The end of the Pesach holiday meant the return to school. But just like Pandemic Pesach was so very different than all other Pesachs, so too is Pandemic School.
Children, parents, and teachers are well aware of the “successes” and “failures”, the ups and the downs of distance learning. But that there is school of any kind during these anxiety-laden days is a testament to the ethos of the sanctity of learning and study embedded so deeply into our very genes and chromosomes as well as to the educators doing their utmost, despite the obvious difficulties, to bring learning and study into the homes of their pupils and student.
Thus we bring to readers’ attention a tribute to educators written by Shira D. Epstein, dean of the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education at The Jewish Theological Seminary.
Dean Epstein writes: “The conversation about educators being underappreciated is not a new one, but now more than ever is the time to place them high in our priorities, to redouble our efforts to affirm their work… As a community, we need to figure out how to bring our educators through this marathon so that they will come out strong on the other side. We need to collectively assert: “We are here for you and will not let you fail” to those who demonstrate resilience, creative thinking and flexibility – not just because this is what this time demands, but because of who they are in spirit.
“In this time of crisis, let us think of how we will bring hope, support, encouragement, and promise to the educators and leaders who have seen us through Jewish communal life. They will be there for us on the flip side of this pandemic. We, in turn, need to be here for them now.”
Let us heed Dean Epstein’s words.
To all of our educators: “Thank you. Bless you.”
•••
Be safe. Stay safe. Be well. Stay well. Be strong. Stay strong.
Shabbat shalom
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 