These past several weeks my blogs have been exclusively focused on Israel and anti-Semitism. We, as a Jewish people, feel threatened. It’s an age-old story that we thought had ended. But it hasn’t. Though governments and mobs have risen against us, often seeking our annihilation, each time, they have failed. We have utilized many “strategies” throughout the ages to stymie our enemies. One powerful tool in our arsenal has always been education. No matter the circumstances we have always placed a high priority on the education of our children - to learn our traditions, to learn and be able to retell our stories, to impart our values and to live by them, and to instill a sense of pride and purpose in being Jewish and being a part of the Jewish people. Through education we have always prepared the next generation of Jews to lead, to live, and to affirm the purpose and richness of Jews being a part of the human tapestry. This approach consistently affirms our hope and belief in a positive future for the Jewish people.

Even though so much changed for us after the tragedy of October 7, at Schechter Bergen we have still kept the focus on our mission and educating our children. Our deep and meaningful work continues as we prepare the next generation. One major area of focus this year is the skill of  communicating effectively through writing.

While there is an undeniable need to teach children to become adept informational and content writers, we also need to recognize that education, at its very essence, is about striking the right balance. In an age of unprecedented access to information, there is also a deep desire for innovative thought. While we sharpen our writing skills to meet the moment, it is equally crucial to allow room for creative writing and thinking. This is where balance must come in.

When you examine the skills our children need, communication consistently tops the list, and many companies bemoan the fact that young people entering the workforce are underprepared. In our technologically-driven world, the ability to convey information concisely, accurately, and compellingly is paramount. Informational writing forms the bedrock of many professions and is the basis of our day-to-day communication in various media forms. By teaching children this skill, we equip them to participate fully in our shared global conversation. They learn to research, fact-check, structure their thoughts, and present their findings in a manner that can be easily understood and appreciated by their audience. And as we are painfully experiencing in the current information wars, it is easy to mislead and misinform people. This reality makes these skills more relevant than ever.

Schechter Bergen has adopted “The Writing Revolution” which is a well researched approach to teaching writing throughout the grades and content areas. Our teachers have been trained to incorporate explicit teaching strategies that begin at the sentence level all the way through essay writing. Throughout the process students will continue to plan, revise, and edit their writing as they always have.

However, as essential as informational writing is, it remains a skill of the mind, whereas creative writing is a talent of the soul. Creative writing provides an avenue for children to explore their inner worlds, express their feelings, and give voice to their unique perspectives. It can foster empathy, as students step into the shoes of characters different from themselves, and it prompts out-of-the-box thinking, a quality highly valued in today’s world. Out of the box thinking will be necessary to solve some of the most complex problems facing the world.

Creative writing has been linked to enhanced cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence. When children are given the opportunity to engage in the imaginative process, they learn to see connections that aren't immediately obvious, fostering innovative thought.  It is this aspect of learning that has continually given the United States the edge throughout the years.

Most of all, creativity is a supreme Jewish value. A few weeks ago we began reading the Torah anew. The relationship between creativity and the first Torah portion, Bereshit, offers a profound lesson on the value of creative thought. Bereshit, the Hebrew term for "In the beginning," tells the story of the world's creation. God speaks the world into existence, transforming the tohu va-vohu (formlessness and void) into a magnificent universe filled  with life and potential.

The act of creation in Bereshit symbolizes the ultimate act of creativity. It shows that creation is not just about constructing something tangible but also about introducing meaning, purpose, and order. There is no doubt that God serves as an inspiration for human creativity. Just as God transformed chaos into order, we too, can harness our creative energies to bring beauty, meaning, and innovation to our lives and the world around us.

Bereshit can teach our students that creativity isn't merely a recreational activity, it can be seen as a responsibility. Through writing,  art, or music, It's about crafting narratives, shaping perceptions, and, from a most sacred perspective, emulating God’s creativity for  making sense of the “chaos.”

I deeply support the research and evidence that points to the fact that to truly prepare students for the world they will inherit, a balanced approach to writing is essential. While informational writing equips them with the tools to navigate and contribute to the modern world, creative writing ensures they have the vision to innovate and lead. Drawing inspiration from Bereshit, we can impart the idea that creativity is not just a gift but also a responsibility – to oneself, to others, and to the broader world.

I would like to conclude this blog by sharing with you a video produced and performed by Jacob Collier, an artist who I believe is one of the most creative geniuses of our time. Jacob plays several instruments, writes music and lyrics and creates visual beauty along with his music. His writing is beautiful and creative and his music often bends the limits of traditional harmony.  People like Jacob are only possible when they are given the space and encouragement to imagine and create. Enjoy his latest piece, Little Blue which during this challenging time has new meaning for me.