The first Northern Hills Synagogue HaZak program of the New Year 5780 will be held October 16, 2019, at noon beginning with a luncheon and followed by the program: "An Engaging Future at Northern Hills." Speaking will be Rabbi Samantha Schapera, Program Director; Sam Schauvaney, Rabbinic Intern; and Daniel Hotary, Jewish Foundation Rabbinic Fellow.
Rabbi Schapera will talk about the three-part goals of the new engagement plan, funded by the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, which is directed at building and maintaining relationships across the congregation, in the Jewish community, and throughout the Mason/Deerfield area.
"We have so many great programs coming up for people of all ages," said Rabbi Schapera. "We have Katan Families for kids 0-5 and their adults; we're rebuilding our youth group; and our unique holiday celebrations are for the entire congregation as well as for guests in the community."
Rabbi Schapera grew up in a suburb of Cleveland and moved to Cincinnati in 2009. She received her Rabbinic degree from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in June 2019. During her years at HUC-JIR, Rabbi Schapera has served congregations in Kokomo, Indiana and Joplin, Missouri. She has also worked as The Jewish Foundation Fellow at Temple Sholom, The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education (now The Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center), and Cedar Village. She has also taught for many years at Rockdale Temple and served as rabbinic chaplain intern at Jewish Hospital, HealthSouth (now Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital), Bethesda North Hospital and Twin Lakes Senior Living Community.
Rabbi Schapera's professional skills will aid her in providing pastoral care, ensuring healthy communication, and running various social, educational, and community-building programs across the congregation and the city. She currently lives in Cincinnati with her husband Jason, and their eighteen-month-old daughter, Adina.
Rabbinic Intern Sam Schauvaney will introduce herself to the HaZak group and explain her role with the Spark School and Katan Families.
HaZak, which stands for Hokma (wisdom), Zikna (maturity), and Kadima (forward) provides monthly programs for people 55+ at Northern Hills Synagogue, 5714 Fields Ertel Road (between I-71 and Snider Road) beginning at noon with a luncheon followed by the program. "We do not charge for programs – they are free and open to the public, but donations insure the continuation of the program." said Sonia Milrod, HaZak co-chair. "Also, reservations are required so that enough food can be prepared."
The November program will feature Betsy Goldfarb, speaking about Queen City Transitions – an organization that helps senior adults downsize and move; as well as Yair Walton, who will provide information about Agewell – the new initiative serving senior adults in Cincinnati.
For more information or to make reservations, call the office at (513) 938-6038 or email programs@nhs-cba.org.
