Archive: March 2019

Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude of Gratitude

Shalom Chaverim,

Purim is just around the corner! Our 3-7th grade students are currently studying the core Jewish value of Hakarat Hatov, seeking joy and being grateful.

Hakarat Hatov is the quintessential Jewish value; as the name of Yehuda (Judah), is rooted in hodah – to give thanks.  It is the essence of a meaningful Jewish experience.  While one may have all the blessings of goodness (good health, wonderful family, and friends to name a few), without gratitude, one’s journey through life can’t capture the full meaning of appreciation. Giving thanks and finding ways to conveying gratitude is a profound key to happiness.

I am so grateful to be part of the transformation and growth of Jewish education here at ShalomLearning. We have the distinct joy of working on innovative projects, and kvelling over some recent successes. Working with Bible Raps, we are empowering our students to create their own original Jewish values rap songs at Temple Shalom in Succasunna, NJ, Temple Chaverim in Plainview, NY, and Main Line Reform Temple in Wynnewood, PA. We have plans to continue this program in the fall at other partner synagogues.  

We are also pumped from the success of our first virtual escape room game. I’d like to give a big shout out to Ben, our eight-year old winner, from California, who shares his experience in this interview with Heidi Lovitz, our Director of Educational Programming

To prepare for the fall, we’re currently putting the final touches on the new and updated curriculum. We’re also announcing the six locations for in-person summer training opportunities for our ShalomLearning educators. I look forward to seeing many of you at one of these sites or one of the training webinars.

May your hunger for Jewish Learning continue to grow, and my prayer for us all is to continue cultivating an attitude of gratitude- hakarat hatov!

Happy Purim!

Josh

Joshua Troderman

ShalomLearning CEO

What’s New at ShalomLearning?

What’s New at ShalomLearning?

At ShalomLearning, we’re always improving our offering.  Check out these latest updates to our program

All New K-2 Values-Based Curriculum

  • Explores 12 Jewish values through the senses, arts, and literature.
  • Stand-alone lesson plans for Jewish holidays.
  • Lessons plans include “Fun With Hebrew.” These activities introduce Hebrew letter sounds and words.

Updated 3-7 Values-Based Curriculum

  • Each lesson has a 45 minute or a 90 minute option
  • More hands-on in-class activities for greater student engagement
  • Options for 6th and 7th graders to integrate personal devices

Torah Aura Revisions

  • New in-class lesson plans and updated slides for more engaging learning
  • Additional Torah Service prayers and other tefillot
  • Updated online and at-home activities for better reinforcement of self-paced learning