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- Philosophy Statement
- 1. History of Jewish/General Education
- 2. Assessment
- 3. Curriculum
- 4. Language Development/Hebrew
- 5. Personal Development of Teachers
- 6. Collaboration/Community
- 7. Technology
- 8. Learning and Cognition
- 9. Evidence-Based Practice
- 10. Child Development
- 11. Content Knowledge
- 12. Ethics and Values
- 13. Instructional Methods
- Inspiration/Chizuk
- Post-Observation Reflections
One element of Professional Development is being well-informed of publications within the field, and contributing when possible.
Featured Article in Azrieli's JEMS newsletter, Issue 4, Fall 2011.
Words of Torah by: Penina Weber
As a closing activity on the last day of Professor Salomon's Curriculum and Assessment course, we designed VoiceThread graphics which we thought encapsulated the main message of the coursework. The students almost unanimously designed pictures of targets, sports goalposts, or roads with directional signs pointing the way-to-go, all summarized in one word: "GOALS." As educators, we must know our goals- for our students and ourselves- and teach effectively to achieve them.
As we approach Rosh HaShana and the beginning of the new school year, we reflect upon the goals we set for this past year and if we've achieved them, and design appropriate new goals for the coming year.
Rav Shimshon Pincus zt"l teaches that ELUL, which stands for Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li (I am to My beloved as My beloved is to Me- Shir HaShirim 6:3), starts the new year by propelling us into the season of Teshuva, in which we develop our love and connection with Hashem. This intense period will culminate with Simchas Torah, a joyous celebration of our love and appreciation for Hashem and His Torah. Why, however, do we start Elul already with these thoughts and feelings of love, if we are meant to develop and celebrate it only at the very end of the whole Yom Tov season?
The answer, he says, is as we say in Lecha Dodi, "Sof Ma'aseh, b'Machshava Techila" (The end result comes from the initial thought). When we ask someone, about to embark on a trip, "Where are you going?" we are not interested in which highways and roadways he will be driving; we want to know what will be his final destination. The driver must be aware of the routes he will be taking along the way, but with his eye on the goal, from the beginning and all throughout the journey.
We end the year, as we begin Elul, by mapping our course for the coming year. We begin with expressing our goal of Ahavas Hashem, and seek to develop it all throughout our Yom Tov experiences, from the hours of tefilla in shul to the many festive meals, from shared family time to quiet introspection. We focus on our blessings in life, and pray for the continued blessing of life itself.
Many Jews experience the High Holiday season, and often Judaism in general, as antiquated, arbitrarily ritualistic, and dryly uninspiring. A rabbi once said, only half-jokingly, that we could help curb assimilation by bringing Jews to shul not [only] on Yom Kippur, but on Simchas Torah! We must highlight the joy and positivity inherent in our lifestyle, structured by, and not inhibited by, the parameters of halacha.
As Jewish educators, it is our responsibility to recognize and our privilege to promote Torah as informative and inspiring. We can and must teach Judaism not just as a religion but as a relationship, with the goal of connecting to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
When we teach Jewish Studies, whether in Tefilla or TaNaCh, Gemara or Halacha l'Ma'ase, Ivrit or Jewish History, we must keep our eyes on the goal. We should remember not to become overly preoccupied about technical details or assignments which only make students frustrated or distracted from the message of the learning. While Talmud Torah is a goal itself, it is also a means to Kirvas Elokim (closeness with G-d). Every day we pray, "V'Tein Chelkeinu b'Toratecha" (Give us a portion in Your Torah). We must find and create ways to help our students connect, in ways they appreciate and can grow with. Let's give our students the motivation and the tools to develop their own love for learning and love for Hashem. Then we can hope to achieve not only our personal goals, but also our national goals, of "V'arvah l'Hashem minchat Yehuda v'Yerushalayim, k'yemei olam u'k'shanim kadmoniyot" (The offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be sweet to G-d, like in days of old).
Shana Tova U'Metuka!