Unsung Heroes

Our Unsung Heroes

Here at JFX, we are blessed with an incredible commodity: teachers and educators that have a passion for inspiring our kids that goes way, way beyond the classroom.  What is remarkable about the educators below is this - each of these individuals decided to do something real, something dramatic, to change the lives of the kids in his and her charge - and just up and did it.  Minimal meetings, minimal budget, minimal emails, minimal time between inspiration and inception.  We'd like to honor these educators this week.  But as LeVar used to say on Reading Rainbow,  "Don't take my word for it!"

Rabbi and Ruchi

*****

Rabbi Helman is a true unsung hero of JFX.  It is as if he knows no
boundaries in his desire to make our lives more meaningful and
inspired with Judaism and Torah.  He has made it a personal commitment
to keep JFX teens and post-bar mitzvah boys engaged and directed in
their continuing education by leading classes and programs exclusively
for them.  Our son Ari looks forward to his weekly class with Rabbi
Helman with enthusiasm and a renewed spirit each week.  Rabbi Helman
is just as committed to his adult parsha class as well, going above
and beyond the call of duty each time we meet to make sure we are
inspired, enlightened, and fed.  Not even his broken leg kept him down
this week!  He is truly a JFX unsung hero.

Ethan Weiss

*****

Morah Kim and Morah Zelda and Morah Miriam are amazing! The warmth and authenticity of their teaching has inspired our daughter in so many ways.  How do we know? She comes home from Girls' Club, Sunday school and mini-mussar eager to share what she has learned from her spiritual role models.  On a recent clothes shopping expedition, she only wanted tsnius (modest) clothes.  While other girls her age look to Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, our daughter has these wonderful teachers to look up to.

These teachers, and the entire JFX staff, continue to go over and above the call of duty to provide meaningful and relevant experiential learning opportunities for the girls. They have ideated and executed spiritually rich programming that allows the girls to experience in 360 degrees what they are learning In the classroom.

   The Shabbaton program at Morah Zelda's home this Shabbos is a great example of this dedication to create special experiences for the girls.  Inviting her class into her home and into her family's life is an amazing gesture. Making them part of her family - literally - is certainly going above and beyond the call of duty!

We are so grateful that the JFX Morahs continue to share their passion and dedication to teaching Torah both in the classroom and beyond.  We have all learned so much from these awesome women and are deeply appreciative of their commitment to the Jewish educational experience.

Carrie Rosenfelt

*****

Kim started a program called "Torah Talk" a few months ago.  She planned to meet with a group of girls, and also a group of boys, to talk about an important Torah theme once a month.  As many of you know, "Torak Talk" has become lovingly dubbed "mini-mussar," in homage to Ruchi's mussar classes that have been life-changing for so many of us.  Kim is taking this to the next generation.  She spends enormous amounts of time and energy on our kids, getting them to think and talk about important Torah (read: Life) values.  Not only is she making a difference, the kids are having a blast!  And why shouldn't they?  Issi's pizza, door prizes, and Kim's amazing personality encouraging them to learn and grow, and to love the process.  Thanks Kimmy!

Sindy Warren