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Dear Shomrei Torah Families,

As this school year draws to a close, the STaRS Committee would like to thank our dedicated teachers, madrichim, support staff, students, and families for one of our best years of STaRS yet!  We would especially like to acknowledge Brandon Binder and Morgan Folger for creating an engaging, welcoming, safe, and fun Jewish learning environment for our students, smoothly adjusting to the unpredictable shifts presented by COVID-19.  We are grateful that our students were able to learn together, in-person, for the vast majority of this year and look forward to even more communal experiences in 2022-23.  

Some of the highlights from this year were holiday festivals for Hanukkah and Passover, outdoor T’filah, a field trip to Camp Newman, parent classes with Rabbi George, the Tallit workshop with Marcia, and being together again as a community.  After over a year of interacting through a screen, many of us gained a deeper appreciation for the simple things that we might have previously taken for granted.  Casual conversation at pickup, singing together, and hearing the laughter of children on the playground were just a few of the things we appreciated about being back at CST this year for STaRS.  As the year went on, we could feel the momentum building and the joy increasing; we’re excited for what the next year of STaRS will bring!     

This year we are also offering a $50 sibling discount for each child beyond one child.  Please be aware that no family will be turned away from STaRS due to financial hardship.  Please request financial assistance on the registration form as needed, or contact STaRS Director Brandon Binder for assistance throughout the school-year.  

Lastly, we’d like to thank you for entrusting STaRS with your child’s Jewish education and encourage you to invite Jewish friends to enroll their children in STaRS.  We are really proud of the positive experience that STaRS provides for Jewish youth and would love to see more children and families benefit from this community.  We hope that your family has a restful and fun summer; see you in the fall!  

חֲזַ֤ק חֲזַ֤ק וְנִתְחַזַּק֙

May you go from strength to strength,

The STaRS Committee

Marni Davis, Dave Fichera, Erica Magers, Ed Navarro, Nicole Novach, Cara Viripaeff, and Nicolette Weinzveg