Paula Minsk
Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, teachers and educational staff have worked hard to strengthen the connection of their students to Israel and its people. Most congregations had already invested a significant amount of time and effort in bringing their religious school students closer to Israel. Still, with the horrors perpetrated on Oct. 7, congregations stepped up their efforts to help students understand and reinforce the connections to the homeland.
Har Sinai – Oheb Shalom Congregation (Pikesville)
Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Ph.D., the senior rabbi of HSOSC said there has always been a strong connection between the congregation, the religious school and Israel. The congregation had Shimshinim, young Israeli high school graduates who served as ambassadors, for years.
“We stress the importance of facts. We strive to deepen our connection to Israel through song, prayer and action. We have dramatically increased our connection to the land, the people, the language and building relationships,” said Rabbi Sabath.
A significant component of the synagogue’s Israel programming is through the weekly March for Their Lives activity. Religious school students often participate with other Baltimoreans in this weekly demonstration of solidarity with Israel.
Temple Isaiah (Fulton, Maryland)
In the Temple Isaiah curriculum, there have always been units on Israel in grades 2 and 4 to 6. There was also a focus on Israel in the 7th grade. Since Oct. 7, Israel education has been reinforced throughout all grades.
Rabbi Daniel Plotkin, rabbi/educator for Temple Isaiah, said, “We want our kids to think more about Israel than just a place in crisis. Therefore, it is essential to teach our kids about the culture and history of Israel before October 7.”
Educators at the school work hard to cultivate a love for Israel and bring an understanding of Israel. The congregation has an empty chair on its bimah with a picture of murdered hostage K’fir Bibas with a shiva ribbon on his image.
Beth Israel Congregation, Owings Mills
The religious school has always had an emphasis on Israel education. They have had some engaging activities to strengthen the connection of their students with Israel. One specific one is unique. The school curriculum has a unit on “Inventors in Israel,” designed to bring Israel to the students in a very positive way.
Rick Rosen, director of education and programming for children and families, said, “We strongly believe that Israel should be an integral part of our curriculum and our lives so that our students and families connect beyond themselves.”
The religious school offers a program that allows students to travel virtually through Israel with designated stops. The program highlights the foods of Israel (kids love that!), as well as what is special about each city they “visit.”
They also have a special program for middle and high school students that addresses issues of antisemitism, which was introduced after Oct. 7.
Beth El Congregation (Pikesville)
The Beth El religious school, like other synagogues in the area, has always had a strong component in its curriculum that fosters connections between Baltimore children and Israel.
They have provided age-appropriate activities for students in their religious school. It can be difficult to provide activities for young students. The Beth El school staff has led its students in making Israeli flags. As one progresses through the elementary grades, students participate in creating a memorial garden on the first anniversary of the war. They painted the white rocks blue to represent the Israeli flag and added numerous handmade flags to show support for the state.
Beth El students have also participated in the Baltimore weekly walk for the hostages being held in Gaza. Children also took part in an annual Israel Fair. Since Oct. 7, this event has expanded to include most of the school students at Beth El. This fair was designed to teach about Israel’s cuisine, cities and culture.
In the past, middle school students, before bar mitzvah age, enjoyed an annual trip to Israel to forge a close relationship with the state and each other. This program will again be held when the environment in Israel is safer.
Students who attend both public and private schools may hear very different opinions from their teachers and other students. Incidents can originate from false statements espoused by both teachers and classmates. Cantor Emily Ellentuck, Berman-Lipavsky Religious School director, said, “As a school, we find it important for our students to learn about the conflict from Jewish educators. We give them a balanced education in a safe environment where they can ask questions.”
Later this summer, Beth El plans to hold a forum that will prepare precollege and college students for what they might face when they attend college for the first time or return for the semester.
