Tag Archive: Jewish Education

Aug 26

“Soul Train” brings two Israeli students to Helena’s Residential Campus

Earlier this month, the students in our Residential program in Helena benefitted from the opportunity to meet two wonderful young women from Israel who came to Montana as part of the “Soul Train” program, which is supported by Bnei Akiva. Bnei Akiva is a youth movement, which inspires and empowers young Jews all over the world …

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Apr 09

Welcoming Courtney Into Our Family

Note: The following article was written last summer by a partner in ministry, Rabbi Chaim Bruk. He is an excellent resource for our Jewish children in residence at Intermountain and is an advocate for foster care and adoption within faith communities. Rabbi Chaim Bruk is executive director of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana and spiritual leader …

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Jun 21

Beloved Jewish Educator Janet Tatz retires from Intermountain

This week Intermountain’s Jewish Mentor and educator, Janet Tatz, retires from nearly a decade in supporting Jewish children in residential treatment. For the last five years, I have had the pleasure of working alongside her to ensure that every child on Helena’s campus has the spiritual and cultural support needed to do the hard work …

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Apr 08

Facing Freedom – a reflection from Janet Tatz

The Jewish people are about to embark on a journey. It is an annual ritual filled with song, teachings, food and ceremony. Pesach. Passover.  The retelling of the 3000 plus year old Exodus of the Israelites from enslavement in Egypt. We are encouraged to immerse ourselves in this holiday as if each of us, personally, …

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Feb 22

From Janet Tatz–“Happy TuB’Shevat!”

TuB’Shevat is my favorite holiday in the Jewish  year.  What could be better than celebrating the first inklings of Spring half way between the winter solstice and spring equinox, especially since snow is most often still on the ground in the Northern part of the U.S. at that time of year? The Jewish students, teachers, a …

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Dec 30

Happy Hanukkah!

What a blessing it is to partner with Janet Tatz and Jim Nallick, our very knowledgeable and faithful Jewish mentors at Intermountain. Janet had served alongside previous chaplain, Dana Holzer, for a number of years as a volunteer mentor, and then in the last few years as part-time staff. Jim is new to Intermountain’s staff, …

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Nov 01

“Days of Awe: Looking inward, taking account” by Janet Tatz, Jewish Educator

[note: this article first appeared in the print and online edition of the Helena Independent Record on Saturday, October 15, 2016] I have just returned home after spending 25 hours in Butte, at the historic B’nai Israel synagogue. I was celebrating Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish year. This …

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Sep 29

Celebrating the High Holy Days with our Jewish children

One of the great parts of working at Intermountain as the chaplain is that I get to work with kids of various faith backgrounds, and I get to minister alongside the very skilled and creative leader of the local Jewish community, our Jewish Educator, Janet Tatz. It’s been fun to collaborate with her on any …

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Mar 17

Be Happy! It’s Adar! Learning about Purim

Purim, a 3000 plus year old Jewish holiday, takes place during the Jewish month of Adar (theme for the month: Be Happy!  It’s Adar!).  It commemorates Jewish survival over a foe in the ancient Persian Empire, who desired to destroy all of Jewish culture, religion and peoplehood.  Fortunately, the day was saved by the brave, …

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Sep 24

“Time to Get Right” with G-d, considering the message of Rosh Hashanah

One of the great parts of working at Intermountain as the chaplain is that I get to work with kids of various faith backgrounds, and I get to minister alongside the very skilled and creative leader of the local Jewish community, our Jewish Educator, Janet Tatz. It’s been fun to collaborate with her on any …

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