Individuality ? finding out who you are before you learn about someone else.

Tuesday, 20th November 2007

The sixth form and Year 11 pupils were inspired by talks given today by Mrs Gila Manolson. Gila Manolson is an internationally renowned author and lecturer. Her topics are Jewish modesty (tsniut), family purity (taharat ha mishpacha) and their potential for enhancing the life of the modern Jewish woman. Ms. Manolson's books include the internationally acclaimed The Magic Touch and Outside Inside.

During their Lunch and Learn Programme, the sixth form were fascinated to hear about her insights into Individuality ? what this means in relating to Judaism in an individual way and what this means for us as individuals. Mrs Manolson explained that ?there are 600,000 core Jewish souls, which are parallel to the 600,000 names for Hashem. Each one of us relates to one specific name, in the same way as our families relate to us; we can be known by several names: Gila, Mummy, Mrs Manolson, and this shows how people communicate with us. In the same way, we all have a different relationship with Hashem.?

Mrs Manolson then spoke to the Year 11 Girls, on the subject of relationships and learning about the important distinction between ?loving? someone because they make you feel good or because of the way that they superficially look and act on the outside, and loving someone because you truly love them for who they are on the inside.

Jewish Studies teacher, Mrs Harris, said ?Mrs Manolson has highlighted issues that are important for women of any age. Her talk has helped to enhance our understanding of the sacredness of a marital relationship and the strong bonds that are formed when a couple really gets to know each other on an intellectual level first.?