ellgeditorials
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High Tech Learning
C
/-
omputers can be an excellent teach-
ing tool in Jewish education — but
only if they're used to supplement,
not replace, a strong core curriculum
and traditional teaching methods proven to
work.
Meanwhile, Jewish educators must improve
communication with their colleagues in day
schools, congregational schools, adult education
programs and affiliated agencies if we want to
maximize cyber learning opportunities.
These two themes resonate from today's
cover story, "High Tech Jewish Education."
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit is planning to spend $700,000 to get
Hebrew schools on-line, as part of its $50-mil-
lion Millennium Campaign for Detroit's Jew-
ish Future on behalf of the Jewish Community
Center of Metropolitan Detroit and Jewish life
experiences. While we applaud that outlay, we
urge Federation to back that hardware invest-
ment with solid support and training so teach-
ers can use the computers effectively.
Computers don't create curriculum, inspire
dialogue or sense emotions — teachers do.
Computers can't consider classroom nuances to
know whether to rely on traditional teaching
methods or go high tech — but teachers can.
So teachers must be trained in the comput-
er's multifaceted uses and must receive regular
refresher training. By doing so, they can master
the technology, and harness what it can do
that a chalkboard can't.
Without teacher training that's timely and
IN FOCUS
coordinated, computers could quickly become
expensive paperweights in Hebrew school
classrooms.
That serves no one's best interests.
Computers seem to be holding the atten-
tion of children — for now. We can't always
count on that, however. As kids become cyber
savvy at younger ages, and as the world of
bytes pervades more of everyday life, comput-
ers will lose some of their sheen.
So instead of computers being the draw, the
programs and Web sites they link us to must
be interesting, informative and interactive.
Without significant upgrades in Jewish soft-
ware and links, there's no rush for Hebrew
schools to buy fancier computers. Sticking to
proven teaching tools is wiser.
At the same time, bigger schools need to
commit themselves to sharing their cyber expe-
riences with less-affluent ones in the spirit of
cooperation.
Federation, via its Alliance for Jewish Edu-
cation and the Agency for Jewish Education, is
the right agency to spur such a sharing of
experiences.
It then could share what it has learned
about computer technology with the Jewish
Education Service of North America and other
Jewish communities, while seeking out what
they've learned. The Internet could facilitate
such a resourceful exchange.
As the heartbeat of our religion, Jewish edu-
cation clearly provides the sustenance that
binds us from generation to generation. Fl
Arafat's Fishing Trip
T
o our relief, the international com-
munity has weighed in resoundingly
against Yassir Arafat's plan to unilat-
erally declare Palestinian statehood
on May 4. It is clear that such a declaration,
two weeks before Israel's national elections,
would boost the political right wing and help
re-elect Binyamin Netanyahu. We do not
quibble with that outcome if it is the desire of
Israel's democratic process, but it is unlikely
what Arafat wants. Thus, Arafat, a sharp politi-
cal calculator, is doing more political saber rat-
ding than anything else.
But the Palestinian leader will want some-
thing in return for abandoning his announce-
ment. And so he comes to Washington, D.C.,
next Tuesday on a political fishing expedition.
Clearly, a unilateral Palestinian declaration
of statehood would be destructive to the peace
process, however stalled, however fragile.
Indeed, Israel has warned that such an initiative
could collapse negotiations and result in unilat-
eral annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Congress in recent days has
passed resolutions opposing such declarations
by the Palestinians and urging the Clinton
administration to state clearly its own opposi-
tion. U.S. officials repeatedly and publicly have
criticized Arafat's statehood threats.
Congress might also have strongly called on
both parties to uphold their responsibilities
and avoid any unilateral actions — without
the hairsplitting of spelling out what that
means. Dennis Ross, U.S. special Mideast
envoy, to Israel's consternation, called Jewish
settlement activity "very destructive to the pur-
suit of peace" because it "prejudges what ought
to be negotiated." He also called on both par-
ties to resume final status talks on an intensive
and accelerated basis."
We share his sense of urgency while remind-
ing the case for Palestinian violations of Oslo is
quite strong. But talks have slowly resumed on
several levels; that's where the focus should be.
Netanyahu can trumpet settlements and Arafat
can yell about hopes for a state. Both know
they would harm their people if, in the
absence of more progress in this complex and
emotional process, they forcefully acted on
such desires.
A Special Bond
More than 430 congregants, friends and relatives were on hand
March 13 to pay tribute to Cantor Samuel Greenbaum, right,
on his 25th anniversary with Congregation Beth Shalom. His
wife, Mona, is in the center. They're pictured with Rabbi David
and Alicia Nelson. Rabbi Nelson received a congregational trib-
ute in 1997 when he celebrated his 25th anniversary with the
Oak Park synagogue.
LETTERS
Workable Plan
For Sinai
rent and know that they can't
remain if they abuse the privi-
lege given them. If they have
children, they would have to
know that they must keep
them in control or they Will
not be allowed to stay.
Doctors and patients will miss
Sinai Hospital ("Goodbye
Sinai; Hello Sinai-Grace,"
March 5).
Here's an opportunity
to turn a sad situation
into a golden opportunity
to avoid another J.L.
Hudson demolition. Plan
to convert Sinai into a
place for the working
homeless and responsible
people who can't afford
the high cost of an apart- Sinai's West Outer Drive campus in
ment or home.
Detroit.
The state of Michigan
contributed $55 million
This is a positive approach
toward construction of a new
to something that will benefit
Tiger Stadium. Perhaps it can
the people and the city of
come up with a portion of the
Detroit.
money needed to bring this
Zelda and Milton Rose
about.
Farmington Hills
The occupants would pay
3/19
1999
Detroit Jewish News
27