From the Head of School

In Devarim 6:7 G-D relays the all important Mitzvah "...and you shall teach them diligently to your children..." This phrase is recited daily in the significant prayer of Shema and refers to transmitting Torah knowledge to our children. The Sefer Ha Chinuch states that this directive actually means that "the community in every single locality is obligated to establish childrens' teachers," i.e. each community must establish a school system.

The Biblical sentence discusses parents teaching children. Yet we know that there is a valued Jewish concept of teaching the offspring of others. The Sefer Ha Chinuch continues by stating that "your children" also indicates one's students, students are often called sons. We derive this interpretation from Bamidbar 3:1 wherein Aharon's sons are called "the sons of Moshe" because Moshe was their teacher. The Gemara Sanhedrin 19b further states that whoever teaches Torah to the son of his fellow man it is as if he gave birth to him. Thus, a student is not a stranger to the teacher, but rather the teacher joins the parents in claiming the youngster as their own and the three become partners in molding and producing the Jewish future of each child.

Here at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy - Yeshivat Beit Yosef - we, together with parents strive to give "our" children the finest Judaic and General Studies program. We work together on all aspects of a child's development and seek to ensure that each student flourishes in an optimal educational setting. Our teaching responsibilities are taken very seriously. In essence, we are fulfilling a directive from G-D Almighty, Himself.

We welcome you to join us in our noble endeavor.

Mrs. Susan Dworken
Head of School
Photo courtesy of Jan Press