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January 2008

I had the opportunity to participate in our Hebrew School Chanukah celebration – and once again was struck by what an extraordinary Hebrew School we have – and what a literate one! Mara was tossing questions at these kids I never could have answered at their ages – but there were our kids with hands waving in the air, all eager to answer. And there were Judith and Jackie and David to add in their thoughtful commentary.

Jim Levinson, Sh'liach Tzibur
 

Thinking back to my own Hebrew School education, (and many of us who are now parents, I’m guessing, would agree), I have to acknowledge that the experience was drudgery, and that I learned remarkably little. For some of us, in fact, the experience was so negative that we may have wondered if we’d ever have anything to do with Jewish education – or for that matter Judaism – again.

Fortunately, things are better today, not only in our shul, but more generally among Jewish congregations in this country. Hebrew School education, and not simply Hebrew day schools, finally is beginning to get the attention it deserves with Jewish federations contributing substantial funds and issuing valuable taskforce reports.

And one of the primary findings from these taskforce reports is something that we at BAJC discovered some time ago – that a Hebrew School will be much more effective if it is part of a congregation-wide focus on education, and not an isolated piece for children only. One particular critic of Hebrew education in America has written that ‘our teachers are probably better trained than they’ve ever been, and there is probably better curriculum material than ever, but the Hebrew School experience doesn’t make it unless it’s part of a broader congregational premium on learning.” In our congregation, with our award winning adult education, our Torah study, and our education-rich services, often with active Hebrew School participation, this happily is the case. (And I continue to hear good stories about the teaching and learning that’s taking place in our homes.) No wonder we have been cited as “that remarkably literate congregation.”

I’ve been so pleased not only by the growth of our Hebrew School in numbers – now really pushing the limits of our physical space, but also by its diversity, and by the degree of parental participation. I counted no fewer than 20 parents in attendance at the Chanukah celebration, all of them as engaged in Mara’s creative agenda and the kids’ responsiveness as I was.

Mazel Tov to all of you who have been involved in this terrific program. As I’m fond of saying, this is the first Hebrew School I’ve yet encountered to which I’d send my own kids!

B’Shalom,
Jim