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The Importance of Happiness

January 17, 2023
By Adam Tilove, Head of School

Dear HBHA families,

Last summer, I became deeply focused on “happiness.” How do we find lasting happiness and meaning? How can we teach the skills, mindsets, values and practices of living a happy life? How might prayer, community, curiosity, success, resilience, exercise, rest, and the richness of our traditions affect happiness?

I had the opportunity to attend the Prizmah (Prizmah is the network for Jewish day schools) conference Sunday through Tuesday, where happiness was a point of discussion. Tal Ben-Shahar, the author of a few books I’ve read on the topic of happiness, was the keynote speaker. Aside from being excited at the opportunity to learn from such a distinguished author and professor, I felt validated that my summer project had legs - and that the work of pursuing happiness in education is essential and urgent.

I am proud to say that one of our faculty Professional Learning Communities or "PLC" groups (which met on Late Start Wednesdays in the fall and will continue to meet in the spring) is focused solely on the social and emotional well-being of students at HBHA. We are focused on meeting our kids’ needs and providing them with the education and childhood experiences that they need to sustain them throughout their lives.

HBHA cares deeply about our students- not just as walking brains needing to be filled, but as people with their own unique souls that need to be nourished and supported as they find their own version of happiness. It’s part of what already makes us so special, and we want to continue to grow to become even better, day after day and year after year.

Thank you for sharing your children with us!