Join Shaarei Shamayim for our fourth annual winter retreat. Our theme this year is “Social Justice, Social Service: Making the World a Better Place.” We will have events for both children and adults, focused on this theme. For adults, a representative from Emerson Elementary School will speak about the “Friends of Emerson” program, and Racheli (Madison’s shaliach) will speak about Israel’s humanitarian efforts abroad. For children, Racheli will teach children Israeli games and songs, and they will listen to children’s books about Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement while making friendship bracelets for new students at Emerson Elementary. All will enjoy a showing of a film made by our own Nora Feder Johnson, in which she interviews residents of Capitol Lakes about their bnei mitzvah. Bagels will be served at 9:30 a.m., and by 10:00 a.m. we’ll come together as a community for songs related to the theme of the retreat. We’ll end with a brown bag lunch (this is not a potluck), ice cream sundaes, and singing. RSVPs required, to office@shamayim.org or 257-2944, by Wednesday, January 8. Non-members welcome. Please bring gently used or new winter clothing (scarves, mittens, hats, coats, etc.) for the students of Emerson Elementary.