Parenthood is all about love and laughter until you’re staring down a third-grade math problem that somehow makes you question your entire education, or so I’ve been told. Last week, I finally heard those long-awaited words from my daughter for the first time, words every older friend has warned me about, words that I knew were inevitable: “Eema, I have a homework assignment tonight!”
Fortunately for me, my daughter is in her final year at our Aaron Milken Center for Early Childhood Education and enjoying her second year of the Hebrew Immersion program (the only one of its type offered in the city of Los Angeles). Not only was the assignment clear, meaningful, and fun for both of us, I had an opportunity to share in her pride as she completed this seemingly small assignment, an enormous point of pride for her. Together, we read the Hanukkah story as written by her instructors, and we chose materials for her to create her own hanukkiyah at home. We filled out a Hanukkah worksheet together, and although I did most of the writing, she proudly topped the sheet with her name in Hebrew and English. And the project was just a jumping off point for our hevruta learning–she asked many questions about the Maccabbees and wanted to read books on Hanukkah before bed, her hunger for knowledge only growing after this activity. I’m sure there will be many more difficult homework assignments ahead, but I know that I’ll cherish this project together forever.
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, wrote about education:
Education means teaching a child to be curious, to wonder, to reflect, to inquire. The child who asks becomes a partner in the learning process, an active recipient. To ask is to grow.
I know that Rabbi Sacks meant to apply this wisdom to childhood education, but I think his words really apply to all of us, learners of every age. Lifelong education is vital for nurturing both our intelligence and our spirit. Judaism teaches us that learning is not just a path to knowledge, but a sacred journey that deepens our understanding of ourselves, our faith, and the world around us. We may all groan at the sight of homework–whether algebra or life’s lessons–but finding joy in learning, even between sighs or frustrations, reminds us that every new insight is a gift worth unwrapping.
בְּרוּךֶ אָתֶה ײַ, אֱלֹתְהֵינוּ מַלְךֶ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדַשְׁתַנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתֶיהֶ וְצִוְתָנוּ לַעֲסק בְּדִבְרֵי-תורָה
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu laasok b’divrei Torah.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to engage with the teachings of Torah.
–Cantor Emma Lutz
Pictured: Ruby’s class getting ready to enjoy a plate of latkes they prepared together.