By Jodi L. Shapiro (5-6-09)

Today is twenty-seven days, which is three weeks and six days of the Omer.

 

It is a tradition to count the days between Passover and Shavuot, as we mark our freedom from slavery and celebrate our freedom to accept Torah. This is called "counting the omer." This year we will observe the tradition of "counting the omer" by sharing stories about the many different ways that we have been turned on to Jewish learning, and through Jewish learning to Torah.

My parents ensured that my sister and I received a strong Jewish education. My dad would drop us off at school every morning and say (without fail), "Have a good day, girls. Remember-education is very important." We both went to Temple Emanuel from kindergarten through Confirmation.  After graduating from Temple Emanuel Day School in 8th grade, I became a madricha (teaching assistant) in the Religious School.  I remember arguing with my parents and resisting the idea of being at a school twice a week that I no longer attended. I definitely knew I did not want to be my mom's teaching assistant. So I was placed as an assistant in the art room. It wasn't the worst way to spend a Sunday morning or a Wednesday afternoon...
 
That was twelve years ago. Since that first Sunday morning I have assisted in many classrooms, and after high school became a staff member working on the Mitkadem Hebrew program, tutoring Hebrew, and currently teach fourth grade. A few sessions ago, one of the students in my class asked me, "Why are we here? Can't I just Google the information at home?" I found myself saying, "Because education, especially interactive education where you can ask me questions and we can have a conversation about the subject matter, is very important."  We then proceeded to work on a project where the students drew their own interpretations of the four sons for a Passover display. 
 
After class was over, I realized that my learning did not just take place within the walls of Temple Emanuel, but also within my parents' car on the way and  by their example. My parents were teaching me every single day about the importance of education. And, for that lesson, I am eternally grateful.
 
By Jodi L Shapiro
 

These stories are brought to you by the Temple Emanuel RE-IMAGINE project, an 18-month initiative sponsored by Hebrew Union College, devoted to re-thinking and re-structuring our religious school.