09 - 2007.pdf - Kahal Joseph

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We wish you a happy and healthy New Year! EZ Kitchen & Bath, Inc. Major Appliances Plumbing Fixtures 8865 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035 Tel. 310-652-2862 Fax 310-652-6915 To our family and friends Wishing you and those you love All the good fortunes of life, A year blessed with Health, happiness and peace Albert and Rivka Gad And Family ובתכת הבוט הנשל Wishing you all a year of health,happiness and joy 8 / THE SHOFAR SEPTEMBER 2007
By Nadine Dabby The Exploratorium is one of the few places that I know of where children and adults alike are encouraged to touch and play with everything. Even the water fountain is a lesson waiting to be discovered (when you drink the water music plays, but when you let the water run it doesn’t, that is because it was wired so that the fountain drinker completes the low-voltage electrical circuit that powers the music). Founded in the 1960s, the San Francisco science museum was designed to educate people about science by encouraging them to seek out the reasons why the phenomena on display works. In essence, that is science—the creative process of asking questions about the world around you and finding ways to test your explanations. And that is the one thing most K-12 schools fail to convey: the idea of being in a room full of ideas and objects and thoughts and allowing ones imagination to run wild. In fact, thanks to recent legislation, such as the No Child Left Behind Act, teachers across America are forced to spend most of their time teaching toward the standardized tests that determine their funding. Couple this with the size of classes, the load of 5 classes a day, the low pay and the already dire funding prospects and it is easy to see why America is losing ground to China and India in terms of developing the next generation of scientists and idea makers. For the last two summers I have had the privilege of visiting the Exploratorium as a summer fellow and participant of the museum’s Teacher Institute, whose mission is to teach teachers to bring the hands-on, engaging exhibits and ideas into the classroom (on a shoe-string budget). I have had the experience of spending time with 30-40 teachers and seeing the effort that the good ones put into their work. And this is what I have to say to you, the parent: One of the most shocking things I have discovered is that not only are teachers without a scientific On Education background (beyond high school-level biology) thrust into positions where they must teach math and science, but these teachers are sometimes forced to teach outdated material (that is factually incorrect) because the state standardized tests have not been updated in years. Don’t trust your school system with your children’s education. Studies have shown that the most successful students are the ones whose parents are involved in their education by either creating an environment in which science or literature or politics is discussed in the home or by parents who make sure their kids are getting a complete education. Most teachers are very good people with good intentions who just may not have the time or resources to combat this problem. That is why I encourage you to get involved in your kids’ schools, get involved in the community. You may find that this activity will teach you a thing or two. Congratulations to Rabbi Haim & Edna Ovadia on The occasion of their son Ariel’s Forth coming Marriage to Esther Rivka and Albert Gad And family SEPTEMBER 2007 9 / THE SHOFAR
Page 2 and 3: 2 / THE SHOFAR SEPTEMBER 2007
Page 4 and 5: President’s Message As we welcome
Page 6 and 7: What nourishes a community? By Dafn
Page 10 and 11: ��
Page 12 and 13: 12 / THE SHOFAR SEPTEMBER 2007
Page 14 and 15: The seeds of our future are sown wi
Page 16 and 17: Wishing all our friends, family, an
Page 18 and 19: Shana Tova Mazal Tov to Ariel Ovadi
Page 20 and 21: Member Happenings Newborns Weddings
Page 22 and 23: In Memoriam Esther Cohen Yitzhak Si

09 - 2007.pdf - Kahal Joseph

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