Planting a Legacy
A tree’s longevity reminds us to stay focused on the long-term. That’s the Jewish definition of legacy, and the real message of Tu B’shvat.
From the Director: Heroes Like Jack.
In his January article for the Isaian, Josh shares thoughts on heroes, heroism, and on the recent passing of one of his own heroes, Dr. Jack Horowitz, director of religious education emeritus.
From the Director: Hanukkah and Innovation
Hanukkah is all about innovation. So what’s that got to do with Hebrew school?
From the Director: Sacred Space
In Josh’s October Isaian article, he discusses the importance of building sacred space wherever we are.
A Prayer for the Start of School
My friend Rabbi Phyllis Sommer recently shared the following blessing on her blog Ima On and Off the Bima. As religious school started this past week for most of our students, I thought I’d share her beautiful words.
Priming for a Sweet New Year
In his article for September’s Isaian, Josh wonders whether research in the field of neuropsychology can help answer some enduring questions about religious school.
TSBY Announcement: Meet Our New Directors
As we race through the month of August en route to the beginning of the school year, I know that many of you have been eager to hear about our plans for this year’s Tiyul: Shabbat B’yachad program. (And believe me… we’ve been eager to tell you!)
From the Director’s Desk: My Most Memorable Welcome
My first year of grad school, I had a roommate who taught me the value of a warm welcome. Years later, I have the pleasure of welcoming him.
Friendship: The Secret Ingredient
Josh’s remarks from the annual Congregational Meeting, held Wednesday evening, June 15, 2011.
From the Director’s Desk: The Importance of Looking Back
The prophet Isaiah and the Beatles both teach us to remember where we came from.
From the Director’s Desk: Transitions, Beginnings, Endings
When appropriate, I try to quote deep and meaningful Jewish texts in this space. (And for comparison, if you check this month’s Isaian you’ll see that Tamar quoted an important book.) So I’m sorry in advance. This month, I’m going to quote the late ’90s rock band Semisonic.
Parents, Teens, and Sex
[An Invitation for 8th and 9th Grade Parents] Last week, we launched a new program in our eighth and ninth grades called Sacred Choices: Adolescent Relationships and Sexual Ethics. Today we’re announcing the element of the program designed specifically for parents.
From the Director’s Desk: Learning By Doing
I think the Greek philosopher Aristotle would have loved Passover. He wrote: “For the things we have to learn first before we can do them, we learn them best by doing them.” (Nicomachean Ethics, Book 2) The rabbis thought the same thing about Passover.
Dear 8th- and 9th-Grade Parents
(The following letter was sent to parents of eighth- and ninth-graders. We’re so excited about the program it describes that we thought we’d share here on the blog.)
The Shema and the Death of Jacob
Lily’s third grade class is currently exploring the Shema, one of our tradition’s most central prayers. The students all know the words themselves (they did that in kindergarten!), but this is the first time some of them have thought really deeply about what the prayer means. Yesterday, I visited their class to share a special [...]
