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...
The sounds of Jewish music
The topic of this week’s Torah portion is the Tabernacle, the tent-shrine that served as the religious center of the Israelites throughout their wanderings in the desert and during their early years of settlement in the land of Canaan. In fact, the Tabernacle has...
Chag Purim Sameach – Message from the Head of School
There are four mitzvot, four commandments that we are required to perform on Purim: Listening to the reading of the Megillah, partaking of a festive meal, sending gifts of food to friends, and giving alms to the poor. Though these requirements seem unrelated, there...
The Dignity of Difference – Message from the Head of School
The story of how our world came to have numerous nations populating different lands is told in Genesis 11, the story of the Tower of Babel:Now the whole world had one language and a common speech [and lived in the same land]. People said to each other… “Come, let us...Chidon HaTanach
I have been waiting for this week since the first time I was introduced to the Akiva community. During the meet-and-greet when I first spoke at Akiva, I shared the following story:Growing up in Toronto, I did not have the privilege of going to a school like Akiva. ...
The Jewish History of Snow
Is there any greater gift a headmaster can give to his students than a Snow Day? Like all beloved presents, it combines anticipation, surprise, and fun. Moreover, unlike other gifts, it carries no expectation of reciprocity, so it can be enjoyed without guilt of...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...