While learning Torah with your children is a truly special experience, it can also become quite challenging. What does it mean for a child to learn Torah and what can you teach them that’s unique from what they’re already learning in school? In this episode, Jodi and her guest - Chana Kupetz break down this process and discuss how you and your children can get the best out of your time together as you learn Torah.

About Our Guest:

Chana Kupetz is the Children’s and Families Program Manager at Hadar. Prior to her work at Hadar, Chana taught Hebrew and Judaic Studies in Washington, DC and in Minneapolis. Chana lives in Washington, DC with her wife Avi Strausberg and their two children.

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Show Notes:

5:14 What does it mean for a child to learn Torah?

“Sometimes, especially as kids go into schools, it feels like Jewish education sort of shifts and falls more into the role of schools… I know a lot of parents who’ve said ‘I have the knowledge and I can teach my kid, but still I’m paying for a tutor because something in the relationship just isn’t working. But still I think learning Torah with our kids can be really really special.’”

8:50 The challenges of learning Torah with children

“So much of the time, we feel like we’re in the role of disciplinarian and we don’t want Torah to feel that way… It’s just something we really love doing that we wanna do together.”

13:06 How to approach learning Torah with your children (Take it Easy)

“Don’t think of it as ‘I’m teaching my child Torah,’ but rather ‘I’m learning with my child.’”

20:35 Devash Magazine: making Torah learning sweet

“Make this magazine your own! Take what you like, we just want to provide exciting and really engaging Torah for kids and for families to learn together.”

Credits:

Host: Jodi Fried

Guest: Chana Kupetz

Editors: Iris Nelson and Maximus Quirino