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www.jewishjacksonville.org
EDUCATION
Block Gan offers philosophy for children By MOLLY SWEET
Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool
Michele Block Gan Yeladim junior kindergarten and kindergarten classes are embarking on a philosophical journey through a recent partnership with the University of North Florida’s department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, with a program called Philosophy for Children or P4C. Philosophy for Children, created by Dr. Matthew Lipman of the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children at Montclair University, aims to develop children’s ability to think independently,
responsibly and in caring ways by creating intellectually safe communities where philosophical inquiry can thrive. P4C creates a space for gently Socratic inquiry. Socratic in that it is based on dialogue, but gently because it is not the methodical questioning and cross-examining procedure that is associated with the Socratic method. Gently Socratic inquiry honors listening, thoughtfulness, silence, care and respect for the thoughts of others. “Above all, the classroom is an intellectually safe place that is not in a rush to get somewhere. Intellectual safety is the bedrock upon which inquiry grows,� says Dr. Thomas E. Jackson, director of the philosophy in the Schools Project in Hawaii. Michele Block Gan Yeladim junior kindergarten teacher Sue Fligor describes a recent session in her class, “We made a community ball out of yarn. The children were taught that philosophy means thinking and listening. When a child is holding the community ball he or she is the only one allowed to talk. The community ball was passed around our meeting circle.� Assistant Professor Dr. Sarah Mattice and Associate Professor Dr. Alissa Hurwitz Swota as well as graduate students from the department of Philosophy and Religious Studies will work with students in weekly sessions over the next several weeks.
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Kol HaKavod to Michael Abel, Jewish Federation of Jacksonville board member and Israel Partnership volunteer chair, for completing the Tel Aviv Marathon in February. Abel trained for months leading up to the marathon and decided that he wanted to run KLV À UVW HYHU PDUDWKRQ LQ 7HO $YLY ´7KLV ZDV P\ À UVW PDUDWKRQ and running in the Tel Aviv Marathon – along the Mediterranean, through Old Jaffa, and along Tel Aviv’s most beautiful and historic streets – was the experience of a lifetime and one that I will always remember,� Abel said.
Students enjoy special day at DuBow Preschool
Mother’s Day Shabbat held at the DuBow Preschool
By SILVIA CAVIN-ROMERO
By SHEREEN CANADY
DuBow Preschool
Tzeeporim (VPK) students at DuBow Preschool recently enjoyed a special morning unlike most mornings. TwentyÂż YH VWXGHQWV DQG PDQ\ RI WKHLU parents and teachers ventured to downtown Jacksonville for a XQLTXH Âż HOG WULS WR KLVWRULF +HP
ming Park. The children were introduced to the Imagination Playground equipment, which involves endless creativity and playful construction of large foam blocks. They engaged with each other for an hour while building, planning and forming shapes in the park’s new Kids Zone space. The group then used easels and the sidewalk to draw with chalk.
They enjoyed their snacks and journeyed to the Main Library for a tour and story with Mrs. Owl. Many of the children had not been to the downtown area before, and they were excited to learn about fun things they could do next time, including riding the Skyway. Thank you to Friends of Hemming Park for underwriting this special day.
DuBow Preschool
We will be holding a special Shabbat ceremony in the garden to celebrate all our wonderful moms and bubbees. Morah Rachel, Morah Miriam and Hazzan Holzer will lead us in our favorite Shabbat songs and
each class will sing a sweet mommy song to our honored guests. Then will enjoy challah, MXLFH FRRNLHV DQG PXIÂż QV 7KH children will be making special gifts this month to give to their moms and bubbees. Our Shalom Baby and mommy and me group friends will also be invited to join this beautiful morning in the sunshine.
We would like to thank all our donors who have made their gift to the 2015 campaign, including our most recent gifts listed below. It is because of your generosity and commitment that we are able to continue to help Jews in Jacksonville, Israel and in over 70 countries worldwide! David and Gloria Abramowitz Mark and Rosalyn Abramson Eduardo and Aleaha Acosta Barbara and David Adler Baker Family Guy and Patti Benrubi Isodore Benrubi Irma and Sheldon Blattner Andrew and Christine Block Sue Ann Blumenthal Traude Bohrman Rhona Botnick Richard and Carol Bronowitz Robert and Suzanne Bryskin Donna and Larry Burnside Adam and Martina Canada Barbara Carman Steven and Markella Carney Rita Clark Allan and Kathy Cohen Cheryl Covitz Robert and Tina Diamant Etta Fialkow Adam and Sierra Frisch Hilda Gelfman Irwin and Aloise Genzier Janice and Bruce Glassman Alan Goldman Jackie and Stephen Goldman Shari Gottlieb Gottlieb Family Neill and Michelle Graff-Radford
Annette Grauer Edward and Ann Grenadier Chai and Jonathan Gross Dolly Grunthal Ardene Halpern Galit and Jon Hill Charles and Anne Joseph Morton and Delores Kesler Simone Kilbourn Garry and Debbie Kitay Michael Koren Eileen and John Krimsky Susan and Lawrence Kurtz Ron and Molly Kushner Jeffrey and Zinaida Levitsky Leonard Lipkin Marc and Sherri Litt Robert and Anne Lufrano Raquel Maiman Rodney and Elizabeth Margol Jeffrey and Penny Marks Bruce and Gwendolyn Meiselman Myron and Ellen Mensh Jo Miller Ed & Judy Mizrahi Craig and Rachel Morgenthal Bernard and Ruth Nachman Susan and Jeffrey Neadle Robert and Jacqueline Newman Thelma and Robert Nied Gloria Oehlman Morrie and Kathy Osterer
Herman and Judy Paul Michael and Angela Paul Nancy and Gary Perlman Faye and Sam Price Michael Price Diana and Alan Rauchwarger Wendy and Charles Roberts Michael and Janet Scharf Shira and David Schwam-Baird Reuben and Marilyn Serkin Barry and Ellen Setzer Karen and Robert Shafer Joel and Sylvia Shapiro Robert and Barbara Silverman Elaine Stack Mandell and Rita Stearman Daniel Stein Pam and Jonathan Tavill (VÂżU 7XOFKLQVND\D Amy and Richard Wallman Margie Weinstein David and Cass Weintraub Jill and Clayton Wilde Bruce and Sharon Witten Paul Witten Annice Yergin Anita Zeldin Elissa and Frank Ziemba Elliott and Carolyn Zisser Susan and Paul Zyserman
If you would like to make a gift to the 2015 campaign, please visit: www.jewishjacksonville.org. Every dollar counts, every gift changes lives! *The above gifts were received between February 17 and April 14, 2015. If your name was accidentally missed, please contact WKH )HGHUDWLRQ RIĂ€FH DW 7KDQN \RX