Last week I was figuring out a way to teach about the value of Shalom Bayit (Family Haromony–Peace in the Home) to a class of eighth graders. I could just imagine the yawns. Deservedly so. What’s to argue about here? Would anyone in the class disagree with the concept? Where can you go with that concept that will [...]. Read More »

I’m so lucky. We Jewish educatiors trudge uphill a lot of the time, just to keep pace. Yet, every week I get inspired from the Jewish teens I work with. Last week I asked a group of 10th and 11th graders how they would reinvent the synagogue: “Your goal is to insure that people will be active, engaged, and interested. [...]. Read More »

Jewish communal organizations have been in consumer mode for some time. As individuals progressively decrease their involvement in traditional Jewish organizations (synagogues, Jewish Federation, volunteer groups) programmatic initiatives proportionately increase in an attempt to figure out just the right mix to draw people in. Read More »

Picture this: a class of freshly minted teenagers, not even a year after becoming b’nei mitzvah, who attend an optional Jewish education program. Ostensibly they come from homes where the parent/s place an importance on Jewish values. Yet, despite that, they seem to have internalized society’s penchant for abdicating personal responsiblity. Read More »

Imagine that you’re on a boat in the middle of the ocean in a thunderous storm. Waves are coming fast and furiously. Water is splashing inside and out, and luckily you’re still afloat. There is no fast escape. How do you survive? What is the best strategy? Just hold on–and be as steadfast as you can. You’re experiencing what it’s like [...]. Read More »

The world-wide web (wow, I actually enjoy writing those words as it makes me focus on this mini miracle machine that allows me to enter that world through this blog) was once a static platform. Interactivity was minimal. Now, web 2. Read More »

Image by Ko: (char *)hook via Flickr Let’s play a game. Read the quote below and try to guess who said it. Ready? No peeking. “…..we are not preparing today’s teens and young adults for the kinds of pressures they actually face.” Okay, to make sure you’re testing yourself honestly write your responses, and then share it with me here. Read More »

Image via Wikipedia With a nod to the TV show, I recently encountered a unique version of the restless young; amazing and energetic young adults staffing or attending an International Youth Convention. They are eager to change things up in the world of Judaism. Read More »

You gotta read it to believe it. The following is an actual dialogue (with a name change) I had a few days ago with a student, now a junior, who left our Jewish educational program after 10th grade. I was happy to run into him at a youth convention: Hi, Adam, how are you, how have you been? Hi. I’m good. Read More »

Image via Wikipedia Did this headline grab you? You’re not unique. It’s what seems to work for newspapers and television. This is what I read in the New York Times  this morning:  ”Raising a Teenager? What’s Not to Hate?” Not exactly what I like to read with my morning coffee, and I found the wording pretty distasteful. Read More »

   We need to define Judaism more broadly.   The Jewish teens I work with in a Jewish community high school are looking for more ways to connect with Judaism other than the synagogue/religious experience.  The most lush and plush indoor spaces don’t help them feel more connected.  Many don’t get ‘prayer’ or the focus on a ‘higher being’. Read More »

  KJeanPhotography. Use does not imply endorsement I’d like to add my weekly experience with a class of 8th graders to the doom and gloom I’ve read about lately regarding the current state of Religion in America (specifically those concerning Jewish youth). Read More »

Image via Wikipedia My blog posts rarely ever make the ideal 250 word count mark. I read somewhere that the perfect blog contains just that amount for readability and the average attention span.  I try, really I do, but my posts seem to hover around 320 words no matter how I shave and trim. Read More »

This is the e-mail I received today:   Hi Ruth!  How are you? I hope all is well! As my mom told you, I am now teaching at a local synagogue near my college. I am enjoying it a lot so far, but I’m having trouble coming up with new and creative lesson plans apart from the teacher’s guide. Read More »

There’s a little game I play every so often with web tools. It’s called:  ’Search for “Jewish teens” to see how far they’re off the radar’.  I’ve gotten used to seeing the rueful results (trust me on this one, it’s pretty pitiful when  my blog shows up in e-mails from ’Google Alerts ‘. Read More »

You wouldn’t think it would be so hard to market a product that has intrinsic long-term value, is priced well, offers tremendous flexibility, is an intellectual challenge, offers social experiences and networking opportunities, and even looks good for college.  You’d be wrong. Welcome to my world where marketing is a struggle. Read More »

A tightly knit collaborative circle. Image by matley0 I’m by nature an optimistic  person (I’m a Jewish educator, after all). But, there’s no doubt that when I consider the topics I’ve written about, the word “kevtch” comes to mind. Read More »

Image via Wikipedia Some parents are guilty of treating Jewish education like a side dish, something that will never star as the main course and won’t be terribly missed if not around either. Read More »

Image via Wikipedia I kid you not.  The headline is exactly what the large billboard sign posted on the edge of the synagogue’s property said, proclaiming that I can now believe in a building.  If I hadn’t been driving, I would have taken a picture. Read More »

 What are the obligations of a Jewish supplementary high school in raising the ethical level of its students? How do we hold our students to a higher standard while trying to explain all the cheating going on by education professionals? How do we Read More »