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SALE
at

I

THE STUDIO

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SHOES
LEOTARDS
TIGHTS
UNITARDS

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WITH THIS AD

L Through October 2nd

855-0650

In Orchard Mall • Orchard Lake Rd. at Maple

Imagine...

a Sunday School your kids will really like!

Jewish Parents Institute

Providing an affordable Sunday School
experience for the past 50 years.

• Hands-on classes for nursery to grade 8

i)11

• Family holiday services and celebrations
• Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs
• Social activities for parents

For more information
call (248) 661-7637

Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit

D. ban and Betty Kahn Building
Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus

6600 West Maple Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322

• • O O OO O OO O OOOOOO O • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

9/15

2000

48

• www.detroitjewishnews.com

Passion And
Meaning

Diverse pieces, when combined, create the
environment for never-ending learning.

Q: What will it take to make
Jewish learning exciting, meaning-
fill and ongoing for all ages?

CINDY KANDEL

Special to the Jewish News

ir

first and foremost, I believe
we need passionate educa-
tors. Their goals should
include not only imparting
information to
their students, but
also sharing and
igniting the spark
of passion they
feel. Institutionally
and communally,
we bear responsi-
bility for cultivat-
ing these educators
who willingly give
of themselves.
We should
nourish teachers
with further educa-
tion, opportunities
to enrich, enlighten
and replenish their
souls as well as
demonstrate by
word and deed that
they are respected
and appreciated for
the effort and devotion they put
forth.
I am often bewildered by our
society. It embraces and elevates the
sports figure and the movie star to
Herculean hero status. Teachers
truly touch lives and play signifi-
cant, lasting roles in our children's
future. Yet, we view them as no
more than employees of the school.
They are not held in the high
esteem of the past, regardless that
their impact in shaping minds, val-
ues and attitude remains signifi-
cant.
As adults, as role models, we are
all educators. The phrase "Actions
speak louder than words" is Judaically
correct. Students are sent to Hebrew

and religious school to be taught
about their Judaism. If, when they
return home, it is a place absent of
Jewish practices and values, they will
be unable to learn by example from
their parents, the most influential
educators in their lives.
Reassessing the position Jewish
education holds, and reinforcing
what is being taught, are essential for
continuity. Our actions and words
need to be consis-
tent. A mixed
message is deliv-
ered in a "Do as I
say, not as I do"
world. Our obser-
vance of ritual,
continued Jewish
education and
community
involvement
demonstrate the
relevance of
Judaism to our
children and peers.
As role models
passing on the val-
ues and rituals
practiced for gen-
erations, we
become an integral
thread in the con-
tinuing fabric of
our people.
May we instill our educators with
passion for Judaism, zeal for teaching
and nourish their souls in the process.
May we be Divinely directed to ensure
that the precious traditions handed
down to us continue to go from gener-
ation to generation. May it be our
quest, as educators, parents and stu-
dents of all ages, to create an environ-
ment where ongoing, meaningful
Jewish learning lives, breathes and
grows.

❑

Cindy Kandel is a part-time bar/bat
mitzvah tutor at Temple Israel, a pro-
fessional volunteer at the temple and
co-chair of the West Bloomfield temple's
religious committee.

