JEWISH
JOURNEY
,
Second in a year-long series exploring Jewish Family Education and the ways in which your family can experience Judaism together.
"And you shall teach them to your children." -Deuteronomy 6:7
STOPS ALONG THE WAY:
The "them" that this quote is referring to is the words of the Sh'ema—the
is that? An entire month dedicated to encourag-
November is National Reading Month. How cool
guiding principle of our faith. However, this directive is also known to substan-
ing an activity that is not only educational and
tiate the Jewish precept of learning. And as we know in modernity, as our
fun. Check out your local library to see what
ancestors knew in antiquity, that learning is grounded in literacy. Reading, and
teaching your children to read, can in fact, be a very Jewish behavior.
types of program and activities are happening in
your neighborhood to celebrate the good book.
November is also National Jewish Book Month!
Stop by the JCC's 49th Annual Jewish Book Fair
FUEL TANK:
(running November 4th-12th) to add to your family's Jewish library.
While schools and educators are often the
greatest resources for teaching children to
Many familes also participate in the community-wide JEFF Sefer Safari
read, the best role models children have
program—a family Jewish book club designed to bring families together to
is their family. Make your home literacy
read. Grab a book and join the journey!
friendly—for the development of both
English and Hebrew reading skills. Now
more than ever, there are resources available to bring the classroom home in
ROADBLOCKS:
an entertaining and non-threatening fashion. Stock up on the following:
My family prefers other sources of intellectual stimulation (the internet,
videos, etc.).
• Hebrew and English vocabulary computer programs.
• Letters of the alphabet as refrigerator magnets.
We are very lucky. We live in a multi-media age. We can access information
from the four corners of the Earth with the click of a button. However, the
benefits of reading are unparalleled. Reading provides an opportunity to
• Children's Bible stories.
transform oneself—to imagine a life full of fantasy and wonder.
REST STOPS:
How can I help my child learn to read Hebrew if I cannot read it myself?
While reading is an inherently relaxing hobby, not
Learn together! That is one of the beauties of Jewish family education—the
every family has the opportunity to spend a signifi-
cant amount of structured time reading together.
acknowledgment that each member of the family can learn and teach one
another. Your children will gain a new respect for you when you allow them
However, there are a few ways that your family can
to view them you as a life-long learner and their partner in education.
use the time that already exists in its in schedule to
create a culture dedicated to reading.
• Listen to books on tape in the car—while they may not be the same as
My kid can't sit still to hear the end of the story.
Do your best to include your children in the
reading, they do demonstrate for children the multitude of ways that stories
can affect their lives.
process. Make reading something that you do WITH
• Keep a chapter book in your purse or briefcase. Every time your family is
waiting in line somewhere, pull out the book and read a few pages.
• Encourage your children to keep a journal (either by drawing pictures
or writing). This allows them to view writing and reading as creative ways to
express themselves.
them, not something that you do FOR them. By
alternating the reader, utilizing different voices, or
including props, story time becomes an engaging
and participatory experience.
"Only learning that is enjoyed will be learned well." -Rabbi Judah Ha-Nasi
Written by Amy Wagner
6735 Telegraph Road, P.O. Box 2031
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-2031
Phone (248) 645-7860 • FAX (248) 645-7867
e-mail: jeff©ajedetroit.org • www.ajedetroit.org/jeff.htm
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