Intergenerational Learning in Carmiel

Last week, the pioneering northern branch of Midreshet Lindenbaum-Matat opened their doors for 60 new voices to join their unique chorus of learning in the seminary’s Carmiel beit midrash.

“We invited our students’ mothers and grandmothers for a rich and exciting program of intergenerational learning,” revealed Matat director Rabbanit Neta Lederberg. “The visit provided an opportunity for them to take pride in their daughters’ or granddaughters’ skills and accomplishments, to see firsthand their academic and residential surroundings, and to expand our midrasha’s family,” she said.

The women spent the day enveloped in the warm study hall learning a variety of topics from the Talmud, Tanach, Chasidut and Jewish Philosophy, before enjoying a delicious, healthy spread, prepared and presented by the students. 

“It’s very apparent that my granddaughter is in a real place of Torah,” said one grandmother. “The calm, holistic nature of the midrasha and its staff were the perfect backdrop for this meeting, which was really a gift.”

Another participant shared her reflections by text message on the way back home:

“Dear Neta, saying thanks verbally wasn’t enough to show gratitude for a day like today.  I wanted to really share my gratitude for this inside look into my daughter’s world, and an introduction to the sweet taste of their enchanting seminary.  Thanks for reminding us that it’s good to take time out of work and daily routine to meet and spend time with our daughters. Thank you very much for understanding that it is good that I “take” from the times of work, running and routine to encounter with my daughter.  Please thank the staff, who brought us back to the basics, enabled us to explore slavery and true freedom and to think about the here and now. I wish I could have attended all of the classes without having to choose.  Thank you for the pampering refreshments. Thank you for bringing all of us mothers and grandmothers together, providing us with a space to discuss ‘maternal’ matters and embark upon a true partnership . Lastly, thank you for your warm countenance and soul, for your incredible fortitude and investment, and for making place in your heart for my daughter and now, for me too. “