The thirst for connection displayed by the women I’ve come to know over time never ceases to fuel me and humble me
From the day I graduated Michlalah Jerusalem College back in ’78, I had my heart set on being a teacher. Sporting a dual degree in Tanach — authentic, high-level Torah knowledge — and ESL, I entered the classroom.
I remained in Israel for nine years, during which I studied, got married, had my two oldest kids, and enjoyed the beginnings of my teaching career. Though I loved what I did, I soon realized that raising a bunch of little children needed more of my attention. Add to that a move back to Canada, my home country, and I made a decision to stay out of the classroom for a while.
Hashem had other plans.
Back in Montreal, a fledgling endeavor was underway. A rav in the community asked if I’d learn with one woman, a potential convert, and teach her different Jewish topics, some halachah and hashkafah. The woman was a university graduate, and with my professional background, as well as my eclectic connections with Chabad, Breslov, and the mainstream community, the rav saw me perhaps as being a little out of the box and felt I could work well with her. One student doesn’t sound too threatening, I thought. I said okay.
One student quickly became two, then three, but it was a quiet affair, around my dining room table. When people would ask what I do, I’d simply say “adult Jewish education.” It was too complicated to explain myself all the time.
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