The Journey of a Single Year that Endures a Lifetime (Re'eh 5774)

Today the journey of a new school year began at JCHS (Jewish Community High School of the Bay).  That journey is in harmony with the Torah portion this week about the road ahead.  In Re'eh we are taught: "See, I set before you today blessing and curse."  (Deut. 11:26)  In other words the full range of possibility lies ahead.  As illustrated by the story of Reb Mendel Futerfas below, when you have the vision to see the road ahead you know where to put your feet.  

The spirit of embarking on a journey animated our first day of school beginning with Tefillat Haderech (the “traveler’s prayer”) and its expression of hope for a safe, whole, and complete journey.  The journey of a single year that will endure for a lifetime.  

Think Critically, Act Constructively, Engage Creatively (Ekev 5774)

A friend recently called laughing about his most recent bout of "cyberchondria" -- internet-assisted hypochondria. The internet is such an engaging and seductive tool that it sometimes overrides our reason and judgment. Ironically when so many "facts" are available through Google, we can forget to think when using it.  

Yet thinking and learning at JCHS depend on students being empowered to think critically, act constructively, and engage creatively with the most challenging dilemmas of our time. For these reasons, the JCHS Professional Community (faculty and staff), joined by the JCHS Board of Trustees and the Knesset Executive (student body officers) spent this summer reading " Make It Stick: The Science ofSuccessful Learning," recently published by Harvard University Press.  

The book's authors -- Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel -- reframe traditional thinking about the distinction between facts, critical thinking, and applied creativity. In their words, knowledge is not sufficient but it is necessary.  Drawing on recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and other disciplines, the authors offer concrete techniques for becoming more productive learners and teachers -- in high school and beyond.