Hebrew Helpers
Episode description
Featuring: Todd Shotz
“You may not remember necessarily every single thing that they (your educators) taught you but you remember how you felt in the learning process and that has stayed with you,” explains Todd Shotz. He says that our (Hebrew Helpers’) process helps to create “the feeling, that connection, that engagement which comes from showing the relevance of what our tradition has to hold for modern life.”
Since 2005, Hebrew Helpers, a nationwide Jewish Studies program, has been providing personalized education to families from all aspects of the Jewish community. They work with any family looking for outside-the-box Jewish education and anyone looking for a deeper connection and comprehension of Judaism. These families may be interfaith families, LGBTQ+ families, and may or may not belong to a synagogue. Todd and his team of mentors have been working toward helping their students navigate their own Jewish identity through understanding Jewish history, culture, ritual, text and prayer. Hebrew Helpers maintains that the traditional right of passage of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service can be a modern milestone when families and students access their spiritual place in the community. Hebrew Helpers inclusive approach helps students and families to create meaningful and experiential learning experiences.
Their mission is to provide young people with the tools to navigate their Jewish identity through a custom-tailored understanding of Jewish history, culture, ritual, and prayers. Their vision is that no family, looking for a deeper connection and comprehension of Judaism, will fall through the cracks.
Visit Hebrew Helpers’ website here.
Follow Hebrew Helpers on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter.
Hebrew Helpers recently launched a video series called Zoom Mitzvah on YouTube. Check out those video here.
Definitions and Clarifications
Aliyah-( lit. going up- can be spiritual or physical) 1. immigration to Israel 2. the honor of being called upon to read from the Torah
Chevrutah- (also known asaschavrusa, chavruta or havruta literally translate to "friendship" or "companionship)", is a traditional rabbinic approach to Bible study in which a small group of students (usually 2-5) analyze, discuss, and debate a shared text.
Mishpochah- family
Neshama-is a Hebrew word which can mean "soul" or "spirit".
Tikun Olam-(lit. 'repair of the world') is a concept in Judaism, an aspiration to improve the world.
Torah trope-Trope (trop in Yiddish) is the tune used when Torah reading and other texts, based on a cantillation marks. Most communities use six different kinds of trope throughout the year.
Tzedakah-(lit. justice) charitable giving.
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