Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Rothschild, Leonard Bernstein and Steven Spielberg, who we all know, are Jews. Although the Jews comprise only 0.2 percent of the world’s population, they account for 22% of all Nobel Prize winners and 40% of American billionaires. Where does their success come from? How did they rise from poor immigrant workers to become U.S. leaders? Recently, I watched a TV program on EBS, which covers advanced education around the world, and I was impressed with the method of Jewish education in America. The program dealt with the ways children are educated in the four-part series. The first part was about breeding and showed an orthodox Jewish family. Michael, father and teacher, and Deborah, his wife, were rearing ten children from toddlers to high school students. Jews don’t use contraception because they regard their children as gifts of God. Their home education amazed me. Deborah didn’t say “no” to her children. She gave choices to her children instead. An expert said Deborah’s method can make children think creatively and flexibly. Deborah also said, “God blessed me with ten children, so I should maintain calmness to meet the divine blessing.” I was deeply moved by her words and could not help but respect her. Most ten-year-old Jewish children can speak Yiddish and Hebrew (the Jewish languages), as well as English. That’s because of their parents’ constant effort and attention. Michael and Deborah sang Yiddish songs and read Yiddish books to their children from infanthood. Michael also taught his children one on one, however busy he was. All the Jewish fathers teach their children one on one so they can share spiritual communion through the class. Consequentially, there are very few children who go astray. The other parts of the program deal with the education of Talmud, charity, donation, history and tradition. The education of Jews consists of constant patience, interest, love and respect by the parents towards their children, rather than expensive private lessons. I highly recommend watching this program and thinking about Korea’s education.

Jung Hwan Su  -

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