Education at Shir Tikvah
Rabbi Melissa Simon describes the essence of Jewish education.
“Ultimately, the greatest gift we can give to our young people is teaching them the story of Hillel who has someone come to him and ask him to teach all of Judiasm while standing on one foot. And what [Hillel said] was 'what is hateful to you, do not do to another, the rest is commentary.' And I think that at the end of the day that's what were trying to teach our young people and our adults. Don't do what is hateful to you, just treat other people with kindness."
According to Director of Lifelong Learning Melissa Simon, “synagogues are all about the education, and the work of rabbis is the work of education.” At Shir Tikvah this education can be seen in many different ways including religious and Hebrew school, adult education programs and Torah study, retreats, and other experiences, but the one that is most present is the religious that starts in pre-k and continues until 10th grade with confirmation and in the Hebrew school that students attend from third to seventh grade. 1
Shir Tikvah is not just educating the kids in Jewish knowledge, but is infusing values and Jewish life in ways that the kids all come out as menschs. —Jen Lewin
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Melissa Simon, interview by author, 10 25, 2013 ↩
Students attending Shir Tikvah’s religious school gather to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim.
The Jewish education program at Shir Tikvah is supplemental in that it's in addition to going to secular school. The program is designed to complement the values being taught in a child’s home. In classes, children are taught Hebrew, as well as prayers and other aspects of the religious tradition. Intention is a theme that is carried out into the educational experience, as it is not just the words of the prayers that are taught, but it is also the meaning of the prayers and why they are said. The goal of this program is to help those enrolled not only see the words and understand them, but to help them make a connection to the living values, many of which are present at Shir Tikvah.2 Shir Tikvah member Jen Lewin added that, “Shir Tikvah is not just educating the kids in Jewish knowledge, but is infusing values and Jewish life in ways that the kids all come out as menschs [a person having integrity and honor]. Shir Tikvah’s educational program meets kids where they are and helps them find opportunities that are meaningful to them in order that they enjoy and gain from their experiences."3
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Melissa Simon, interview by author, 10 25, 2013 ↩
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Jen Lewin, interview by author, 11 13, 2013 ↩
Shir Tikvah celebrates with congregants who completed the adult Bnai Mitzvah class.
This schooling does much more for the kids at Shir Tikvah than help them learn, it provides them with a community and a communal setting, which to some is more important than anything that can be learned religiously.4 This community is one where kids feel safe and accepted, where their voices are heard, and one where they can ask questions about their relationships with Judaism and with God.5
This education is not only for children however, as Torah study is an important part of the community and the communities vision for everyone. There are conversion classes for those interested in becoming Jewish, something that many chose to benefit from. Additionally, there are Hebrew classes offered, Torah study groups, and adult Bnai Mitzvah classes, as well as many other options. In these classes, the diverse community of Shir Tikvah engages with each other and with the staff with the hope of furthering their education and continuing to understand all that Shir Tikvah puts before them.
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Robin Doroshow, interview by author, 11 6, 2013 ↩
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Ray Levi, interview by author, 11 13, 2013 ↩
Ray Levi discusses why Shir Tikvah is a safe space for discussing Judaism and differences in the community.
“I do think that one of the things that a kid feels is that voices are heard. I think that [at] Shir Tikvah there is a strong community that's built among the kids and it's a very safe place. It's a safe place for asking all kinds of questions about Judaism and about your relationship with God and not being told this is what you have to think. I also think it's a very safe place to honor diversity. 'I'm a Jewish kid of color...' 'I've been adopted by...' It doesn't matter. There will be other people like me. There will be other people who have gay parents, trans parents. And we can talk about it. We'll see role models here. We won't feel alone. I think it's a place where [not only] are kids voices heard but they are respected for what they bring.”
