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Every Friday morning since Rabbi Ouriel Hazan became principal of HANC, there is a huge celebratory program to usher in Shabbat. The children are divided into two shifts, Kg to 3rd and 4th to 6th grades. Rabbi H leads the kids through familiar and new songs, some raffle prizes are distributed and a d’var Torah shared. A highlight for me is the recognition of midot for some behavioral heroes.
Tomorrow is an extra special assembly; we are dedicating this one and all future ones to our beloved Rabbi Kelemerע״ה, calling it Rabbi Kelemer’s Shabbat Assembly.
Yes, we are!
At first, when all the fun started, there were some kids who held back and rolled their eyes. It’s not that way anymore. I would say that participation is close to 85 percent; a good number.
The kids get pumped for shabbos.
Sitting in the room last week, I got huge pleasure from watching the enthusiastic involvement of the children. Even die hard know it all’s and “too cool for school” boys and girls sang their hearts out. I cannot say that every single kid got into it; certainly not the lone third grade boy sitting just to the left of me.
I’ll call him “M”; he sat quietly on a chair observing and listening. “M” and I have known each other since kindergarten where he would cry, sometimes even sob, daily for hours on end; and hours. It came as no surprise to me, probably to many others as well, to find him sitting apart and deeply quiet.
Suddenly, as the tempo of the music started to quicken and change, I noticed that “M” had started to tap his feet, just his feet. A few seconds later, he stood up, started moving his hands, soon followed by his whole body. I watched open mouthed and in amazement as “M” morphed into “Bojangles”, the noted spirited dancer.
I turned to “M” and motioned to the stage; I encouraged him to go up there and dance for everyone watching. He slowly nodded his head, very slowly as is his way, and his dancing feet propelled him forward.”M” continued improvising to the music as he moved forward, feet flying through the air, to the rhythm of the music.
His teachers, Mindy and Brocha Sorah, took videos. We looked at each other and nodded our heads. Who knew?
For a heartbeat, I worried that the rest of the kids would rush the stage after him; this did Not happen. Everyone in the room, mesmerized by “M”’s fabulous performance, sat quietly, humbled by his talent.
Here was the real”M”; no more the crying reserved shy little boy; let me introduce you to “M” the Dancer!
How does this happen? When does the magical switch get hit letting a child's inner light shine through?
“M” is an ignited “Hidden Spark”.
For the past many years, Hidden Sparks has been a guiding force for students at HANC; as many of you may know, it is an internationally awarded program that gives teachers the opportunity to view a child’s academic learning and his social and emotional behaviors through specific lenses. As have many of you, I have had the privilege of working with the program; learning about my own and my student’s learning needs through our work with the Hidden Sparks training.
Using the basic tenets of the program, educators are able to help children find their true selves. Hidden Sparks also helps teachers to dig deep and unveil the dancer in each child. “M” could have remained the shy taciturn little boy forever. Miraculously and through a lot of very hard work, “M” broke through many layers of holding back and emerged as “Bojangles”.
We have trained two new teachers in the program and the training can be available to any HANC teacher who is interested in learning more about their students and themselves.
As educators, the chance to peel the protective layers under which students hide can occur on a daily basis. Using the tools we have been taught from the very many staff development courses we take and our own first hand experience working with children, teachers can be the vehicle who helps to create miracles for all children.
Watching and crying as “Bojangles” danced his way to the stage, I witnessed a magnificent breakthrough. For days after I witnessed ”M” dancing, I kept replaying the moment in my head. I discussed what I’d seen with my husband Bob and lamented: How can I ever retire, I would miss this glorious feeling of witnessing an awakening too much? How can I rob myself of these joyous experiences?
How about you, what do you think?
As we head into the dark and cold winter months, please take the time to savor the moments of your own accomplishments. Time is the only precious commodity that we have that cannot be brought back; once it’s gone, it disappears forever.
I will be taking the time to enjoy my grandson’s Aufruf and wedding. It’s just a day or two but it is what I need to do to embrace the time that I have been gifted to spend with my Levy family here from Toronto, sadly my Shapiro family is locked in Israel, and Jakob, the groom, and his family.
My family; I refuse to take for granted the blessings of a loving family and friends.
Wishing those who will be celebrating a joyous holiday; make sure that you take the time to enjoy it.
Shabbat Shalom.
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