Judaic Studies Update: Torah Project!

We’ve begun our year-long “Torah Project,” in which students will create a Torah that includes summaries and commentaries from each weekly Torah portion. We began our parsha study with Nitzavim, which focused on the idea of a b’rit (covenant) between God and the Jewish people. (This theme tied in nicely with the students’ creation of classroom rules, in which they reflected on a community’s need for accountability and responsibility.) Some ideas from students’ d’rash (commentary) are:

·         “I think it is important for communities to have rules, because if you don’t have rules there will be chaos.”

·         “It is important to have consequences in a b’rit or people would break it lots of times and nothing would happen to them.”

·         “I think b’nei yisrael felt special about being part of the b’rit with God.”

·         “I feel special about being part of the Jewish people because we have amazing traditions and holidays.”

·         “Being part of the Jewish people makes me feel protected….I also feel thankful because I am really lucky to have a God that cares for me and is like my parent (and he/she/it kind of is).”

Students are now creating the templates that they will use each week, to organize their thoughts and ideas. I am impressed with the artistic flair and creativity that so many of them have brought to their templates. But most of all, I am impressed with the excitement and passion that the class brings to its discussion of Torah! I am looking forward to learning with them – and from them – throughout this coming year.

-Ms. Kwitkin-Close