Q & A with Adi
Send all questions and comments to adi@ntcf.org
There is nothing more important than having someone that you can relate to, and understands life's difficulties because they too have experienced what you are now going through.Whether the subjects are marriage, children, religion, dance, homeschooling or simply girl talk, feel free to email Adi and let her know your questions concerns and comments. (Women Only)
Recent Comment:
I certainly agree about the importance of studying the Torah, the Prophets and the Writings, as our Sages have always encouraged. The age of Torah will never end.
Answer:
Fortunately, thinking and knowing are two separate things. Where does it say that the age of Torah will come to an end? If HaShem is going to tell his people what would happen to them from beginning to end (D'varim/Deut. 32) don't you think He would have told them that they would no longer have to follow His Torah? Your answer is very sad because it takes the Torah and minimizes its importance to the Jewish people.
I want to suggest that you not answer with what you think, but what you know from what was historically written. The Torah remains forever!
Recent Comment:
How were you successful in getting your children to do their school work when you homeschooled?
Answer:
The greatest challenge for any parent that is homeschooling is to keep a daily schedule. It is far to easy to let some other situation have our attention especially when our children are complaining about not knowing how to do their schoolwork or simply don’t want to do it. I always tried to hold to our school schedule by keeping a weekly calendar and also writing all of next days assignments on the whiteboard in our kitchen. When my children would wake in the morning they knew what needed to be done and it gave them a chance to plan their day. I was relaxed, yet strict about what needed to be accomplished for the day. I always encouraged a reward or consequence system for my children. If they learn this at a young age it is very helpful throughout their homeschooling years, but only if you implement it. Simple rewards that are easy to follow through on, for instance, going out for an ice-cream, a trip to the park, or sitting down to play a game with them at the end of the day always works well. The consequence of course is that they don’t get the reward.
If you are in a homeschool group it also helps to have other children from the group over, not just to play but to join in a study hour. I had other children over at least twice a week and I found that it made it much easier, because it gave all of them someone to compete against. When someone elses child was getting my attention my children immediately wanted to do their work and have moms help.
Children are the greatest gift we have in this life and I will always cherish the hours I spent homeschooling my children. If you are given the patience and privilege to stay home and homeschool your children, you are truly a blessed woman.
Recent Comment:
Do women dance in synagogue?
Answer:
I have been to over eight different types of synagogues over the years here in Jerusalem. I have yet to see women dance in a synagogue. This was quite difficult for me especially since I taught flag and dance for over 15 years. I also held quarterly conferences teaching about the benefits of dance. You can imagine how surprised I was when I attended a lively synagogue with men dancing around and singing loudly on one side of a curtain and women standing or sitting, singing in a reserved fashion on the other. The women seemed very content but my feet were tapping the whole time. I would say that a majority of the synagogues I attended did not have either women, or men dancing. They do dance here, but when the special event or ocassion lends to that type of celebration. One thing I would definitely never have to teach women in the synagogues here if they did in fact chose to dance, is to dress appropriately.
Send all questions and comments to: adi@ntcf.org
