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From the Education Corner
I write this in the days leading up to Shavuot, and I am reminded of the famous midrash associated with holiday. The Sages recount the story: the night before the Jews received the Torah, we were so excited that we fell into a deep sleep. In fact, the Jews slept so soundly that poor Moses had to WAKE US UP.
To make up for this “oops,” it has become our custom on Shavuot to stay up until the wee hours of the night studying Torah and noshing on various dairy delights. We are atoning, in a sense, for our sleepiness by demonstrating our alertness, our readiness, our willingness to immerse ourselves in Torah.
And so we too, here in the Hebrew School, find ourselves at a time where it could be very easy to take a little siesta. After a year of jam packed, sensory infused, engaging learning, we find ourselves at a time where it would feel REALLY good to put up our feet and relax. Indeed, our kids and our families deserve a little break from the schlepping back and forth and the early morning Sundays.
Yet, I am going to challenge you to take a cue from our Shavuot custom of wakefulness. This summer, make the commitment to join us: we have monthly Family Services and our regular Shabbat services. Come to our Family Shabbat Potlucks; we are meeting at different Hebrew School family homes each month to celebrate Shabbat and reconnect. Come to Silver Lake, light Shabbat candles, bake challah, read a PJ library book, peruse the weekly parsha, peek at the Hebrew websites I shared, join Rabbi Haigh at Torah learning. Whatever path you decide to take this summer, find one that fuels you with the desire to stay awake and dance by the fire at the bottom of Sinai, yearning for Moses’ return.
As always at Shir Shalom, we encourage you to wear your jammies, eat the ice cream, and stay and learn and laugh with us. We can’t wait to see this summer.
L’shalom,
Leah Gawel
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