This week has been particularly exciting. It started
with a fantastic Chanukah celebration on Sunday at Ohev Shalom, replete with
kids of all ages having fun. On Monday, to start our Professional Day, we
heard from parent Sara Glashofer, daughter of Ruhama Dmiel Klein, in whose
memory the day was dedicated, who talked about her mother’s dedication to
education and how she might have embraced the use of technology to enhance her
own teaching. We then participated in workshops led by many of our staff
members, teaching the rest of us how to implement some of the technology we
possess. Tuesday morning started with groups of students singing and
dancing in the halls with their teachers after finishing davening, during which
time melodious renditions of Al Hanisim and Hallel resonated through the Lower
School. On Wednesday morning, the kindergarten had their Chanukah sing along
and party and today, the second grade received their chumashim.
(Tomorrow, Mrs. Arzouan’s class will sing at the Hebrew Home and our girls’
choir will be performing at Leisure World.) This is in addition to class
Chanukah parties, special activities at lunch, and closing the week tomorrow
with a vibrant Chanukah-filled Oneg. Our dedicated teachers have prepared
their students well and they shine in all these different arenas.
The root of the word Chanukah commonly refers to
dedication. It is also the same as that of education. How
appropriate. The Hebrew word for education is cheenuch. Anyone who
knows a good educator understands the correlation between dedication and education.
I think it can also refer to parents’ dedication in sending their children to a
Jewish school, particularly MJBHA. Acquiring a Jewish education for
your children means that you care, that you believe in a Jewish future, that
you want your children to continue that beautiful legacy fought for by the
Maccabees. It is the recognition that for Judaism to continue, we need
knowledgeable Jews.
As we have watched our students’ enthusiasm this week, as we
have seen the light of excitement in their eyes, the joy of celebration, we too
feel their attachment to - and love of - Judaism. As much as we
want our students to gain strong knowledge, we also want them to build a very
powerful attachment to Judaism, one that will keep them balanced in the years
ahead, one that will remind them of all the love put into them, of all the joy
of celebration, a reminder of dedication. The Maccabees dedicated
their lives so we may live as Jews; they would not surrender their Jewish
values.
It is a bracha to watch
the results of such dedication. Chanukah Sameach, Chodesh Tov, and
Shabbat Shalom!
