Life is Blossoming online!
It can feel very disconnecting when you stare into the computer screen and don’t hear or see anyone, but once the cameras turn on in the zoom meeting room, and participants unmute themselves, you can feel the energy!
HABSTY’s HBTeen Mitzvah Bakers kicked off this past week, and the energy and liveliness was certainly present amongst the little zoom boxes on screen. A dozen or so teens in their own kitchens came together to bake muffins for Out of the Cold. While they measured and mixed (all following the same recipe), they got help from one another, played Jewish geography, a little name that tune, chatted and laughed. Muffins were dropped off at Temple the next day, and I delivered close to 200 muffins to Ve’ahavta Thursday afternoon for their street help van.
Know a teen who wants to bake with us next month? They can register here: https://holyblossomarchives.org/event/habsty-hbteen-mitzvah-bakers/2020-11-25/
HABSTY board members have been busy on the phone, running HABSTY’s own first-ever ‘Call Hakavod’. They have been reaching out to teens in our congregation, to connect, check-in, and share the various opportunities that are available for teens during this time. If your teen hasn’t yet received a phone call and would like one, please email me at lbaumal@holyblossom.org, and I will ensure they are on a calling list!
We are excited to open up the Virtual HABSTY lounge this coming Monday night – teens have been planning and prepping a variety of activities to keep up that virtual energy and excitement. I have no doubt that it will feel just like our awesome lounge at Temple – with teens talking over one another, laughing and bonding. The only difference is we can’t provide the snacks 😉
By Lisa Isen Baumal
