Nishmah is thrilled to kick off its Banot Buddies program from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday Aug. 29 at a private home. Mothers (or another female adult) are invited to join their daughters in grades 2 to 5 and 9 to 12 for this introductory program of the series. The program will include dinner, fun outdoor games, and a campfire sing-a-long.  It will be a great chance for the girls to meet new friends and for the adults to connect with one another and for everyone to get a taste of what the program is all about.

The Banot Buddies program, which pairs girls in grades 2 to 5 with teenage girls in grades 9 to 12, will take a close look at girls’ topics through a Jewish lens. Each program focuses on a particular area that is relevant to modern “girlhood.” The older girls serve as mentors as they encourage those who are younger to find healthy ways of navigating through girlhood. The relationships between both groups support the fostering of leadership skills, self-esteem, and a life-long connection to Jewish ideals.

The cost is $25 per girl/adult pair. To RSVP, contact Simone at 314-862-2777 or [email protected].  The event location is given upon registration. There is a $12 participation fee for subsequent Banot Buddies programs or $55 for the entire Banot Buddies series (including the special kickoff campfire). Subsequent Banot Buddies 2010-2011 dates include: Dec. 5, Jan. 16, March 6, and May 1. To register for this program, contact Simone Picker at Nishmah: 314-862-2777 or via e-mail to [email protected].

Banot Buddies is made possible through generous funding from: The Covenant Foundation, The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, The Kranzberg Family Foundation and The Natan Fund.