Sukkat Shalom's Caffeine for the Brain Program: Hot Coffee, Fresh Bagels, and the Joy of Learning Together

On Sunday mornings during Family School, the foyer at Sukkat Shalom hums with unmistakable energy. The community gathers close—voices overlapping, laughter rising—as the aroma of hot coffee and fresh bagels fills the air.

Parents of Family School students and fellow congregants linger in easy conversation, sharing greetings and good-natured banter before making their way into the sanctuary, ready for another lively and thought-provoking installment of Caffeine for the Brain.

What is “Caffeine for the Brain” (CTFB) and its Relationship to Family School?

CFTB has been an integral part of the Family School experience for many years. Sukkat Shalom's innovative religious education program, Family School meets two Sundays a month and welcomes the whole family, not just children.

“Every session, families join for an engaging and musical service. Then, kids head to class while parents have time for community-building. They return to the Sanctuary for CTFB (from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.) our Sunday morning class for adults,” explains Missy Bell, Director of Congregational Learning and Engagement.

“Classes stand alone so that parents are engaged even if they must miss Family School sometimes, plus other congregants can drop-in and join the sessions,” Missy explained.

CFTB is taught by a mix of the congregation’s own staff and clergy, congregants with expertise, and speakers from outside the Sukkat Shalom community.

Sukkat Shalom members enthusiastically share what CTFB has meant to them.

We Are Exposed to A Wide Variety of Diverse and Engaging Topics

“The greatest benefit is the fact that our entire family is at Sukkat Shalom together for the full two-hours on Sunday mornings,” Lauren Yarbrough explained. “We show our children the value of Jewish community and education by attending Family School together. “

One of Lauren’s favorite CFTB sessions was on parenting with tools and tips featuring “a discussion on how to give our children space to grow up, and have a little independence, and make their own mistakes - in a world filled with helicopter parenting.”

“We broke into small groups for discussion and there was power in seeing that we are all struggling with similar things and everyone brought helpful nuggets of things they do in their own households that we can borrow from one another in our own families,” Lauren pointed out.

CFTB Gives People the Tools to be Jewish the Way They Want to Be

Mandy Zaransky-Hurst has a sixth grader and emphasizes, “Family School and CFTB is an opportunity not only to provide enrichment to our daughter but to me. It is very soul nourishing plus intellectually stimulating.”

“It is a great opportunity for deepening relationships with people for those that are members with younger families, a way for them to become a stronger piece of the fabric of the congregation,” Mandy said.

She believes “Family School is all things done well: We can kibitz and have nosh without kids during CFTB and it is a great enrichment experience. For busy parents, you are getting wisdom and community from a Jewish perspective.”

Create Content that Inspires Learning, Laughter and Dialogue

Rabbi Mark Rothschild offers two different perspectives: one as a CFTB presenter and another as a devoted session participant.

Mark’s approach as a presenter is to “tap into the brilliance of the members so that the congregants themselves are the teachers. The congregants have so much to share about their life experiences, business ethics, Judaism and humor and they make the sessions come alive.

“In my CFTB presentations, my goal is to have folks learn something about ancient Jewish texts that impact their lives today, and to enjoy learning with each other while hearing each other’s experiences.”

Whether he is a presenter or attendee, Mark believes, “you get to know members at a different level than you otherwise would. It is inspiring, enlightening and fun. People stay because they want to.”

CFTB Is an Important Facet of Our Continuum of Learning

Howard Masters and his wife, Renee, attend CFTB programs of particular interest “as part of our continuum of learning at Sukkat Shalom” They are not Family School parents but believe participation is of great educational value.

“There are the literal caffeine (and bagels) and the educational aspect of brain stimulation as opposed to passively attending,” Howard explained. “A big part of the program is a question-and-answer session which also encourages interaction and conversation.

Howard strongly encourages people to check out the program and meet some people. “It is great to see and hear the energy that’s going on in the lobby and how engaged and interactive the parents are enjoying each other’s company.”

About Congregation Sukkat Shalom

Sukkat Shalom is a unique, innovative congregation serving diverse individuals and families within an intimate spiritual home. Its specific mission is outreach to the intermarried, the unaffiliated, and all those searching for a meaningful Jewish life. To learn more visit: www.sukkatshalom.org. Located at 1001 Central Ave, Wilmette, IL, Phone: (847) 251-2675 or email sukkatshalom@sukkatshalom.org