.haaretz.com Shimon Peres is on a state visit to Canada and has praised the country and its staunch Israel supporting Prime Minister Stephen Harper, for its friendship and support. It, along with the US are Israel's strongest supporters in the UN and in forums around the world where other nations are only too quick to condemn Israel. Over the next few weeks many events will be taking place in our community...I encourage you to check out our social website www.jewishcentral.org for all of our community's upcomimg programs.