blogs/estibethelbaltocom

I just returned from Israel where I was on an educational mission called Shevat Achim to explore and study our sister city, Ashkelon.  Ashkelon is Baltimore's sister city since 2004.  It was so interesting and impressive to know how similar Baltimore's school system, from an educational standpoint is to five of the public schools we saw in Ashkelon.

Rabbi Sam Wach was assigned to the fourth grade of Arlosorof Elementary School.  This school is made up of students from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, Arteria as well as Israeli born.  A significant number of the students come from lower income families. This fourth grade class taught by Morah Navah is matched with Beth El's fourth grade class, under Rabbi Sam Wach.

Our American students sent a Misloach Manot to Israel.  Both Moreh Sam and me witnessed how excited and moved the Israeli students were.  I had the pleasure of translating the letters from Beth El's students to the Israeli students.  I enjoyed seeing the glow and the enthusiasm in their eyes.

The visit to Ashkelon gave me insight in understanding just how important it is for the Israelis students to meet their contemporary friends from the USA and vice versa.  Both the American and Israeli students will come to understand each other's life styles, religious practices, feelings towards Israel and America.  Above all, how meaningful these personal friendships that are being developed will be and how they may last for a lifetime.

In addition, I felt that the Israeli faculty and administration were interested in the different models of teaching and learning we used and especially, the informal part of learning.

I was astonished to see that Israeli education uses technology often and brilliantly in their classrooms.  Technology is utilized in absolutely every aspect of their learning.  Every class had sessions working on different projects with the computers or Ipads.  I also appreciated the slogan of Arlosoroff which clearly states learning through playing. That means that we learn through play, having a good time with no pressure.

The love and the care of the administration of Arlosoroff School are unbelievable.  Ronit, the principal knows every single student within the school.  Always, with a smile and positive reinforcement, she showed tender loving care to each and every one of the children.

Navah, the Dalet class homeroom teacher organized the Shevet Achim project, is a true asset to the program.  With so much coordination, she truly makes this partnership with Sam special and efficient.

Our Sam from Baltimore is one of a kind teacher who can create a class that holds so much interest, energy and fun.

Thus, Navah and Sam are the ideal team to lead this project.

How fortunate Baltimore is to have the partner city of Ashkelon and Ashkelon is fortunate to have Baltimore!  The slogan, more than the calf wants to nurse from the cow, the cow wants to nurse the calf, works well expressing the symbiotic relationship this partnership has.

On behalf of the ten Educators who participated in the Shevat Achim mission, I would like to thank Amalia Phillips, of the CJE for coordinating this extraordinary trip.  We also thank The ASSOCIATED and the CJE for making this opportunity available to us.  This trip was a memorable and most valuable experience, a life-altering experience.

Eyal Bor, Ph.D.

Director of Education