Friday, October 11, 2013

Teaching both values and skills is crucial to the Jewish community

posted by Shira Salamone at 1:06 PM

4 Comments:

Blogger The Reform Baal Teshuvah said...

. . . And I have had the pleasure of studying with Beth Kissileff in Melton.

Sat Oct 12, 09:42:00 PM 2013  
Blogger Shira Salamone said...

Lucky you!

Mon Oct 14, 10:15:00 AM 2013  
Anonymous Miami Al said...

Thanks for the post, I enjoyed. Eliminating "Synagogue Skills" for "Mitzvah Projects" continues the slide of Jewish life into a social action club devoid of our unique faith.

That said, the "Bar Mitzvah Prep" should consist of Leyning/Haftorah, not learning the service. The Jewish education process needs to focus on all those "skills" in the years prior to that. Bar Mitzvah should be a celebration of Synagogue Skill mastery AND preparing to take responsibility for one's role in the Jewish community as an adult.

The first Aliyah shouldn't be the last (as it sadly often is). And involvement in Jewish charity work should be the beginning of the process, not the end. The Bar Mitzvah "project" of recent years is a good start, but more needs to be done for 13 to 21 year old Jews to integrate them into the wider Jewish community, instead of waiting to fret about their dating.

Mon Oct 14, 12:04:00 PM 2013  
Blogger Shira Salamone said...

"Bar Mitzvah should be a celebration of Synagogue Skill mastery AND preparing to take responsibility for one's role in the Jewish community as an adult."

Amen, Miami Al.

"involvement in Jewish charity work should be the beginning of the process, not the end." Yep, old-fashioned tzedakah (charity) boxes still have their uses--put one (or more) on the table before lighting Sabbath candles (or after havdalah, as we used to do, being too disorganized before Shabbat), and let your kids(s) get a hands-on feel for the importance of giving to those in need.

Tue Oct 15, 10:15:00 AM 2013  

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