teaching moments Archives - Values & Ethics

CONSTANTLY FEEDING OUR INTERNAL SPARK…

Posted by TTT | Apr 3, 2020 | blessings, communication, rituals, sharing, teaching moments |

TZAV — Jewish learning is a continuous process of discovering the richness and relevance of our tradition. Many people think learning can stop when school stops. Stopping Jewish studies after 13 is all too common. This week’s Torah portion, Tzav, instructs that a small fire must burn permanently on the Altar represent the desire within each of us to connect to something bigger and higher, just as a fire always reaches upwards. This small flame also reminds each of us that we have a spark to learn and improve within us. It is our responsibility to nurture our spark...

LEARNING FROM EVERYONE…

Posted by TTT | Feb 14, 2020 | communication, teaching moments |

YITRO — Intelligence may be in our genes, but wisdom is certainly not. A person becomes wise when he or she realizes that everything in his or her life is an opportunity to learn something. Everything that happens to us and everyone we know (yes, everyone) can teach us something. In our portion we find Moses listening carefully to, and implementing, the suggestion of Jethro. Moses was the greatest of all prophets. He communicated directly with G-d and was given the Torah. Not only was Jethro not a prophet, he was Moses’s father-in-law! Yet Moses had the humility and...

SIMCHAT TORAH—Opportunities for Joy

Posted by TTT | Oct 20, 2019 | blessings, gratitude, holidays, rituals, teaching moments |

SIMCHAT TORAH — Unbridled joy is the gift that children often experience as they go through their daily lives. They are capable of so much feeling, of happiness and sadness, and with such intensity. We celebrate with them when they are happy, and we are sad when they grieve. At times it’s important not to get too caught up with our children’s emotions and to maintain a calm front in the face of their ups and downs. At other times, it’s important to get right in there and rejoice or grieve right along with them. As a parent it...

SHAVUOT—Study for Its Own Sake

Posted by TTT | Sep 1, 2018 | holidays, teaching moments |

SHAVUOT — Parents naturally want their children to do well in school. We are concerned when they, for one reason or another, are not flourishing in school, and this gives us anxiety regarding their futures. We do all we can to address whatever problems or obstacles seem to be in their way. There are times when children feel a great deal of pressure from parents and teachers to do well in school and often this pressure can be counterproductive. The Jewish holiday of Shavuot sheds a different light on the meaning of study. This holiday, marking the receiving of the Torah by Moses on Mount Sinai, is...

Category: teaching moments

LEARNING FROM EVERYONE…

SIMCHAT TORAH—Opportunities for Joy

SHAVUOT—Study for Its Own Sake

Start with the Video

Free 2-Minute Discussion Starters

Testimonials

Rabbi Charles Savenor

Rabbi Steven Wernick

Glenna Lee

Discover More Discussion Starters in Our Book