Midot (values) play major role at Maimonides

By Paul Haist

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Midot is Hebrew for values, and human values such as kindness, respect and cooperation, among others, are an important part of the curriculum at Maimonides Jewish Day School.

Julie Kessluk teaches second and third grades at Maimonides. She said midot comprise "the basic foundation for children to grow up to become good people."

School Director Devorah Wilhelm agrees. She believes that the teaching of midot "has been part of Jewish education since we received the Torah at Sinai. Everything can be traced back to Judaism," she says.

Even though Kessluk's focus at Maimonides is on secular subject matter, as opposed to Judaic studies, she says the school places a high priority on the teaching of midot across the entire curriculum. "We're trying to get it through the whole school program," she said.

Each month Kessluk's students focus on one particular mida (singular of midot). When a child can demonstrate that they understand that mida and practice it without prompting by an adult, they are awarded a necklace bead to signify their progress.

Many of Kessluk's young students already have necklaces of many beads, which are presented monthly at a Rosh Hodesh assembly.

Kessluk and Wilhelm explained that teaching midot at Maimonides is not just the responsibility of the teachers. The school also relies on its older students to work with those just starting out to help them understand a mida concept and how to make it part of daily life.

"Studies have shown that students often learn more from their peers than from adults," said Wilhelm.

Kessluk and Wilhelm want their students to make observance of midot something that continues outside the school. They endeavor also to have their students take their lessons home and practice midot among their family.

For example, in January, the school was working on the mida of respect. Kessluk asked her students to spend time at home writing about someone they respected.

One 7-year-old girl, Chayala, was especially ambitious with the assignment. She made a slide show about her grandfather, who is a Holocaust survivor.

"We're working on getting the children to work on this with their families through homework, so the families reinforce what the children are getting at school," said Kessluk.

And the results?

Pointing to necklaces adorned with too many beads to count, she said, "The children have a real sense of pride."