Words from our Director of Religious Education
Hello everyone!
I’m Renee Beltran and I’m writing to you in my role as temporary coordinator of the Religious Education program, trying my best to step up to the important work that Susan Freudenthal does on behalf of the youth of this congregation.
Here in the RE classes, as one of my kids’ favorite books says: “We talk small talk and we talk tall talk.” Which is to say, we cover a gamut of topics both big and small — from belief systems to major holidays across the world, to the concepts of what constitutes a family, as well as explorations of home, community, covenant pledges, and forgiveness. Just in the past two weeks, the Emerson class has tackled the topics of “Big Bang Theory” and evolution. (This is all sprinkled liberally with healthy amounts of arts and crafts and play and fellowship.)
As you may know, Susan and Eric have been in India for the past 10 days or so, either awaiting or celebrating the birth of their new baby. As far as the kids are concerned, this is the only “talk” we need to consider at the moment. Suffice it to say, they are excited.
I, on the other hand, have recently spent quite a lot of time at the bedside of my 81-year-old
grandmother who has broken her hip and is experiencing other complications. One recent night, as I watched the frail rise and fall of my grandmother’s chest, I came to think of the nights I had spent watching my children as new babies, breathing so slightly and seeming so new to this world. I thought too of how many times she had watched over my sleep and pondered my life, just as I now watch over her. Susan and Eric are on the cusp of a similar experience, fraught with late nights and overflowing emotions of love and care. This human life experience that we all share, in its many stages and incarnations, is both immensely complex and simple. This, I believe, can sum up the work we are doing here in RE, tackling all that “talk” whether big or small. It’s important stuff.
Renee Beltran
For Susan Freudenthal
Director of Religious Educationigious Education Matters
