ABOUT | the-learning-center

ABOUT THE SAM S BLOOM LEARNING CENTER

Being Jewish is about believing (Torah), behaving (Avodah and Gemilut Chassadim) and belonging (Chevra).

Judaism gives us a unique framework and dynamic perspective that influences every aspect of our lives - if we let it. It can fill our lives with meaning and helps each of us to connect with a feeling of being a part of something bigger than ourselves.

By encouraging us to live joyfully, it nurtures within us a continuing commitment to prayer and study, whilst also fostering empathy and respect for others and our environment, causing us to want to take responsibility for each other and ourselves. This Jewish outlook informs our behaviors and attitudes, ultimately providing a guide to become conscious, insightful, productive, and moral people.

"The world stands on three things:

On Torah, Avodah and Gemilut Chassadim"

OUR PHILOSOPHY

BEING JEWISH

What does it mean to be Jewish?

Being Jewish is a multifaceted experience that is both shared, and deeply personal. We are connected to each other, and to something greater than ourselves, by our past, our ideology, and a unique vision of the future.

Being Jewish is both a legacy, and a personal commitment - one that impacts our daily identity, self-concept, and informs our spiritual lives and practice.

Being Jewish is about finding meaning in every action, living consiously and with purpose, and striving every day to be the change we wish to see in the world.

CORE VALUES

1. Torah

The study of Torah, and the application of that study to our daily lives.

"It is a tree of life to them that hold fast to it and all its supporters are happy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace."

2. Avodah

The act of Jewish worship, praying together as a community, and the study of prayer and its relevance in our lives.

3. Gemilut Chasadim

Acts of Loving Kindness, Ethical Action and Social Justice.

4. Chevra

Creating a sense of Jewish community, of belonging to each other, and of taking responsiblity for each other.

ACTIVE LEARNING

When you have fun, you learn more.

We at the Sam S Bloom Learning Center strive to make every lesson as engaging and active as possible, creating positive Jewish experiences that will stay with our students for the rest of their lives.

OUR MISSION

The Sam S Bloom Learning Center at Ner Tamid has three primary objectives:

To invite our students to truly experience what it means to be Jewish in a community of their peers.

To provide the best Hebrew education available, setting our students up to succeed, and gain confidence in themselves and their abilites.

To show our students that Judasim can be a meaningful, positive part of their lives, and to discover together, guided by Torah, what it means for them to be Jewish.

Most Jews in America are unaffiliated. They are not interested in being involved in any part of the Jewish community. The best way to create a life-long connection with Judaism and your heritage is to fall in love with its traditions and way of life. When children decide for themselves that they love Judaism, it remains a vital part of their lives, and identity. This is the reason that exposure to and appreciation of Judaism early in life is critical. We at the Sam S Bloom Learning Center understand the importance of our mission and are honored to help inspire the next generation of Jews to continue the great legacy of the Jewish People.

VISION

The Sam S Bloom Learning Center is a inclusive community of young Jews led by inspirational, creative teachers who serve as personal role models to our students. We provide positive, active learning experiences in the study of Torah, the observance of Jewish holidays and life cycle events, the aquisition of Hebrew reading skills, the study of the culture and people of Israel, thebetterment of the world by way of the concentric circles of Tikkun, and the joy of prayer in order to nurture passionate, life-long learners.

SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE

We at the Sam S Bloom Learning Center believe that spiritual connection and experience is contingent on understanding of prayers and traditions, and personal choice. We provide a space for students to gain understanding of prayers through song, study and experience, and allow them to participate to the degree that feels right to them.

"Our goal must be to enable the pupil to participate and share in the spiritual experience of Jewish living; to explain to him what it means to live like a likeness of God. For what is involved in being a Jew? Duties of the heart, not only external performance; the ability to experience the suffering of others, compassion and acts of kindness; sanctification of time, not the mere observance of customs and ceremonies; the joy of discipline, not the pleasures of conceit; sacrifice, not casual celebrations, contrition rather than national pride."

- Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Insecurity of Freedom, p. 226