Solel Congregation of Mississauga

From the Educator

Private versus Public

Accountability versus reasonable expectations. How much should we know about our politicians' private lives? How vigilant need we taxpayers be to ensure our public employees are doing their jobs properly? Is taking I-phone pictures of tired (or indolent) TTC workers or timing their washroom breaks the path to follow? Should every leader's private life be open to the front page of our newspapers? Should their every indiscretion be the lead headline? Quite a dilemma.

Perhaps the media frenzy of late should be tempered with more emphasis on the important issues.

Our politicians should be honest, ethical, knowledgeable, willing to work for the public good. Anything that impedes this should give us pause to reconsider that politician's involvement in public office. Personal dishonesty, lack of morals, lack of commitment may not be what we want in a leader because those characteristics may intrude on his/her professional dealings.

Every public employee - every employee - has the responsibility to do his/her job. That's what they are paid for; however, no employee would come out unscathed if their job were constantly and surreptitiously monitored and scrutinized. Being under continual surveillance is not what any one of us would want. We have to be reasonable and fair as both employers and employees and not abuse our roles in either situation.

Our sages have much to say about this conundrum, so here are a few words to ponder.

For our over-zealous picture takers - they should remember R. Nehorai "He who humiliates his fellow man will himself be humiliated in the end", and R. Nahman bar Isaac, "He who shames his fellow man in public is as though he shed blood".

If you have a complaint about an employee, do it through the proper channels.

And for our politicians and their personal indiscretions, they need to remember: "Lying does not become a King" (B. Tam 32a) and from Rabbi Yehudah he-Hasid "Do not let your sensuous nature control your life. Do nothing of which you are likely to be ashamed. Never speak meaningless words."

And finally, for all of us, from Ben Zoma "Who are wise? Those who learn from all people... Who are strong? Those who control their passions... Who are rich? Those who rejoice in their lot… Who are honourable? Those who honour others."

Educator's Book Review -
Educator's Book Review
Wednesday, March 10th
6:30 - 9:00 pm

Our March Break programme is a break from The Wiesel study series. We will have a film night, preceded by a pot luck supper at Solel. The main course will be supplied, please RSVP your attendance with salad or dessert.

The film will be a delightful American film called "Arranged", telling the story of 2 young teachers (one Muslim, one Jewish) as they anticipate their arranged marriages.

Arliene's Lunch and Learn -
Tuesday, March 22nd
11:30 am to 1:00 pm

We are most fortunate to have Sam & Joel Brown presenting a personal Holocaust story and film "Time Apart, a Story of Hope".

Please plan to join us. Bring a bag lunch. Dessert and beverages will be supplied

Educator's Film Night
Wednesday, March 10th
6:30 pm

Please join us for a pot luck dinner on March 10th at Solel, followed by the film "Arranged" (7:00pm) a delightful and positive approach to the concept of arranged marriages in both the Jewish and Muslim traditions.

Main course - pasta - is provided. Please RSVP attendance to the Solel office with either a salad or dessert.

Our Education Director

Arliene Botnick received her Honours B.A. degree from University of Toronto and her M.Ed. from OISE. As well, she was granted the title Reform Jewish Educator from the National Association of Temple Educators.

Arliene has been Director of Education at Solel Synagogue for the past 22 years, prior to which she taught both in the public school system and was a volunteer teacher at Solel's Hebrew/Religious school. Her present staff, continuing Solel's tradition, is entirely avocational - parents are the teachers.

Arliene is involved in several community organizations and is a member of the Steering Committee of the 905 Interfaith Organization, the Credit Valley Spiritual Advisory Committee, Pathway Community Projects, the Family Education Network of the Board of Jewish Education (Mercaz), and the Teacher Education Institute. She was the chair of the Reform Educators’ Council and is a recent graduate of the International Summer School of Holocaust Studies - Yad Vashem in Israel.