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On the Goals of Jewish Education

"Our goal should be to make it possible for every Jewish person, child or adult, to be exposed to the mystery and romance of Jewish history, to the enthralling insights and special sensitivities of Jewish thought, to the sanctity and symbolism of Jewish existence, and to the power and profundity of Jewish faith. As a motto and declaration of hope, we might adapt the dictum that says, ‘They searched from Dan to Beer Sheva and did not find an ‘am ha’aretz" ‘Am ha’aretz, usually understood as an ignoramus, an illiterate, may for our purposes be defined as one indifferent to Jewish visions and values, untouched by the drama and majesty of Jewish history, unappreciative of the resourcefulness and resilience of the Jewish community, and unconcerned with Jewish destiny. Education, in its broadest sense, will enable young people to confront the secret of Jewish tenacity and existence, the quality of Torah teaching which fascinates and attracts irresistibly. They will then be able, even eager, to find their place in a creative and constructive community."


From "A Time to Act," by Professor Isadore Twersky, the late Talner Rebbe, Nathan Littauer Professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy at Harvard University, and member of the Commissionon Jewish Education in North America. Presented at a meeting of the Commision on June 12, 1990.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Rabbi Stein Joins the High Schools

Our High School students are in for a treat with the addition of Rabbi Noam Stein to our faculty for this year. Rabbi Stein comes to us after having served as a limude kodesh teacher, the school's Community Service Director, the Director of the Advisory Program and the 10th Grade Coordinator at SAR High School in Riverdale, NY. Prior to SAR, Rabbi Stein served as a teacher and as the Dean of Student Life at the Ma'ayanot High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ. Rabbi Stein, who will be teaching Talmud in our Boys High School as well as Halachah and Jewish Philosophy, earned his BA in English Literature from Yeshiva University after spending two years learning in Kerem B'Yavneh in Israel. He then went on to receive his semicha from YU and, most recently, he completed the Educational Leadership Program through the Lookstein Center in Bar Ilan University.


In addition to his teaching, Rabbi Stein will continue his passion for cultivating student leadership and enabling meaningful student service opportunities in our high schools. Amongst many other responsibilities he will be creating a Community Service Program in our Boys High School, coordinating and enhancing the Community Service Program in our Girls High School, working together with Rabbi Gersten to create new student programs and leadership opportunities, and working to enhance the extra-curricular learning opportunities for our high schools.

Rabbi Stein's reputation as an accomplished talmid chacham, a progressive pedagogue, and teacher beloved by his students, should help our high schools reach even greater heights this coming year.

Posted by Rabbi Perl at 8/10/2009 03:28:00 PM

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