Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on August 23, 2021

For those who wish to raise children in the Jewish faith, a Jewish education can be a great tool for learning about their heritage. Of course, it can be challenging to introduce it to young children is such a way that will keep them interested and engaged.

Rabbi Simcha Dessler, educational director of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland in Cleveland Heights; Rabbi Josh Foster of Bnai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike; and Karyn Hartstone, early childhood program director at Fuchs Mizrachi School in Beachwood, have their own ways of introducing children to Jewish studies.

Hebrew Academy of Cleveland serves children from early childhood through high school, from as young as 2 to 17 years old.

Children in the academys early childhood division are introduced to the beauty of our heritage through story, song and art, Dessler said. Even at the youngest of ages, the weekly parsha and Jewish holidays are a focal point in gifting children with an appreciation of their Jewish heritage. Reading books to the children, reciting nursery rhymes, modeling the use of language and experimenting with finger play all enhance and broaden language and vocabulary skills.

Hartstone said their youngest children engage in experiences that encourage making connections.

Their learning is done in hands-on centers that are developmentally appropriate, Hartstone said. So, we are looking to offer children opportunities to grow in physical, social, emotional and academic development. They learn Jewish things by doing Jewish things. We dont just talk about what were going to do on Shabbat at home. We actually do Shabbat in school. We sing songs, we pretend to light candles, we make Kiddush with them and we eat a special Shabbat snack.

Foster said Bnai Jeshuruns program is also about creating experiences, especially around the holidays. They have special programs for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and other holidays.

At Sukkot, for example, children are given an opportunity at dinner to shake the lulav and etrog, as well as learn the associated blessings.

Typically, well have a dinner in the Sukkah for families with young children, Foster said. Well also have some sort of activity, whether its making decorations to put in our Sukkah or building your own edible Sukkah. Something that will engage the students to learn a little more about the holidays.

Hartstone said Fuchs Mizrachi plans their curriculum according to the interests of their children, as well as according to the Jewish holiday and Torah story cycle.

Its an emergent curriculum that adjusts to the childrens understanding and interest, Hartstone said. If they are busy exploring the properties of water, and were teaching about the story of Noah and the ark, then we plan art activities and science experiences with that in mind. So we bring it to their level so they can make meaning with other experiences in their life. It makes sense to them because they know water, and now they can understand a little bit what a flood is because theyre actually playing with water.

Dessler said knowledge about the faith and culture fosters an appreciation of the Jewish heritage and the ability to transmit it from generation to generation.

Since the founding of Judaism, Jewish education has been uniquely positioned to train children, from youngest to oldest, Dessler said. And its values and curriculum can be imbibed by all Jews at all ages. Judaism, accessible to all, has something rewarding and life altering for everyone. Since the establishment of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland in 1943, day school education has gained significant traction in the broadest spectrum of Judaism and generations of children have been and continue to be the beneficiaries of the gift of Jewish education.

Excerpt from:

Introducing children to Jewish education early pays off - Cleveland Jewish News

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