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26 HASHALOM August
2016
August 2016
HASHALOM
27
O
n Friday the 27th of May the girls of Akiva College and
their mothers joined a Challah bake hosted by the Union of
Jewish Women together with the Umhlanga Jewish Centre.
The Challah bake, led by the very dynamic Robyn Smookler from
Johannesburg, gave all of those who attended not only the tools in
order to make yummy challah, but also the spiritual meaning behind
all ingredients. A huge thank you to everyone who organised this
amazing function for all of us at Akiva College.
Just before the end of the 2nd term, the students of Akiva College
were treated to a very informative show about reptiles by Educate
and Fascinate Reptiles. The students learnt all about what makes
reptiles unique. They then got the opportunity to meet a wide range
of reptiles including different types of snakes, a red eared slider,
lizards and an iguana.
The PTA ran a competition between the classes to see which grade
could sell the most raffle tickets. The Grade 2 class won, and as
a reward got spend a morning during the last week of term at Mr
Funtubbles. Much fun was had by everyone, including the teachers!
Well done to the Grade 2 class.
Mrs Feigenbaum recently gave the following talk about Jewish
education at the Izinga Shavuot dinner:
At some point in my primary school career, at King David Sandton
in Johannesburg, I was chosen to play the part of Ruth in the school
Shavuot play. The reasons I remember the production so clearly
are not because of the sterling quality of the teaching, but rather
because I got to wear a white sheet draped over my shoulders and
a green garland in my hair. Add to that that my second name is
that of the character I was portraying and I was the happiest little
Moabite in town.
The point is, I remember the story. Using my own childhood
associations to make the content real for me, I engaged with the
material and learnt not only the historical facts of the text, but the
concepts of self-sacrifice; the importance of family; unquestioning
loyalty and complete faith in Hashem.
Providing our children with a Jewish education is a privilege. It is a
privilege to teach and a gift to be accepted. Walking in the path of
the Torah is to embrace a world of values, moral boundaries and
an immense sense of belonging. Children thrive on structure and
routine. Their young personalities depend on the firm boundaries
we provide in order for them to be able to attain a fair sense of
who they are and the expectations that are made of them. Many
Jewish practices allow children to embody a sense of commitment
and self-discipline – just understanding a kosher kitchen requires
an undergraduate degree in statistics!
By embracing an ethos of ‘do as I do’, Jewish educators become a
living example of Torah values and the midos we teach. The safe
bubble a Jewish school creates, provides a protected environment
in which young minds develop and healthy attitudes are established
while students are able to comfortably explore and question their
world. This foundation better prepares individuals to tackle a vast
and scary world.
Education has undergone a dramatic and somewhat frightening
change over the past few decades. When I matriculated all I needed
to be accepted to a tertiary institution was a minimal amount of
points which constituted what was termed, ‘a university pass.’
Much to my parent’s chagrin – that’s exactly what I did! There were
far too many fun distractions for me to warrant putting my studies
first! Fortunately, I did ok, so your children’s futures are, hopefully,
not at risk!
But today’s academic world is much more complicated. We, as
educators need to provide our learners with a much higher standard
of education. To be accepted for an academic degree in South
Africa, and in most countries in fact, applicants have to obtain the
highest results before a university will consider their application.
The holistic approach of learning provided by a Jewish education
ensures that students are not only equipped with an academic
education, but are constantly being educated. They are taught to
think, debate, integrate and engage.
Assimilation is rife in our community. Teaching children, from a
young age to value their heritage, to appreciate the insight and
laws we have been handed and to be proud of being Jewish can
only assist in combatting this very real threat.
Zionism is an integral part of Jewish Education. A love of, and belief
in, the state of Israel is primary.
A number of years ago, at an assembly at King David Linksfield
High, a representative from an organisation known as, ‘Soldiers
That Speak’ addressed the school. He gave an insightful and
inspirational account of the strength and relevance of Israel and her
defence force. In closing he asked us, his audience of approximately
900, to stand up if they believed in the state of Israel. What created
such an impact, was not the 99% of people who stood, but the 1%
of the student and staff body that remained seated. The enormous
rift that this caused amongst staff and students alike, highlighted
how central and necessary Zionism is to Jewish Education.
There is a gorgeous cartoon with a picture of an enormousAmerican
aeroplane being followed by a tiny Israeli fighter- Jet. The caption
reads, “Don’t worry America, Israel is behind you!”
In his book,
The Garden of Education
, Rabbi Shalom Arush writes,
“For Educators Everywhere,
To you, the teacher, educator, principal and advisor – everyone who
is involved with educating children: How fortunate it is that Hashem
chose you to be the shepherds of His holy flocks, his children. Just
as He chose Moses to be the faithful shepherd of His nation, Israel,
so has Hashem chosen each and every one of you to be the faithful
shepherd of His flock.”
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Jessica Stout