[HANASHIR:12993] Re: Fw:Jewish Education, Jewish continuity...

[Danielkare <Danielkare...>]

Shirona (and others!), my son Nathan is in his second year at the local day 
school (which I attended as a child) and it's totally amazing how well he 
reads Hebrew (in first grade!) and how much he knows, compared to many 4th 
graders and even 6th graders I've taught in Sunday School.  

In my opinion, however, it takes not only instruction and knowledge, but also 
an emotional component; an emotional, or spiritual, experience must take 
place for that caring about Judaism to occur and stick!  I myself experienced 
a strong connection to G-d and the Jewish people when I was immersed in my 
day school education, but even more so by being invited to experience Shabbat 
and other celebrations, outside of school time, with families more 
traditional than my own.  My brother attended the same day school, even more 
years than I did, and, sadly, has no connection with Jewish life whatsoever.  
I guess I'm saying, Judaism lived and enjoyed, including what we music people 
do, can have a strong impact.  

-Karen Daniel