Vayechi
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In this week's parsha, Vayechi, Yaakov blesses his sons, each according to his character traits. Each of them is blessed differently, of course, which presents the possibility of jealousy or at a minimum disharmony. One son could easily resent another son for having a different blessing, perhaps one deemed "superior" in some way. The commentaries, however, note that this did not occur. Instead, each was like a spoke of a wheel, pointed in a different direction from the others, but working toward a common purpose.
At schools, I used to think that the ideal would be all teachers completely aligned, teaching students in exactly the same way. However, I've come to believe that there is value to different types of teachers--a Judaics teacher who stresses the intellect, a Judaics teacher who focuses on the indomitable Jewish spirit, a general studies teacher who is willing to compromise with students, and a general studies teacher with high, unchanging expectations. All of these teachers have one goal in mind--to propel the students to success--and each of the teachers is essential to the wheel of education rolling forward.
This Shabbat, please keep Rabbi Estreicher -- Yeshiva Atlanta's teacher of the indomitable Jewish spirit -- in your prayers for a speedy recovery, Rabbi Estreicher's Hebrew name is Daniel Binyamin ben Esther Gitel.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
Please plan to come to Yeshiva Atlanta on Wednesday, January 11, from 7:30–8:30 pm, for a discussion of parenting and technology. We’ll look at Facebook and discuss such questions as “should you be friends with your child on Facebook?” We’ll also spend some time looking at Twitter. Please plan to attend if you have a child in middle school, high school, or even in college!
Our next Lunch and Learn will be on Monday, January 9, at Yeshiva Atlanta from noon until 1 pm in the media center. Please come learn with us!
In this week's parsha, Vayechi, Yaakov blesses his sons, each according to his character traits. Each of them is blessed differently, of course, which presents the possibility of jealousy or at a minimum disharmony. One son could easily resent another son for having a different blessing, perhaps one deemed "superior" in some way. The commentaries, however, note that this did not occur. Instead, each was like a spoke of a wheel, pointed in a different direction from the others, but working toward a common purpose.
At schools, I used to think that the ideal would be all teachers completely aligned, teaching students in exactly the same way. However, I've come to believe that there is value to different types of teachers--a Judaics teacher who stresses the intellect, a Judaics teacher who focuses on the indomitable Jewish spirit, a general studies teacher who is willing to compromise with students, and a general studies teacher with high, unchanging expectations. All of these teachers have one goal in mind--to propel the students to success--and each of the teachers is essential to the wheel of education rolling forward.
This Shabbat, please keep Rabbi Estreicher -- Yeshiva Atlanta's teacher of the indomitable Jewish spirit -- in your prayers for a speedy recovery, Rabbi Estreicher's Hebrew name is Daniel Binyamin ben Esther Gitel.
Shabbat Shalom--
Paul Oberman
Please plan to come to Yeshiva Atlanta on Wednesday, January 11, from 7:30–8:30 pm, for a discussion of parenting and technology. We’ll look at Facebook and discuss such questions as “should you be friends with your child on Facebook?” We’ll also spend some time looking at Twitter. Please plan to attend if you have a child in middle school, high school, or even in college!
Our next Lunch and Learn will be on Monday, January 9, at Yeshiva Atlanta from noon until 1 pm in the media center. Please come learn with us!
