Page 49 - HaMizrachi #28 Pesach USA 2021

VeHigadeta LeVincha

EDUCATION IN 2021

ne of the main mitzvot of Pesach is to teach our children, to pass on our tradition to the next generation.
Throughout history, parents and teachers have struggled with the challenges of education and parenting of
Otheir times. Our generation, more than ever, is in need of guidance and clarity in this realm.
HaMizrachi brings some of the top educators and leading experts in education together for a discussion on some
of the most pressing contemporary educational questions: dealing with the challenges brought on by Corona and
helping our children navigate our growing world of technology and social media.

RABBI EFREM RABBI DR. YONAH RABBI DANIEL RABBI CHAGAI MRS. AVIGAIL
Goldberg Goodman Kaplan Londin Wonder

Now that we’re nearing the end of is not a sharp swing between euphoria home, far from sight, and for some, with
this pandemic, B’Ezrat Hashem, we and despair, but a smooth glide between the camera turned off, things fell apart.
wanted to know: What are some of the waves of life which naturally include We learned that we need to invest much
the things we’ve learned in terms of ups and downs. The Talmud describes more in cultivating children who are
education? What are some messages how Rabbi Akiva survived a shipwreck: thirsty to learn, who feel responsibility
we can take with us?
‘I held on to a board, and every wave toward their own learning, and who
“The challenge of Corona that came over me, I bowed my head know how to do so of their own volition.”
has been an incredible under.’ For every wave that comes our But, he adds, Corona has also taught us
opportunity to teach way, we must hold onto a ‘board’ – the
our children spiritual Torah, and ‘bow our heads’ – to ride the to appreciate that “we have incredible
strength. To teach waves. This is what we must teach our teachers, who dedicate themselves com-
them how to deal children.” pletely from a deep responsibility to the
with a long-lasting crisis,” says Rabbi education of our children.”
Chagai Londin, a prominent Israeli According to Rabbi Dr. Yonah Good- Rabbi Daniel Kaplan, an experienced
educator. “We had to learn how to live man, another Israeli expert in education, educator and Torah programs director
with Corona for an extended amount Corona has taught us that education at World Bnei Akiva, builds upon Rabbi
of time, just as we need to learn how cannot rely solely on teachers: “Just Goodman’s words: “Education should
to move forward in life with our yetzer because a teacher teaches wonderfully ideally come from the home: ם ָּ תְנַּנׁ ִ ש ְ ו
hara and other weaknesses. This kind doesn’t mean the students learn won- ךיֶנ ָ ב ְ ל, you shall teach your children. For
ָ
of mental attitude that allows us to cope derfully. In too many places, the respon- so many years we’ve outsourced this to
with regressions (which are probably sibility of learning was mainly on the
to be expected in the coming months) teachers. The moment the children were Continued on page 50

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