Chidushim B’Chinuch—Insights into Education Fourteenth of an Ongoing Series When we speak about Jewish education, we most likely have in mind the Jewish day school. Especially here in Montreal, where Jewish schools have been strong, successful, popular and...
Schools and Rules
Chidushim B’Chinuch—Insights into EducationSecond of an ongoing seriesThere is an elite private school in New England that had a student handbook which, as of the last time I checked, contained only one rule. Pushing back on the endless injunctions that litter...A School as Sweet as Honey
Chidushim B’Chinuch—Insights into EducationFirst of an Ongoing SeriesI had the pleasure this summer of spending time with the first president of the Akiva School, Charles Solomon, and his wife Chana, in their apartment in Jerusalem. In addition to enjoying their warm...New beginnings…
Welcome back! We are so happy to see everyone return to school rested, revived and ready for a joyful and productive year of learning. A special welcome to all of our new Akiva families joining us this year; we are so happy to have you with us. This is a time of new...A Heart of Many Rooms
As the last day of school approaches, I want to thank the entire community for making my first year at Akiva such a wonderful experience. At Grade 6 Graduation last night I spoke of Rabbi Hartman’s book, A Heart of Many Rooms. Rabbi Hartman took the title of his book...
A Chance to Shine
The biblical era was a time of hierarchies. There was an aristocracy, and there were peasants; there were wealthy landed gentry and poor paupers; there were royals and commoners; there were priests and laymen. Movement between these classes was rare, and in some...Akiva Calendar
Rabbi Grossman’s Corner
The Limits and Loci of Jewish Education
A Double Mitzvah
Tu B’shevat is a time when modern Jews consider their responsibility towards the environment and God’s world, as I pointed out in my last column. Inspired by a number of Akiva students who have taken it upon themselves to spearhead grassroots environmental efforts at...
The Values of Education
Chidushim B’Chinuch—Insights into Education Thirteenth of an Ongoing Series This Monday was Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day or New Year of the Trees. In modern times, Tu B’Shevat has become a day of ecological awareness, the Jewish Earth Day. In Hebrew schools, Tu...
School and Society
Chidushim B’Chinuch—Insights into Education Twelfth of an Ongoing Series Last week we explored Plato’s proposal for compulsory education, the goal of which is to develop in the child a balanced soul that reaches its potential. Plato called this ideal the Virtuous...