Our Alternative To Sex Education
There is a Godly approach to helping teens understand the subject of “Maturity and Sexuality,” and this sensitive subject was the topic at a recent seminar for our middle-schoolers, most of whom are already teens. Sandy Shoshani, mother of 6 and head of the organization Be’Ad Chaim (“Pro-life”), spoke to the girls while her son, Mati, Project Manager at the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, spoke to the boys. Setting the tone for the discussion was Psalm 139 – showing how to respect ourselves and our bodies as God’s marvelous creation. It was also explained how marriage is a covenant of blood (brit) just like every other covenant instituted by God. Giving yourself to someone means literally entering into that covenant with them – the reason why it must only be within the framework of marriage. Other subjects included: “My Body is Holy to Me and to the Work of God,” “Modesty and Keeping your Body Holy,” Romans 6:13, and “Boundaries of Love: the limits between friendship and closer relationships.”
Arbor Day At Makor HaTikvah
Planting trees in Israel is a well-known activity to those living outside the land, and the day specially set aside for that is called Tu B’Shvat. On this day, it is traditional for schoolchildren to plant trees (although usually in a nearby forest). Since we are blessed with a small garden, a rarity for a school located in the center of town, we took this opportunity to plant some new trees in our own garden with grades 1-6. Our middle-school traveled to the Latrun forest to take part in a special tree-planting commemoration at a section of the forest dedicated to the memory of unborn babies which were either aborted or the victims of miscarriage. There, at the site, the children planted trees along with some of the mothers who have been helped through the Be’Ad Chaim (“pro-life”) believers’ group. For them, it was very moving and meaningful event.
Determining Your Destination As A Teen
Why wait until you graduate from high school before you think about what life direction you will take? Calev Myers, founder of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice and father of three of our students, came to MHT to speak about this subject. He challenged each student as he retold the story of Yoav in II Samuel 5: 6-10, commander of king David’s army, who was determined to arrive at his destination, the fortified city of Jerusalem, in order to conquer the city. In order to do so, he had to climb up a dark, dank water tunnel which was about 9 meters high. It required courage, patience, decisive thinking and enduring the long and arduous trek alone, not really knowing how long it would take. Calev likened this experience to the educational journey towards a respected career – staying focused, steadfast and immovable. What a great message for our young people to hear, some of whom will be starting high school next year!
Makor HaTikvah Wants To Come To Your Area
Would you like your group or congregation to hear about our school? If so, we would like to come to your area to speak with your group or congregation. If you are interested in such a visit, please let us know by writing to principal@makorhatikvah.org. We’d love to share the exciting work of a Messianic Jewish day school right in the heart of Jerusalem.
Brand New Article On Child-Rearing
Calling all parents, grandparents and educators…
We have posted a new article on a subject which will be of interest to you, “Reintroducing children to ‘Good Old-Fashioned Manners.’ ” Take a moment to go to our website www.makorhatikvah.org click on the “Articles” tab and check out the important tips which you will, undoubtedly, want to adopt for the children in your lives.
Words of Thanks
Bible Project: A brief word of thanks to congregations Adonai Roi and Yam Ahavato (from Tel Aviv and Bat Yam), for generously donating us 40 modern version Hebrew bibles. Now all of our children can read the same version during their bible study time. We still need 50 more, but are thrilled to receive this generous gift.
After School Study Center: Thanks to a very generous donation by the International Christian Embassy at Jerusalem, we will be launching our after school study center this week where children will receive private after-school tutoring for subjects such as math, English and biology. We are so grateful for this support which will allow us to help students who would not otherwise be able to afford private tutoring.
Coming Soon
Here are some of the items we hope to offer – Makor HaTikvah greeting cards featuring the art work of our students. We look forward to offering these items soon through our website of www.makorhatikvah.org which proceeds will go towards helping our school.
Makor Mailbag
“How wonderful that as a team you all met together for a seminar on ‘Working as a Team.’ It is always so encouraging that you teach out the Bible and that Chanukah was observed by all the classes.” Cath T.
”As always, the newsletter is attractive and rich in content. May your semester be overflowing with sweetness and love.” Theresa N.
“ Always a joy to see a bit of the “inside” of God raising up the next generation of Messianic children.” Lonnie L.
“So good to hear such a great report /newsletter from you. Abundant blessings to you and may His presence cover you, your faculty and students!” Frances B.
“Many thanks for the January newsletter; such interesting reading and so pleased to hear all your news. Just wanted to assure you of my prayers for you. Keep up the good work and greetings to all your wonderful staff and blessings on all the young people!” Grace P.
Practical Ways To Be Involved
New Window Project:
We still need to replace 13 old windows in our 200 year old school building. Approximate cost 53,000 NIS / $14,000.
Rain=Blessing: Every time we have rain in Israel it is a tremendous blessing for us, but here, at Makor HaTikvah, it can become a huge problem since we have a few rotted windows which need replacing. We have received a donation which covered the cost of replacing the most critical ones, but now we have two more windows which require immediate replacement. Cost: $1000.
Playground Unit:
Helping us purchase a playground unit for our kids to enjoy during recess.
Joseph Reserve Project:
Helping financially challenged families with their monthly tuition. This fund also provides much needed private tutoring and remedial help for children whose families could not otherwise support academic assistance.
Involve a Friend:
Do you think one of your friends would like to know about our school? If so, please recommend our monthly newsletter to them. Spreading the word about our school will help others to know we exist and even partner with us.
High-Tech Wish List:
Desktop Publishing Workstation for our Administrator: Cost $1760.
New Projector for our Middle School: Cost $750.
Note From The Principal
There is no such thing as a perfect school, but one thing we do have is a perfect role model in Yeshua, our Messiah. Through Him, we are inspired to teach our students with patience, love and the admonition of the Lord, gently correcting them when necessary and making sure that we direct them in the right paths, both academically and spiritually. It’s not always easy, but then to shape and pattern the life of a child is never simple. It demands holding ourselves, as their teachers and educators to a higher standard, helping them to always choose the right paths and to seek the better way. It involves motivating them, encouraging them, building them up and making sure that they know we believe in them. Our commitment is all encompassing, and we know this is a charge with which we have been entrusted, so it is with all seriousness and determination that we serve the children of the body of Israeli believers in the Jerusalem area. Your partnership is no less important. Through your prayers, financial support and encouragement you provide the fuel that keeps us going. Never underestimate your role, even from a distance, as you continue to be involved in our school and take an active part in helping us to educate these children and prepare them for life as Israeli believers who will be the salt in this society as they stand out as individuals who were patterned differently – living out their faith daily in all they do. Thanks again for understanding the significance of our efforts.