Greenberg’s solution is to create a cohort of independent
learners. At any given time, five to 15 youngsters attend a Sunday
afternoon school at her Mt. Airy home that accommodates varying
interests and preferences. Hebrew is optional; a Bat Mitzvah could
as easily be a traditional Shabbat meal as a religious ceremony.

“A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a rite of passage that celebrates growing
up in a Jewish idiom,” Greenberg explained. Many of her families
aren’t interested in religious Judaism, “which is still the focus of
most synagogues,” she added. “But they want Jewish literature,
Jewish values, Jewish ideas, Jewish culture. My goal is they can
step into a Jewish experience anywhere and feel some familiarity.”
Borsky makes an individualized prayer book for each student,
incorporating chosen readings. He also guides each child through the
personal mitzvah project that’s become a Hebrew-school staple.

“It’s not just about learning the Shema, the Mi Chamocha,” he
emphasized. “It’s about becoming a son or daughter of the commandments.”
This year, Borsky will officiate at his 2,100th DIY mitzvah. He left
his temple job nearly a decade ago, following a crowd of oversched-
uled congregants out of the pews — and into the community, where
he leads informal Shabbat and holiday gatherings with his organi-
zation, Synagogue Without Walls. Flexibility is his calling card: The
cantor will tutor for an hour or half-hour, in person or over Skype,
in between baby namings and hospital visits (he is also a chaplain).

Missy Gerber, for one, is a satisfied customer.

“Cantor Scott really taught about the religion, which is what I
wanted,” she said. “It wasn’t just like, ‘Here, memorize this thing
that has no meaning to you.’” More than Hebrew school could
have, Gerber added, the DIY approach “really helped my sons get
in touch with their Judaism.” ❤
Hilary Danailova is a freelance writer.

Jack Gerber
Photo courtesy of Gerber family
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