From the Director of Education - December 1999

Since I became the Director of Education, many, many people have come up to me and said "So how are you doing? How do you like your new job?" and my response is always "I LOVE IT", (and I truly do) because each and everyday I learn something new, something relating to Torah, to Judaism, something that makes me think.

This month I would like to focus my article on how important not only education is to our children and ourselves as adults, but how we learn so much through Informal Education. I feel that we tend to forget how much we learn in informal settings.

When you think back to a significant learning experience, was it always in a classroom setting? How about camp, a trip to Israel, a book review or reading an article? I know the best Jewish education I received was always at camp. Not only did I make life long friendships, but I still remember how services came alive and became more meaningful to me.

I recently had the pleasure of attending our Religious School 5th and 6th grade retreat that was led by our 5th grade teacher, Roger Goldstein at Camp Stoney. I had tears in my eyes listening to the children lead T'fillah and sing the blessing after the meal. When I led a Torah study on the story of Noah, I can't describe to you how intuitive and powerful the children's ideas were when we discussed this story. They then had the opportunity to write their own prayers. It was really magnificent!

On a personal note, this past summer, my son Adam spent 6 weeks in Israel on the NFTY Exodus Tour. Seeing and listening to his stories and experiences from this trip, I realized that it truly changed his life. This experience will be with him forever.

I would like to invite you to join us for two special programs. On Wednesday, December 8th Paul Reichenbach will be meeting with the Machon program (7th-10th graders) to answer questions and explain about NFTY In Israel programs for students. On Friday evening, December 10th, please plan on joining us for a very special Shabbat. We have invited Deborah Sagan from Camp Swig/Newman to speak to the congregation about the opportunities that are available to our children for a summer of Jewish learning, the camp experience and the building of life long friendships.

Shalom,
Leah Schaer

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