Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
This morning, I lead "Torah Study." There were about twenty adults, ranging from about 55 to people in their 80's, in attendance. I was the lay "leader" of the day. The Cantor was there to assist but had to leave about ten minutes early. When he did, all hell broke loose.
About 30 seconds after the Cantor left Torah Study, decorum totally collapsed. About six cell phones whipped out, and all kinds of side conversations broke out. I can understand people occasionally check their phones. Certainly I am guilty of this sometimes. But today was absolutely excessive. Therefore, as a result, I terminated Torah study about two minutes after the Cantor left, or about eight minutes early.
Now, the organizer of Torah Study is constantly appealing for lay leaders. They used to be abundant but certain of them don't come as often, certain ones have resigned. This morning's mayhem makes it difficult for me to imagine leading again any time soon. Is it any wonder there are few volunteers?
I was a Sunday school student from 1967-70, ages 10-13. My classroom was not ten yards away from the site of this morning's "festivities." As a 13 year old, I walked out May 4, 1970, the first class session (a Monday since it was Hebrew school) after my Bar Mitzvah. Reason; spitballing in class. Same garbage, different age, different day.
Wrong congregation. I am 78 years old, fairly social, and have NONE of the problems I read about on the internet. I associate with like-minded individuals and seldom encounter the others, even though I am pretty sure that they exist. Although I certainly don't look for trouble, I am moderately outspoken. Perhaps that has an effect.
Status:
"Let this year be over..."
(set 16 days ago)
Location: Where my bills arrive
19,220 posts, read 17,075,134 times
Reputation: 15536
Call them out, they're all adults and if they don't want to participate in that days class then end it early as you did. When they ask for volunteers bring this up if people don't want to behave then maybe its time to end the program.
Teen antics are expected from teens, not middle age adults who have chosen to attend a class instead of being made to attend.
The easy thing is to stop volunteering and let some people wonder why no one wants to lead them.
Yes, that is also a very reasonable answer, as is VA Yankee's.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
