Achim V'Achiot (AvA to those in the know!)

What Time Is It?! ;-)

2008-07-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

BBQ rocked :) and we said good-bye to Sarah :( which means it's...SUMMERTIME!!! We totally need to hang out soon because it's practically the Final Summer, guys---so. sad. See you guys on Facebook ;)

xoxo kay*

Kehillah Kedoshah

2008-05-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! A new song is circulating the synagogue. It's called "Kehillah Kedosha," which means holy community. Some of the lyrics go like this:

It's how we help, it's how we give
It's how we pray, it's how we heal, it's how we live

I think this really sums up the feeling we have at our temple. It is there that we eat, sleep, pray, work, learn, teach, play, care, grow, laugh, cry.

Sorry, I just got deep there for a second! Anyways, this weekend, we have our baby-sitting fundraiser (possibly--if we get anyone to sign up!) and then our final overnight of the year and the last one before our seniors leave for college! : (

Gonna be so much fun, y'all!!!! Catchya there!

xoxo kay*

Sorry, I'm a Slacker!

2008-04-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, sorry I've been a slacker recently!

Coming up next is Mitzvah Morning on May 4. AvA is holding a car wash in the synagogue parking lot and will be asking for a recommended donation per wash. We have some suggestions for where to donate the money, and you can submit your vote to the right of this post.

Also, the Relay for Life is Fri-Sat, June 27-28 6PM to 12PM at North Attleboro High School. You can join Team Achim and there are three ways to register (I've already registered, which brings us to 4 members, so please join!):
- register online and pay your registration with a credit card. Go to http://main.acsevents.org/rflmagtrattleboro.
- register online and pay your registration fee off-line with cash or check made out to the American Cancer Society and mail it to Susan Bradie or drop it off at the synagogue.
- register the old-fashioned way - with a form. E-mail me and I'll give Susan your name so she can get the packet to you.
She asks everyone, "Think about all the people you know who have been affected by cancer. Join the relay team and make a difference. Think how easy it will be to fundraise in your pajamas by doing it on-line!"
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETE BY APRIL 25. Please sign-up!!! Relay is an amazing event, a great cause, and we have so much fun! We'll need an adult chaperone and supplies and stuff.

If you have any questions, you can e-mail me, call, IM, or post a comment! Catchya later!

xoxo kay*

Amy's Corner

2008-03-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

Bonjourno! It's time for Amy's Corner! Our amazing advisor had some news for us, so here we go!

"I was looking at dates and I don't think we can do anything in April. The 5th is my anniversary, the 12th is your prom, and the 19th-26th is Passover. I remember a while ago asking about nights for the babysitting fundraiser and the Rabbi said no to the 26th because it was Passover. Maybe we can do something on Sunday the 27th? Go out to breakfast? Cinema Pub? Bowling?
May 4th is Mitzvah Morning. Donna is working on something for us to do because the plans with Christopher Heights fell through. She didn't really know the details. So, that may be our next event. Then maybe we can shoot for the 24th for our next/last sleepover of the year? I'd like to work on the Israel map at that one if possible. The 17th was the night that was bad for Lucas and Nicole. Can you ask everyone if they are still interested in the Parent's Night Out fundraiser that night and then having the sleepover after? We could possibly do that too on the 24th. Just an idea.
And last I need dates for the barbecue. The 8th is graduation and the 15th is Father's Day. I think we were thinking the 22nd."

So to sum up, April's not looking good : ( Also, we can't decoupage with the old people this year : ( I'm sure they'll miss Lucas ; ) For Mitzvah Morning, we're being given something else to do. As for the baby-sitting night, she was wondering if we wanted to couple that with another overnight (which we must have!), and May 24th is a possible date for that. Finally, the BBQ is probably going to be late June this year (the 22nd). OK, now I must go! Post ya later.

xoxo kay*

GTs, guys, GTs (like, legit!)

2008-03-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

What up, my people?! On Sunday, we made our 2nd annual trip to the Attleboro Planned Parenthood Clinic to see Marcia and "stock up!" First, we went to Bliss for lunch and ice cream (FYI: They don't bring you to-go cups!) It was pretty awesome; Sarah stalked babies and learned about birth control (ironically)! Unfortunately, there's no good day during April except the day of the Norton prom, so we don't have another event planned until May :*(

Amy wanted me to post the following:
On April 11 - 13, 2008, 8th - 12th graders from JRF congregations across North America will have the opportunity to attend the exciting No'ar Hadash North American Teen Kallah. It is now the time of year to begin looking forward to, and registering for, our gathering of Reconstructionist teens from across the continent.
A wonderful group of teen council members are hard at work developing an amazing retreat weekend. This is a great opportunity to meet other Reconstructionist youth, have fun, take part in experiential Jewish learning, sing and dance, hang out, and be part of our exciting growing youth movement. And, they can do all of this while exploring historic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The cost of the weekend is only $180, plus travel, for registration forms that are postmarked by March 26, 2008. Included in this amount are:
-- Accommodations at the Courtyard Philadelphia Airport hotel
-- Meals (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast)
-- Transportation between Philadelphia Airport / 30th Street Station and the event
-- All program and entry fees
-- A T-shirt
More information about the kallah, and about No'ar Hadash, is available at http://www.noarhadash.org

Kallah was totally cool when we hosted it. Randy stole bowling shoes, we fed the homeless and we paper-machied our faces! Unfortunately, again, it interferes with the Norton prom, so Rachel and I won't be able to go and I know Lucas is going to be in FL, but everbody else should definitely consider it!

TTYL, home-skillet biscuit!

xoxo kay*

Ice Skating

2008-02-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

Let me just say: I only fell once! I think everybody else made it through pretty much intact. Unfortunately, we couldn't get Amy out on the ice; apparently, doing bills is more fun than hanging with us! Anyway, we met for brunch at Goochie's in North Attleboro, then hung out at Nicole's for awhile (don't worry, guys---Britney's not married!) We met up with Amy at the temple. Amy, we're sorry we didn't ask you to brunch!!!! (We're not the best planners!) We skated in Franklin for over an hour---well, Lucas, Nicole, Sarah, and Ariel skated; me and Micah pretty much made best friends with the wall and got jealous of the 3-foot-tall people who were perfectly comfortable whizzing around the rink! Oh, and Sarah glided around trying to make up her karma points with little kids---are you even yet, Sarah?! Finally, we ended the day with our ritual trip to Wendy's. I don't know about everyone else (especially Amy---bills rock!), but I had a blast! Next up is March 2nd, when we'll meet up at the temple after Hebrew school, grab a quick bite, then head over to the Attleboro Family Planning Clinic to hang with Marcia, and see if they have any new flavors (this event was quite a success last year!)! We're planning to go to Bliss afterwards. Can't wait! I'll leave you with this: Liu Ping! Liu Ping! Liu Ping!

xoxo kay*

February

2008-02-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

Bonjour, mes amis! That's French for 'hello, friends!' J'adore les caniches! That's French for 'I love poodles!'

Anyhow, without a response for the P. Bruins game, we resorted back to ice skating. Amy says, "We'll meet at the synagogue at 2:15 on Sunday, 2/17 and then head to the Franklin skating rink. Skating is $4.00 and it's an additional $4.00 to rent skates if you do not own them. I believe they open the snack bar, but I know they have vending machines, so please bring extra money for snacks." This would be so much fun, so hopefully everybody can make it!

Also, after Shabbat B'Yachad this Saturday, February 9, we'll celebrate the very first Chreeestmas! We're not quite sure what this will entail yet, but it commemorates the letter E, so anything you want to contribute, feel free (you can even make a party hat decorated with E's!)!

If you're interested and we can find a date that's good for everybody, I think it'd be really cool if we went out to breakfast one morning (it could be more like brunch, so we don't have to get up too early!)

I hope everyone's having a good week! See ya Saturday! Peace out!

xoxo kay*

Event Ideas

2008-01-23T17:31:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!
Today we're meeting at America's Best Defense in Attleboro at four o'clock so that we can learn how to kick each other's butts with technique (then heading to Wendy's, of course)! For February, we're still undecided at the moment. We were thinking about either snow tubing or ice skating, but we're without a location, so if anybody has suggestions, again, please let us know! Other possibilities:
~going out to breakfast (Panera or somewhere for a real pancakes-French toast breakfast)
~going to the movies (we need to act fast for the Hannah Montana movie, so let us know if you wanna come ASAP!)
~Cold Stone (best ice cream!)
~game night
~we also need to plan another overnight!

Please post, or tell us today, if you've got other ideas, or let me know what you think of these. And keep voting in the poll (me and Luke will tell you all about this fabulous new holiday, which hopefully is something else we'll do in February). Catch ya later!

xoxo kay*

Upcoming Events (in case you don't read your e-mail!)

2008-01-09T14:46:00.000-08:00

What up, homies?!
Here's a list of upcoming events(including Krav Maga!), which Amy also e-mailed everybody:

*Jan. 18 (Fri)~benefit concert at the Foxboro Orpheum Theatre to raise money to help the children of Uganda, which Vanessa Lubiner helped coordinate (the concert, not Uganda). The bands playing are Free Trippe, Gueniverre, Afternoon Bender, Wrong Reasons, and Alexis Babini. Meet at the synagogue parking lot at 5:00 pm (it starts at 6) and the concert ends around 8:30. Tickets are $12 at the door and bring extra for refreshments, merchandise and raffles, if interested.
*Jan. 26 (Sun)~Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense) at America's Best Defense! Meet at syn. parking lot at 3:45 pm. From 4:00-5:00, we'll learn to beat each other properly. Then after, we'll head over to Wendy's to replenish any calories we just burned!
*Mar. 2 (Sun)~Meet at syn. parking lot at 12:30 pm . We'll go to Bliss for lunch, then at 2:00, we'll head over to the Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts (Family Planning Clinic) to learn about safe sex from our own congregant, Marcia Szymanski. Tell your parents a permission form will be distributed before this event.

For February, our original idea was to go tubing. If you can think of a place around here (because Amy won't take us to Maine!), let us know. You can also pitch other ideas (mine is ice skating). RSVP to the January events ASAP, because Amy needs a head count (see the very first post comments for contact info). BE THERE!

xoxo kay*

New Template

2008-01-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

Hey party people, what's cracka-lackin'?! I know, I'm so0o0o0 ghetto (though not as ghetto as Luke!)! I decided to mix things up; new year, new look for the blog. Let me know if you guys like it!

Rachel and I ended up chilling at Amy's with Sarah while she baby-sat for Sam on New Year's. Amy was a doll and bought us bubbly stuff and THREE bags of cheese balls! We watched Miley perform, Hairspray, and Dick Clark's ball drop (OK, that phrase sounds totally pornographic!)! Tell us how you guys spent your crazy night!

Me and Luke decided yesterday to celebrate a brand new holiday called Chreeestmas, which was invented by Miley Cyrus! We'll tell you all about it at our next event, which is Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense, so we can learn to injure each other well! I'll post the date of that soon). For now, just vote for your initial thoughts on this fabulous new holiday! Ciao for now!

xoxo kay*

Happy New Year!

2007-12-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

Hey y'all, whassup? Last night was fun, as the older kids hung out and watched movies, the Pats game, and ate---a LOT! Our special guest this time was Jared, which rocked, but we are all left wondering---what happened to Randy?! Dude, if you see this, let us know you're like, on the planet?!

So we have made it through another year. We are seriously getting old, you guys! Take some time to reflect on the past year, and post some special memories! And let's hear those New Year's resolutions, folks!

Another piece of business is---I am once again a New Year's orphan! :-( So, this is totally short notice, but is anyone interested in chilling on New Year's Eve? I'm working until 6 and I can't have people over (no parents), but it would be totally awesome if we could all ring in 2008 together, and it would be especially awesome if I wasn't alone! So let me know: post here, IM, call or text (contact info was added as a comment to the very first post, I believe).

If I don't see you guys, have a safe and fun New Year! L'Chaim!

xoxo kay*

Vacay

2007-12-19T15:21:00.001-08:00

Hey everybody,
OK, so I'm somewhat over the Jamie news (really sorry I ranted!!!!).
Anyways, we should TOTALLY hang over vacation!! I'm thinking movie night, or maybe shopping, or both?! Here's a thought I was kicking around: what do you guys think (I don't know if this is even possible) of us investing in a camcorder? An affordable one, of course, not too fancy, but I think it'd be really cool. We can film our Mean Girls remake or another movie, and we can use it to film other, random stuff---make a sort of documentary/reality show type thing of ourselves; feel like we're celebrities being followed by cameras all the time!!! Just a thought; you guys totally can voice your opinions, good idea/bad. Also, let us know if you can chill during vacation (and pitch other ideas for what to do)!
xoxo kay*

Shocking, Non-AvA News

2007-12-19T13:16:00.000-08:00

I have to say, when my brother mentioned this last night, I totally thought it was a fluke, like the Miley Cyrus rumors.

In a recent surprising announcement, Jamie-Lynn Spears, 16-year-old sister of popwreck Britney, shocks fans by confirming to OK! magazine (imagine how sales will shoot up!) that she is 12 weeks pregnant with longtime boyfriend Casey Aldridge's baby. Britney allegedly was kept in the dark and found out with the rest of the world. (After she did, she cheerily went shopping!) Jamie has stated this was a total shock and she plans to keep the baby. Aldridge's mother reports his family stands behind everything Jamie has said. Nickelodeon has released a statement that totally supports her. Mom Lynne has stated that this came as completely unexpected and uncharacteristic of her daughter (Lynne's parenting book has also been "delayed indefinitely"--*gasp*) To read more (it wouldn't be hard to find!), here's a link or two:

http://www.people.com
http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/18/jamie-lynn-spears-is-pregnant/

Sorry if this totally doesn't interest or really annoys you, but I thought I'd post because it's something I can't really get over (I know, pathetic!). This is a sad, disappointing shock to most, but I'm hesitant to lay total blame as it must be difficult to be in her position (though I am definitely not condoning anything), to feel the pressure of having to be the "good sister" and disappointing the whole world with a single action, then worrying about what's best for her and her child. Therefore, I'll say, here's hoping she's a good mother and doesn't let this lead her down a path of self-destruction (hey, it worked out fine for Lorelai!). Hey, maybe Jamie'll even inspire Britney to be a better role model (and mother), seeing how she's done so far.

Wow, I just realized how much I typed---sorry again! (I think I'm part of the fame problem!)

xoxo kay*

LUKE GOT INTO PENN!!!!

2007-12-16T12:04:00.000-08:00

Road trip! Road trip!

So0o0o much FUN!!

2007-12-10T12:32:00.000-08:00

Omigosh, the overnight rocked!! Our attendees were: Amy, myself, Lucas, Sarah, Julia, & Samantha. Nicole, Vanessa, and our special surprise guest, Randy!, came to hang out for awhile as well. We watched Sleepover, danced, model-walked, sang, ate, and *gasp* actually slept!! We tried to watch Bring It On: All or Nothing (Best. Movie. Ever.), but the TV was being weird again and kept turning red. We also had a gift grab, gave Amy an iTunes gift card (she just got an iPod!; those of you who owe me $3, you know who you are!), and discussed our role in the Purim Carnival and the fundraise we'd like to hold. It was so much fun! Thanks to everybody who came; I can't wait until the next one! We hope Rachel feels better and we'd like to know why Micah was AWOL!!! Our next event will be Krav Maga at America's Best Defense some time in January---hy-yah!
xoxo kay*

December (Let it snow...day!)

2007-11-14T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hey, what's going on, people?! Our event for December is the temple's Hanukkah party + another overnight because....well, why not?! They rock!! It's on Saturday, December 8 at 5:30 pm (pick-up is at 8:30 am the next morning, before Hebrew school). We'll eat, dance, play games, watch movies, eat, dance, and eat some more! To RSVP (which you'd better!), see my first post; I put the RSVP info in one of the comments. Bring movies, music, sleeping bag, pillow, pjs, a snack and drink to share, games, and anything else you think we'll need. I also wanted to let you know the tentative schedule of events we have for the rest of the year. Any thoughts, opinions, etc. can be posted by leaving a comment!

Jan: Krav Maga class (Israeli self-defense) at America's Best Defense (Micah & Amy go there!)
Feb: snow tubing!
Mar: Attleboro Family Planning Center with Marcia (!) and Bliss Creamery
Apr: fundraiser (possibly a baby-sitting night)
May: Mitzvah Morning & the map of Israel in the synagogue parking lot
Jun: Annual end-of-the-year BBQ at Amy's house

Let us know anything you think!

xoxo kay*

Hey AvAers!!

2007-10-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody, it's Kayla. I thought this would be a really cool way for everybody to know what's going on with the group, events, etc. We can start discussions; anyone can post something they feel is interesting. You can post ideas for new events, tell us what you think of things we've already done. You can also RSVP for future events. We'll try to figure out if we can post pictures and stuff, to make it even cooler! Let me know what you think! xoxo kay*