"After the Holidays," אחרי החגים

Here in Israel and in some of the Jewish World, there's a frequently heard phrase:

"After the Holidays,"
Acharei hachaggim... אחרי החגים

The "Holidays" referred to are Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot and Simchat Torah. From beginning to end, not counting all the preparations, mostly in the kitchen but spiritual, too, this is a period lasting a minimum of three weeks plus to almost two months.

Jews out of the Land of Israel who observe traditional Torah Judaism don't have the twenty-three hour break before Shabbat that I have. They are now in the third week, out of four, in which a two day holiday is immediately followed by Shabbat. We, here in Israel, just had it once with Rosh Hashanah.

sukka partially undone

Since we're not supposed to do any "unnecessary work," like laundering, we have a backlog of dirty wash. I asked my husband to take down the sukkah walls, so I could hang wash easily this morning. So now one wash is already hung to dry in the sun, and a second is being laundered in the machine.

Today, I'll do the side dishes for our Shabbat meals. The meat and poultry were cooked before Simchat Torah.

This coming week begins more of my study schedule. Matan's regular classes will begin, though my senior citizens study program in the Ofra Girls High School began at the beginning of the regular school year with the teenagers.

When I was a high school remedial EFL teacher, this part of the year, from after to holidays until Chanuka, made up the bulk of the time we had to teach all of the year's curriculum. TU B'Shvat was sometimes too soon after Chanukah, and then, if there wasn't an extra Jewish Month of Adar, Purim took over the kids' time much too quickly and lasted a lot longer than you'd expect. Don't forget that almost immediately after Purim comes Passover, and by then the school year is well over, considering how many Bagrut, Israeli Matriculation tests the kids must be prepared for. Honestly, I'm glad to be out of that high pressure wringer. Yes, sometimes retirement has its advantages.

Back to EFL Remedial Teaching: Better Than Ever!

I really can't believe it. Yes, I am overwhelmed by how well I'm doing back in what's considered one of the most difficult teaching "specialties." My students aren't retarded; it's not a school for that sort of "special education." The students in Yeshiva Tichonit (High School) Ahavat Chaim are average and above average intelligence, but they have various issues and learning problems, like dyslexia, dysgraphia etc. My sons both studied there and are grateful that I discovered the school when it was in its infancy, when nobody including my older son's 8th Grade Guidance Counselor.

Just like when I first began as an English Teacher close to twenty years ago, this year, too, I was asked to take the very weakest students in the 9th and 11th Grades. Then I hadn't a clue as what to do, but this time, after a very long break from teaching, I discovered that my reputation was still excellent, even though I hadn't left under the best of circumstances.

I accepted the offer, because I really wanted to leave Yafiz, the clothing store where I had worked for almost six years. The night shifts which had become my regular "gig" were just too late for me, and the store manager said that her bosses had insisted that was my main shift. I'd get so hyper in order to work well, that I'd fall asleep very late. Also, there is no salary raise or extra bonus for veteran workers. A seventeen year old high school student got exactly the same salary. But I really loved the job. It was fun seeing lots of old friends, former students etc.

It was pretty traumatic getting back in the classroom, and I still haven't gotten my salary stuff taken care of. The Education Ministry insists I never existed, have no file, and my degrees aren't any good. My students started off as students in name only, and I had to use a form of threat/bribery to get them to bring even a pencil to class. With the agreement of the Principal, I was able to make a rule that anyone who shows up without minimal writing implements and book is considered "absent."

Luckily they hadn't yet been assigned textbooks, so I started off checking their levels and teaching by my own methods. For the 9th Grade I did find a good book, UPP's Entry Point 2, which they got after I taught them to read all of the letters, but the 11th grade ended up on too low a level for the simple A Bagrut prep books I offered them. So, began giving them much easier work, and they are having fun and working hard.

My biggest challenge was keeping their attention during the last lesson of the week. The principal told me to "play games." Honestly, I was never a "game person." I hadn't a clue of what to do with them. But I've always been creative, so I asked for ideas and made up games.

They taken turns pulling out from a bag either a word, or letter, depending on what I've prepared, and then they have to read and translate if it's a word, or say a word that has the letter.  If they don't know the answer, someone else gets a chance and the paper. The one who has the most when we finish gets a bigger prize, but they really don't care and just have fun. And I've discovered that these games are the best reviews, better than a quiz, and the kids are overjoyed at getting a couple of inexpensive candies.

Believe it or not, the kids are actually thanking me for teaching them! I don't remember that ever happening before!!!!

Multi-tasking

Yesterday I returned to work after summer vacation and two days of sick leave. Actually it was a good day to return, since I had only the 11th and 12th grades, very few students. Those who showed up were polite, well-behaved and even a bit enthusiastic. I explained what they needed to pass the bagrut, national final exams, in English.

Traveling was miraculous, Baruch Hashem, thank G-d. I kept my cool when I realized that I had missed the bus, which came "on time," instead of late; I was less than a minute's run when I saw it leaving the bus stop. Good thing I didn't panic. I caught a ride a few minutes later. It dropped me off at the "t junction" to Beit El, where I had to wait for a ride or bus to Beit El. A large vehicle with a "foreign press" sign was sitting there. As I walked by, I noticed them taking my picture. What will the caption be?

"Middle-aged woman with bag on wheels hitchhikes to Beit El."

A few minutes later, a van stopped and offered me a ride to Beit El. The driver was nice and took me all the way to the yeshiva where I teach. That saved me walking in the hot sun.

After my last lesson, I changed "uniforms" and got dressed and made up to go to a wedding.

Yes, it was a beautiful wedding.


The music and dancing were great!


I had my camera strapped to my waist and danced with it on. Periodically, I'd stop and take pictures.


That's the way to celebrate.

MAZAL TOV!!

Teach 'em Young!

My two pre-school granddaughters are learning how to cook. My daughter is a firm believer in teaching them young, whether it's cooking, cleaning or washing the dishes. She didn't learn it from me, unfortunately.

She's right. The theory is that too many of us stop/ped the kids from doing potentially helpful things, because the child is "too young" or making a mess. Then by the time the kid is "old enough," he or she couldn't be bothered.

My granddaughters are pictured here getting the rice ready, after checking for bugs, stones etc.

And while we're talking about cooking, please don't forget to send me links for the next Kosher Cooking Carnival!

Either send to shilohmuse at gmail dot com or to blog carnival. Thanks!!!