Kneseth Israel's Judaism Rocks program featured at Jewish conference

Heather Baumann Tratt, Congregation Kneseth Israel's professional Jewish educator, and Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein recently returned from presenting a program at a national Jewish educators conference, NewCAJE, hosted this year in Naperville.

The NewCAJE provides professional development and training to Jewish educators and part-time religious schoolteachers throughout the United States with an annual summer conference.

In addition, Earl Sternfeld, one of the teachers at the Elgin school, was able to attend, in part because of a scholarship from the United Jewish Fund and the rabbi's discretionary fund.

"I am so glad that I had this opportunity and want to thank the board for making it available. Some of the things I learned will really enrich my classroom teaching and I loved talking with other teachers. I especially liked some of the online tools and music tools for teaching Hebrew," Sternfeld, whose day job is a pharmacist, enthusiastically reported.

"These kind of conferences are important because they raise the bar of professionalism of our staff. In addition, staff comes back energized, renewed and enthusiastic with lots of tips to share with their fellow teachers for the year to come. There is tons of networking and we get to see best practices and wonderful resources up close."

Tratt and Frisch Klein were chosen to present a session about Congregation Kneseth Israel's program, "Judaism Rocks." Tratt said, "It was an honor to be chosen and recognized among all the good programs that are out there. What 'Judaism Rocks' tries to do is create a hands-on, interactive, multigenerational, experiential program once a month to supplement what is going on in our classrooms."

Frisch Klein added "It is important to create positive Jewish memories for students. What we have learned is that parents frequently didn't have those either. Doing hands-on projects together builds community and strengthens families. And besides which it's fun! If I had a dollar for every parent who said 'I hated Hebrew School; I expect my child to.' I would be rich. No child on my watch should hate Hebrew School. Activities should be engaging, interesting and fun. That's how kids learn best."

Frisch Klein was recognized at the conference as a national Experienced Educator of Excellence.

Examples of fun activities include a scavenger hunt at a local grocery store to shop for the Community Crisis Center for Thanksgiving and learn about kosher symbols, an indoor tent open to all four sides like Abraham and Sarah's to learn about hospitality, and a chocolate Seder for Passover.

One activity, "A Box Hike Climbing Toward Yom Kippur," was another session that Frisch Klein presented. The presentation will be published in NewCAJE's journal. "This is a hands-on activity we have done at CKI to simulate wandering in the wilderness and climbing back up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. One piece of that story is used as part of the upcoming High Holiday liturgy that teaches that G-D is compassionate and merciful, full of lovingkindness and truth. We want the kids to know the song, and even more importantly, to know that they are loved and can be forgiven. That is the real message of the High Holidays. Believe me, no kid who has been on a box hike with me has ever forgotten."

Each year a committee of lay leaders and educators meet to plan these events and choose a theme for the year. This year, the theme will be "God's Superpowers." Because of a grant earned from the Board of Jewish Education, Congregation Kneseth Israel is able to combine with two other local synagogues to expand this program.

If you are interested in learning more about Judaism Rocks and Congregation Kneseth Israel, contact Heather Baumann Tratt, director of education, at (847) 741-5656 or cki.educator@gmail.com.

The first morning of Torah School will begin with a "Judaism Rocks" session on Sunday, Sept. 11.