Congregation Shaarey Zedek

building

About Us

October 28, 2011 by •

Congregation Shaarey Zedek is a caring and involved community where our members are nurtured in the heritage of Judaism. We provide for the spiritual needs of Jewish families and individuals by conducting services in both the Conservative and Reform traditions. We strive to provide a center in the Greater Lansing area where we can learn, pray, celebrate Simchas and comfort each other in times of need. Congregation Shaarey Zedek offers a rich and varied program of education, cultural and social events while reaching out to the Greater Lansing community on a perpetual basis to strengthen interfaith ties.

Summer Youth Activities

October 28, 2011 by •

Our goal is to strengthen Jewish identity, continuity and our youth’s relationship to the people and land of Israel. Whether is it through a summer teen trip to Israel or a session at a Jewish residential camp, our Congregation encourages all teens to “Do Jewish” during the summer!

We are pleased to be able to offer scholarships for these activities. To download an application, please click on the appropriate link to the left.

For more information, or recommendations of summer programs, 
please contact our Youth Department.

Youth Programming

October 28, 2011 by •

Youth programs are fun and exciting!

  • 2nd, 3rd grades 
  • 4th, 5th, 6th grades
  • 7th-12th grades
  • Confirmation
  • Summer Activities

Second and Third Grades

Second and third graders participate in our group which meets once a month during the school year for fun events such as Coldstone tours and ice cream making, laser tag and holiday events. Machar -niks begin associating Jewish life and friends with fun.

Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades

Move up in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade to meeting once a month for events such as bowling, Chanukah parties, Community Day, and Weekend Fun at Camp Ranch in the woods. It is a wonderful way to develop strong Jewish friendships and connections to the Jewish community. Through joint chapter and regional events, everyone becomes aware of a larger Jewish world while learning how to become a part of it.

 

Seventh Grade and Up

We’re on Facebook! – “friend”  US!

Grades 7-12 have a wide range of programs and opportunities through our Congregarion. Our chapter is run by a board of officers who plan events such as

  • Bi-monthly lounge evenings for hanging out and making friends
  • Weekend programs of all types such as indoor rock climbing and ice skating.
  • Inter-chapter events such as Into the Night, an all-night adventure
  • Community service projects and fundraising for tikkun olam
  • Day trip excursions such as to mountains and  Islands
  • Shabbat led entirely by members of Congregation
  • Weekends at other synagogues within Our Region
  • Leadership training program
  • Opportunities to meet Jewish teens outside of our Congregation.
  • Trips to Israel, New York and other European cities, as well as summer programs.

Confirmation

10th graders are invited to participate in our Confirmation program which involves Torah, Avodah and G’milut Chasadim. Confirmants study with our Rabbi monthly, mentor younger children and participate in community service projects together. The year concludes with a trip to New York City or Los Angeles and a Confirmation ceremony. Click here for Confirmation calendar.

Leadership

Our  program allows teens in grades 9-12 to gain leadership experience and skills working with children one-on-one, in a classroom setting, and with special school projects as an aid in the Torah School. Teens make a commitment for the year and are matched up with a particular class to assist the teacher in class projects and day-to-day activities.

 

 

 

     
      

  

For Young Families

October 28, 2011 by •

Our Congregation offers endless opportunities for young families to get involved. 

From services to social events, there is something for everyone. 

Cafe Shabbat Music – On the 3rd Friday of each month (November – May) Chai families and friends celebrate Shabbat with a family dinner at 6:30pm followed by a musical service at 7:00pm.

Tot Shabbat – On the 2nd Friday of each month (October – May) children up to age 6 and their parents meet at 6:00pm in the Children’s Shul for a fun evening of songs, games, stories and prayers.

Pajama Shabbat – On the 3rd Friday of each month (October – May) bring your children dressed in their pajamas for a fun service with Rabbi Smith.

Kids’ Congregation – Join us for a fun, creative and lively Shabbat morning at 10:30am. We will sing, dance, pray and learn about the weekly torah reading. Children grades K-4 are invited to attend.

Junior Congregation – This is a service geared toward mastering Shabbat morning skills through learning about and singing songs, prayers and torah discussion. Grades 5-7 meet us at 10:30am in the Youth Lounge.

Havdalalalapalooza – The Havdalah ceremony stands out, in its affinity to bond community. So we have created a program of Havdalah togetherness. Please join us for Havdalah, dinners and our very special music jams.

PATHS TO COMMUNITY

There are many paths to community at Chai. Congregants can choose from a wide range of groups and activities, including Youth Groups, Chai Young Adults, Zhava Young Working Women, Havurot, Journey Groups, Men’s Club and Sisterhood.H

learning3

Adult Education

October 28, 2011 by •

At Congregation Shaarey Zedek we believe that Jewish learning is a lifetime project. Judaism offers a wealth of rich, deep, ideas which are interesting and usefull for the adult members of our congregation and for members of the community. Membership is not required, and many of the classes have a nominal charge or are free!

 

sisters

Sisterhood

October 28, 2011 by •

“Enriched By Our Past…

…Endowing Our Future.”

Congregation Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood is an organization of women who help raise funds and promote the education of our congregational youth. 

 

Who we are

We are first and foremost a group of Sisters. We work for the good of our youth, our congregation, our Greater Lansing area, and beyond. Our yearly subsidy is to the religious school; however, we also provide many other congregational services, such as running the gift shop, maintaining the kitchen, putting on Onegs, Kiddushim, Passover Seders,;Yom Kippur;Break-fasts, as well as many other wonderful events and programs.

For Our Synagogue

Sisterhood plays a unique role in our Synagogue – we touch, in some fashion, everyone in our congregation. As the “Moms of the Temple” we provide services such as:

  • Onegs and Kiddushim
  • Yom Kippur ‘”Break Fast”
  • Congregational Seder
  • Assistance with Lifecycle Events
  • The Gift Shop
  • Simchagrams
  • Maintaining the Kitchen
  • Memorial Booklet
  • Membership Directory

For Our Youth

Sisterhood’s main goal is to invest in the future of our youth.

To achieve that goal we provide:

  • Religious School tuition subsidies
  • Youth Scholarship Funds (for camps and youth group events)
  • B’nai Mitzvah and Confirmation gifts

For Greater Lansing and Beyond

Whether through Interfaith programing or Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), we have always been proud to support our local community. We sponsor:

  • The Gift Shop
  • Programming
  • Tzedakah

With our ties to the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) and its Central District, Sisterhood is also part of a larger national community, which continually strengthens our ties to Reform Judaism throughout the world.

Our Sisterhood is affiliated with:

 

Contact Us

Karen Weinstein ~ President

wrenyk @ aol.com

 

 

 

Contact Information

October 28, 2011 by •

Congregation Shaarey Zedek

1924 Coolidge Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
E-mail: executive@shaareyzedek.com
Phone: 517-351-3570

 

Life Cycle Events

October 28, 2011 by •

Congregation Shaarey Zedek offers a full range of lifecycle ceremonies, including

  • B’rit milah (covenant of circumcision) for baby boy

  • Simchat bat (joy of the daughter) naming ceremonies for girls

  • Consecration services welcoming our newest religious school students

  • Bar / Bat Mitzvah (son / daughter of the commandments) celebrations for our thirteen-year-old religious school students

  • Confirmation for our tenth-graders

  • Religious School Graduation

  • Wedding ceremonies

  • Funerals

  • Conversion ceremonies

For further information, please contact: Rabbi Bigman at rabbibigman@shaareyzedek.com or at (517) 351-3570.

Yesod (Adult Ed)

October 28, 2011 by •

Contact us to sign up
or with any questions!

At Congregation (~: Chai :~) we believe that Jewish learning is a lifetime project. Judaism offers a wealth of rich, deep, sophisticated ideas which are most useful for adults. Adults make decisions about raising children, choosing careers, medical care for themselves and loved ones, where to live and whom to love. Adults need the guidance of a religious system to help them through this maze of serious choices. Adults also experience fully the deep sorrow of loss and the great joy of true love. Jewish tradition can guide adults throug these emotional highs a lows.

Adult learning at (~: Chai :~) equips our lifelong learners to face the complexity of their lives armed with Jewish knowledge. Whether taking a Basic Judaism course, or an advanced Talmud seminar, our learners come away from the experience with a greater appreciation of Judaism’s profound depths, and a greater understanding of how to lead an inspired life.

Please join us at any one of our course offerings this year. Membership is not required, and many of the classes have a nominal charge or are free!

EVENT POLICIES

All are Invited
We welcome everyone, Jewish or not, Member or not, to attend our classes and programs. Please join us!

Enrollment and Cancellation Policies
Some classes and programs have limited enrollments.
Register early to avoid disappointment.
If enrollment is too low, an event or class may be canceled.
To be notified of schedule changes or cancellations, you must be preregistered.

FORMS TO DOWNLOAD

Brochure & Registration form

Register Online ((~: Chai :~) Members Only)

Wandering Views Film Series

Torah School

October 28, 2011 by •

TORAH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2011-2012 Calendar

FORMS TO DOWNLOAD

  • 2011-2012 Enrollment Forms
  • Parent Handbook
  • Secure Online Payment

FOR MORE INFORMATION

  • Receive our e-mail communications
«‹ 2 3 4 5