November Family Record Column

*ATID: The Jewish Future Begins Now!*

*/Academy for Torah in [Greater] Dallas Kicks Off…/*

Dear Friends

By the time you are reading this message, an exciting new venture in the Dallas Jewish community will already have begun. On Sunday, October 14^th a creative collaboration between Conservative rabbis and institutions launched ATID, the Hebrew word meaning “future,” and an acronym for: Academy for Torah in [Greater] Dallas. Several of us met over a year ago to create a vision for a compelling Jewish educational experience that would be relevant to high school students preparing to transition into more independent Jewish adults. In short order, rabbis, Jewish educators, and lay leaders put our heads together to develop curricula, educational goals, and promotional strategies for this program. A lay committee was established with representatives from all the synagogues and Levine Academy, and we hired an administrator to cultivate the initiative—

the incomparable Elizabeth Stein. As an accomplished Jewish educator in her own right, Elizabeth eagerly began building the program and reaching out to potential students. Instrumental from the very beginning in getting this project up and running was our own Ruth Schor. As one of Dallas’ most experienced Jewish educators, Ruth has been indispensable in the success of this endeavor. Our own Rhonda Duchin, Garry Kahalnik, Iris Sheppard, and Chuck Smith have been extremely generous with their time and leadership toward this initiative as well.

The ATID learning program is based on a /beit midrash/ (classical group
study) hour, followed by break-out sessions, each facilitated by a different rabbi. In the /beit midrash/, students engage in spirited discussion and guided learning with a sacred, classical text. The breakouts are intended to make the topic more personal and relevant, and to explore a specific angle in more depth. In between the two hours, a bagel breakfast allows for kids from all over town to socialize and spend time together. Beyond the learning modules (which include: Jews in the Diaspora, Intimacy, God, and Israel), there are built-in opportunities for social action projects and Shabbat experiences. The classes will take place at Levine Academy, but the activities will reach well beyond its borders.

It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we have an attitude of collaboration! While each synagogue previously had a post-Confirmation program of its own, we all realized that by combining our efforts, resources, and talents, we could offer something even more exciting and meaningful to this population. As I write this message, over 60 high school juniors and seniors are signed up for ATID. I hope that in the years to come, that number will only grow and that this program will touch more lives. Our hope and prayer for ATID graduates is that they make the next transition in their lives as more educated, impassioned, and faithful Jewish men and women; Jews who will continue to learn and lead in whatever Jewish community they may find themselves; Jews who will be able to make meaningful decisions and create sincere Jewish priorities for themselves.

/Kein yehi ratzon/…May it be God’s will…

L’shalom

Rabbi Adam Raskin

/ATID welcomes contributions to help defray the costs of the program. If you are interested in making a contribution or for enrollment information, please contact Elizabeth Stein at (972) 248-0695, ext 150./