I stood near the back wall and leaned against the bulletin board as I spoke. I felt awkward standing still – I usually pace back and forth or sit on one of the tables with my feet on a chair as I facilitate discussions – but the moment seemed to warrant stillness.
My sixth grade religious school students and I were talking about sins and sacrifices, the mistakes that define us as humans and the efforts we make to beg forgiveness. It wasn’t a fire and brimstone speech; that’s never been my style, nor is it the usual interpretation of God’s personality at our synagogue. But we did address the ideas of commitment to each other and to a higher authority and the different ways people work to demonstrate their growth and remorse.
The students’ facial expressions ranged from rapt attention to mild disinterest as the lesson went on.
But everyone sat up a bit straighter when I pulled out the box of matches. Continue reading “Lighting Fires and Letting Go”
