Two Days and the Brainwashing Has Begun

[onionsoupmix]

This past week was Parshas Shoftim and so in parsha class this past Friday, my daughter learned about the Jewish legal system

Comments

Keep mum

[vz85]

As an aside, I have a meeting tomorrow morning with the principal. She says she likes to meet with new parents and talk about the upcoming year, etc, etc. I don't know how much of this I should bring up and discuss, if at all. From what I understand, she is a very imposing figure and takes things personally and will hold anything critical I say against my child. Some people have advised that I play the relatives card- "our relatives are reform and conservative so we are sensitive to this, blah, blah, blah..."

I don't know what you intend to say exactly, but you might be best off saying nothing at all. What are the odds you'll change the environment at this particular school in a positive way? Make sure you aren't conflating your own need to say something critical with your child's needs. The principal is probably a combative hardliner riding a high horse. She doesn't sound like a sensitive or considerate soul. She may insist that your child not be shielded from the glorious truths contained within authentic Judaism regardless of her relatives' indulgence in the heresies of Reform and Conservative Judaism. In her mixture of defensiveness and protective ethnocentrism, she may even push your child further to accept the doctrines taught at the school and you yourself will likely come under suspicion from the Inquisition if you demand sensitivity.

Re: Keep mum

[vz85]

At the very least, I would hold off saying anything negative for a time. Creating a stink before you've developed a rapport with the people at the school is probably the quickest way to make the situation more difficult. It's too soon to act.