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As a Rebbe in a Community Day School, I find the project very interesting.
I have been teaching midos to my classes for a number of years. Besides
the midos which can be learned via our normal Chumash & Navi lessons, I
have tried several other programs. I have found a rotation of 4 midos per
year (one per week) to be the most effective. I use a program called
"Hishtadel L'hiyos Ish".
I feel that the success of any midos program that a Day School can have is
dependent on the family participation. As a teacher, I have little
influence over the parent who trains the child to listen to 1/2 of what
the Rebbe says. (This kind of statement reflects many non-observant homes
who send their children to orthodox day school. They want the
Bein-Adam-L'chaveiro, but not Bein-Adam-L'Makom. The child cannot listen
part way - either the teacher is 100% correct in his teachings or not at
all.)
Therefore, I feel that while we continue to offer midos incentives to the
kids - we really have to target the parents. This would entail bringing on
going classes to the parents - at home, work, social activities, etc.
I see my students only 3 hours a day - if I'm lucky. How much influence
can I have? To those students who have examples at home - I have some
influence. To those who do not, I have minimal impact.
I look forward to seeing such programming developed and implemented and
would be happy to help out in any ways that I can.
Rabbi Aryeh Blaut</HTML>
