A MESSAGE FROM RABBI ZALMAN GOLDSTEIN
It is such a privilege to be part of the Mount Sinai team!
We have the opportunity and responsibility to educate and inspire the next generation.
I believe that there are two very important aspects of Judaism that are important for children growing up in today’s modern world.
Pride and relevance.
They need to feel proud of their heritage and their identity. When children feel proud, they want to learn more and end up achieving a lot more.
It also needs to be relevant. When Judaism’s messages are presented in a relevant way, the children will gravitate to it naturally. As it will give them values and a strong moral compass for life ahead.
They will then want to pass it on to their own children. Because it was relevant.
Rabbi Jonothan Sacks was once flying on a private plane with the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair.
Rabbi Sacks took out his Torah book to study the week's Parsha. Tony Blair asked “What is that? Can you teach it to me ?”
Rabbi Sacks began with giving over the life messages from that week’s Parsha. He ended up giving a Torah lesson for a full hour while Tony Blair was listening intently.
Years later, Tony Blair commented that from that day on, he continued to read the weekly Parsha to find strength, guidance and meaning in his life as a leader of his nation.
Pride and relevance.
Rabbi sacks’ pride in his heritage, is what allowed him to take out the Torah book on a royal British flight. It was the relevant messages, that inspired a world leader to benefit from the teachings of Judaism.
We hope with G-d’s help, to be able to inspire the next generation of young Jews to continue to grow, excel, and to be a good example for all those around them.
Please feel free to contact me for any further information or feedback about Jewish life at our College.
Shalom!
Rabbi Zalman Goldstein