Schnorring: a win-win practice for Jewish Educators

In our determined search for free items to use in our classroom displays, we may have to resort to a bit of what my Bubbe might have called “schnorring.” Schnorring is asking for something in such an earnest and endearing way that the giver actually feels good about agreeing to your request.

Schnorring goes somethng like this:
You know a family who is planning a trip to Israel. You approach them and share your genuine enthusiasm about teaching Israel Studies and Modern Hebrew. You ask for their help in inspiring your students to connect with Eretz Yisrael. Now comes the Big Schnor! If the travelers could just tuck a few postcards, Hebrew language children’s magazines, front pages of Hebrew newspapers, menues, coins, and other small free or low cost Israeli mementos in a corner of their suitcase, you and your students would be so grateful. Score one for the schnorer! But, to make this a win-win, invite the family to visit your classroom, when they return, to present the itms they’ve collected (perhaps,even schnorred), and to talk about their Israeli adventures. And always send a thank-you note.

Schnorring can also be done close to home, like when you ask the supermarket for a bunch of paper bags to make your tree display; or when you request a few pizza boxes
(unused) from your neighborhood pizza place. Pizza boxes? Yes, pizza boxes make great storage containers for themed items from a seasonal display. Take down all the Hanukka things, for example, and lay them in the pizza box. Close the box. Label it clearly with a description of the contents, and set it on a shelf for next year. For materials such as large posters, that may not fit in the pizza box, make a note on the box that there are additional materials that go with the display.

Schnorring – a time-honored part of the Jewish Educator’s toolkit.

More to come…your textbook – What’s in it for you, display- wise?

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Ronni Sims

Ronni has been a Jewish educator since Moses was in preschool (almost!). She has had the pleasure of teaching all age groups in a variety of formal and informal settings, as well as directing a Jewish Teacher Resource Center. While teaching in a Jewish Day School, Ronni coached an award-winning Odyssey of the Mind creative problem solving team.Ronni was an active participant in the former Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education (CAJE), where she held leadership positions including Network Chair and Conference Co-Chair of CAJE 29 at Hofstra University. She currently teaches Hebrew at the Congregation Albert Religious School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Talmud teaches: “The Torah cannot be learned unless it is learned among friends.” Ronni views blogging on JCast as such a learning opportunity.

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