Teachers are among the most important people in the lives of our children, yet how often do we get a chance to thank them? They work long hours for little pay and often only hear complaints, not complements.

Once a year, the entire Milwaukee Jewish Community comes together to help alleviate this problem by celebrating Jewish Educators. Won't you join us?

The 2018 Salute to Jewish Educators is free and open to the entire community. It will be be on Sunday, March 11 from 3-4:30 pm at the JCC. See below for a list of award winners and information about how to RSVP and to add your mazal tov in the tribute book.

I hope to see you there.

Tzipi
Jewish Education Community Planner
CJL's  E-NEWSLETTER
This newsletter is published on the first day of every Jewish month. We welcome your feedback and invite you to join us as we explore the joys of Jewish learning in Milwaukee and beyond. Share your feedback  here .

Click here to see the full list of award winners. 
Click here to RSVP for this free event. 
Click here to add your Mazel Tov to the tribute book before February 22.
 
Why should you come to the Salute to Jewish Educators? Because teachers are so important. Watch this video to find out why:
Purim
Purim celebrates the survival of the Jewish people after their existence was threatened by the evil Haman (boooo). This year Purim falls on the evening of Wednesday, February 28 and the day of Thursday, March 1.

There are four mitzvot  (laws) specific to Purim :
1. Megillah מקרא מגילה 
It is a mitzvah to hear the megillah read twice on Purim (once on Purim eve and once on Purim day). It is a mitzvah to hear every word of the megillah. Read more here.
2. Mishloach Manot משלוח מנות 
This is the mitzvah of giving gifts of at least two types of food to at least one friend on Purim. This tradition helps us unite as Jews, which is how the Jews survived destruction in the story of Purim. Read more here.
3. Matanot L'evyonim מתנות לאביונים 
It is a mitzvah to give gifts to at least two poor people. This should be enough money to provide a festive Purim meal (see number 4). Read more here.
4. Mishteh v'Simchat (Seudah)  משתה ושמחה 
Have a festive Purim meal, ideally including wine and meat. Vashti and Haman were both killed as a result of a feast including wine. Today we celebrate with a feast on Purim afternoon. Read more here.
 
In addition to the four mitzvot of Purim, there are many customs such as:
1. Dressing in costume (just as God's role in the Purim story is hidden, we hide ourselves with costumes)
2. Eating homentaschen (cookies that resemble Haman's hat, or pockets, or ears depending on your translation.) See a recipe here.
3. Eating kreplach (dough filled with meat). Again, the meat is hidden, just like God in the Purim story. See a recipe here.
4. Booing or using a gragger (noisemaker) to blot out the name of Haman during the Megillah reading.
 
Check out this summary of the Purim Story:

 
 
This infographic from Aish.com gives a great overview of the holiday.




 
GoJewish Fair
The GoJewish Fair was a great opportunity to engage with 40 organizations from our community! It was also wonderful to see the organizations networking with one another. Here are pictures of the event:

 
LOMED: Learning Opportunities for Milwaukee Educators
(Formerly CSI-Congregational School Initiative)
LOMED classes are open to all Jewish educators in Milwaukee. The $300 stipend for completing 9 hours of training is available to all teachers participating in the program.
Dates and times may change. For more information, contact  Tzipi .
    
LOMED: Mid-Winter In-service for Supplementary School Teachers
Sunday, February 18, 2018, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Congregation Sinai
More information .

LOMED: Don't Forget Shavuot
Monday, May 7, 2018, 6:30-8:30 pm, Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
More information.

LOMED Book Club
All book club meetings are open to the entire community. Please plan to read the books and join us. 
     
Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn by Daniel Gordis   
Thursday, May 1, 2018, 6:30-8:30 pm,  *Note the New Date*
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
Looking for a Job in a Local Jewish School?
Want to be a substitute teacher at a local Jewish school? Please sign up for the sub list here .
Upcoming Community Events

ABOUT THE COALITION FOR JEWISH LEARNING
The Coalition for Jewish Learning, the Education Department of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, promotes and advances Jewish education in the greater Milwaukee community, provides a support system for the community's institutions of Jewish learning, and forges coalitions to ensure excellence in Jewish education.

1360 N. Prospect Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
p. 414.963.2718
f. 414.390.5747



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"Ben Zoma says: Who is the wise one? One who learns from all people, as it says, 'I have acquired understanding from my teachers.'"
- Pirkei Avot 4:1