In Judaism there is a value of “Kol yisrael arevim zeh lazeh” (All of Israel is responsible for one another.). “Kol yisrael arevim zeh lazeh”, means that we are responsible for our fellow Jewish person whether they sit in the desk across from us, or are halfway across the world in Israel. There are few places I have seen this played out as well as in BJEP.  “Kol yisrael arevim zeh lazeh”, is played out in my classroom each year, where I see students work together to support each other. It is played out between grades as my seventh graders mentor and work with first graders this year. It is played out in every family program and every community program put on by BJEP. Every week, every month, and every year it is played out by the hard working staff.

Over the last three years I have had the pleasure of working with amazing staff members and co-teachers. Every week their dedication to their students and their commitment to “Kol yisrael arevim zeh Lazeh” has been inspiring. I will miss working in and with this amazing community.

It really was a treat for me to be able to see the students’ Jewish education being put to use in a real, practical way. They have been learning about Passover and practicing their Seder songs since the beginning of the semester, and watching them and their families all singing the Four Questions together showed me just how successful this endeavor was. The kids not only enjoyed participating but also seemed to love the play that their BJEP teachers put on for them.

Another aspect of this Seder that was special for me was that it gave me a chance to collaborate with all the other teachers involved in the education of our third graders. This Seder really was a joint effort that only came together as successfully as it did because of the hard work of so many different people.

Now that our BJEP Seder is over, my hope is that it continues to inspire the students in their learning as it inspires me in my teaching. There isn’t always an obvious purpose for our Jewish studies like there was for this Seder, but the Seder reminds us that our traditions connect us to all our Jewish ancestors before us. I hope that our children will one day have the opportunity to lead their own Sedarim at which their children will ask the Four Questions, as so many generations of children have before them.

We learned the words of the prayers through games and interactive activities.  A class favorite was when we learned the words of the prayer Aleinu by playing “Lech Ladug,” a Hebrew version of “Go Fish” that I designed, in which we were practicing reading and pronouncing the words of the prayer while having fun.  From watching the students this past Friday night, you would have never guessed that they learned most of the prayers this year.  Their hard work and dedication has clearly paid off.  Coming together to lead this service was the prefect way for the fifth graders to show their family and friends what they have been working on all year at BJEP.

While we recited the Shehekhiayu blessing – a prayer that we say on joyous occasions – towards the end of the service, I looked up at the 5^th graders on the bima and was so proud of all that they have accomplished this year.  They far surpassed my expectations.  Fifth graders rock!  It was a great feeling to look up at their smiling faces and think to myself that I am helping to educate the next generation of the Jewish people.

It is great to be teaching at BJEP! I have been raised to understand that all types of Jewish education are important. Having Jewish educators for parents, I was exposed to this branch of Judaism very early in life. Growing up, when I wasn’t in religious school learning, I was helping out in any way possible. Last year, my senior year of high school, I was given the chance to work as a Teacher’s aide in a fourth grade class. In addition, this coming summer will be my sixteenth summer at Camp Ramah Darom, a conservative Jewish camp, and my second summer as a programming counselor. This camp has given me amazing opportunities and has taught me so much about who I want to be and my personal relationship with Judaism has grown because of it. Last September, being a new student to Brandeis and unaware of what this campus had to offer, I was battling with finding any job and finding a job that I would love to do. BJEP, however, soon found its way onto my lap and before I knew it, I was making lesson plans for my new class. I was very excited about working with third graders and teaching Hebrew. Truly, this experience has been rewarding and the students who I do get to work with are absolutely amazing and always make it fun.  I am also so pleased with how much the third graders have learned.  We can’t wait to share what they have learned at the upcoming Grade 3 Mock Seder.  I feel honored to be a part of this BJEP “team” and the larger team of Jewish educators. I look forward to spending the rest of my college career at BJEP and perhaps the rest of my life furthering and enhancing Jewish education.

Lucky for me, the main theme of 2nd grade at BJEP is Shabbat.  Though
this is my first year at Brandeis and at BJEP, teaching about
something I love every Sunday has, believe it or not, helped me deal
with my transition from a more spiritual to a more secular country and
environment.  I felt this last week, in particular, with the Taste of
Shabbat program.  The program consisted of arts and crafts related to
Shabbat, singing, and a mock Friday night seder, the ceremony done
before a festive dinner that consists of lighting candles and reciting
blessings over wine and bread.

The students first made paper flowers for bouquet centerpieces while
waiting for everyone to arrive.  Once we were ready to begin, Dena
gave a short introduction to the program and read “Baxter, the Pig Who
Wanted to be Kosher,” a book about a pig who wants to be kosher in
order to enjoy Shabbat, but eventually realizes that everyone can
participate, no matter what.  Next came the arts and crafts.  The
students braided the own Challah, decorated Challah covers, and made a
small booklet containing the prayers we say on Shabbat.  The Taste of
Shabbat program ended with the mock Shabbat seder.  Students and their
families listened to a short explanation of the symbolic ideas behind
each step of the seder.  Singing ensued as they lit Shabbat candles,
said Kiddush over the wine, and Hamotzi over the bread.

A wonderful time was had by all.  I love that I was a part of that,
and I hope all the participants got a taste of why I love Shabbat, and
have a chance to bring it into their homes many times in the future.

When I was going through my Bat-Mitzvah process, I learned that Rabbis and Cantors can have lives outside of the Jewish world, but most of the time their hobbies revolve the Jewish world because it is there that they feel most content and centered. It is no surprise, therefore, that I am very involved in a synagogue on Long Island, where I have built relationships and connections that I am very passionate about, ones that hopefully will last a lifetime. Outside of congregational life—and up here in Boston—I enjoy being active in Brandeis Hillel, spending time with my friends, studying Anthropology, and doing the usual pleasure-reading and exercising.

I am very much enjoying my work as BJEP’s Kindergarten teacher. I am able to work with young children on a close and personal level, introducing them to a faith that has given me my strength in times of celebration and in times of need. And this doesn’t have to be on such a divulging level; often, I try to get the children enthused with projects and events they themselves would find exhilarating and stimulating. This is something I share in common with the other teachers and the Director and Brandeis. That is why our latest event, PAJAMARAMA, was a huge success. It was an event that used fun, exciting, and creative ways to teach the children about Jewish values and ideas. It was amusing, pleasurable, and entertaining—And, it was great to see so many parents learning together with their children. I look forward to many, many more thrilling events like this one at BJEP. Thinking head, I am also looking forward to spending more time trying to inspire the same way I was, and still am, inspired.

It is so exciting to be writing this at the end of vacation when a new semester of BJEP is about to begin! Last semester ended on such a high note – I can’t wait to see what the next few months have in store. My name is Gabriella Feingold, I am a Sophomore at Brandeis.  I grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut (not too far away) and came to Brandeis after spending a gap year in the Old City in Jerusalem, Israel (very far away). I am currently working towards a Theater major and a Secondary education minor at Brandeis, which will combine to certify me to teach drama in middle school and high school. At BJEP I am the first grade teacher as well as the director of the after-school theater program.  Outside of BJEP, you can find me singing with my a cappella group or getting a cup of coffee with friends.

Our last BJEP session in December was a very exciting day for first grade: it was Consecration, when the first graders are recognized for beginning their Jewish education and taking pride in their Jewish identity. Family and friends, and ten first graders, made their way into the beautiful Berlin Chapel with great anticipation. Even the teachers – myself and Rena – and our TA, Jaclyn, were excited to see what Dena had in store for us. We were not disappointed. Dena told a wonderful story, complete with props, about a poor man with a tiny little Torah who is sailing to a big market city. He is taunted by the rich who tell him, “What do you possess that will make you rich once we get to the markets? You have nothing!” When they get to the market, the rich men sell all of their beautiful jewels and scarves and metals (which we got to hold during the story!) and the poor man has nothing to sell.  But he goes to a synagogue, and with that tiny little Torah, he befriends an entire community of Jews.  The rich men see that he possesses the most valuable item of them all.

The children were captivated (as were the adults, I might add). I saw a smile of comprehension creep onto each of their faces as they realized what this day meant. This was the day that they received the most valuable item – a promise of Jewish education and a community to go with it.  I swelled with pride as each of them shook my hand, Rena’s hand, and Dena’s hand as they received their beautifully adorned Certificates of Consecration. After the ceremony, complete with song and dance led by Jon, our music teacher, the first graders rushed onto the podium to peak into the Holy Ark. There was, indeed, a stunning set of Torahs inside. The children were satisfied – here is the Torah that we will receive. Their excitement was tangible. After such a special celebration, I can’t wait to embark on new adventures with these newest members of our nation!