Here’s what I love about Charleston. On a February Shabbat afternoon, I could sit on the porch and bask in the sun. Nursing a bad cold, I closed my eyes, saw the colors turn orange and felt the warm rays. Comfy and wrapped in a large silk shawl, I read and waved to neighbors walking by. I still have my cold, but couldn’t have it in a better place.
A moving and troubling documentary, Soldiers of Berga, was sponsored by the JCC and the West Ashley Minyan this past Motsei Shabbat. I learned about this documentary from dear friends, Edie and Joe Rubin, whose daughter and son-in-law, Daphne Rubin and Steve Hoggard, researched and shot this documentary about a little known concentration camp that imprisoned American Prisoners of War, a percentage Jewish, along with Jewish prisoners. Kept secret by the Nazis and later by the American government, rather than being honored as survivors and heroes, they were told their experiences were imagined and the implication was that this imprisonment was not to be discussed. The experiences were a torment double-fold in the horror of the 3 months spent in Berga and the lack of ability to speak and be recognized for their suffering from family, fellow GI’s and to the American government.
This documentary goes a long way to correct this issue, with a now permanent exhibit at the US Holocaust Museum in D.C. The familiar images of suffering are never dimmed in this documentary, the sensitivity and creativity of Rubin and Hoggard are to be commended. Meeting them and a GI survivior of Berga made the evening even more meaningful and memorable.
So I bought my first ipad. How technology has changed. I used to write my poems on a pad, 
Tony Wagner came to Charleston on January 24 and 25 as part of the professional development of 7 independent schools, Addlestone among them.
Discussing his book, The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need—And What We Can do About It, Wagner first spoke to parents on this past Tuesday and on Wednesday, the 7 schools closed so that all of our teachers could listen and discuss the ideas presented.
Addlestone already follows many of the educational ideas promoted by Wanger: collaboration, team work, problem solving, study of a non-English language (how about from 18 months!) and real work in the community, as our year long partnership with HALOS last year and Low Country Food Bank and the JCC’s Kosher Food Pantry this year.
I had the opportunity to speak with Tony Wagner several times during his visit, from our social time together at the Charleston Country Club and lunch together during the teacher workshop. Our teachers were excited by his ideas and we will be discussing what ideas we think would benefit our students. Read his book or excerpts–and share what you think! The 21st century has brought many new ways to learn and to work together. Our students are already immersed in the technology and we need to challenge ourselves to use it wisely.
Winter in South Carolina is brief yet we miss the consistent sunshine and balmy air. Remembering frigid weather in Indiana or New Jersey helps a little, but all of us feel a need to recharge, intellectually or emotionally.
So what do you do to recharge? Read an inspiring book? Begin an exercise program? Learn a new skill? Visit friends or family?
I have the opportunity to attend two very different conferences this week, both guaranteed to wipe away the cobwebs of the mind or spirit. I am sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to Atlanta to attend the North American Leadership Conference, formerly the Ravsak conference (Jewish Community Day Schools, of which Addlestone is a member). Having spent 7 years on the Ravsak Executive Committee, 3 years of which were as President of Ravsak. Thanks to an Avi Chai grant, my travel, hotel and conference expenses are provided. These conferences are packed with workshops that are thought provoking and usable. Most of all, here is a true marketplace of ideas, filled with friends and colleagues from North America. Relationships, despite technology or other advancements, are what creates the glue in our lives–holding us together in challenging times and creating our extended families, blood related or not, when we celebrate.
Later this week, I travel with our Early Childhood staff to Myrtle Beach, for our annual South Carolina Educators Conference, where all of us receive our required professional development hours. A wonderful time to spend with our talented EC teachers, we participate, learn and share ideas to continuously reflect upon our own school and how we can maintain what is great and move ahead to improve.
So what you doing in January to perk up? Pour a cup of coffee and get on your email and let me know!
Reaching her 94th birthday is an accomplishment we all appreciate. Still sharp and witty, active and wise, Mom is sought out by my kids and all her family for her opinions and company. We love having her close to share our Shabbat and holidays. Love you Mom! Until one hundred and twenty!
Chanukah’s first light is on Tuesday, Dec. 20–A most happy Chanukah to all our families and friends! Chag Urim Sameach–Happy Festival of Lights.
Our traditions instruct us to place our Chanukiah, our Chanukah menorah, in a window or doorway, to proudly proclaim our celebration of freedom. The light also shines into our homes, to illuminate our love for Israel, the Jewish people and the blessing we have to be a free people. May Light fill our homes and our lives.
