Mindy's Musings
March 2024
Chaverim,
As you read this, the days will be getting longer, and the temperatures getting warmer, and we’re starting to get some early signs of spring.
I want to share with everyone that I will be transitioning out of my role as Religious School Director at the end of this school year to continue to pursue my work outside of the Jewish community. For those of you who are not aware, I own a small communications firm and I have had my time and energies split between the two organizations.
My vision for myself and for you when I came onboard was to serve in an interim capacity for the short-term and help get the school back on its feet after the Pandemic. I am super grateful to all of you for the happy days and loving energy you have given me in my role. The kids have lifted me up and renewed my spirit after a tough few years and it was wonderful to be back in Haverhill.
My goal has always been to help Temple Emanu-El thrive and to support the leadership team in growing capacity, engagement, and help build new commitment/enthusiasm within the temple and the school. I am proud of how the school has been thriving the last year or so, with some new families onboard and some new creative programming and family engagement. I believe the school is set up for success going forward.
I am so grateful to all of my colleagues who I have had the privilege of working with during my time at TE. I am especially grateful to our teachers: Kim Callan, Rachel Hanson, Karen Godek, Amy Moldoff, Gwen Larsen, and Trudy Zakin who has filled in for us in a tutoring capacity. You guys are all rockstars, and you make every day at TE exciting and fun for me. I am also grateful to the two clergy whom I’ve had a chance to collaborate with – Cantor Vera and Rabbi Ashira – two wonderful leaders who have guided TE, and alongside whom I’ve had the privilege to work. I am very grateful to Jenn Lampron, our temple President and the board, along with Andi Hannula and now Shoshana Dodge who have served as Religious School Committee chairs during my time, and a big thank you to Morry Korinow who has stepped in as PTO chair and has done a bunch of work supporting our Religious School events. And a huge hug to Lynn Martin, the Religious School Admin Assistant who has jumped in with both feet and held together many administrative aspects to our school and without whom life would be very boring! Also my very warm thank you to Lisa Anthony, our temple administrator who has been a delight to work with and a very compassionate colleague who has kept a smile on her face despite hard times in her family this past year. And a major shoutout to Don Kumis, our facilities manager who always keeps me smiling and who is the keeper of the Temple Emanu-El history.
You all deserve incredible thanks. I have been honored to work amongst you.
Y’varech’cha Adonai v’yishmrecha (May God bless you and keep you)
Year Adonai panav elecha vichuneka (May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you)
Yisa Adonai panav elecha, v’yasem l’cha Shalom (May God grant you Peace)
I wish you all a wonderful end to this calendar year. I know I will never be too far away from Temple Emanu-El and I hope you’ll find a way to stay in touch with me over the summer and in the coming years. See you soon in school.
With Respect,
Mindy Harris
As you read this, the days will be getting longer, and the temperatures getting warmer, and we’re starting to get some early signs of spring.
I want to share with everyone that I will be transitioning out of my role as Religious School Director at the end of this school year to continue to pursue my work outside of the Jewish community. For those of you who are not aware, I own a small communications firm and I have had my time and energies split between the two organizations.
My vision for myself and for you when I came onboard was to serve in an interim capacity for the short-term and help get the school back on its feet after the Pandemic. I am super grateful to all of you for the happy days and loving energy you have given me in my role. The kids have lifted me up and renewed my spirit after a tough few years and it was wonderful to be back in Haverhill.
My goal has always been to help Temple Emanu-El thrive and to support the leadership team in growing capacity, engagement, and help build new commitment/enthusiasm within the temple and the school. I am proud of how the school has been thriving the last year or so, with some new families onboard and some new creative programming and family engagement. I believe the school is set up for success going forward.
I am so grateful to all of my colleagues who I have had the privilege of working with during my time at TE. I am especially grateful to our teachers: Kim Callan, Rachel Hanson, Karen Godek, Amy Moldoff, Gwen Larsen, and Trudy Zakin who has filled in for us in a tutoring capacity. You guys are all rockstars, and you make every day at TE exciting and fun for me. I am also grateful to the two clergy whom I’ve had a chance to collaborate with – Cantor Vera and Rabbi Ashira – two wonderful leaders who have guided TE, and alongside whom I’ve had the privilege to work. I am very grateful to Jenn Lampron, our temple President and the board, along with Andi Hannula and now Shoshana Dodge who have served as Religious School Committee chairs during my time, and a big thank you to Morry Korinow who has stepped in as PTO chair and has done a bunch of work supporting our Religious School events. And a huge hug to Lynn Martin, the Religious School Admin Assistant who has jumped in with both feet and held together many administrative aspects to our school and without whom life would be very boring! Also my very warm thank you to Lisa Anthony, our temple administrator who has been a delight to work with and a very compassionate colleague who has kept a smile on her face despite hard times in her family this past year. And a major shoutout to Don Kumis, our facilities manager who always keeps me smiling and who is the keeper of the Temple Emanu-El history.
You all deserve incredible thanks. I have been honored to work amongst you.
Y’varech’cha Adonai v’yishmrecha (May God bless you and keep you)
Year Adonai panav elecha vichuneka (May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you)
Yisa Adonai panav elecha, v’yasem l’cha Shalom (May God grant you Peace)
I wish you all a wonderful end to this calendar year. I know I will never be too far away from Temple Emanu-El and I hope you’ll find a way to stay in touch with me over the summer and in the coming years. See you soon in school.
With Respect,
Mindy Harris