The Gesher Program in Memory of Linda J. Karno, z”l

Are you an adult who did not have the opportunity to celebrate becoming a Bat or Bar Mitzvah? Would you like to increase your knowledge and participation in synagogue ritual and community? 

The Gesher Program in memory of Linda J. Karno, z”l is designed for you. The word gesher means bridge, and your experience in this program serves as a bridge from one level of knowledge and comfortability in Jewish ritual life to another level. Gesher strives to increase your knowledge and participation in the life of the synagogue, within the context of the services as well as in the community as a whole. The program also seeks to bridge the distance between Jewish life and learning, so whether one is a Jew by Choice or a Jew by Birth, Gesher offers something for everyone. 

After participation in Gesher individuals reach their goals of: 

• Reading Hebrew more fluently 

• Chanting Torah and Haftarah with trope 

• Feeling at home with prayer services and the Torah service 

• Studying the Torah/Haftarah portion for the week and writing a d’var Torah or d’var Haftarah 

• Building a strong foundation in Judaism through a curriculum of study in a supportive setting 

• Celebrating a group Bar/Bat Mitzvah on Shabbat morning