Debbie Friedman, MLK, Kabbalat Shabbat, so much to celebrate in a week at LGA...

Today, our second snow day in a week, I have the rare opportunity to reflect on our past week at LGA. It was a really meaningful one and has given me a lot of pause as to why LGA is just one of those special schools.

Remembering Debbie Friedman

Long time ago when I was in Kitah Gimel (3rd grade), my classmates and I stood up on the bimah and belted out the alef-bet to what was back then (the 1980's) a new fangled rendition of an old classic. We all sang with glee as our Romanian-born Israeli teacher, Channah, sang out the letters to the alef-bet by a relative newcomer to the Jewish music scene, Debbie Friedman. This is just one story of many that I can recant about enjoying a Debbie Friedman tune or song. I am sure that many of you don't even realize when you are hearing some piece of Jewish text that Debbie put her great musical prowess to.

Last Monday morning, after receiving the news that she had passed away. Our LGA community gathered together for a tribute and sing-along of some of Debbie's classics. Every Monday morning, students at LGA gather for the first thirty minutes of the day just to sing. Some weeks it is just the lower school, other times it is the whole school. We sing a combination of both English and Hebrew songs. We sing lots of fun songs and we sing folk songs that you rarely hear anymore. Our students look forward to that half-hour. Sixth graders often get nostalgic at their last all-school sing session. Debbie has been a part of our sessions from the beginning. Thanks to her for everything that she did for modern music! May her memory be a blessing...

Celebrating the life and legacy of MLK

At LGA, there is an inherent attribute that infuses every aspect of our daily life. There are deliberate and thoughtful initiatives that we as a community take very seriously. This is our social curriculum. Our students at all ages are taught meaningful life lessons not only about themselves as a Jewish people but also as a member of a large global community that is diverse and cherished for its many gifts. The study of Martin Luther King is one of those times. The weeks leading up to the annual MLK assembly is my favorite time. Students return from December vacation and learn about the rich history of the African-American culture. They read poetry, listen to songs, hear speeches and monologues and dive deeply into a culture that for many (not all) is unfamiliar.

On Friday, the culmination of this time is a celebration of MLK's life and legacy. The Kindergarten started the presentation by slowly and quietly singing "We Shall Overcome," then grade after grade and the assembled adults all joined in. It was quite powerful. Our 5th graders reenacted a scene from the Little Rock 9, the 4th graders stood up on the stage and took turns reciting MLK's "I Have A Dream." Our 2nd and 3rd graders sang a medley of songs that were sung in churches, 1st graders recited a beautiful poem and together our Kindergarten and 6th graders sang "If you miss me from the back of the bus". Many walked out feeling invigorated.

Our normal Kabbalat Shabbat routine

LGA is about community. We find times to work on building community. By Friday afternoon, everyone is ready to move into Shabbat and the weekend. Every week, our school celebrates Kabbalat Shabbat at the end of the day on Friday. Some weeks we do it as a whole school, others in different grade configurations and yet others sometimes just by class. I usually bounce between all the different ones. This week, I walked into where the 2nd-4th grades were gathering and witnessed just a lovely moment. Moreh Aharon was leading the students in a rousing celebration of Shabbat. It was joyous! Kids were laughing, dancing, singing, enjoying each other's company. The 4th graders were sitting around the circle each drumming. Aharon was teaching them a new song. The feeling was electric.

That's what I love about LGA. It's electric. The teachers love this school. The students love this school. I love this school. We all love it because it is electric. After a long week of intense meetings, decisions, strategizing, and planning, this is what it all comes down. I have attached a video that one mother (Thanks, Shana!) quickly took on her iPhone. The feeling here exemplifies an LGA education. Thanks for ending my week that way!

Now I am at the end of my snow day (lots of breaks to finish this blog post) but I feel satisfied and lucky for what I have.