It is an ordinary morning in the religious school of which I am principal. In addition to all the usual classes, next year's confirmation class is meeting with the rabbi, next year's b'nai mitzva families are meeting with the staff, first-grade parents are learning to bake challot in the kitchen, and the ninth grade is creating 30 spice boxes for a community havdala service next week. A parent tells me of a bitter court battle to determine where his daughters will attend Hebrew school. The volunteer librarian, about to retire after many years of service, wants to know my plans for the children's collection. Everyone needs attention and deserves it.
Religious schools are like that.
We become our own community within the larger structure of the synagogue. As in any extended family, there is always something unexpected happening. He had mentioned last time he was at our school that he was planning to spend next year at a yeshiva in Jerusalem. I want to find out more, because there is a special spark in Eric. All the kids like him, and even my temperamental specialists find him helpful and engaging.