Shema Yisrael: The Jewish Mission Statement

Shema Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad.
Hear, Israel, Hashem is our God, Hashem is One.

We say it during tefilah, we say it at bedtime, we even say it in moments of crisis or danger. But why is it so important? Because the Shema is a mission statement for the Jewish people.

To help her 12th grade Bible class prepare for the monumental task of understanding this important prayer, Morah Lanner asked her students to create their own class mission statements. The students were split up into four groups; each wrote their own statement, illustrated them on posters that were presented to the class for a vote.

HEART: To treasure above all else trust, acceptance, and personal connections by engaging in class discussions, respecting each other, and connecting our studies to our lives. We promise to uphold the mission statement of Morah Lanner’s 12th grade class.

JEWISH STAR: In Morah Lanner’s class, we are committed to learning about Judaism in a friendly, engaging, and genuine environment where learning goes both ways, stories are told and judgements are not made, honesty and respect are core values and the support, compassion and lessons we receive in this close knit group allows us to grow both intellectually and emotionally into the next stages of life.

AM LANNER CHAI: In Morah Lanner’s Bible class… we don’t just reach goals, we surpass! We respect each new thought and every lesson we are taught; Although we learn about stories from our past, we apply them to our lives to make them last; Moshe and Avraham epitomize morality, we make this knowledge our reality; Each day is meant to teach something new, so each student may grow as a Jew; One day we’ll look back at the time we had, and realize that her tests aren’t all that bad!

10 COMMANDMENTS OF MORAH LANNERS’ CLASS:
I. Thou shalt approach leaning with passion, not just with the hope of getting a good grade.
II. Thou shalt feel comfortable to share your opinion in a judgement free zone.
III. Thou shalt foster a sense of community. 
IV. Thou shalt learn about Judaism in a relatable and current context.
V. Thou shalt internalize what we learn in class beyond Beth Tfiloh.
VI. Thou shalt feel encouraged to ask questions.
VII. Thou shalt be eager to share individual perspectives on controversial topics- especially in a spectrum on the board. 
VIII. Thou shalt respect Morah Lanner in and out of the classroom. 
IX. Thou shalt have academic integrity. 
X. Thou shalt not take thyself too seriously.

LAUGH. LIVE. LOVE. LEARN. LANNER: These are the values and principles upon which we base our lessons—whether Tanach-based or about life!

“Having these statements on the wall will serve as a constant reminder of what the class stands for and what we accomplish together,” says Morah Lanner. “It parallels the idea of a mezuzah, which keeps the Shema there at all times to remind us of the standards and values we are supposed to uphold at all times!”