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Educator's Message—July/August 2008
Summer Plans
It’s so quiet around the Temple. Every now and then someone will come in to pay a bill or for a committee meeting. And if we’re very lucky one of our students will drop by. I ask them “how they are feeling?”, and they say “okay” when I ask them “what they have been doing this summer?” I get the inevitable “nothing” and that’s when I get frustrated.
So I thought that I might try to help parents help their kids to do some wonderful reading over the summer in hopes of getting a little bit more Jewish Education into everyone’s homes. When your children come inside because it is too hot outside, or because they want to use the computer—instead of playing basketball why not offer up some fantastic books. You will find that the Jewish people are brimming over with tales to tell. Our history is long and rich and filled with drama. A treasure trove of folklore and literary works that defines and illustrates a variety of situations that the Jewish people have found themselves in.
In recent years there has been an explosion in the number of children’s Jewish Books published. To help parents and teachers there is a wonderful Book out titled “Judaism through Children’s Books. “ In there you will find read along books for our young ones and intellectual accessibility for older children. You will find compelling stories and beautiful language for everyone to enjoy. If you are interested in receiving a list of books that you and your family might enjoy reading this summer please e-mail me at educator@orrishon.org.
Reading isn’t the only way you can remind your children about being Jewish. When you are out for that evening walk, run or ride take time to look at the world around you. If we don’t take care of our environment no one else will. Or what about taking the time to help someone who is in need. If you’re really brave how about making sure that there is recycling going on in your home. All of these things are active ways of learning. Everyone learns more when they “DO” rather than watch.
Finally: taking time to enjoy the world around you is probably the best way to learn. Why, did you know that there is even a prayer that you can say when you see a rainbow? All you really need to do when you see something amazing is take a deep breath, enjoy the moment and then remember to thank G-d.
Have a wonderful Summer!
Marsha Greene
School Educator