By now many people have seen the story about Lisa Kudrow's son
who, during a visit to the mall, was given the opportunity to don tefillin and
a kippa and "have a Bar Mitzva."
Most Bar and Bat Mitzva celebrations involve more
serious preparation than Lisa's son experienced, but sometimes you have to
catch Bar/Bat Mitzvah age students where they are.
Temple Emanuel of Pascack Valley piloted a new type
of "flipped" religious school program this year. Bar and Bat Mitzva students split their Temple
School attendance – meeting at the Temple one afternoon each week and alternating
that with a distance learning program that allowed them to study online in
their own homes about Judaism and Israel over the course of the winter and
spring months.
Using a variety of elearning tools and dynamic
subject material the students explored,
debated and reflected on subjects which focused
on "Remembering and Rebuilding", and ranged from how we memorialize
the Holocaust to Holocaust heroes and from the rebirth of the State of Israel
to what makes Israel a Jewish and democratic state.
One of the most unique aspects of the program centered on the involvement of parents in their childrens' studies. As students studied at home, the parents had a chance to observe the curriculum and, frequently, participate with their child.
To conclude the unit the students created a class book of poetry and artwork that summarizes their learning experience. The majority of the students inquired about continuing the program next year.
"They were interesting.
"I just love learning about israel and this is probably the best way I've learned about Israel.
"I enjoyed everything.
"It was better than going to Hebrew School.
"It was fun and different.
"I enjoyed learning about them and the activities we did.
"Fascinating. very interactive.
I think that it was great in every way.
"There's not much to improve because it's already amazing."
