Do a Mitzvah — Honor a Teacher
April 18, 2008
Rabbi Elazar ben Shammua used to say: Let the honor of your student be as precious to you as your own; and the honor of your colleague as the respect due your teacher; and the respect towards your teacher as your reverence for God.
Mishnah 4:15
For the past few years, Mitzvah Day has been held on the last day of Religious School each spring—and indeed, that is what our Religious School calendar shows for this year, as well.
However, as many of our religious school families may know by now, plans have changed. The Religious School Committee has decided to move Mitzvah Day to the fall.
Why?
Many of you have come to me over the months and shared with me your desire to instill in your children the value of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world, which we accomplish through acts of service, tzedakah (sacred giving), andhesed (loving-kindness). These are foundational Jewish values. You are looking for opportunities to live out these values as a family, and we wish to instill them in our students over the course of the year—not just on the last day of school.
By moving Mitzvah Day to the fall, we hope to make it (1) an opportunity for families to learn about agencies and causes that can use your help year-round and (2) a kick-off to a year of Temple and Religious School programming—so we can build our Tikkun Olam muscles together.
So what’s happening on May 18th?
Fun: Student performances and presentations.
Food: We’ll share a celebratory nosh after the assembly.
Mitzvah: Besides fulfilling the commandment of honoring our teachers, madrikhim, and other members of the community who so richly deserve our honor for sharing with us and our children their generous gifts of dedication and talent, we will also hear inspiring presentations by our Temple teens about their works of Tikkun Olam out in the community. Plus, coming attractions for fall’s Mitzvah Day program. Want to help with the reception? Want to make a mitzvah presentation? Contact the Temple office. Whatever you do, join us on May 18th in celebrating another year of Jewish life and learning at Temple Emanu-El Religious School.
