Without a doubt, one of the biggest challenges I faced while I was the principal of SAR was how to bring Israel into the classroom. I always felt we were able to teach the concept of Israel, but the reality of Israel - i.e. the uniqueness, holiness and the beauty of the "yom yom" as it plays itself on the streets and in the homes of modern day Israel - was a much more elusive goal.
Since my Aliyah in 2005, I have sought avenues to deliver that education to classrooms in North America. Now that video conferencing is becoming mainstream, the opportunity to introduce students to the real Israel is something that can be done with relative ease. A group of former North American educators has teamed up to produce learning modules that will introduce students to two aspects of Israeli life, chessed, and Chagim.
Israel is blessed with an endless stream of Chessed Organizations. As a Jewish state, Israeli citizens do not allow the welfare of the needy segments of society to be farmed out to the government. Be it our poor, our soldiers, our deaf, our blind, our hungry, etc., Israeli citizens feel compelled to provide options and opportunities for them. The amount of volunteerism, especially by the youth, is both astounding and impressive. We must make Jewish students around the globe aware of this ideal in Israeli society.
Shabbat and Chagim are celebrated uniquely in Israel - by the country as a whole. While around 25% of the country is observant, these special days permeate almost every sector of Jewish society. Whether it be Shabbat in Tzahal, or that Asarah Betevet is mentioned on Reshet Bet (the main radio network), the pulse of the country revolves around our calendar and our holidays. This is a feeling that enhances Jewish identity and connectedness to Israel regardless of background or affiliation.
The magic of video conferencing allows students to taste the uniqueness of Jewish life in Israel, and to be taught by experienced faculty who are living the yom yom of the Medinah with all of the positives and the challenges.
I urge you to visit our website at www.ieducatefromisrael.com for more information.
Rabbi Joel Cohn
Jerusalem
