ABOUT US
AN INNOVATIVE AND DYNAMIC JEWISH LEARNING EXPERIENCE
With nearly 30 years of combined experience in the Jewish educational and non-profit spheres, Rebecca and Mordechai Walker looked to reinvigorate the Jewish "Hebrew School" model. Seeking an atmosphere that is both comfortable and engaging, where students look forward to learning and still feel safe discussing issues that really matter, Emor was born.
Emor is the answer in connecting today's advanced youth to their history and future. It is a fresh approach that reaches children at the heart of who they are, in a way that works for them. It readily spills the secrets and greatest stories of our heritage. Emor is not concerned with bureaucracy, labels, titles or the way things have always been done. Our goal is to share the loftiness of our religious teachings in a way that is worthy of our children's time and attention, so that they hold it in their hearts and use it as a guide along their way.
In Hebrew, there are two ways to express the word “say.” One is Dibbur, the other, Emor. While Dibbur refers to the actual words being spoken, Emor represents the intention, passion and breath that carry those words.
Only once we have been excited by the substance of what we are learning (Emor), can we then meaningfully and genuinely connect to the words and ideas (Dibbur). An Emor need not even be a word…an Emor can be a song, a sigh, a smile, a look or even silence.
Emor is the seed of inspiration planted deep into the hearts of all those who are surrounded by it…and like a seed, continues to evolve and grow long after the moment of inspiration has passed.
Emor is the imagination, the creativity, the unique personality and the magic in our lives.
Emor is the universal language of all children and, suggests the Torah, the absolute truest and most effective way to educate our precious, little superheroes!
ABOUT OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
With 15 years experience, Rabbi & Cantor Mordechai Walker has taught in many environments, to children of all backgrounds, developing an approach to education that is uniquely his own.
Motivated by his own struggles as a student, Mordechai places the responsibility of passing on our most valued principles to our children solely on the teacher. This is the premise behind Emor. He dreams of his ideal classes as a child and makes them a reality for his students today. Incorporating both the written and oral Torah, well-known concepts and untold stories, chassidus and Kabbalah, Mordechai infuses each lesson with spirituality and most importantly, relevance and practicality for today's world.
With a clear goal, connecting tomorrow's leaders to our holy traditions, Mordechai knows it is the children who will redeem our world and he is honored to help them on their path to do so.
RABBI & CANTOR MORDECHAI WALKER