Education Director – End of School Year Message

Over the past few weeks I had the opportunity to visit every class and participate in some sessions. I found that our students have learned a lot and have gained much knowledge in every aspect of their respective curriculums. The third graders shared information with me about all of the places throughout Israel that they learned about. The sixth graders read Torah trop and expanded my understanding regarding the triennial Torah reading. Our first graders presented their knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet, and the fifth graders amazed me with a fascinating discussion about Joseph’s adventures in Egypt.

Our major goal is to create and fortify our students’ Jewish identity. This year we accomplished our goal by providing our students not only with the knowledge, but also with the tools and the skills to experience Judaism. We taught them Hebrew and then practiced it during t’fillah; we educated them about Jewish values and ethics and then assisted them to fulfill mitzvoth. “The world is sustained by three things: Torah, the service of God and acts of loving-kindness” (Pirkei Avot). Our educational program is based on this sage’s wisdom. Our students learned much about Jewish values, traditions and heritage, but our task as Jewish educators was also to provide them with the tools to practice and act as Jews. By celebrating holidays, doing mitzvoth, and participating in the school’s weekly t’fillah, we implemented all that was learned in class. This year, your children demonstrated that in addition to learning, they can also express their Jewishness through action.

I would like to conclude the school year by expressing my profound appreciation to all of the parents who volunteered and supported the school. Your devotion and contribution to the educational programs at Temple Beth El helped us in our endeavor to make this year a great success. Our school is blessed with a dedicated faculty and administrative staff that contribute much to its prosperity.

Have a wonderful summer and see you next year.

Eran Vaisben