teaching moments | Values & Ethics—Through a Jewish Lens

PARENTS ARE POWERFUL TEACHERS…

Posted by TTT | Jul 29, 2021 | communication, leadership, teaching moments |

EKEV — When we teach our children, we don’t only teach them with our words. We teach them with every act we do; in fact, we teach them with who we are at heart. If we go through life angry or resentful, our children will learn anger and resentment. If we go through life critical and judgmental, our children will learn criticism and judgment. Or, if we go through life with love and joy, our children will learn love and joy. In our Biblical portion it says that we should teach the words of the Torah “when you stay...

TEACHING ETHICS TO LAST A LIFETIME…

Posted by TTT | Jul 22, 2021 | communication, compassion, courage, teaching moments |

VA-ETCHANAN — Raising children is not only about teaching our children how to be successful in the future, going to the right schools and finding the right job. It’s also about teaching them ethics that will carry them through their lives. The ethics we teach to our children are meant to last a lifetime and, in fact, to outlive us. Moses is told in this Torah portion that he will not be able to enter the Promised Land. But he is to teach the people of Israel a body of ethics to serve them in their building of a...

CRITICISM: IT’S HARD TO HEAR AND HARD TO GIVE…

Posted by TTT | Jul 15, 2021 | communication, compassion, teaching moments |

DEVARIM — Criticism is hard to give and hard to hear. As parents it is a challenge to criticize our children in a way that isn’t too hurtful and doesn’t engender defensive feelings. Yet, it’s important to give constructive feedback to our children, as well as to hear feedback from those we love, if we are going to be effective parents. This week we begin the book of Devarim, the book of Deuteronomy. It is a long speech by Moses before the children of Israel enter the Promised Land, including a review of their history and of criticism for...

SIMCHAT TORAH—Opportunities for Joy

Posted by TTT | Oct 9, 2020 | 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 | May 29, 2020 | 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

PARENTS ARE POWERFUL TEACHERS…

TEACHING ETHICS TO LAST A LIFETIME…

CRITICISM: IT’S HARD TO HEAR AND HARD TO GIVE…

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