In this week’s Torah Portion, Va-Yetze, Jacob is on his way from Beersheba to Haran. He spends the night in a “place” and dreams of a ladder which reaches from the ground to heaven. Angels are going up and down on the ladder, and Jacob, in his dream, receives a message from God. In his […]
Shalom Kitah Gimel Students and Families #7
Today, in Kitah Gimel, students led the Blessings for Torah Study and cookies. In place of our usual attendance conversation, students completed a “Comprehensive Exercise.” This Comprehensive Exercise provided students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the vocabulary and language elements presented in Chapters One, Two, and Three of our text, Shalom Ivrit. […]
Museum -Inspired “Art-Start Bags”
Museums, which fulfill their missions to collect, display, and educate in such a variety of creative ways, are a great source of learning activity models. During many extended visits to Israel, I returned to the country’s outstanding museums again and again. The Ruth Youth Wing for Art Education at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem www.imj.org.il […]
Sharing a Shabbat Argument
I came across this poem recently. It’s by Leonard Cohen and appeared in his collection entitled Book of Longing. There’s something about it that has touched my soul, and won’t leave. I thought I’d share this as my Shabbat Shalom wish to you all. You might be a person who likes to argue with Eternity. […]
Words of Wisdom for Shabbat – Toldot
In Hebrew class, my students plotted, wrapped their hands in “fur,” shuddered and howled, as they dramatized the actions of Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau in this week’s Torah Portion, Toldot. After re-enacting the story of Rebekah’s and Jacob’s plot to trick Isaac into giving his blessing to Jacob, rather than to his first-born son, […]
Shalom Kitah Gimel Students and Families #6
Lies, deception, thievery, murderous rage – among members of a prominent Jewish family. The latest reality show? NO! It’s the weekly Torah Portion, Toldot! After reciting our opening Brachot, we turned immediately to Toldot. Students read (in English) the account of Esau selling his Birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil soup. We discussed […]
Highly Recommended – URJ Webinar “Differentiating Instruction”
Once , participation in a professional development workshop meant traveling – to a synagogue, JCC, or conference center. No more! Professional development opportunities are available on-line in the form of webinars. I recently participated in an excellent webinar presented by the Congregational Consulting Group of the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism). This particular webinar centered […]
Strikes, Spares and the Jewish Future
I’m a bowler. I’m in a league. Sometimes I hate it. You see, once the ball is rolled, the outcome is by no means assured. I can control how I grasp the ball, swing and release it, but that’s it. Once it’s thrown, it interacts with the oil that is spread on the lane and […]
Words of Wisdom – Chayyei Sarah
Sarah’s Tent was the ultimate Shabbat place – ever fragrant with freshly baked challah and glowing with Shabbat candlelight. As we prepare for Shabbat, we remember Sarah’s example. Even the youngest descendents of Abraham and Sarah can experience the spirit of Shabbat in wise and wonderful ways. The following are excerpts from an article on […]
Helping Our Children’s Capacity for Empathy
This summer I travelled to Haiti on a three day mission with Jewish Federations of North America. I came home distressed and depressed, seeing how deep and multi-faceted the challenges there are. The combination of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, lack of infrastructure and utter destruction caused by the earthquake made it hard to see the light. […]
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