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November 2020 KoREH News

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
- Viktor Frankl
 
Last March, with just six weeks left of school for our Kol Rinah Education Hub (KoREH), we all went into quarantine. Over the course of four days, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to close our building, leaving us a simple choice: cancel school and chalk the last few weeks up as a loss, or regroup and try to offer education remotely to students and families. Our incredible educators rallied together, mustered up their ingenuity, and created innovative lessons that allowed classes to meet remotely to finish off the year.
 
By no means was the experience perfect for students or staff. It was not the way anyone wanted to learn, but I am so proud of all that our teachers accomplished, all that our students were pushed to learn and experience, and the way people came together to spend their time and energy to show that quality Jewish learning and experiences are something we all value.
 
Over the course of the summer, I have met with our teachers, our medical advisory board, our synagogue leadership, and dozens of other Jewish educators both here in
St. Louis and around the globe to try to determine what the best practices should be for a Jewish supplemental school during this pandemic. With no way to change the situation we find ourselves in around the world this year, we adapted our learning models to deliver quality Jewish educational experiences for families. 
 
As a result, I am proud to say that we have been able to reopen KoREH starting just a couple weeks ago on October 18 in our new building on Maryland Avenue. We have modified the entire experience into a hybrid learning model; students are in class with their grade only, with all staff and students masked and sitting at least six feet apart. The morning sessions are shorter, with no in-person learning during the week, and each grade is supplementing their learning with 1-1 or small group remote learning and tutoring with their teachers. This allows students and parents the flexibility of scheduling learning in with the rest of their lives and gives students the individual attention they need to learn and grow, especially in their reading skills. We have also provided a remote option for students that are completely isolating from other people outside their social bubble.
 
Safety of every member of our learning community has always been our highest priority, and we will continue to monitor, supervise, and revise our health and safety strategies according to the most current advice from medical experts. But at the same time, seeing the smiling faces of learners, children we have watched grow and change and have not seen in person for more than half a year, has been an incredible blessing. I want to thank all of our parents and families for their trust and faith in us, not only to keep their children safe, but to give them the kind of community-focused, nurturing, adaptable, educational experience that will open the doors to a lifetime of meaningful Jewish engagement for their children. We are excited to be learning with you once again!
 
And to our teachers and partners: we could not do anything without your tireless work, sacrifices, creativity, warmth, and care. You are the pillars that hold this community and our families up, and we are so lucky to have each of you as a part of our community. 
Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784