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I don't believe that parents realize
what it takes out of a manal that has
hundreds of kids under his wing to try
to pick out those boys and really try to
give them proper attention.
>> They're hearing the child's perspective.
They're hearing the child's story.
They're not there. It always sounds
worse when you're not there.
>> Here you are punishing him with my movie
that everyone else should not learn from
him. diet. You cannot do that if he
doesn't deserve it on his own.
>> Welcome to the learning curve podcast
brought to you by Mishbaha magazine.
>> We are raising children in a changing
and challenging world.
>> So let's tackle the important issues
facing from families today. I am Rabbi
Garfield Manal of Yeshiva Terrace Emis
in Houston and I love talking about
>> I am Rabbi Iris Shfeld Manala Katana of
Manhattan base tipper of Manhattan and
director of camp. I also love talking
and sometimes fishing.
>> Join us as we answer your questions and
discuss the topics that matter to
parents the most.
>> And welcome back to the learning curve.
>> Oh yeah.
>> Yes. The summer months are upon us. Not
just spring, but summer months are upon
us. We just came back from an
invigorating Manal conference that I
think you rabbi had a lot to do with.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I was on the committee to
help uh get it going and we started,
this is the third year. We started with
60 Manal and then we went to 80 and now
we're like 110 120 I don't even know. It
was really successful. Great energy and
a great group from all over the country.
It really is the the
like a group therapy session when and
that saba the commonality and we'll talk
about it a little bit and we'll hear
about later um of really I think the
strides Ali and the from world has made
in leadership and in understanding
children is really it was it was
palpable um at the uh invention in the
illustrious resort in Stanford
Connecticut um emphasis on the word
illustrious Um but we we have a special
program in that we recorded this was our
first right we had a live recording with
me and you were actually saw each other
>> you're much smaller in person you know I
I felt
>> um and we we interviewed a bunch of man
together side by side at the night that
was a lot of fun and we'll we'll play
that soon um but let's recap happy recap
um of the uh Manales conference give me
a takeaway rabbi tell me something
special. Go.
>> Oh my gosh, we had so many, you know,
wonderful speakers. So, there's a lot of
things to take away, but I guess
something that I don't know if it's come
as a surprise, but would be of interest
to our listeners is we had Rabbi Ram
Fukandler. For those who don't know,
he's the, you know, he's a he's a
businessman, successful businessman
who's been the main supporter of Yeshua
in Berlin and the president and etc. for
for many many years and he's made a real
investment in his life into that
community. So he came and spoke about
different big picture issues that he has
seen and he was extremely passionate
about the need for us manal to advocate
for higher wages for rebane and this is
something like everyone gives lip
service too.
>> We discussed it recently a little bit
the need at least or the need.
>> Yeah.
>> Right.
>> Right. We were talking about retirement
I think in that context. But he was he
was talking about you know that
basically he was saying that there are
some in some environments like in a uh
in the type of work that he does
sometimes a secretary in a in a
corporate environment can make more than
the revy and how absurd that is and that
he really was putting it on us to go to
>> but is that's not fair to put it on us.
We're not. We need medium paychecks
ourselves. And know we're not the board.
We're not Yes and no. Because we do we
do own Listen, it's a group. We all are
responsible. If you're listening to
this, good news. You're also
responsible. Okay? So, we're all
responsible. But that said, I advocate
for things that I feel are absolutely
necessary in my school and I do with
passion. Let's say we need to split a
grade. We have a grade that has 25
students or 26. Do we need to split it?
Do we not? It certainly saves money to
keep them together, but I might advocate
and say to the board like we absolutely
need to split this for there's nothing
to talk about, right? And that is going
to carry weight. So, you know, I am
willing to own to some extent that we
need to push and we need to advocate and
we are at our school. We are we we try
to take care of Arabam and Moas and
general studies everybody more and more
and more along with everything else. But
what what I guess Rabbi Fandamler's
number was interesting. He shared that
the package that he gives his now
granted it's New York Brooklyn is
$120,000.
>> What does that mean? Package. How many
years is a Rebi in Kimberlin? Talk to
me.
>> I don't have the details, but that was
the number he said that I guess the
average what they consider they pay is,
you know, I think there's some
parsonage, maybe some yontiff bonuses.
Maybe maybe it's 110 plus 10. And like I
wasn't clear but he said it was 120
broadly and he was saying like you know
reb have to be getting more and more and
uh so I thought you know all of us
walked out it was a little stunning to
be honest but listen I think that's
something we all need to hear as cla
grow
>> as much as that number is not what most
professions make that's still a stunning
number for most who make half of that
>> correct but at the same time you know
who thinks you could live on less than
that no one mathematically it just
doesn't work and he was uh imploring us
to join him in this sort of advocacy and
uh okay you know it was inspiring it was
meaningful and I think anyone listening
should know that this is on our minds
you know I don't think I think we're
getting good rebain but we're they're
really living difficult lives and uh
let's not forget it what about you what
is something that you walked away with
>> I want to share something I already
quoted back in yeshiva we're back only a
couple of days since the convention and
an unbelievable statistic or an anecdote
from Dr. David Lieberman. But first from
Rabbi Uri Deutsch Rabi Deutsch who was
my first time sitting in an audience
Deutsch who was very very special. It
was a very special um just and a to hear
the the kite and the the the care and
the drive and the thoughtfulness very um
doesn't need my scama but very
nonetheless. And he said something
imploring us man Allan to think about
something and I quoted him today to a
parent.
>> Wow.
>> Sitting with a parent
>> and the debate was what to do with the
child for next year. You know hold you
know one of those things and I said to
the mother I said I have my opinion and
the other administrator has our opinion
but I was just at a term man conference
and an Urich begged us no one knows a
trial better than the Yiddish amalo.
And I said to the father, he didn't say
yiddishata maybe a little, right? But
the yiddish sham. And I said to the
mother who had who had insights, who had
thoughts, who cared. And I said, we are
partners in this. I don't know your
child so well. A child was young and it
was it was why they tried to come to our
school. What do we do with the child? I
said, you know your child better than we
do. You're the Yiddish man. And it was
it was such a a light bulb moment. We
you know, we like to say it. Yes. mother
knows best but but what to hear it from
a rub's perspective was I to me was
really it was
>> that was beautiful and it it is uh such
an important lesson something else he
said and it is very much related but not
the exact same thing he was talking
about I I forgot if it was about
policing vaping or technology but
basically he said the school can't set a
standard that's not the reality for that
child at home and in his world so like
in the reality of his world adults are
vaping I was vaping technology or maybe
both. I think he said it both in both
contexts. If like technology is part of
his world and vaping is part of his
world for good or for bad, but that's
just his world. And then school wants to
take a stand that's totally out of touch
with that. It creates a really
unsustainable situation. And he's like
the schools go ahead and they sh
and this is user gummer and whatever the
words are. And like the adults in the
kid's life are broadly doing that. He's
like it's an impossible situation. It's
a message that won't be successful and
it really doesn't ring true and
therefore it's there's no end. He said
better you should educate about it in a
realistic way I think is the message I
don't want to misquote him but that's
going to be more effective. Did you hear
that?
>> Yes. Yes. He he was talking about
challenges that I don't want to say
which which vice but certain you know
certain some of the one of these some of
these tendencies where are even seen
doing it in public. So how can you tell
the kid not to vape if he has right but
he he he did delineate I thought the
difference between as you said shring
against it screaming against it and this
is very cultural you know there are
certain communities that this is a much
bigger challenge than others the
technology and and you know whether it's
vaping smoking I'm drinking all of that
but he did say that there is something
called school rules and you're of course
a responsible and it's a demand on you
to set a standard in your school but
when You try to get into the hashkuffic
push and yet the kid goes home on chabas
as you said smartphones vaping drinking
right and and all of a sudden people are
doing it it becomes very very
challenging I I want to share an amazing
anecdote from Dr. David Lieberman who
was awesome oh wow I could have you know
for someone who doesn't like to sit so
long that was great
>> people full of for those who have never
heard of him you can go to Torah anytime
and type in Dr. David Lieberman. He has
loads of great stuff.
>> He said the most unbelievable two
anecdotes that were perfectly related
and he was speaking about the power of
listening and just being there for a
parent. Um being there for kids and it's
unrelated to whether you say yes or no.
That was the most unbelievable thing he
kept stressing. It's not about giving
into the kid what he wants. It's about
hearing him out. And he said a study was
done. You remember the study with 200
felons
>> with 2500 people sitting in jail
>> and they asked those people they took a
a poll of whether they they thought they
were treated fairly or not, right?
And the question was, "How fair do you
feel the legal system is?" And what was
incredible was that their answers
did not hinge and depend at all by how
many years they got. This guy was in for
life. This guy was in for 6 months, 18
months. It had nothing to do with their
sentence. The entire correlation and
exact connection was it was Bob Amida.
It was in measure of the amount of time
that their public defender spent with
them during trial. if their public
defenders, the more time the public
defender spent with them during trial,
the more fair they said the legal system
is even and nothing to do with their
sentence. One guy got just mindboggling.
One guy is there for light, he says it's
fair and the other guy's there for 6
months and says it's not fair. Just
being there to hear and then he said
something which this is his story, not
mine about the he said he was at a a
shabatone with divorced people. I think
it was women in the audience and he said
I asked one question and if the answer
is yes I asked the question if this and
this would have happened during your
marriage would you still be married and
he said three quarters of the hands went
up three quarters of the hands went up
and his question is
when you went to your spouse with an
issue and this is amazing had your
spouse he or she emphasized validated
heard you out but still didn't do what
you wanted,
would you still be married? Three
quarters of the room raised their hands.
I'm not I'm not a bucking show bias. I
barely um in in you know try to be a
little bit of a of of you know having
experienced
it is to me it was almost terrifying in
that it's not about whether you give the
present. It's not about whether you give
the extra recess. It's not about whether
a parent you agree with a parent that
the rebi was right or wrong.
It's just listen. It's do what I try to
do to to Garfield all the time. I just
>> Thank you. I thank you for it.
>> But how it was it was I was stunned by
by by those two stories. Absolutely blew
away. In a way it's empowering because
it means that you know you if you learn
the skills of listening and validation
you know that you can really be more
successful with more difficult
conversations and issues but uh it's
also very very powerful. Yeah. All right
let's introduce the next segment which
is this unique thing. So we we discussed
in advance of different manal to give
different perspectives on the life of a
manal sort of let our listeners hear the
back what goes on in a conference when
we're hanging around together late at
night and what we really
>> I'm sure people are waiting with baited
breath just the the excitement the
tingling of a manel conference what
could be more exciting
>> right what's it like so we got myself
and rafeld and four others as you'll
hear R goen from Toronto Rashes Forester
from Chicago, Rabbi Yuda Brasher from
Waterterberry, and Rabbi Aaron Gabia
from Lakewood. And as you'll hear, we
all come from very different
perspectives, but certainly shared a lot
of good times and good insights
together. Uh we apologize if the audio
is not as good as you're used to because
we were sitting around in this sort of
less than perfect environment, but
hopefully our tech team will polish it
up enough that you'll be able to hear it
and enjoy it. And we hope you enjoy this
very special interview recorded live
Stanford, Connecticut at the Tyra
Umasura Manalm Conference.
So as we continue on this very special
episode here live in the Manal
Conference in Connecticut, we decided to
do something a little different this
week Garfield and as opposed to taking
emails from parents, we're going to
bring parents under the hood. We figured
we're in a conference with over a
hundred of let's bring the most allow
you to introduce them and then discuss
the life the day maybe or the year or
the week in life of a manal.
>> Yeah. Wonderful. It is very special to
sit with such of manal and talk about
these issues and I love to conferences.
Anyone who knows me knows that. So to be
here with you and to bring the whole
learning curve tiur with us in the
conference is awesome. Okay. So we have
four very diverse from all over. Looks
Rabbi Heshi Forester is the manal of
Yeshiva Orbar in Chicago. Welcome.
>> Good evening. Thank you so much.
>> We have Rabuda Brasher the man of town
of Waterbury. Welcome Rab Brer.
>> Welcome. Thank you for having me.
>> We have Rabbi Dove Gopen the man of the
Toranto.
>> Thank you for having me.
>> And last but not least Aron Gabia the
manal of Shagasar and the older graves.
That's fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth.
>> Thank you. Looking forward
>> where is Shagasar? Lake
>> small little.
>> Yeah.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Wonderful. So, Rene Shfel, how are
we gonna how are we gonna break this
open?
>> So, I think but we're gonna have maybe
the manalum say a little bit about
themselves.
>> Great idea.
>> And then we're going to discuss we'll
throw Shilas to the audience about some
of the challenges that we have. This is
a little it's like an off thereord, you
know, conversation that maybe people
could listen in on about what what we do
as Malim. Some of our challenges that
maybe this is not just a therapy
session. This is hopefully something
that people can gain from.
>> All right. So, let me ask right far to
tell us a little about your background
just like you know how long you've been
in and a little about your school. How
many kids and who does it serve?
>> So, we've been in the business if you
can call it that for about 20 years now.
Mostly in New York last 5 years in
Chicago. Our school is about 380 boys
now.
>> That's K through eight.
>> K through eight. All boys.
>> Okay. Wonderful. Right. Brusher. been
for 27 years. Oh wow.
>> The last 25 of it has been in
Waterberry, Connecticut. For a few years
of Waterberry, we started with 10
>> students, five boys and five girls. So I
was a rebby in West Harford,
Connecticut. We have close to 800.
That's from daycare through 8th grade.
My job is in the boys division 250 and
also the preschool.
>> Oh wow.
>> So 250.
>> Beautiful. So you're preschool and boys.
These are the separate manales for
girls. And is there a rashet? Is there a
dean?
>> They're working on they're working on
that. But I think brother Garfield, if
I'm not mistaken, you're a Roshamoy.
>> I am. I am.
>> You happy in Houston?
>> Very happy. Couldn't be happier.
>> Okay. So, I guess we'll go to the next
word.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Maybe open rather golden.
How happy are you? No.
>> Been in Toronto since 2011 when they
opened their first parallel class. And I
bark some parallel classes straight
through.
>> Wow.
>> Yeah. So, I've been Rebby and then
Scamal.
>> What grade rebby were you?
>> Seventh grade. Best best year
>> I taught seventh grade Russell says
seventh grade and 10th grade the hardest
two grades to teach
>> the most.
>> Yeah. Yes.
>> And then
>> how many kids?
>> 330 kind of art.
>> Beautiful. Beautiful.
>> Is your goal to make it bigger or is
that like full capacity?
>> Make it great.
>> Okay. Rabbi Gabf, tell us a little about
your little Lakewood school.
>> All right. So, 21 years.
>> Whoa. Three years. Seventh grade. Oh
nice where
>> in bay ruven countets then I became the
sky manal there for seven years and now
I'm 11 year finishing my 11th year in
yeshiva shagasar as the manal of the
older grades
>> and how many kids in the whole school
>> 320 in the older grades 740 something
>> where where does shagas land I don't
know if this is a fair question to ask
in gamut
>> middle of the road
>> middle of the road in lakewood okay
>> anyone to the right is extreme and
anyone to the left is modern and he
that's how he involved. Yes. I think we
are a road trip. Talk about a great road
trip. You start out in Chicago, you go
to Toronto. I don't know how you get to
Houston, but then you go to Waterberry.
You stop off in Manhattan for a good
steak. You end up in Lakewood for a
better steak.
>> Yeah.
>> Then you come down to Houston. We know
meat. That's one thing we can do. Okay.
We're okay in the meat department.
>> Yeah.
>> So, what we're going to try to do is ask
questions and if anyone really wants to
to hop in to join, you'll feel free and
we'll take it from there. So, as we
said, we're going to try to be a little
bit of maybe vulnerable or um under the
hood to try to talk about what our job
is as Manalum so parents the next time
they come to the Manal's office can know
what to expect. What's one of the most
challenging parts of your job that
parents may not realize
>> now? Only one person could speak at a
time.
>> Yes, Savia.
>> Okay. I feel that the parts that parents
do not realize is when a child needs
special care, special attention, ags
that a child, not the mainstream child
that comes in, the autopilot kid, every
other kid needs something special. Some
of them need extra special. I don't
believe that parents realize what it
takes out of a manal that has hundreds
of kids under his wing to try to pick
out those boys and really try to give
them the proper attention and the proper
need and the proper care.
>> How does that express itself?
>> It could be a one-on-one with the
learning.
>> No, I mean when the parent doesn't
understand that, what do they do that
tells you they don't understand that?
they resist your trying to help or they
give you a hard time when you try to
offer something like
>> no no you just realize that they I don't
want to say I you know no one expects a
thank you but when you don't hear from
them
>> you realize that they don't they're just
>> they don't appreciate what you're doing
>> not catching on
>> they're not appreciating the the the
measures that you're doing to really
reach their child
>> the home say that no one realizes it
>> right but in general
>> in general you know parents pretty much
say I send my kids to
see all the intricacies isn't always
realized Hey Forester,
>> I think what Rebe was saying is true. I
think that's true for any profession
until you're in that profession. Until
you're you're in that person's shoes,
you don't know what it takes. You see a
building go up, bricks go off and
everything in it and the clinging and
the opicity and and it's it's wonderful.
It looks like it's happening by itself
and people are doing and they're they're
coming. They're slapping stuff and and
and it's just it's happening and every
day there's there's progress and it's
great until you're actually in it. You
don't really know what it what it takes.
It looks easier from the outside. It
looks like, but there's a lot happening
on its own and it it really is not.
>> I always wonder like what percentage of
parents think they could run the school
better than us.
>> Well, is it is it our fault as manal?
Are we not do we not share enough with
parents so that they think everything is
so hunky dory and so easy? Are we not
open enough?
>> So, I I I I think it's important to
understand that there are two very
different perspectives. Parents, I I
really believe parents know a child
better than anybody else. Parents know
their child and father being your
savior. There's no there's no question.
Parents and specifically mothers do
understand their children. However,
parents don't always understand the
school perspective. The school the
school administration knows the school.
is sometimes just looking at a class
child comes home and complaining to his
parents that this is happening and
that's happening and that and parents
based on the child's personality of of
the story they form an opinion of what
the class probably looks like but it
could be very different from what
reality is and you can't blame that
they're hearing the child's perspective
they're hearing the child's story
they're not there always sounds worse
when you're not there
>> when when when you're in it you see it
very differently
your Russer.
>> I think I can't disagree.
>> That's a Ray Garfield's job.
>> But it would have to touch the whole
difference.
>> That is so not true.
>> Parents have one agenda and they should.
The advocating for their children,
>> right?
>> The manal has many agendas which parents
don't really care about some of them.
The manal has to worry about the child,
the rebi, the institution, the sura, the
money, the English teacher,
everything. and therefore has to take
into account many other areas where the
parents don't really care take care of
my child. But in order for me to take
care of my child, I have to make sure
the reby's on board or the English
teachers on board the administration has
>> Is that explainable? Could you say that
to a parent or they or
>> I think that's like what for saying that
they don't they have no mag what it is
to be manal and I just would like to say
as a manal when I call my children's
schools and again now most of the years
they were my school but if they go out I
am so careful the way I do it and I it
it's a different appreciation I can
understand what you're going through.
This is my perspective. This is what I
see as a parent. I know what the other
side is. So I'll leave it in your hands.
So there's a there's I I deal with it
differently, but that's because like
forces you know your job. They don't
know what it means to build a building.
>> But it also helps when you understand
their perspective. So if I understand
the parent and I give them that feeling
that I understand them. Now I'm I'm
working with you as an individual. Now
we can also see the flip side. So we had
a discussion about this specific child,
what he as an individual needs, what's
good for him. We have an understanding.
You the parents hear from us. They hear
they hear the sympathy. They hear we're
working with them. Once now we have a
much stronger relationship. Now it's
easier for parents to see. But there's
also another perspective and we have to
look at the whole picture. So how can we
put this to all together? How can we
make this work?
>> All right. Genin, do you want to
>> Yeah. Yeah, I just want to just the word
challenging. I I I agree with what's
been saying bit what's been said, but I
would just say one of the parts that I I
feel I wish parents would understand is
the emotional toll that it takes for
somebody to be a man over so many kids
and you really like every decision you
make is like very heavy because you know
you're dealing with the nitp of the
child and the nama that's with you. It's
like very heavy. It's not like anything
that we take lightly and I think anytime
a call hasn't made like it's we're not
coming in a vacuum. It you know it takes
a lot out of us to to
>> Right. The parents don't know how many
times we don't call home.
>> Right.
>> Right. I have a I had a mother recently
that that the kid got in trouble in
school and she called me. Why didn't you
call? The kid did something wrong in
Shiva. And I said Mrs. So and so not
every time your son gets in trouble am I
going to call you. She was like she was
upset at me for not calling her so she
could take care of it at home. I said if
I were to call you every time you some
kind of trouble
>> and it was a par goat is when I get
cold. So but I like I don't want to do
that all the time. I know what it means
if I'm calling you that there's a
problem. So I had to deal with that and
just it's it's 247 really. It's all
nicely.
>> I had a great opportunity recently. I
was invited to a dinner with the mayor,
the mayor of Houston. Houston is the
fourth largest city. Isn't that a small
thing?
>> Do you know what a T4 is, Rebe Garfield?
>> Yes.
>> What's a T4?
>> It's like when you brag about something,
right? and you brag about something but
like you act like you're not
>> jealous.
>> So the person says I had a meeting with
the mayor of Houston, we would
categorize that as a T4. Continue.
>> Thank you for pointing that out.
>> So I said mayor. No. So I was thinking
before like if I have an opportunity to
ask him a question like what's a
question I would want to ask him. So
this is the question I I really want to
ask this to a a a politician of a high
level. When schools make a decision,
like a big decision like a a teacher
change or midyear or kid leaving or
whatever, the big decisions, there's so
much spin in the community about why and
how, and it's so far from the truth
usually, like for them to really
understand what went into that. Let's
say in the middle of the year, a general
studies teacher left and a new one came.
They come up with these things, the kids
and the parents and everyone knows, but
no one knows the truth that the teacher
had a personal tragedy or whatever it
is. It could be a million reasons and
you can't tell. So, I was just thinking,
imagine in government, right? Like, what
do you think goes on in in the senator's
office or in a president's office or
mayor's office and like the we're all
trying to figure out, we read the news,
right? Oh, probably this, probably that.
But the layers of complexity to any
decision that they make, it's got to be
as complex as my school. No. So, I
always wonder like, so do politicians
like all the journalists are making
stuff up. Like, if they're doing that
about my school, they don't know what's
going on. parents. It's very hard to
understand the nuances in these
decisions. You know,
>> if you asked him, he wouldn't tell you
the truth.
>> I didn't I didn't have a chance. I
didn't have a chance. But there was a
reporter there and after he left, I
said, "Oh, I wanted to ask this
question." The reporter said, "You're
absolutely right. Reporters are making
up stuff. You think it's true. They're
making up stuff,
>> right?
>> Because it's very hard to know." And I
think, you know, parents are very quick
to make a story that sort of makes sense
to them and then before you know it,
they've already executed on the story
and it's like, whoa, whoa, let's get the
facts, you know, a little right before
we get move on. The next question, I
think it really depends. I have a
tremendous advantage, Bar Hashem, and
that is that the size of Marsha is not
too small. So each class bar is full,
but we're small enough that
>> T4.
>> Well, I'm not sure. I want to make sure
and there's not other
>> We should do live more often.
>> Yeah, let's go. Let's go. But but we're
we're small enough that this this issue
is less. It's still a challenge. I think
the number one challenge of every
yeshiva, every m every manal is yak
versus rab. The yak does something and
really if it was just him, maybe I
wouldn't punish him, but he did it in
public and I have to make a you know an
example out of him and and I and how do
you balance if there was a y you would
never throw out of yeshiva. You would
never suspend the you would deal with
him as a kid. There's Lammanish.
Maybe we'll pick who who's the biggest
ishave. Who who has the most kids under?
We'll start with how do you balance? You
have how many kids in the seventh grade
in Shagasarag?
>> Three times 27.
>> So it's 81, right? You have 81 kids. How
do you balance a kid who I don't know
whatever it is? Pick your example. The y
versus again as as said all the parents
care about is the yak and you have to
care about the raim. That is a balance
that is wo.
>> So Deutsch tonight by the by the answer
this question and for those that stayed
around later they mold over this
question for about 20 minutes
>> who with him
>> with about 20 of us. I didn't see that
>> they they ripped him apart because that
was a question he said you cannot punish
ever in the face of
if the trial does not deserve it.
>> Right? So just to clarify, what was his
example? The example was can you over
punch? What was his example?
>> Imagine a kid being now normally if it
was you would do this and that. But now
that you are
you would like to throw for at least two
days. But if it was you would only do it
you would just give. So here you are
punishing him that everyone else should
not learn from him.
You cannot do that if he doesn't deserve
it on his own. So everyone was standing
right
>> right I think he said it was only in
best right was only in best
>> so why is that made he he lowered the
level of their
>> so he said but he lowered it
was without intent and he burst out to
the rabbi you cannot punish so by the
end after 20 minutes this was the v if
it's something that it was with intent
he's a wise guy the man will grow that's
part of it you are lowering bidavka the
level in the class that you can throw
him out if whatever you have to do on a
bigger level but if it was because he
was hurt or but then Ra tonight also
quote Rabon le that it's always because
he's hurt that there's no such thing
asbah that it's always because he's hurt
there's no such thing as a wise guy
>> great question it he said there's nobah
other things
>> always a wise guy but that was by the
end depends on
>> I have I have a messiah from bash my
first teaching job was in Shibas valley
and baron bash Bash um cartling them ali
spring valley and he had and now I'm on
the microphone a lot especially in camp
um see there you go I said camp Rabbi
Bash never said the last name of a child
on the microphone in the dining room to
get his attention to discipline in other
words if you have a kid who's in was
making noise in the dining room the
kid's name is Jacob Goldstein he would
go like this in the microphone yakov
turn the microphone off Goldstein so sit
down or whatever the idea of publicly
humiliating or calling ing out a kid
never on a microphone because of that
idea. Just because Jakob Goldstein is in
public doesn't give me a right to
embarrass him in public. So I in camp I
try. Believe me that I'll never ever on
a microphone say a kid's full name if I
want to get his attention for something
negative.
>> I'm in it with you. Never ever. 21
years.
>> Yeah. I don't I don't remember ever
doing it.
>> Why you have to call him get his
attention? Why are you calling his name?
>> You're reminding me I was sto in 12th
grade. They stole from me.
>> Excuse me.
>> What happened? I was sitt was stolen
from me in 12th grade. I was into
learning and that we had kabusa's
burakas and I was learning with a very
good kabusa and they said it's not
working. We have to make a shar. I said
what do you mean it's not working? I'm
learning well with my kabusa. No the
whole class is not learning well with
their kuza. We have to make a shir and
you have to go sit in the shir. And I've
learned so since then. Thank you. And
I'm those people. But I remember like as
a y I was so angry at them for stealing
my so that I have to sit with all these
clowns in a shir.
>> So what do we do then? So what do we do?
>> So Rabbi go thank you just first of all
innocent crows in his sacred mustism
is only for based
>> only.
So yeah, it's Gordon Saber. That's first
of all. Second of all, there's always a
why. And I mean, we have this all the
time where you have different families
who adhere to certain rules and other
ones don't. Like it comes up all the
time and you judge every family
different. You judge every kid
different. There is a call fair is not
equal. Not everybody's not equal and
every kid needs something different.
You've got to find out why the kid did
what he did and it's not applicable to
everybody else. So if he went ahead and
he screened out something he should not
have screened out in public, why do you
do that? Do you sit him down afterwards?
You say, "Why'd you do that?" Sometimes.
>> So, he's never punished.
>> I say you're never punished. You have to
punish according to what he did and it
might not apply to the cl other people
might do it. It might be something
different. But that's every kid's a
Every kid's different. So, I had a
mother call me a kid used an
inappropriate word on the school van
again, which is maybe the toughest place
in in America in Israel is the van on
the bus, right? No one has ever solved
this school van. So the mother called me
a week later and was upset at me for not
dealing with it. And I said, "Mrs."
Everyone ghost everyone's ghosting to
me. I said, "Mr. Goston, I dealt with
it. What do you mean I dealt with it?" I
called the boy out. I called his
parents. I spoke to him. He made a
program. But you didn't in public tell
the rest of the van that he got in
trouble. So I said to her, I didn't want
to embarrass him. But how is my son
supposed to know that you take
inappropriate language seriously? So I
thought it was I'm like excuse me that
was my said that my job as anal is to
decide whether I didn't want to
embarrass this kid in public public and
she was very upset at me cuz my son now
thinks that inappropriate language is
fine.
>> Her son thinks inappropriate language is
fine.
>> Hard to believe
>> a boy used bad language. He came home
complaining. She said I'm going to call
Jeanfeld and nothing happened. Rebecca
>> I wanted this the longest he kept quiet.
>> There's no real good answer. We heard
from the two veteran now. So therefore
maybe now with other two if you read the
read the question
>> read the question like a landed
>> how do you balance the needs it doesn't
say punishments with the needs of the
whole class you're talking about special
needs you're talking about breaks
everybody's focusing on punishment
>> well the question the question was pokes
with punishments even though it wasn't
read that way
>> but now let's go to the other
>> half
to be heard or any insight
>> is this mother right this mother says to
me how could you not announce to the
class that this kid got his mother call
that he called him into his office. They
think inappropriate language in the van
is fine.
>> I really would if it was me do go into
class and speak about a problem. Not say
that I did say this is not.
>> So you're saying I was wrong.
>> I I wouldn't say the problem I bought it
to me but
>> I'm a something
there's also four kids on the van. So I
said to her I said it's 20 kids in the
class. There are four kids on the van.
>> So it's different.
>> She wanted me to call out the whole van.
>> Why come split the difference? Whatever
you do with the individual on an
individual basis, he gets what he needs
for his for his but the fact that there
was inappropriate language used on the
on the van now then the next day he can
get on the van for 10 seconds and was
only reminder that when we we're we're
on the van even though there's no adult
we still have to be careful and we're
getting and and our mouths are are
>> you have dealt with this before in your
school you have it down paths
be careful how says yeah
>> in other words without pointing out
about the boy just a non advis exactly
not I'm not saying anything
>> with the most well the mother wants to
get
>> the mother wanted to get
>> you know we she really can't always make
much happy it's not okay you can't
punish make somebody else happy
>> all right let's move on the next
question there this is related but a
little different What do you do when
there's a tension between what the
school could offer and what a parent
expects? So, I have a good standard
example is is a second math class, you
know, like you have a one math class in
eighth grade, either it's algebra or
it's not algebra. And that kid needs
either algebra or not algebra. And the
parent comes and says, you know, what
kind of school is this? You're not
offering what my child needs. Or let's
say in gamarra could be the same thing
where the child is either advanced or
below and you can't do it. So how have
you found the ability to communicate
that and make that understood or how do
you deal with scenarios like that
>> in general you can't always address
every single every single need that may
be true but there's a certain reputation
there's a certain feeling that we give
off there's a vibe that we give off if
the vibe is as much as we have rules
we're okay to break rules when we need
to because we look after the individual
so then it's Okay, I can't always do
that. We have that we have this issue
very often. We have parallel classes.
>> How many in a class?
>> We have up to 25. So some of the grades
are roughly about 20ish, some a little
less, some more. But there's two classes
of every grade all the way through. Now
very often a parent would see sees
social just as an example would see a
social situation whether correct or
incorrect, but they perceive it a
certain way. I think be be better for my
kid to be in the other class or for next
year please I want my son to have that
rebby that moa and that teacher can't
always do that we can't operate a school
or a restaurant menu where I'll have one
of that twodos
it just doesn't doesn't work that way
but the individual doesn't always see
that but if they hear the feeling that
let me understand what what's behind the
request let me understand what what's
your thinking what what is it that you
want for your Let's see if I can make
that happen in some way. So now I
already I have that feeling I want to
work with you. I want to make it happen.
I can't always get in the classing the
class you want.
>> I think it's so MS if the parents feel
that the yeshiva is there for them
in a general sense they'll be so
patient. If you parent calls you my son
is needs enrichment and you say Mrs.
goal scene. I'm really working on it and
I'm going to call him out and ask him to
convey Kasha. I'm going to send him
extra homework. Little tiny things. If
the parent feels that you are a that
that you hear them, I it goes the
longest way.
>> I think that you asked me attention to
again listening. I think Shanti was
saying to to let them hear them out. I
think more than they hear them out
sometimes they get caught up. And we
just had this promise last week. Narn
sent the parents sent a whole email.
Yes. Now did nothing for this kid. This
kid by the end of the year doesn't know
how doesn't know any Korea. And we keep
a good record and we sent a list of 20
items. First sent it to the RV which is
always a good thing you attention.
Sometimes the RV, we heard this tonight
from the RV could be that mediator and
the middleman and speak to him before
and it comes to the to the meetings. And
he was blown away of what we did. He
says, "I'm going to speak to the parents
and say you heard from the school at
some Y and Zc and Barashem we got them
on board." A lot of times they don't
realize that too in their in their
moment of upset and want and demanding
they forgot that you tried nine
different things. But I do think it's
listening to them, caring for them,
hearing them out and say, "Let's see
what I could do." And make sure when you
say you'll get back to them, you will
get back to them. Unfortunately, people
think man, don't get back to them. So I
think that's also a key to whatever you
say, make sure to do I can't fathom the
rest of the here. You have I I'm I'm so
my not Makana any of you. I haveund
200 kids in my between boys and girls
pre-K through 8. Our preschool has 80
kids in it. Our boys and girls school
has 120 kids in it. I feel like I have
an ability to talk to parents to deal
with kids. We had a school picture a few
weeks ago and I looked around at the
picture and I'm like two kids are
absent. I'm able to do that and you're
you have hundreds. How do you deal with
within with parents with and this is
most of client's roles like you not like
me I I think where that's why I want you
should come to sh but there's hundreds
of kids how is it possible to give that
kid what he needs in enrichment to give
that kid what he needs in special ed
when unless you have an incredible
layered staff unless you are organized
to the wazoo regen how do you do that
>> so um there are a lot of things you can
do to make that personal connection and
>> with 350 kids.
>> Yeah. So I make a point every morning is
standing outside when the kids come and
I greet them.
>> Rabender is you're a Tom Rabender.
>> They know I know when kids aren't there.
I I know they're not there. I see that
they're already if they're not off the
bus or group of boys come off the bus.
So I can I know the boys are supposed to
be on the bus. They're not on the bus.
And I know who's comes in the car. By
now I know who's in the cars. By mid
year you know who's coming in carpulls.
You see them and somebody's not there.
Where's your brother? What's going on?
Make the point of walking through just
looking for kids. They're your kids.
Like you would know when your kid's not
there. It doesn't make them be 700, be
300, maybe 200. They're your kids. The
reason you don't know they're not there.
It's because they're your kid. So of
course you just I not there. Of course.
>> Rab Gab, what do you say? Okay. I want
to say I would send my kids to to
Canada, which
>> I mean it's it's it's beyond to have
someone that feels like a father the way
we just heard from Rabbi Gopz is incred.
Okay. I I would say like everybody else
that when you work hard and you try to
make the feel important and you try to
make exceptions for those and you try to
continuously do whatever you could for
those special cases yes the parents will
appreciate it even if you cannot succeed
you could do success is not only the
full success sometimes you could get 50%
there sometimes 30% there parents
appreciate it as said you got to get
back to them all the time and tell them
what you do to try and then they're on
board even if you couldn't into what
they expected.
>> And that's your experience?
>> My experience non-stop.
>> Really? Wow.
>> And if you and if you don't try and you
don't get back to them, it's like the
worst.
>> You're done cuz my son needs special and
you haven't done a thing.
>> All right. Now, we're going to talk
directly to the parents and and ask you
to answer the following question. What's
a small but impactful thing that parents
could do at home that could make their
child's school experience better? Are
you open? I would say as a parent I have
this it's it's an issue I know also but
making your kids breakfast
>> you know my kids come to come to school
what you have this morning I do with my
own kid
>> what do you make your kids for breakfast
>> so my kid play he plays with me he's
like I was like what you have for
breakfast he's LIKE I LIKE I got to
speak to your mother you know what kids
make a send them off in in a way that
they they're happy to go
>> you should know that Geldworth once gave
spoke in my Manhattan um professional
development or bleep gelworth and he
said when a kid comes into the class
cranky. The first question he asks is,
"Did you have breakfast?" And he has
like a little cabinet of food.
>> Our first grade Revy has in in the
classroom. It's a
>> really That's what I'm saying.
>> I have snacks and breakfast.
>> You find that go you find that parent
that it's an issue of kids coming to
school without breakfast.
>> Well,
>> I'm not talking about a broken home
where where that's a challenge.
>> Breakfast consists of orange juice or
hot chocolate or or chopping milk.
That's breakfast and they're just
running out. But life is harried. It's
even in Toronto, Canada. But life is
hairy and a lot of kids got to get out
in the morning. I understand where it
comes from. But kids come, that's also
the first question we ask. You know,
it's hard to go to sleep last night and
did you have breakfast this morning? If
not, go get the multi beer cheerio bag
from the clock. It doesn't make it that
exciting, but at least they should have
something in did you eat? I asked them I
signed on the note ate breakfast. Did
you do and eat? I asked for did you eat
breakfast and then I asked did you do
but um they need to come you know.
>> Wow.
>> Well,
>> very faster. I agree breakfast is
important. I don't think anybody would
ever disagree with that. And and we
don't we don't even
>> Do you eat breakfast? I barely eat
breakfast. I have a coffee and there's
and that's how I know it's important. I
think it's something to make breakfast.
I
>> They would probably
>> Okay. I We don't even serve lunch and I
can say kids bring bring home lunch. You
can see see what they're eating for
lunch. It's it's a disaster. It's really
It's really not good. I I I want to
suggest a whole different perspective.
If parents I I think there's there's a
job on us also is there's a partnership
that a school and parents have where we
have to respect each other and the child
will end up flourishing because of that.
If the child hears from the school how
we're mash the parents, you know, and
and I'll tell a child sometimes, you
know, I just spoke to your mother that
there was some behavior thing, some
whatever, whatever the issue was, but
before I tell you what we spoke about,
do you know, you know, I realized how
lucky you are.
>> Your boss loves you so much. Awesome.
>> She wants to she will do anything to
help you. Now, here's what we're going
to do. Whatever whatever the discussion
was, it it raises a level of respect in
in the job. If we as parents do the same
thing in reverse, wow, look at this
test. You know, you did so well on the
test. That's great. I'm so proud of you.
All that all that. That's important. Oh,
see work hard. M
That's great. Ha comes home before pay
is unbelievable. made the arts and
perhaps projects or what whatever grade
it is. This is great. Your rebby, your m
it's such a vendor so much work into
this. This is beautiful. It doesn't take
much. It goes both ways.
>> Beautiful.
>> You know,
>> if I could just add pressure
>> to Forsa that you said what small thing
just to go off for saying instead of
like what how was your day? In other
words, well get them trained something
good happened. Thanks. So yeah, what
happened today yes like asking for
something
>> sounds like you're fishing for fishing
negative and one parent recently told me
he says you know what I changed my mahal
instead lows and then start positive
>> what does she ask tell me something good
that happened at school today
>> right I knew I need something positive
that happened today
>> we do in my family we do highs and lows
>> you know highs and lows every day Friday
night at the suda relax
>> there's a different angle I really
appreciate what you're saying I learned
something here at the at But he's as
well not only the parents of of really
recognizing as a man we do this to our
babes. Someone said this tonight going
into a class and saying wow. So the rebi
I went into the middle school dun was
there this couple days and the rebi says
well they they know it already. You
don't have to give me excuses. I'm here
to make them feel good and you feel
good. It's okay that they're doing well.
So so I think that's important that this
the manal sort of spat the red be in
front of the kids and they go bad and
they feel good about
>> agree. I don't think parents realize how
impactful their attitude about school is
on the children's experience in school.
Like we know which parents don't respect
us because we see how the kids are so
flippant. You know, they're like was a
certain kid in my yeshiva this year that
is struggling with his rebi. And then I
found out that his mother, not in a
nasty way, but has been I don't want to
say bad mouthing, but has been cringing
right
>> and ketching about the Rebi to other
people. And it's like no wonder your son
doesn't you know doesn't doesn't love
his rebie.
>> I have a I have a technique that I try
to do is double down in positivity on
those people on the children. So like I
treat them so well. I mean we treat all
the children well but it's I know that
if it's coming from a family I know I
have to work extra hard to to like be
there to overcome the negativity that
they're getting at home.
>> Do you do that with the parents also?
>> I try. It's harder.
>> Why is it harder? you have less access
to them and they're more entrenched in
their it's more of like a lifestyle
sometimes.
>> So you just so you just avoid those.
>> Yeah. No, but you try but it's harder.
But the kids they're naive they you know
they're not as hardened in their dislike
and if you're really nice to them they
respond to it. I mean everyone responds
to kindness. It's not like I'm the
>> Yeah. But but you know with the children
you could really be genuine and and the
kids appreciate it.
>> If I could add
>> Rabbi Gabby off please. Thomas, how
number one I love that that was such a
beautiful thing that you mentioned
before, sir.
>> I'll tell you where it came from.
>> Where did it come from?
>> It came from says, "I don't remember who
I told you that you have an unbelievable
baritone like voice that's just like,
>> wow, you should start your own. You
should have your own pocket."
>> And if if people in the People see your
beard, they would realize that this is
it's not a lifestyle.
>> Where did it come from, Rabbi Forester?
>> Not the baritone. story of the miser
it's when a child when a child
misbehaves a child's disrespect for wet
child answers back to his mother it's
very hard for his mother to say
can't talk to me like that to stand up
for your own cover is very very
difficult but the father can step in
>> and he says oh don't talk to can't you
can't talk to your mother like that
>> and vice versa each one sticks up for
the other It it makes a much more
wholesome.
>> So before they're saying is that his
kids struggle with at home. So him and
his wife have have they developed this
technique after the boys came from
>> brother Gabby I thought you wanted to
add something else.
>> So I wanted to say I'm thinking now that
we have six I'm sitting around the
table. Yeah. I never thought about
speaking to parents about this. Imagine
by your next parent meeting you
mentioned say we're working on this
networking. We we realize how important
it is and we're going to put extra
effort at every opportunity. We want to
tell you that if you did the same, this
would be such a shirt to this that your
kids will become the next kid.
>> But the parents have to believe you that
you're actually sticking up for the
parents and not saying, "Ah, don't
listen to your parents. Listen."
>> Well, that's what that's the first part
of the drug show. We're going to put in
the effort. So, you will listen to,
>> right?
>> I have an idea. One, we do we do
campaigns and programs every time.
>> Adopt a parent. Whoa.
simple keep program the braas and
mitzvah and all kinds of things that's
keep push it's so important to to
respect the honors
>> my beautiful
>> call your grandparents and I have a reb
every Friday he has a program to call
your grandparents a pirate and he has a
whole it's beautiful
>> really nice said yeah
>> I want to add one last thing a parent
could do to help I think it was
mentioned very quickly
>> go away to sleep on time Mhm.
>> Nothing better than that. Do whatever it
takes. Prizes, take them to 12. Figure
it out. Have your kid go to sleep on
time. 90%
after breakfast would
>> I had a parent today tell me that, you
know why my son's in bed the last couple
of weeks? Cuz he was going to bed on
time today. So
>> supreme Sunday mornings have dala in
yeshiva.
>> He go to sleep by 8:30.
>> That's great.
>> So we do Abdullah and he get an extra
prize part of the ref
>> if I'm not part of at night. Yes. We
make we make Abdullah in Nhiva.
>> I need you cuz my daughter I have a
first grade daughter Shabas refuses to
go to sleep before Abdullah. So I'm
making Abdullah during Shabas if during
the suda. I'm like I'm have no problem.
>> That's a good breakfast right?
>> Yeah that sounds a little fishy. The
brain man
>> I want to end off with with the
following question and really this is
really a group therapy session for us.
So this question so if parents want they
can end the podcast now and or they
could just listen in. I'll share a a
challenge that I have. Maybe my my board
members and my parents know what I'm
talking about and they should and I
shouldn't say this but I'll share it
anyways.
>> Should I share it anyways?
>> Share it anyway.
>> Okay.
>> We could always edit it out of the
podcast if I don't like it. My father's
a RV. You should have you should be gaz.
My grandfather is but both our brothers
are lawyers. So I don't come from a
family that had felt I had to be in I
chose
because I felt that it was a a higher
lifestyle a higher calling I I I I don't
understand how person I hope no one
takes this personally listening could be
an accountant a lawyer a hedge fund real
estate wears every day I wake up and I
feel like my life has meaning and I
think I it's it's a very I feel
incredible to be a man and yet there are
some times where you feel like you're
not in clay kesh. There are some times
where you're dealing with whether it's a
political issue in the town or you're
trying to you're meeting the the board
and you're trying to figure out finances
and you're just like I I should just
gone into hedge funds and at least I
would have made money.
>> Here I am doing the same acquisition,
you know, hack. I'm doing the same
trying to build merging and trying to
build different groups of people and as
a rebby you feel it. You feel it you in
you're in the classroom every day you're
dealing with the and as a manal
sometimes you feel it and sometimes you
don't. So I'm asking for myself, this is
a personal vulnerability.
H what gives you in moments or in days
or in weeks where you're just like at
the end of the day you didn't learn that
day, right? And you're busy with with
with with with hiring and salaries. This
is the time of the year, right? And it's
like, oh my gosh, I want to fight with
the fourth grade English teacher of what
what what her salary like like what?
That's not why I'm here. You're all
laughing. You're all crying or laughing.
and and but and but but I want to be I I
wake up in the morning saying I chose
this because I am I'm in Kesh help me
out help me out Garfeld I'm gonna start
with you how's that I
>> I think there's no other answer than
when you're able to really change the
life of a child that that power
>> but I'm not changing the life of a child
with an English teacher about you know
what her severance pays
>> so in that moment you're not but when
you have opportunities to throughout
your day and throughout your you know
time in your have where you're really
making a difference to people and really
building the future of Clay Israel. You
got to keep that in mind. And I'm not
saying it's easy. It's hard. It's hard.
But like for me at least that the the
that knowledge and seeing it when you're
really able to make a difference or a
difference to an adult too, a difference
to the staff that we have Mishbaka,
there's something unique that a manal
could do in in your role that really
could could uh help people in such a
dramatic way. So for me personally
that's what helps me um you know get
balances the negativity and the
positivity.
>> Do you struggle with the negativity?
>> Yeah, for me it's a little different.
It's not so much the minutia of the non
haliga aspects. It's when I feel that
the expectation on myself to produce and
to make a school great and to and to
bring resources and to make it awesome
and I can't get there. It's just like
beyond me. And that leaves me sometimes
feeling like down like I want it to be
better. I want to be perfect. I want to
have great
>> unfair expectations. Yeah,
unrealistications of myself. And so it's
taken me time to work on that. You know,
you always are beating yourself up. You
have to be careful,
>> you know, not to beat I I find myself
it's easy for me to beat myself up. Why
isn't it better? Why didn't I Why don't
we have the curriculum clear? Why don't
we have guidelines better? How did we
not know that? And the reality is that,
you know, you can only give a you can
only give as much as you could give and
you're not going to get it all. In fact,
about two years into my job, I had an
artist make me a piece of art that hangs
in front of me because I found myself
kept keep saying that to myself in the
room like I can't I can't.
>> It's all saying it is your name but all
quit.
>> So that kazal is really what keeps me
grounded. But the the the the
inspiration for me of being able to
really make a difference and it happens
here and there you can really connect
and help someone is very empowering.
>> I have a foster every artist was going
to paint. You're going to paint the room
or even not even an artwork. You're
going to paint the room. There's a
certain amount of scraping that you have
to do before you can start painting.
There has to be a primer. If there's a
layer of paint from before, you can't
just paint on top of it. You have to
scrape it off. And so, there's always
going to be this little, you know, those
little bumps, those little things that
we're were not so pleased about. But
now, we would rather not have to do. And
sometimes when when you have to quote
unquote punish a child, it's not a
shimari. It's not right. We have to, you
know, avail and the it's it's really not
pleasant, but we know that that's that's
what we have to do. And sometimes, let's
say, you give an example of a political
thing. Yeah. It's not really why we went
into this business. That's true. And I
don't have to deal with the, you know,
town stuff and, you know, and visiting
the politics and the sh with the the
school and what whatever the issues may
be. I don't want to have to deal with
that. But sometimes that's confident, of
course. And I mean, but if we set our
goal like in every business, every
organization, every business has a
mission or they should have a mission
and you make sure that you review your
mission all the time. You're constantly
reviewing your mission and you keep your
eye on the prize. This is what I want to
get to. So good. I know that throughout
the day I'm going to get pulled away
that I I have that anchor that keeps
pulling me back. I want to make sure I
get to that. So, in an example, for me,
my goal is
whatever the the mission is is obvious,
but I make sure I'm in a classroom often
enough. I don't care what no matter
what's happening. So, some days it don't
matter less than others and I'll get
pulled away, but I'll make sure I'm in a
schedule for her in half a week or
whatever it is because that's when I get
mash. I got my prize again. I know.
going to get it's my opportunity not
only to see the nas it's my my
opportunity to give I for her class more
to give than than than to get again
tremendous nas but that that's how I
build myas that's my opportunity I'm not
there in the morning like a big open is
to greet the boys in the morning because
I made a decision I did that for a
couple of years and it's great don't
give it out but I I detract with the
older boys I can't do both the tarn just
doesn't work so if if you can if you can
wing it that that's great the tarn just
doesn't work I mean the But the way the
schedule is now, it doesn't work. So I
can't do both. So for whatever reason, I
decided this year actually I'm making a
decision and I I created upstairs with
the uh with the older boys. I'm not
there anymore. So when am I interacting
with it? So I make sure that throughout
the month I there's a cycle ro so I have
I have that matters. Yes, I get pulled
away for for other things and it's
Nakashma but I have that
>> just want to add I think you said to her
what keeps me inspired there's two areas
one is teaching must every manal must
continue to teach something
>> like like on organized
>> I do it I do it on Fridays teach eighth
grade that's so rewarding to me and then
as well going into different classes
when you do things and you see the you
see their smile
That is valuable. That's keep me
inspired as well as a rebby. Like a
rebby came to me. I heard you start a
program there. I want to start it here.
Wow. How do you know to make me feel
good? This was my you know on Friday. So
I went in and start a flip program in
that class. Those are things that keep
me going and keep me inspired. And then
you could deal with all those other
things. The fourth grade math teacher
salary.
>> It's the I see we're all saying similar.
It's the it's the substantive
interactions with kids that really is
why we got into this, right? and keeps
us, you know, right open. How about you?
>> So, I do that in the older boys, but
sometimes I have to leave early because
I I want to be out there. But there's so
many moments during the day in my week
that you really can inspiration. I walk
by some classes. I'll just listen from
outside. I'll just listen to the rabbi
go. I'll listen to the kids learning.
You can't help walk through a hallway
here in
learning. He's
>> gin is good. Er shave museum an email
address appearance to apply to your
school
to Canada. You already got the last
slide over
Canada right place the silver right wow
>> we do this thing Arab shabasa and I
recommend it to everybody it's it's 25
minutes all of sak we sing a couple good
it's grade one through four I I can tell
you whatever my week has been like it
it's it's all gone by that eros you see
little kids and they're screaming
they're yelling they pushing on the
table and now we're seeing like beh and
they're really getting into it like
there's somebody and then you just go
vit you get invited invited to I got
invited to a Talmud's the pine verse kid
a kid I taught in 14 years like I'm
saying the kid makes it all worth it I
told the father they said I don't have
any kids of my own I'd rather brand kids
but this is the clothes I did feel to
disable like there's so many moments you
just take them in
>> beautiful
>> so I'm going to take a different a
little different twist here I I find
that the thing that gives the most Cbook
and the most is watching kids change I I
have five six seven, eight. So I I'm and
very focused on that. There's such a big
change. Sometimes you find real real
healite in fifth grade. They they turn
around in sixth, then they turn around
sometimes in seventh. And and I watch
and I say that was all worth it.
>> Wow.
>> And my interaction with them is I'm not
I am in the classrooms a lot. Not not as
much as I would like, but my interaction
all the time is in the hallway. I with
kids throughout. They love shoes with me
after chocolate and the hallway on the
way in for me. says on the way out to
Schmoozer and the Handler I I feel like
an uncle to them many times but I have
to be
>> not a Zeta
>> one day and one Saturday with I'm like
their uncle many many times just that
interaction yes I also speak to them
after with the with the older boys and I
speak to them for a few minutes after
after Shak is that's where I give my
anything I want to give also it's great
but watching kids change and grow is
just that's I I feel That's really good.
>> Besides,
>> let's not forget every once in a while I
think about the hab we're going to get.
>> I get that. Yes, we could be richer. I
think we're all bush be able to run
hedge funds maybe. But bigger picture,
you got to think about hab say you know
what we're doing this for.
>> Beautiful.
>> But those successes are too.
>> That's true.
>> That's true. That's true.
>> So I'll Garfield, I'll let you close. I
just want to end by I hope parents and
our avid listeners appreciate or or at
least are inspired by the way we are
inspired to listen to I don't know my
manal hope they're not listening when I
was a kid we're not like this and not
just theos but the ava around this um
table and I hope parents hear what me
and you hear and that is the the care
the love the mysterious nephesh but more
than that it's the embracing and and we
don't want to be anywhere else as much
as maybe we're talented and we could do
head funds and lawyers and accountants
we could have been anywhere else you
know I think the six of us represent the
hundred of us that are at this
conference that you know
we we make mistakes as we're not perfect
but we we are here for the for the
children we're here for for Cli and
really we we love it. We we we laugh
tonight a lot but but I think I'm not M
kind of anyone else that does anything
else. Not my kind of my wealthy brothers
who are lawyers. I love it. But but but
and I hope parents appreciate the fact
that us man make plenty of mistakes. We
give our kishkas to the kids and all we
want as as all the man ever said is that
our our kid should be mik.
>> Beautiful. Beautiful. I I couldn't have
said it better. That was beautiful.
Exactly very similar to what I was
thinking and this idea that when we deal
with a kid we always say kids are good
and they want to do good and if there's
not there's a reason and I think just
sitting around here and listening to us
we feel the same way about manalum right
parents if manalum something's not
working it's not because we don't are
good
>> that's that's exactly what I want to say
I see we're good we're trying we have a
lot of things going on we're trying we
want to do good and if there's a problem
let's talk about it let's try to figure
it out give us opportunity. I think
everyone here just wants the opportunity
to try to work it through and be the
best we can be and uh you know we have
limitations both from us and from the
circumstances but it's not because of a
lack of desire to be there for your
children and for your families. Rabbi
say thank you so much. It was wonderful
to spend time together and hashem we'll
be able to continue to build tora and
and kinder for kasra.
Well that was wonderful. I'm sure you
could all tell how much we enjoyed the
time we spent together. I think there
was a lot of laughter and a lot of
shared experiences. And I know Rabbi
Shford and I, we left off the
conversation being Mishab these
wonderful manal and I still feel that
way. I still feel it was such a keshm to
see that these are the people running
the schools of our children.
>> Yeah. And for me, if that's my walk away
from this conference, besides hopefully
what we gained, you know, pedagogically
was
that we're in pretty good hands. I know
we're giving ourselves a pat on the back
here, but professionally the monolim we
really, and this is the we, this is the
big we, not just not not me necessarily,
not not you Garfield care. We're we're
not we're not trying to be controlling
and of course we're not perfect but the
the the desire to be there for kids and
to be there for parents.
>> Such a sincere group. It's such a like
kidish that such a group of people get
together to say what could we do more
for Claudius essentially.
>> We're being really really mushy. I think
people are going to I think people shut
it off already. You could end it with
the podcast.
>> All right. So let me just say this
before we end.
>> Thank you for listening. Please feel
free to send any question or comments.
We love your comments to the learning
curve at mishbah.com
and we're looking forward to hearing
from you and continuing to talk here
together.