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Congregation Shaarey Zedek

Practical Approaches to Wellness – Mind, Body, Soul: Elder Fraud Scam Awareness

  • 📅Thursday, May 28, 2026
  • 🕐10:30 am – 12:00 pm
  • 📍Congregation Shaarey Zedek
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Each month, we plan to highlight different practical strategies to help us better understand, cope with and respond to situations that may affect our physical and mental wellbeing.

Elder Fraud Scam Awareness: Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Join us on Thursday, May 28 at 10:30 for a delicious brunch followed by a discussion with Ryan A. Particka about how to identify and protect yourself from current scams targeting older adults.

Ryan A. Particka is an Assistant United States Attorney (Federal Prosecutor) with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit. He currently serves in the Anti-Corruption Unit, where his primary focus is the investigation and prosecution of large, multi-jurisdictional fraud schemes. He is also the district’s Elder Justice Coordinator and regularly conducts outreach to raise awareness about scams targeting older adults.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is written for our school by our Rabbis and Director of Youth and Family Learning. Each grade level has specific goals and learning targets that encompass the following areas:  

Learning and practicing Jewish rituals, holidays, and ethical actions, emphasizing how these observances connect individuals to Jewish tradition and community. 

Fostering a connection to Israel by exploring its geography, history, and significance as the Jewish homeland. 

Centering on learning and understanding Torah stories, characters, and teachings, and applying their lessons to daily life. 

Emphasizing the importance of ethical behavior, acts of kindness (Gemilut Chasadim), and fulfilling obligations like Tzedakah (charity). 

Exploring the meaning and practice of prayer, teaching students how to communicate with God and understand the significance of different prayers. 

Focusing on learning the Hebrew alphabet, vocabulary, and basic reading skills to engage with Jewish texts and prayers. 

Each grade level explores these themes through engaging and age-appropriate lessons. Teachers use a variety of teaching methods and resources, including the Chai Curriculum. 

Staff

We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of professional Jewish educators. Our teachers receive weekly planning time, during which they use our curriculum and learning goals to craft engaging lesson plans. They benefit from regular coaching and feedback from our Director of Youth and Family Learning and participate in ongoing professional development throughout the year. Our educators are passionate about their students and committed to their growth and success.

Family Programs

Throughout the year, we invite families to celebrate with us! Parents, grandparents, and siblings are welcome to join us for special Religious School mornings filled with music, food, and community celebration as we observe holidays such as Sukkot, Tu B’Shevat, and Passover as a school community. Families and students are also encouraged to attend our weekly Shabbat services, where we offer youth activities for children of all ages. Participating in Shabbat helps our students connect their learning and apply it in a congregational setting, fostering a deeper connection to our synagogue community.