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Dear Mandel JDS Families,
Our Torah portion this week, Tzav, is known, amongst the other portions of the book of Leviticus/Vayikrah, to be full of details and instructions regarding the rituals of the mishkan/tabernacle. While it's easy to get lost in all these details, there's a lesson in this precision. Holiness is found in the details.
In our school, this translates into the moral and holy work of noticing the specific, unique needs of every individual. Inclusion isn't just an abstract concept; it is a mindset and a practice of adjusting our daily rituals to ensure that every student has a place at the table.
During the month of March, we observed National Disabilities Awareness Month. Students moved from simply learning about disabilities to developing empathy, reaching out to one another to provide a sense of belonging and community, and immersing themselves in one of our core values at Mandel JDS, Community of Individuals.
We believe in a vibrant, inclusive community built on honoring the sacredness of the individual.
To help our students understand the details of navigating the world with different abilities, the academic coaches from the Learning Enhancement Team led 3rd - 8th graders in disability simulations. These engaging hands-on activities were designed to provide a small glimpse into the world of living with a disability. We challenged our students to develop their empathy and to expand their understanding.
Another powerful element of this month was the opportunity to listen. We have been incredibly moved by the current and former students who stepped forward to speak to our community as role models, such as Violet Venezia, current 8th grader, Sophie Steinweg, class of ‘22, and Elyana Plotkin, class of ‘22. By sharing their triumphs, their frustrations, and their unique perspectives, they have transformed our understanding and inspired many of our students, parents, and faculty.
We encourage you to talk to your children in grades 3 - 8 about their experiences this month. Here are some questions to help spark a meaningful conversation at home.
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During the learning disability simulations, what was one “simple” task that became more difficult? How did that change the way you think about the effort that other people put in every day to do daily activities in their lives?
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4th and 5th-graders heard from MS students, and MS students will hear from alumni on Monday, March 30th, about experiences with learning differences. During the role model days, was there a specific story or comment that surprised you or changed how you see inclusion?
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As Torah portion Tzav is about all the details of building the mishkan/tabernacle, can you think of a small action you can do to make sure a classmate feels included?
For families with younger students, of course, it’s never too early to talk to your children about respecting all people and living beings.
Thank you for partnering with us to build our community into not just a school but a mishkan, a holy space, where every person is recognized as a vital part of the whole.
Shabbat Shalom,
Gussie Singer
Director of Intervention Services
Learning Enhancement Team
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