October 2007

Why do so many Jewish parents feel it is important that their children attend religious school and become Bar or Bat Mitzvah and continue through Confirmation?

Each family has its own reasons, but I think among the most basic are a desire to instill our children with a Jewish identity, and to teach them about Torah and Jewish values.  We are very proud of Congregation Chaverim’s youth education, for good reason:  both of those parental desires are well met at our school.  Our youth grow up with a strong sense of their Jewish identity, and they learn quite a lot about Judaism, Torah and the holidays.

Hopefully we can look back on our own early Jewish education with the same pleasure that I expect our kids will.  However as adults we realize that our early Jewish education by definition was limited--limited first because there is so much to know about Jewish ethics, history, texts, liturgy, music, etc.  And limited because as we age and our horizons expand, our desire to understand Judaism in our own lives and in the world also expands.

Therefore our tradition teaches that Jewish learning should be an ongoing part of our adult lives, just as we wish it to be a part of our children’s lives.

These reflections are prompted by the variety of adult learning opportunities available this month.  Two of them are part of the exciting year of programs that are beginning this fall at Chaverim.

Lifelong Learning for the Entire Congregation:  On the third Friday evening of each month we will have concurrent educational programs for our kids and for adults, followed by a brief service.  A vegetarian pot-luck before and an oneg afterwards will add a social touch to an evening of learning and prayer.  See the President’s column on page 3 for more information.

Torah Study:  I am beginning a monthly Torah Study on the first Shabbat morning of each month.  Torah Study is the one piece of Jewish life that has been missing for me since we moved to Tucson, so I am especially looking forward to teaching and learning Torah with you this year. 

Please contact Chaverim for more information about two other classes I am offering in Tucson this month.  Other synagogues in town also offer a variety of adult education classes.  Of course I hope you will study with us!  But more important than where you go to learn more, is that you go somewhere, do something, so that your Jewish life and your Jewish knowledge continue to expand.  As Hillel said, “The more Torah, the more life!”

L’Shalom,
Rabbi Helen