A Message from Rabbi Maurice (June, 2006)

This June marks the end of my third school year as Head of School at Talmud Torah, and it’s been a year of great learning and growing for me. I’d like to share with you some of what we're accomplishing in Jewish youth education, since all of us support the school and share in the responsibility of raising the next generation of Jews in our community.

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Many Hands, Hearts and Minds Drive Talmud Torah

My sense is that our school has improved steadily in each of the last three years, and there is a lot of credit to go around. First and foremost, our Talmud Torah Principal, Yedida Bessemer, has done a remarkable job running the school. She brings energy, vision, and a constant interest in learning more within the field. Our teachers and tutors also deserve accolades for their creativity, their commitment, and their dedication. I specifically want to single out Joel Bloom, our wonderful music specialist, and Rachel Rothstein, our Administrative Assistant and one of our teachers. Both are moving from Eugene and we will miss them dearly.

Thank you also to our tireless Talmud Torah Committee chair, Deb Weinman, and our dedicated committee members. Let me also thank Rabbi Yitzhak, who meets with our b'nai mitzvah students and families individually, and who offers perspective and wisdom to me when I face confusing questions. TBI’s Administrative staff also helps make Talmud Torah run - answering questions, processing payments, publicizing our activities, and coordinating the physical plant. Finally, I especially want to thank our parents, who often juggle crazy schedules, and who took on a tuition increase this year. Talmud Torah works because many hands, hearts, and minds play a part.

Let me say a little about what I've learned this past year in my own teaching roles. Last summer, in response to a desire I heard expressed by some parents that I be more personally engaged with the students of all age levels, I shifted my priorities and planned for an ambitious increase in my direct participation with our students. In addition to teaching 7th grade and working one-on-one with our b’nai mitzvah students, I decided to teach a 6th grade class, and I also taught a tefilah (prayer) unit to the younger students during Sunday morning music time. Part of me was worried that I was taking on too much for one year, but as I planned my lessons over the summer, I found myself feeling excited. As it has turned out, I was able to manage the increased teaching load, and my more direct involvement with kids in the younger grades has given me a better feel for the workings of the school. Periodic teaching with our Shalhevet high school students has given me a better sense of what those students are looking for in their involvement with Jewish life.

With valuable input from Yedida, I've been learning how to create integrated lesson plans for multiple learning styles in the classes I teach. This has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this past year. For example, we wanted our 6th graders to start learning how to chant trope (the cantillation system used for chanting Torah). We also wanted to improve their basic knowledge of what’s in the Torah. Keeping multiple learning styles in mind, I combined these learning objectives in a class entitled, "Exploring Torah through Trope." Students use games and humor to learn how to chant the trope signs, and then perform skits that present basic information about the contents of each book of the Torah. We use drawing and art to reinforce the story lines and contents of the books of the Torah, and students ultimately get the chance to chant a verse from each book of the Torah. This class has been more fun than I ever expected for me and for the students. There is so much more to share but for brevity's sake I'll end here. I hope that this brief glimpse of some of what we're doing at Talmud Torah offers you a bit of the excitement that those of us responsible for running the school are feeling about the program. There’s plenty of room for improvement, of course, and we look forward to taking the next steps with your support.

Blessings for a wonderful summer!
Rabbi Maurice