This issue is dedicated to the memory of William Farber z”l

It is amazing how many lives William Farber touched over the years. Bill understood the power of words and had such a great sense of humor. He was so incredibly generous (and also understood the power of Mitzvot). We feel miraculously blessed to have known him and are overwhelmed with gratitude by how he and his family have helped ShalomLearning. Our program would not have grown so quickly had it not been for Bill Farber’s friendship and faith in Jewish education’s need to evolve. Bill, we will miss you so very much and will carry on your memory as a blessing to all of our students, parents and teachers. May your family be comforted in knowing that the impact of your life has and will continue to be truly transformational for generations to come. You will forever be a shining Light unto the world!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Jewish Wisdom and Koach HaDibbur
                                        A Letter from our CEO

Passover is just two weeks away. As we edge closer to redemption, experiencing our celebration of freedom from slavery (with still so much work still to do), we are deep in the heart of our 6th core Jewish value, Koach HaDibbur, the power of words.

Words matter in Judaism. 

When you hear a truth or a wisdom that resonates, deep inside your soul, it can carry you to be and do your best. Gathering a greater understanding of our destiny and purpose as a people is not easy to do in a few minutes. This week, I heard a wonderful teaching from Rabbi Irwin Kula in an email from our friends at CAJE in Miami. In this J-Insider video from 2009, Rabbi Kula summarizes the current context of Jewish education so very well,

“Jewish wisdom helps us become more evolved human beings.”

Click here to read more >>

Current Unit: Koach Hadibbur
Holiday: Passover

This month's ShalomLearning value is Koach Hadibbur: the power of speech. Appreciating the power of speech is a foundational value in Jewish culture. God created the world with speech, “Let there be… and there was…”  When the first human was created and imbued with the divine spark, our commentators translate the phrase “spirit of life” as “power of speech.” That power, with the potential for good and evil, has been the cause of human triumph and tragedy ever since.

Encompassing ShalomLearning's 7 Jewish Values, we think about the following:
Through words we do teshuva (repentance); with words we can create and keep promises b’tzelem Elohim (in God’s image); with words we can show gevurah (strength) with the declaration of hineni,(Here I Am!) and prove that indeed the pen is mightier than the sword! We step up to take achrayut (responsibility); when we arrange words into blessings instead of curses we bring hakarat hatov (gratitude) into people’s lives; and when our words bring wholeness, shalom (peace) to an individual, comfort to mourners, and inclusion to a community, we follow in the footsteps of Aaron the High Priest, in rodef shalom, being pursuers of peace.
_____________________________________________________________________

Last year we filmed a special Koach HaDibbur video with students at Temple Israel of the City of New York in partnership with Bible Raps! This video is now used in an activity for 5th grade in the Koach HaDibbur unit. Check it out!

                              

ShalomLearning Synagogue Spotlight: Temple Ohabei Shalom, Brookline MA

Fallon Rubin is a 5th/6th grade teacher and Youth Educator at Temple Ohabei Shalom. She has created a rotation model when implementing the ShalomLearning Judaics curriculum. She explains it here:

"For each unit the students are split up into 4 groups of 5; those groups exist for the 4 weeks of a unit and then they switch for the next unit.  There are 4 stations around the room.  At each station there is the schedule for the day, the instructions for that station, and either a name for the station or a quote for the station.  If there is a resource necessary for that station that is provided as well.  Each station is based off of 1 or 2 of the activities in the ShalomLearning curriculum.  If there are too many activities that day with discussion questions, I make some journal entries or act it out, etc.  If they have to watch a video for the station, we have an iPad or computer available.  At each station the group assigns a station leader; that person is in charge of using the station's instruction paper and leading the group.  There is a new station leader at each station and then after two rotations we have a brain break.  After the final two rotations, once a month we vote for "Mensch of the Month" based on the value we just learned about.  At the end of every class, the students line up at the door and tell me one thing they learned from class that day!"
 
                                  

Save the Date!
 

• a comprehensive overview of ShalomLearning course materials
• personalized instruction
• training on our learning portal, my.shalomlearning.org
• an opportunity to network with peers