Caron Tabb has, at last, solved a puzzle that I could not solve for the last 25 years: how to get an entire class of 5th graders totally immersed, totally focused, totally engaged, for a good long time on Jewish ideas and what they mean to our lives. When our 5th graders walked into shul today, they were immediately drawn to Caron’s different exhibits which are now installed in the Leventhal-Sidman Community Court and the Casty Gallery.  Caron was there to greet the thirsty young learners, and seeing her dialogue with an entire mesmerized class of 5th graders was a true delight.

Those 5th graders sense that Caron’s art calls, beckons, invites, and challenges. That is why they listened with rapt attention. That is why they kept asking great follow-up questions.

All of which means two things.

Talmud on Shabbat will be a special segment. Michelle, Aliza, Dan, and I were taped yesterday in dialogue with Caron about her various works of art. (Elias is in Argentina visiting his mother.) The conversations are so rich and generative.  This class will be a lovely introduction to Caron’s offerings.