Wednesday assemblies for the Hebrew school are always entertaining and there is always a lesson to be learned. But for one special child (and that person changes each week), it is a really special afternoon. On the Wednesday following a child’s bar/bat mitzvah, the student is called to the bima to receive his or her Torah license! This license looks just like an Illinois driver’s license, but this particular license is only given to students who have become a bar or bat mitzvah. The rabbis make a big deal out of it and the children all applaud when it is presented. As the rabbis say to the child, “You are now licensed to read Torah anywhere in the world.” One student came to me earlier this year asking if he could get a replacement because his went through the washing machine and was ruined! I am happy that some of the students really like getting their Torah license. If you have a child in 7th through 9th grade who has already become a bar/bat mitzvah and you have never seen his/her license, ask to see it. If you have younger children, you will need to watch for the Torah license when it comes to your home.

This issue I am highlighting our third-grade teachers. Our third-grade Hebrew teachers Elizabeth Gossage and Renee Ray grew up at Etz Chaim and have both been on our staff for many years. Renee has two children and is expecting #3 in May. Elizabeth is a real estate agent during the week. Nancy Pollak is new to our staff this year, after many years of being a room parent. During the week Nancy is involved in many volunteer projects including being the chair of VISIONWalk, the signature fundraising event of the Foundation Fighting Blindness which will be held June 8th at Soldier Field. Alex Lederhausen is helping on Sundays with Elizabeth for her second year. Alex is a senior at Hinsdale Central and is a highly ranked golf player. She competed two years ago for Sweden in the Maccabia Games in Israel and came in second place. The other members of her team were her sister Rebecca and her mom! Hannah Freeman helps Renee on Sundays. She is a senior at Wheaton North and is captain of the golf team this year. She won the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award this year, an honor given to a student who excels in academics, athletics and community/school involvement. Eric Steinberg helps Nancy with Judaica and is doing it for his second year. Eric is a senior at Naperville Central where he wrestles and is in the top band in the school, the wind ensemble.