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The Learning Curve

The Learning Curve is a podcast hosted by Rabbi Ari Schonfeld and Rabbi Yerachmiel Garfield tackling the important parenting issues facing frum families today.

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September 02, 2024

In our season 1 finale episode, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld discuss the most relevant topic in a high school girl’s life: seminary. They discuss how the goals of seminary goers have changed, how the cost impacts the decision to go, and if ” seminary brainwash” is a legitimate concern.

Also: How should a divorced spouse deal with drastic chinuch differences with their ex-spouse?
And the BIG question: Where does the pressure to get into seminary stem from, and should it matter?

August 19, 2024

On this episode, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield discuss a hot topic in boys chinuch: The role and importance of general studies in cheder and elementary schools. They discuss the challenges yeshivos face in implementing (and staffing) a general studies curriculum that is valued by students and parents.

Also: What is the best way to work with a stubborn or rigid child?
And the Big Question: Our son is very bright and a metzuyan in yeshiva, so why isn’t he learning more than the basic secular subjects?

July 22, 2024

On this episode, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld discuss one of the most impactful decisions a parent can have in their son’s lives… where to send them for mesivta. They discuss the best way to best your child up for success in mesivta and beyond, and how to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Also: What to really do when your child’s school has different shittos than you?

And the big question: What is the parent’s role and the yeshiva’s role when choosing a mesifta for a child?

 

July 09, 2024

On this episode of the pod, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield delve deeper into mental health with renowned educational-developmental clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Shmuel Mandelman PhD. They discuss the single most important thing a parent can do to ensure positive mental health outcomes in their children, and the importance of choosing the best possible practitioners when it comes to a mental health professional.

ALSO: Why does Rabbi Garfield appreciate when his students lie? How should we talk to our kids about vaping?

And the big question: How do I know when my child’s behavior is normal vs. when it’s time to get my child help?

June 23, 2024

In this episode, Rabbi Garfield and Rabbi Schonfeld discuss the stigmas around mental health with Dr. Yossi Shafer PhD. Also: Does the “work it out yourselves” approach to sibling rivalry actually work? Is it so bad if my daughter plays games on my phone when she needs to be entertained and quiet in public? And

June 04, 2024

Featuring Rabbi Armo Kuessous and Mrs. Debbie Selengut, on this podcast, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield ask the questions you need to know before you send your kids to camp. ALSO: If you don’t like the rules why do you send your child to that school? Are teacher gifts an unfair bribe? And the BIG

May 20, 2024

In part two of this important topic, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield continue their discussion about gemara with Rav Aaron Lopiansky.

How do you reconcile the Torah’s view of the age of the world with the theories that the scientific community suggest? How should we be teaching children that eisav soneh Yaakov practically, when they might have regular interactions with the umos haolam?

And the BIG QUESTION: How do we relay to boys who are struggling with gemara that they are as equally as important as the metzuyanim?

 

May 05, 2024

On our first ever episode, Rabbi Schonfeld and Rabbi Garfield discuss the burning questions parents have about raising their children.
Is there any validity to the opinion that forcing middle school boys to go to shul on Shabbos is the way to go? When your child reports “facts” that don’t line up with that the teacher says, who do you believe?

And the BIG QUESTION: Is it possible my son is not cut out for Gemara?