Kippah? Yarmulke? Skullcap? Whatever you call it, you might have feelings about it. Some adults and children would never come into a synagogue without putting one on. Some folks feel funny wearing one. Some are resistant – that’s too religious, or I didn’t grow up doing that, or girls never wore a kippah when I was a kid. Some folks are proud – this is my kippah.
Many years ago, Bnai Keshet’s education committee affirmed a policy requiring all students to wear kippot while at Bnai Keshet. The committee noticed the ways in which putting on ritual garments creates sacred space. They noticed the way this policy supported our community’s commitment to egalitarianism in requiring the same practice for both girls and boys, something our founders did not grow up with.
But still, many of us have fallen out of the habit of putting on the kippah. This year, we’re launching THE KIPPAH PROJECT. We’re challenging every member of our community, young and less-young, to cover their heads when they walk in the door, and just see how it feels. Volunteers will be waiting at the door when you arrive on September 8th to help you pick out one to wear, or you can bring your own from home! Children and adults of every age will be creating their own kippot throughout the year to make this custom their very own.
HIGH HOLY DAYS AT BK
I am excited to share our new format for youth services for the High Holy Days. Families with tots through third graders are invited to join us for Young Family Services at 9:30 am on Rosh Hashanah and 10am on Yom Kippur. These services will feature the music, storytelling, and fun we are all used to experiencing at Young Family Services!
Our Junior Congregation, geared toward students from 4th grade through 7th grade with or without their parents, will feature mature content appropriate for these ages. We will be introducing more content similar to our main services. Students are welcome to stay after the Junior Congregation service for a youth program specific to the holiday, or may be picked up to join parents in the main service. Junior Congregation services are at 10:45am on Rosh Hashanah and 11:15am on Yom Kippur.
Our first day for K-7 students is September 8th. We’ll also be holding an Open House that day, so feel free to invite your friends with children to join us for the day! First day of Wednesday classes is September 12th, 4:15-6pm for 3rd-5th graders. First day of Monday classes is September 17th, 5:30-8pm for 6th-7th graders and 6:30-8pm for 8th graders.
