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Image source: Yavneh.vic.edu.au.com
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Exposure to culture and traditions is important, especially in a child’s formative years. In a world marked by diversity, it is primarily the parents’ responsibility to inform their children about their heritage. In the Jewish tradition, history and people’s respective roles in the community are of high importance. Jewish day schools also uphold these while placing value on general secular education.
Schools serve as parents’ partners in raising children. During the formative years, children construct their worldviews and develop their socialization skills based on the examples of adults. Self-esteem and talents are also developed at this stage. In Jewish day schools, the study of the Torah, Tanakh, and Hebrew is an integral part of the curriculum, on top of the required general education subjects. As in other religious schools, the practice of one’s faith is encouraged and modeled by the teachers.
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Image source: Coag.gov.au
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The aim of Jewish education is excellence. This can only be achieved if the student has a firm grasp of his or her roots as a human being. Growing up Jewish means being a part of a rich history that has produced people who changed their generation. Above all, knowledge of the scripture opens up a student to invaluable wisdom that will shape decision-making.
Ronald Safdieh is the president of Dameron Fine Art in Lakewood, New Jersey, an all-boys school that offers academic programs in line with Jewish traditions. To know more about him, subscribe to this blog.
