In the classroom and in the Beit Midrash, students learn the words of the tefillot (prayers) and their meaning. To build on that foundation, Yeshivat Noam hosted two Parent-Child Learning Events this week to enable parents and children to learn and grow together.

On the morning of December 25, Yeshivat Noam hosted a Parent-Child Learning Program for parents of our 4th graders. Together they davened, had breakfast, and learned all about the Shema prayer. Led by Rabbi Uzi Beer, assistant principal of the elementary school, parents and students explored the judaic studies text together in order to make their conversations with God more personal and meaningful.

On the morning of January 1, families of 7th and 8th graders in middle school joined together for a Parent-Child Tefillah & Breakfast. The tefillah—which was organized by Parent Education Committee co-chairs Bena Schwartz and Lena Goffstein—was led by Rabbi Jay Goldmintz, author of the forthcoming siddur commentary Ani Tefilla (Koren Publishing) and adjunct arofessor at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School. Along with Rabbi Goldmintz, parents and students explored the structure and meaning of Shacharit, the morning prayer. The program included videos, slides and an in-depth interpretation of the Shemoneh Esreh. Rabbi Goldmintz guided the audience on ways to make the words of the siddur come to life and how to personalize tefillah so that we can find our own voice.

By Amy Vogel