LIVING A GOOD LIFE

With Passover a recent memory, and the end of the year quickly approaching, our students have blossomed into thoughtful, creative, and well informed Jewish thinkers.  They are stretching their minds and developing the ability to critically look at a situation and apply Jewish values to situations which may not be seen as Jewish on the surface.  We had lengthy discussions about Passover and moving from freedom to slavery, and the commitment it takes to embrace a Jewish way of life.  We talked about being a slave to things, and being free to make independent choices, which helps make our community stronger, and makes us better people along the way.  

We shared our ideas about counting the days between Passover and Shavuot, and the importance of making each day count.  We shared our ideas about being at the bottom of Mt. Sinai, and having the patience to wait for the things we want.  We talked about wanting things and needing things, and being mindful of the many gifts we have. To end the week, and too bring our many class discussions full circle, we spent some time talking about the Ten Commandments Moses brought down from Mt Sinai, and the relevance of them even today.  

We talked about the commandments between man and GOD, and the commandments between man and the community.  We talked about what rules we need to make the world safe, and what we have to do to build a meaningful relationship with GOD and with others. We had some trouble wrapping our arms around the GOD relationships, but when we talked about finding ways to connect with others through GOD, the ideas flowed a bit easier.  We also talked about the values and behaviors we need to establish as a society in order to be fully functioning, responsible members of our community.  

To end the week, we talked about the commandment to honor our moms and dads as being a commandment between GOD and between the community.   Students shared their ideas about honoring and respecting their parents, and took some time to create Mother's Day notes. Hopefully, you will see some of these cards on Sunday.  

As our year comes to an end, I want to thank you for sharing your students with me this year. We have grown together as a community, and it has been an honor to be a part of your Shaarey Zedek family. Enjoy the summer, and please stay in touch.