At the heart of education lies a particular tension. On the one hand, we strive to educate toward a sense of self-empowerment and self-worth. At the same time, we encourage our students as much as possible to applaud their peers and celebrate their successes. We might wonder, if we truly educate toward self-worth, might this lead to the negation of the other? Humility must be a starting point and fundamental element in the mindset of the Jewish people studying, creating, and growing together. We all must recognize the strengths and successes of one another, listen to each other, and grow together through humility that allows us all to provide space, growth, and encouragement for one another.
March 2024
Anava/Humility as a Pedagogy Toward Jewish Peoplehood
The pedagogy of humility as taught using chevruta.
Aytan Kadden is an educator and teacher trainer. He has been a Judaics classroom teacher in grades 1-12 for more than twenty years. In the past several years Aytan has dedicated time and energy in training teachers on the university level in the Hebrew University Revivim Program. Additionally he has been working with new teachers in school, helping them develop themselves as teacher leaders. As a teacher mentor he has worked with schools in Moscow and Berlin as well as with Legacy Heritage Teacher Institute assisting teachers and schools to enhance their Jewish education models. Aytan has strengthened himself through immersion in M2’s SEC. As a community leader Aytan has also taken on a new role as spiritual guide in his local synagogue. Aytan has a BA in History from Columbia College, an MA in Medieval Jewish History from Yeshiva University and Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate.
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