Rabbi's Messages

An ancient Chinese proverb says, “Teachers open the door, but you must enter for yourself.”

This is not a Jewish saying, but it is a Jewish idea. Our tradition prizes learning and teaching perhaps above all else. We are taught in the Mishnah that a life of learning is of equal weight to all of the mitzvot put together. We even created a special honourific name for teachers – the word “Rabbi,” which literally means “The Great One” in Hebrew. (As if rabbis need any help singing their own praises…)

And like the Chinese proverb above, Judaism reminds us that learning is not the responsibility of the teacher but of the learner. Throughout our texts, we are exhorted to be lifelong learners of Torah. To be wrestlers with God and with tradition. To strive toward our best and most knowledgeable selves.

The Hebrew word for Scholar is Talmid Chacham which means, ironically, “Wise Student.” To be a teacher is to be a lifelong learner. To be a scholar is to know that there is much you do not know.

We Jews build our lives around this notion, and we have done so at Kol Ami as well. A few years ago, we revamped our Madrichim (Teacher Helper) program and combined it with our Confirmation (Post-B’nai Mitzvah learning) program. All of our student teachers - our teens who serve as helpers and role models for younger students – are learners in their own right. They spend time together on Shabbat mornings discussing Judaism from a teen perspective and delving into their own beliefs. By the same token, our Religious School teachers go through regular learning and enrichment sessions, led by Judy Silver who herself models the value of learning. This month, Judy will receive the Masters of Jewish Education toward which she has been working for 2 years. Mazal Tov Judy!!

This month we honour our teachers and our learners, particularly at two events: Teacher Appreciation Shabbat (May 12 at 6:30pm, as part of Rock Shabbat) is an opportunity to thank those who educate our young people. And our Confirmation service (May 30 at 7:30pm Shavuot services) is a chance to recognize the student learners who have committed themselves to Jewish learning all the way through Grade 10. I hope you will join us for both of these services.

Every Shabbat we recite the Learner’s Kaddish together: “For our teachers and their students, and the students of the students, we ask for peace and loving-kindness.” May we commit ourselves to be lifelong learners and teachers. And may our community always be one that puts this important Jewish value to action.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Micah Streiffer