4

4'

Practical Application

Learning is usually most meaningful
when focused on relevant practical
matters or personal character and
spiritual development. There is a
beautiful equilibrium that can be
reached as one learns in order to act
in a more refined manner, and acts
in a more refined manner in order
to facilitate deeper learning experi-
ences. The practical dimension is
highlighted by the organization of
the mitzvot into three distinct cate-
gories:
• Between man and man; e.g., don't
steal
• Between man and the Creator; e.g.,
laws of Shabbat, kashrut (kosher) and
family purity
• Between man and himself; e.g.,
learning Torah, constant character
development.
Within each category can be found
a diverse group of subjects, some of
which apply to almost any situation
imaginable. Even a student who is
avowedly secular can find in Torah
study astonishingly developed systems
for presumably universal, and very
practical, concerns. These include the
care of lost property or the fair alloca-
tion of assets in bankruptcy or pro-
bate. By tapping into this enormous
reservoir of useful information, virtu-
ally every matter of personal concern
can be addressed through well-
focused learning.

Setting Examples

A remarkable aspect of learning the
Jewish laws is the premise in
Deuteronomy 6:7): "You shall teach
them diligently to your children and
discuss them when you sit in your
home, and while you walk along the
way, and at the time you retire as well
as when you arise." The implication is
that every individual should aim for
parenthood, that parents know
enough to teach the Torah diligently
to their children, and parents should
engage in this process much of the
time.
Yet many parents are hobbled in
this regard; the understanding they
acquired in youth was never
upgraded to meet their changing
needs as adults. While a child's
shoes are outgrown and replaced as
often as necessary, one's ideas about
religion, its history and obligations,
sometimes remain frozen in the
immature past.
By making the commitment to
regular daily study at set times, and

at an increasingly demanding level,
adults can both improve their own
knowledge and show their children
by example the importance of con-
tinued learning. Note that if the
parents are able to learn regularly
with their children, as the children's
needs grow, so does the demand for
the parents to keep up. Once on
track, this can be the project of a
lifetime, extending to grandchildren
as well. Age often draws wisdom in
its wake.
Holidays and other events that
bring the whole family together are
ideal opportunities for multigenera-
tional exchanges of knowledge and
experience. Ideally, the Shabbat table,
with well-thought-out and thorough-
ly discussed divrei Torah (lessons),
accompanied by delicious food and
delightful song, and followed by rest,
can be a weekly celebration of the
importance of the family learning
together.
Among the many venues for con-
tinuing adult education in our com-
munity, Ohr Somayach Detroit pre-
sents a steady series of highly
acclaimed and innovative programs
benefiting participants at all levels of
background and observance. Our
monthly lunch-and-learn sessions fea-
ture the outstanding talent of Ohr
Somayach's international network of
educational institutions.
Ohr Somayach's semi-annual
erusalem Vision" live, interactive
videoconference town meetings serve
to build bridges that connect hun-
dreds of participants in different
cities. Speaking face-to-face with
noted media, political, academic and
religious personalities to discuss
important topics facing our society,
these communities establish a rapport
with each other, creating the potential
for other types of cooperative activi-
ties.
Ohr Somayach's weekly and even
daily classes and tutorials are designed
to meet the individual needs of ambi-
tious adults. These programs attract a
diverse group of learners, who are
finding a common ground in Torah
study.
Invariably, there is a trickle-down
effect on the spouse and children of
regular participants, raising the pres-
tige of continuing education while
enhancing Jewish pride and identifi-
cation for the entire family.

Sunday
Schoo
•
-it the
Workmen's
Circle/Arbeter
Ring

1 A warm, homey place for
1 Jewish learning and living,
with a Secular Jewish approach.

The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter
Ring fosters Jewish identity and
participation in Jewish life,
through Jewish, especially Yiddish,
culture and education, friendship,
mutual aid, and the pursuit of
social and economic justice.

Making Kugel
Now taking enrollment applications. Call (248) 545-0985

Ask yourself THE FOUR QUESTIONS

•• •

• would you like a cultural Jewish connection?
• Are you looking for something different from what you
have seen before?
• Are you a family of diverse background?
• Are you a Workmen's Circle person without realizing it?

Are you ready to open a door to your Jewish heritage?
Our Workmen's Circle community can provide a key.

• Eight Year Sunday School Cuniculum • Individualized Bar/Bas Mitzvah
• Teen Group • Holiday Observances • A Kumzitz - The Shmooze Café,
Adult learning Series • Nokh Shabbes Potluck Dinners
• A Wan-n, Multi-generational Community • Leadership Opportunities

The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring

26341 Coolidge, Oak Park, MI 48237
Call to arrange your visit: (248)545-0985

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE

C

YOU DAY

SEPT. 23, 2000

9 a.m. to Noon
IET Building

During our campus open house, you can:

• learn about our graduate and
undergraduate programs

• tour our scenic campus and enjoy lunch
in a residence hall

• learn how to apply for financial aid
and university scholarships

• attend CMU's football game against
Boise State at 1 p.m.

❑

Reservations are not necessary.

Rabbi David Shapero of Southfield

is the executive director of Ohr
Somayach Detroit.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

UNIVERSITY

MOUNT PLEASANT

To learn how CMU is centered on your
success, contact us at:

888/292-5366 (toll free)
cmuadmit@cmich.edu
www.cmich.edu

CMU is an AA/EO institution (see www.cmich.edu/aaeo.html).

9/15
2000

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