At MMA, we have a big focus on Heroes. Not the fictional kind from comic strips, but the concept of everyday, real life heroes. In fact, in our Primary Program, we use a curriculum called Building Heroes Academy. We want our children to radiate with the belief that we can all be heroes. In fact, we are heroes.
Each of us have the seeds of greatness planted within us. Even more so, we each have a spark of the Infinite within us, as Hashem created us in his own image and breathed his own life into us. A Jew is a literal part of Hashem, who is infinite, so because we have a piece of that infinity within us, a Jew also has the power for infinite growth.
This means that we literally have the power and potential for infinite expansion. And this is our goal for our students: to raise them with the inherent belief that they are truly limitless. They can do anything they put their minds to, with the right combination of consistent effort, coachability, and mindset.
However, in order for our children to truly internalize this truth, it means that we, their parents and educators, must live this truth. What’s caught is far more powerful and long-lasting than what is taught. And one of the main principles at MMA is this:
You can’t teach what you don’t know.
You can’t lead where you don’t go.
You can’t give away what you don’t have.
Thus, if we want our children to believe in their unlimited potential, we must first believe in our own unlimited potential. Are we working every day to become better? Have we set goals for our own learning, growth, and improvement? Do we have systems of accountability and mentors or coaches to guide us on our journey?
The Torah is full of everyday heroes. Real men and women loaded with character flaws and problems who rise to the challenge and make the world a better place in spite of their struggles and imperfections. And here’s the most important piece: these everyday heroes aren’t only in the history books. They’re living in your home and staring back at you in the mirror. What would it take to become your own hero? A hero for your family and your next generation?
Real heroes aren’t waiting to be rescued and aren’t hiding behind excuses. Real heroes are facing their obstacles as opportunities for growth. Real heroes are able to look around them, identify the best course of action, and muster all their strength to do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.
You, our MMA Parents and Educators, are true heroes. You are taking the road less traveled and not settling for “the way it’s always been done” when it comes to raising your children. You are clear on the type of life you want to build for your family and are willing to get uncomfortable and swim upstream against the current to create that new reality.
It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child, and we are just now getting started on this journey of building our own tribe of like-minded families who are committed to this revolutionary vision. It’s also been said that the best time to plant a tree is 30 years ago, but the second best time is now. We’re far from perfect, and we have a long way to go. But we will get there together. A band of unlikely heroes, each striving to become better every day.
