February...what a lovely month. We’ve had a fantastic start to this 2012 calendar year, and we’re looking forward to some more great things on the horizon. Here’s what you can look forward to this month:
JOSTY Shul-in!! - The 25thannual JOSTY Shul-infor all students in grades 7 and 8 takes place Saturday, February 4 to Sunday, February 5 at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline. More than 100 seventh and eighth grade students from all over New England and New York State will be at this fun and exciting overnight in Brookline. Nothing could be finer.
Winter Wonderland 5772 - The 34th annual Winter
Wonderland Weekend is just days away. Sponsored by MANTY of Adath Yeshurun for all high school students in grades 9 through 12 and taking place the weekend of February 10th. It’s an enjoyable weekend of skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing with TEMTY and the rest of the NFTY-NE region (“enjoyable” being a great understatement).
TEMTY prepares for the Purim Carnival (Sun., March 4)
The preparations begin with the monthly All TEMTY Business Meeting on Thursday, February 2 from 7:00 – 8:00pm (note the shortened time). All high school students are welcome and encouraged to attend. We’ll be discussing plans for future events in March and April.
From there, TEMTY cranks up the juice, meeting again on Thursday, February 9 from 7:00 – 8:30pm for a Purim Planning Meeting. Again, all high school students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Your help will ensure a more successful and fun-filled carnival for all!
Lastly, TEMTY’s February Hang-out will be Thursday, February 16 from 7 – 9pm, where we will be making signs and plotting out the booths, among the usual chill and friendly atmosphere.
…and for the most super-fantastic Spring Conclavette that NFTY-NE has ever experienced (March 16 – 18) As you all know by now, TEMTY and the Shalomites of Congregation Shalom in Chelmsford are hosting this year’s Spring Conclavette from Friday, March 16 - Sunday, March 18. There will be Monday night planning meetings on February 6 and February 13 beginning at 7:30pm. Check the TEMTY Facebook group for information on location and topics. All high school students are encouraged to attend and participate. Thank you in advance for all your support and enthusiasm!
As always— keep an eye to your email and Facebook inboxes for all the latest information about upcoming TEMTY, Jr. TEMTY, and TEMTY K’tanim events. It’s going to be a fantastic month! Cocoa with marshmallows and fun with your best fellows……………………………………….
Nick Burka ……………………………..…………………………….……………nburka@templeemanuel.net
Nick Burka (Youth Advisor / Educator) hails from Gaithersburg, Maryland, a town forty-five minutes from the nation’s capital of Washington D.C., and grew up attending services and participating in the youth programs at Temple Beth Ami in neighboring Rockville. He was an active member of BATY, his synagogue’s youth group, holding leadership roles on the youth group board as well as serving as a Madrich during religious school classes on Sunday mornings. Nick has also been song leading since high school, founding Beth Ami’s first monthly Teen Shabbat service, as well as working as a regional song leader for NFTY-MAR (Mid-Atlantic Region), spending three summers at the URJ Crane Lake Camp in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and most recently lead NFTY in Israel trips the past two summers.
Nick studied Spanish Language and Literature at the University of Maryland in College Park, during which time he spent six months living Buenos Aires, Argentina. After graduation in May of 2008, he spent ten months living in Ciudad Real, Spain, teaching English at two primary schools, and exploring Europe.
Nick currently lives in Brighton, Massachusetts and is ecstatic to be living and working in such a welcoming and diverse community.
Temple Emanuel has three wonderful youth groups. If you have a child in grades 3 - 12, we have a program for them. Contact Youth Advisor, Nick Burka (nburka@templeemanuel.net), for more information. 
