Merry Christmas From Tenured Radical

Like Eartha, we were so bad this year, but we got presents anyway! Here's hoping you did too.

This Time Last Year We Were In South Africa On The Western Cape

We had just finished one of the most exhausting, exhilarating things we had ever done:  working at a  camp outside Johannesburg for teenagers whose lives have been affected by HIV.  There is not a day we do not talk about what we did or saw there, and probably not a week that goes by without one of us saying: "When we go back..."  I learned so much on our trip, and at camp, that sometimes it felt like my brain was moving faster than I could process the information.

I loved it. 

By the time we landed in Wilderness, we were ready to put our feet up, lay in a store of food at the Pick n' Pay, buy some new books (I had given away most of mine, including ones I had not yet read, to some of the campers) and rest for a good long time.  I had lost about ten pounds at camp from working hard, and getting dramatically fewer calories, since there was no alcohol and no snacks other than what my friend Manu brought back from Jo'burg and shared with us.  Our hosts left for their own Christmas vacation -- they went camping somewhere, leaving us the keys to their house in case we needed anything.  The one thing she told us was:  "Do not go to the beach on Christmas!"  She warned us in great detail that terrible things occurred there on holiday that we would find strange and threatening.

So of course we did go to the beach on Christmas.  Nothing terrible was happening, and it reminded us once again that the scars of apartheid were still very deep, for we suspected our hosts had actually never been to the beach on Christmas.  Instead of the bacchanal we had been told to expect, we found extended families, grilling on hibachis, many wearing red and white fluffy Santa hats. 

If you think this kind of racial disconnect is peculiarly South African, go watch D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation (1915) why don't you?  Anyway, we had a lovely time socializing on the beach.  We then went home and had spaghetti and salad for Christmas dinner, having agreed in advance that our gift to each other was this trip.

On the Beach at Wilderness, Western Cape, ZA

Anyway, Merry Christmas to my friends in Jo'burg, Soweto and Durbs: this post is really a Christmas card for you and a way of saying thank you, a year later.  For those of you who are just home from Sizanani, I hope you are recovering from being wowed by the kids.  Mbali, I'm sorry I missed you when you were here this summer, and please come back.  William, be careful on Christmas brother, because we love you!   Kabelo, big, big hugs for you, your mother and the children.  Siza, don't you give Mbali a harder time than she needs to keep her in line, ok Vocelli?  Yolanda, I hope you are being good (not!) and that you moved forward on your business plans.  Enos, when are you bringing your plays to the US? Eliot, stay sweet, ok? Kedi, I need a band-aid!  Mphu, I will learn Zulu:  at least some.  I promise.

And dear Manu, our conversations and your music is always with me.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Holidays!

As part of a special Macdonough School tradition, teachers presented families with holiday wreaths at dismissal today. 

The wreaths were donated to our families from Middletown High School's Vo Ag program!

Ms. Carrier's Last Day

Today was Ms. Carrier's last day. She spent the semster student teaching in Mrs. Lenihan's class. As a treat she read the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas and made Grinch heads out of fruit to eat. We will miss Ms. Carrier.

3 Kings Day

Today the kindergarten children learned about 3 Kings Day. We read a story, had a snack, and even made a poinsettia. The children also left their shoes in the hallway and waited for the 3 Kings to fill them.

Dear Santa..........

Today kindergarten wrote letters to Santa. Each student was able to personally mail their letter. The mail box is right outside the office if you'd like to mail one too! Ho, Ho, Ho!

"Their Royal Highnesses Are Unharmed" -- But British Politics Are Getting More Interesting

If Only The King Knew:  British Protesters Egg Charles and Camilla's Limo

I continue to be impressed with the capacity of what George W. Bush used to refer to as "Old Europe" to fight for a vision of the world where all of us are not being used to generate profit for someone.  Like Hannah Arendt, I continue to be suspicious of violence as a political tactic:  all movements that choose violence, she argued at the height of United States antiwar protest, are fascist, whether they originate on the right or the left.  I did not appreciate that at the time I first considered this idea in the 1970s, and I do now.

And yet, I wonder:  what is wrong with us in the United States that we just sit around and wait for the newest attack on our rights as citizens?  Why do we continue to insist on improvements in education, while politicians cut the $hit our of education budgets in the name of "middle class tax cuts" (by which, what they really mean is fighting wars on behalf of the oil and gas industry?)  Why do we continue to believe, as a society, that at some point the medical, pharmaceutical and insurance industries are going to realize that they have enough money and suddenly they will treat us right?  And why do we continue to entrust everything that matters -- education, health care, politics itself -- to the rich?

Most particularly, what is wrong with students that they are so suckered by the debt industrial complex that they will continue to take out massive loans for education that we, as a society, ought to be giving them for free?  Only in California have there been system-wide protests of privatization, while public school parents and their children -- who are most dramatically affected by privatization -- go from charter school to charter school to see which corporate executive can best prepare their kid for a standardized test?

Go Brits; go French.

Mrs. Spaman's class had 5 days of perfect attendance they had pops and movie

Yummy!

Today the FRC made fruit smoothies for the children to enjoy.  Yummy!  What a great way to start the day. 

Registration

Melton Sites and Classes 2015-2015

Most classes will begin after the Chagim (Jewish holidays in October)

Northwest Suburbs

Congregation Beth Judea, 5304 RFD, Long Grove, with

Congregation Beth Am, 1370 Abbott Court, Buffalo Grove

Core Year 2

Wednesdays 7–9:15 p.m. (Begins 9/10/14)
Registration Closed

Congregation Beth Am

Modern Living: Maintaining Balance

Thursday 7-8:00p.m. (Begins 9/4/14)
Tuesdays 7-8:00 p.m. (9/9/14, 9/16/14, 9/30/14)
Registration Closed

Congregation Beth Am

Rachel Wasserman Scholar Curriculum:

Jews in America: Insiders and Outsiders

Tuesdays 7-8:30 p.m. (Begins 10/7/14)
Registration Closed

This Scholars course provides students with the opportunity to consider the challenges of Jewish acculturation to American life, and the sacrifices as well as the contributions that have been made over the past 200 years. Lessons will explore such topics as the role of education, The Three Generation Hypothesis, Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, the changing place of Zionism and the State of Israel, The Civil Rights Movement as a case study of distinctiveness and involvement, and other issues that address American and Jewish culture and identity. This 10-lesson course asks the question, “Is the cup half-empty or half full?” as optimists and pessimists debate the future of Jewish identity in America.

Northern Suburbs

Aitz Hayim Center for Jewish Living

1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe, with

North Shore Congregation Israel

1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe

Core Year 1

Mondays 7-9:15 p.m. (Begins 10/6/14)
Registration Closed

Am Shalom

840 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, with

Temple Jeremiah

937 Happ Road, Northfield

Core Year 1

Mondays 9:30-11:45 a.m. (Begins 10/27/14)
Registration Closed

Congregation Beth Shalom

3433 Walters Ave., Northbrook, with

Solomon Schechter Day School

3210 Dundee Road, Northbrook

Core Year 1

Wednesdays 7–9:15 p.m. (Begins 10/22/14)
Registration Closed

BJE Campus

3320 Dundee Road, Northbrook

Jewish Professionals Cohort: Core Year 2

Wednesdays 7–9:15 p.m. (Begins 10/29/14)
Registration Closed

Beth Hillel Congregation Bnai Emunah

3220 Big Tree Lane, Wilmette

Core Year 2

Tuesdays 7–9:15 p.m. (Begins 9/9/14)
Registration Closed

Congregation B’nai Tikvah

1558 Wilmot Road, Deerfield

Core Year 2

Thursdays 7–9:15 p.m. (Begins 10/23/14)
Registration Closed

Congregation B’nai Tikvah

Rachel Wasserman Scholars Curriculum:

Fall class: Bereshit I

Thursdays 7–8:30 p.m. (Begins 10/23/14)
Registration Closed

Congregation B’nai Tikvah

Spring class: Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah

Thursdays 7–8:30 p.m. (Begins 2/5/15)
Click Here to Register

Moriah Congregation

200 Taub Drive, Deerfield

Core Year 1

Thursdays 9:30–11:45 a.m. (Begins 10/30/14)
Registration Closed

North Shore Congregation Israel

1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe, with

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park

Core Year 2

Wednesdays 9:30–11:45 a.m. (Begins 9/10/14)
Registration Closed

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park

Rachel Wasserman Scholars Curriculum:

Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict

Thursdays 9:15–10:45 a.m. (Begins 11/6/14)
(EXTENDED REGISTRATION ENDS 11/13/14) 
Registration Closed

Click Here to Register (PART 2) 

This Scholars course provides students with a strong, text-based historical overview from the late nineteenth century through today. Course material is designed to encourage discussion and debate, and to challenge students to appreciate the basis of the conflicting historical claims made by all sides in the conflict. The complexity of the conflict forces students to grapple with issues of religion, culture, history, politics, economics, identity and survival—all reflected through primary sources, including newspaper articles, poetry, songs, government documents, speeches, photographs and memoirs. The 20-lesson course will provide students with new tools for understanding and critiquing texts and events as the conflict continues to unfold. This class is taught by Carl Schrag.

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

Foundations of Jewish Family Living

Sundays 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. (Begins 10/5/14)
(EXTENDED REGISTRATION ENDS 12/10/14)
Registration Closed
 

Solomon Schechter Day School

3210 Dundee Road, Northbrook

Foundations of Jewish Family Living

Thursdays 8:15–9:30 a.m. (Begins 11/6/14)
Registration Closed

Temple Jeremiah

937 Happ Road, Northfield

Rachel Wasserman Scholars Curriculum:

Israeli Literature As A Window To Israeli Society

Tuesdays 7–8:30 p.m. (2/10/15)
Click Here to Register 

Chicago

Anshe Emet Synagogue

3751 N. Broadway, Chicago

Core Year 1

Thursdays 7–9:15 p.m. (Begins 10/30/14)
Registration Closed

Anshe Emet Synagogue
3751 N. Broadway, Chicago

Rachel Wasserman Scholars Curriculum:

Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah

Mondays 7–8:30 p.m. (Begins 10/27/14)
Registration Closed

Anshe Emet Synagogue - Loop Location (Willis Tower)

Purposes of Jewish Living 

Tuesdays Noon—1 p.m. (Begins 10/28/14)
Registration Closed

REFUND POLICY:

Full tuition refunds, less a $25 processing fee, will be given after first class.

No refunds after completion of the first week of class.

No refunds on course books.

Foundations of Jewish Family Living - Values for parents to share with their children

NEW!

Foundations of Jewish Family Living is a new curriculum for parents that provide a thought-provoking encounter with the core values of Judaism. Developed by the renowned Florence Melton Adult Mini-School, a project of the Hebrew University, the curriculum brings to life the master stories from our tradition and the profound messages they convey.

This rich learning experience for adults will provide an opportunity for you to bring the Jewish conversation home to share with your young child. At a time in your family's life when your child is beginning his or her own Jewish education, Foundations of Jewish Family Living provides you with the learning, the language, and the confidence to be a teacher to your own children.

The topics to be explored include being created in God’s image, welcoming guests, caring for the environment, kindness to animals, respect for parents, Jewish space, Shabbat and holidays, prayer, using words carefully, improving the world, and becoming a Jewish nation.

BJE Campus, Northbrook, IL
20 sessions, starting Fall 2010
Faculty TBA

Fourth Grade Teachers and Parents Were Very Proud of Their Students at the November SURFS Assembly

Studying Antarctica!

Ms. Jukins' second grade class has been learning about Antarctica and has been in contact with a real researcher, who will be traveling to Antarctica to research climate change and ice sheets! We wrote post-cards telling her one or two facts that we learned and asked a question for Miss Gail to answer once she gets there.

We can't wait for Miss Gail to write us back!

Cupcakes with Mrs. Currier

Two lucky students had the chance to enjoy a special cupcake treat with Mrs. Currier. 

The children to a walking field trip to NoRA Cupcake Company!

Students were selected for this special treat for exhibiting SURFS Up behaviors at school (Self-responsibility, Understanding, Respect, Fairness, and Safety).

Digital BJE Resources

We're sorry, this page is currently under construction...
Please visit us here again soon for an online archive of texts, videos, and other digital resources from the BJE!

[Click here to go back to previous page]

West End String Quartet

This afternoon third, fourth and fifth grade students had the opportunity to listen to the West End String Quartet from Wesleyan. The Wesleyan students who came played a wide range of string instruments from the bass to the violin. Many of the performers had been playing since they were in elementary school!Students enjoyed the performance!

Christmas in Mexico

The Kindergarten students learn about 'La Posada' a holiday celebrated in Mexico. Children enjoyed 'Three Kings Cake' where there was a prize for the classroom in the middle of the cake. The children also put their shoes outside, which is a tradition done in Mexico. In Mexico the children believe that the 'Three Kings' will leave presents in their shoes.


The children listened to a story called "The Legend of the Poinsettia." In the story the little girl could only offer weeds as a gift. The weeds then in the spirit of 'La Posada' turned in poinsettia. The children in Kindergarten also crafted their own poinsettia

Pow Wow in Kindergarten

Today the kindergarten children dressed up in their Native American outfits and wore them to the Thanksgiving Feast.

Turkey Addition Fun in Grade 1

First graders have been working on thier addition facts within 20.  Yesterday we played a fun game with partners called the Turkey Trot.  Students worked together to quiz each other on their facts.

Macdonough School Donates to Amazing Grace Food Pantry

Fourth graders at Macdonough School organized a food drive to benefit our friends at the Amazing Grace Food Pantry.

Thanks to Miss Kelli and a group of fourth graders for delivering over 225 pounds of food to the pantry!  That weighs more than Mr. Romeo!!

During this holiday season, we are fortunate to be part of a community that takes care of one another.