The “friends” to whom I’m dedicating this post are wonderful colleagues in Jewish education who support, motivate, model, inspire, and teach – colleagues from whom I’ve learned so many valued skills and worthy insights. Sharing and learning with our colleagues strengthens and enlightens us as a professional community. We need as many opportunities as possible to gather together and exchange ideas either face-to-face or virtually.
I am fortunate to have a wise friend and mentor who taught me to direct a resource center, organize teacher workshop days, and bring together for mutual benefit Religious School Directors from various, sometimes conflicting, institutions on the Jewish denominational spectrum.
I am energized creatively by an extremely innovative artistic friend who designs unique hands-on Jewish learning experiences. Her students craft not art projects, but Judaic heirlooms to be forever treasured by their families. Her whole-class projects (murals, tile walls, mosaic plaques) have become permanent art installations in religious schools and synagogues.
I wish I could spend more time in Israel with a wonderfully caring teacher friend who encouraged and supported our family in making aliyah – a life-changing experience which, with my friend’s invaluable help, opened the way for me to become a Jewish educator.
I miss a kind, gentle friend of Blessed Memory. She was a master Jewish educator who imbued Jewish learning on all levels with great joy and spirituality, even while facing extreme personal challenges.
To all these special friends and more whose influence will shape future posts, I dedicate this 8th Night of Hanukkah 5772.
Chag Hanukkah Sameach!
- Home From Camp & Back to School - August 6, 2014
- May Their Memory… - July 2, 2014
- Starting Over, Starting Up, Reviewing and Re-thinking….Again! - June 6, 2014