Well, maybe not before preschool, but I say that if you are a Jewish religious institution and you are entrusted with the education of our minors, there is alot that you really can be teaching. Torah is our job. I realize that most in the non orthodox community have yet to even read, say Leviticus, but that said, we really need to up our association with our children.
When I grew up from age say 6 at a reform synagogue, I learned a few things about Judaism. I really did not learn that much Torah. Clearly I never learned Talmud like my fellow Jewish students in the orthodox communities were learning. That said, at least please teach our children some of the Jewish Laws. They really will find it intersting and inspiring.
I was given some hebrew education in my reform congregation and it seems to be ok. I can read hebrew. I can not write it really though that was in fact part of our education. I do not have the most intricate hebrew vocabulary but I know quite a few words, the big ones I think. I knew enough to learn a few of the blessings and the prayers. That wasnt too bad. Our preparation for Bar Mitzvah was the best you could do to someone who met once a week for a few months. A good experience.
Reform and Conservative Judaism arent going away any time soon. (though I will report that their numbers are vastly down). That said, lets make sure that we use our loving time with our children to teach them right.
Do you want to know how I learned not to get tattoos? This is exciting. I never had a rabbi or a cantor or a teacher discuss it. My parents never worried (perhaps they should have). I was probably 15 and sitting the bathroom lounge. The 60 some year old janitor (not Jewish I think) came in and showed us that he had some tattoos that I think he got in the service. He expressed his own personal remorse for such an action. It was the janitor who taught us not to get tattoos!!! I may have learned more Torah from the Janitor that year than any Jewish educator!!! Believe me, Torah learning sticks. Learn it. Teach it. Children are curious. Everyone with any inkling with an interest of a religoius life finds that discussions of the Laws that our Creator has given us are interesting. Even those who are not Jewish. They get excited.
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