Contents:
• Weekly roundup; Using Active Listening to access the Divine Spark in our children
• New Q&A feature with Mayim Bialik, PhD
• New feature - Room613 photo section
• In classes this week
• 4th Torah Home Education Conference
• “Having A Better Marriage: A Women's Guide” a new book by homeschooling mom Rivkah Harper
• Rav Kook on parshat Bo
• Other announcements; weekly davening circle, blogs.

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I hope you had a good week. In Room613, we did. I am constantly amazed by the progress we are making, as we finish section after section of Torah study, and then eagerly dive into new material, engaged in meaningful learning the entire time. And all this without grades, prizes, or coercion. It can be done!

The New York Times ran an article this week about a school in New York that is using tutors to help students in the classroom, remotely. (Tutors are reluctant to go to the school due to the area it is located in!) While the tutor and student do share work via a computer screen, the tutor only speaks to the student via telephone, and therefore cannot see the student they are working with. No facial or visual clues, no body language. The article presented some critical opinions about a teacher not having any visual cues from a student.

I was somewhat perplexed while reading this, as to why the NY Times found this program to be such a big deal. A teacher on the phone, sharing a computer screen? In Room613, we are far ahead of this. As I have written about in the past, we can clearly see each other (those who choose to use a webcam), and we have shared the view out of each other’s windows, been with each other in the airport and on vacation, in the sukkah, and many other touching and moving scenes. We encourage your children to join us, as we effectively bridge the transactional distance gap...every day! 

We had an interesting discussion in class this week about Divine Providence. In sefer Shmuel, Shaul, the son of Kish, goes, together with an assistant, looking for his father’s lost sheep. He travels far and wide to find them. They arrive at the end of the day at a certain city, which just happens to be where Shmuel the Seer resides. Unbeknown to Shaul, G-d had informed Shmuel the day before that He is sending a man (Shaul) to come to Shmuel, and that Shmuel should anoint him as the next leader of the Jewish people.

This is a fascinating passage. Let’s briefly analyze it, and then I’d like to make a connection to homeschooling.

Shaul set out to look for lost sheep, nothing more. He was even ready to go back, until his assistant suggested they go to find the Seer to ask what to do. In truth, the entire event of the lost sheep had been orchestrated by G-d to allow the next leader of the Jewish people to encounter Shmuel the Seer, and take his rightful place as the leader of the Jewish people.

G-d’s hand is just as active in our own lives. We go about our daily business, yet, like Shaul, we can lose sight of the big picture, as hard as we try not to. 

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, at the very beginning of Likkutei Moharan, writes that one should always strive to find the “chochmah” (wisdom) in everything they see. In other words, to try to see the unifying G-dly principle behind everything we encounter.

In thinking about how these ideas might translate to the Jewish homeschool...

(To read the following essay in its entirety - and I hope you will! -  follow the link below. I hope you will read it, and let me know your thoughts.)

http://tinyurl.com/7e3qgqo

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New Q&A feature with Mayim Bialik

I am excited to announce that Room613 and its sister site, Natural Jewish Parenting, will be hosting a new feature with actress, neuroscientist, and homeschooling mom Mayim Bialik, PhD. Mayim will be answering questions from readers about Jewish parenting and Jewish homeschooling. Submit your questions now!

http://www.room613.net/members/room613/blog/VIEW/00000015/00000202/New-QA-feature-with-Mayim-Bialik .html

Mayim’s new book, “Beyond the Sling,” is available in the parenting section of the Room613 Amazon shop.

http://www.room613.net/members/room613/adminpages/books

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New feature - Room613 photo section

We now have photos of some of our events, available for your enjoyment. They can be accessed from the home page (towards the bottom) or here:

http://www.room613.net/members/room613/gallery/AA

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*In classes this week*

Chumash - In parshas Vayera, we analyzed why Avrohom told Avimelech that Sarah was his sister. Was this the truth? And how did this differ from the previous similar episode with Paroh?

Halacha - We are learning the dinim of covering the head, with its many fascinating details.

Hanhagos Tzadikim - We finished the teachings of the Rosh, organized by the day of the week and are now studying some very inspiring and profound  - and anonymous! - teachings. Also organized by the days of the week.

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From the sponsors of the 4th Torah Home Education Conference:

“Please mark your calendar to visit Baltimore on Sunday May 6th and plan to attend this marvelous event. Make the Torah Home Education Conference a "must" on your homeschooling agenda.

The conference is a fabulous source of support, inspiration and camaraderie for all. Look for more information regarding this special event as the program develops.

For more info, please contact Yael@aldrich613@hotmail.com.

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“Having A Better Marriage: A Women's Guide”

A new book written by homeschooling mom Rivkah Harper.

“This book touches on the way the Torah views marriage from a spiritual and physical perspective, as well as the differences between men and women. We look, think and act differently. By understanding our differences, we can learn the best way to interact with each other. With this understanding, the author uses a very positive approach to introduce a few select points that can be used to make you the right partner.”

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/having-a-better-marriage-a-womens-guide/18826106?productTrack ingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/having-a-better-marriage-a-womens-guide/18831153?productTrackingC ontext=search_results/search_shelf/center/2

 Look for Rivkah Harper's new homeschooling blog, coming soon!

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Davening Circle

Every morning, from 9:30 - 9:45 AM, homeschooling children from around the country gather to daven together. This is a free, open group, to any type of member, and any age children. We would love for you to join us! See our homepage for more info.

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*The Weekly Parsha* - Bo

Why Clear Out Chametz?

Why does the Torah command us to destroy all chametz (leaven) found in our homes during Passover? It is logical to eat matzah; this fast-baked food has a historical connection to the Exodus, recalling our hurried escape from Egyptian slavery. But how does clearing out leaven from our homes relate to the Passover theme of freedom and independence?

Freedom of Spirit

There are two aspects to attaining true freedom. First, one needs to be physically independent of all foreign subjugation. But complete freedom also requires freedom of the spirit. The soul is not free if it is subjected to external demands that prevent it from following the path of its inner truth.

The difference between a slave and a free person is not just a matter of social standing. One may find an educated slave whose spirit is free, and a free person with the mindset of a slave. What makes us truly free? When we are able to be faithful to our inner self, to the truth of our Divine image — then we can live a fulfilled life, a life focused on our soul's inner goals. One whose spirit is servile, on the other hand, will never experience this sense of self-fulfillment. His happiness will always depend upon the approval of others who dominate over him, whether this control is de jure or de facto.

The Foreign Influence of Leaven

What is chametz? Leaven is a foreign substance added to the dough. The leavening agent makes the dough rise; it changes its natural shape and characteristics. Destruction of all leaven in the house symbolizes the removal of all foreign influences and constraints that prevent us from realizing our spiritual aspirations.

These two levels of independence, physical and spiritual, exist on both the individual and the national level. An independent people must be free not only from external rule, but also from foreign domination in the cultural and spiritual spheres.

For the Israelites in Egypt, it was precisely at the hour of imminent redemption that the dangers of these foreign 'leavening' forces were the greatest. At that time of great upheaval, true permanent emancipation was not a given. Would the Israelites succeed in freeing themselves, not only from Egyptian bondage, but also from the idolatrous culture in which they had lived for hundreds of years? To commemorate their complete liberation from Egypt, the Passover holiday of freedom requires the removal of all foreign 'leavening' agents.

Cleansing Ourselves of Foreign Influences

In our days too, an analogous era of imminent redemption, we need to purge the impure influences of alien cultures and attitudes that have entered our national spirit during our long exile among the nations.

Freedom is the fulfillment of our inner essence. We need to aspire to the lofty freedom of those who left Egypt. To the Israelites of that generation, God revealed Himself and brought them into His service. This is truly the highest form of freedom, as the Sages taught in Avot (6:2):

(Silver from the Land of Israel, pp. 151-153. Adapted from Olat Re'iyah vol. II, p. 244.)

http://www.ravkooktorah.org/

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Our Facebook pages turn out to be where we are posting a lot of info. and pictures, too. Please visit us there (and why not “friend us” while you’re at it?) -

Room613

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Room613/181973811814410

Mercaz Machshava Tova

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mercaz-Machshava-Tova/246783082038915

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Blogs Not to Miss!

Yael's Blogs

For my wife Yael's unique take on homeschooling and parenting, please visit her blogs:

• Room613 homeschool blog, "A Learning Experience," featured on our homepage (www.room613.net).

• Parenting blog at http://www.natural-jewish-parenting.net

Leia's Laboratory

Rivka Writes

Morah Miriam Shapiro

Dr. Nicole Brackman - "The Doctor is In"

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