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. […]
Shalom Kitah Gimel Students and Families #5
We began with the Blessing for Torah Study and the Blessing for cookies. (Students who are present when class begins at 4:30 receive “on-time” Oreos!) This week, our attendance conversation was conducted entirely by a student. In the coming weeks, each student will have a turn to lead the attendance question and answer process. As […]
Ethical Reflexes
Vayera – Ethical Reflexes – Sermon – 10/23/2010 https://media.blubrry.com/jcasttotalfeed/jcastnetwork.org/storage/dsksermons/dsk006.mp3Podcast: Download
Podcast: Download
The Museum of International Folklore – Part II
In my post for 10/18/10, I described a visit to the Museum of International Folk Art www.internationalfolkart.org and suggested several learning activities inspired by the Girard Collection of Folk Art – a major permanent exhibition. Unlike most museum displays, the Girard Collection has no labels. Alexander Girard, the collector, designed the exhibition. He placed each […]
Words of Wisdom for Shabbat – Vayera
The beginning of Parshat Vayera tells how Abraham reached out and welcomed visitors to his tent. The Midrash excerpt below describes how Sarah’s tent was also special. My Hebrew School students enjoyed reading and discussing this section of a longer Midrash. “Sarah had a tent of her own. Every time that the family made camp, […]
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