The greatness of the Jewish people lies in our continually discovering, davka during the darkest times, more courage within ourselves.
Pulling Back from the Trees and Looking at the Forest: Making Torah Meaningful to Students’ Lived Lives
Why might a student who has attended our community’s schools for so many years, schools into which the community pours so many resources, decide that, at least temporarily, they are not interested in being part of our community? I won’t pretend that I know the answer, but I do believe…
Why Do We Teach—and Not Teach—What We Do in Jewish Schools?
Recently, a teacher asked me for some guidance. What did I think would be both the best content and methodology not only for teaching skills but also for conveying fundamental values and fostering a love for and connection to Judaism?
My Journey to Fully Loving My Job
Many schools are facing a crisis due to the dearth of Jewish studies teachers. I therefore feel it is important for me to share my journey from wanting to leave teaching to fully loving my job. I hope that my personal experience and the process outlined in this article can serve as a model for other schools and encourage struggling teachers to find the support they need so they too can thrive in their classrooms.
Heed the Hyphen
We aren’t only teachers. We are teacher-dads or teacher-moms. Some of us are teacher-cyclists and others are teacher-runners. Some of us are teacher-gardeners and others are teacher-travelers. I suggest that summertime is a time to heed the “hyphen.”
Making Room for Wonder, Curiosity, and Mystery
If Judaism is a response to existential questions, then we must validate our students’ questions, interests, and curiosities and create a context to discuss them.
How Jewish Studies Teachers can Use ChatGPT, Part 2
Is ChatGPT a threat to Jewish studies teachers? Learn how to use ChatGPT to enhance your teaching!
How Jewish Studies Teachers Can Use ChatGPT, Part #1
Is ChatGPT a threat to Jewish studies teachers? Learn how to use ChatGPT to enhance your teaching!
Personalizing the Past Through Oral Histories
If you were to ask your students to describe the process of teshuvah, my hunch is that most would echo some version of Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuvah: regret and renounce the sin, resolve not to do it again, and when the opportunity to sin occurs again, take a pass…
Taking Our Schools L’ayla Ul’ayla
If you were to ask your students to describe the process of teshuvah, my hunch is that most would echo some version of Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuvah: regret and renounce the sin, resolve not to do it again, and when the opportunity to sin occurs again, take a pass…